6 WEEKEND RETREATS

The Greenbrier, located in White Sulphur Springs in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, is known as “America’s Resort,” welcoming guests since 1778. Along with three golf courses and a golf club, indoor/outdoor tennis, guests-only casino, 40,000-square-foot spa, they’re offering fabulous March weekend special-interest getaways: Antique Treasures Weekend (March 14-16), Art Enthusiast Weekend (March 21-23) and Women’s Weekend (March 27-30). .

Time to get healthy as a couple. Immerse yourself in Dorset’s Summer Lodge Country House Hotel’s Gourmet Wellness for Couples. On March 7-9, Dr. Dorian Dugmore, CEO of Wellness Academy and one of the world’s leading well-being experts, will analyze, educate and encourage discerning couples regarding health and well being. Just two and a half hours from London, this property encompasses Melbury Estate and Deer Park. A wine tasting with award-winning Sommelier Eric Zwiebel, who shares health secrets as well as the surprising health benefits of chocolate, and a weekend black-tie gala dinner are also all included in the package. SummerLodgeHotel.co.uk.

For an escape a little closer to home, explore the Florida Keys, their March festivals and new places to stay. On March 1, Key West hosts the Conch Shell Blowing Contest. On March 8-9, more than 20,000 seafood lovers will flock to the Original Marathon Seafood Festival, and on March 22, Islamorada hosts the WoofStock Music Fair. As for where to stay, Marathon’s Tranquility Bay Resort recently added 16 new luxurious tropical garden guest rooms. Situated on 12 landscaped acres and 1,100 feet of shoreline, the new additions complete this waterfront property and are a perfect addition to the 87 twoand three-bedroom beach houses.

Another option in the Keys is Marathon’s Key Colony Beach’s Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel and Resort, which has reopened after two years of renovations. Think private beach, spa, complimentary Wi-Fi and suites with full kitchens.

Wild Earth Llama Adventures is offering “Take a Llama to Lunch!” This new adventure weekend ranked on TripAdvisor as the No. 1 activity in Taos, N.M. Wild Naturalist Stuart Wilde will be your hiking guide in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains or along the Rio Grande Gorge, with customized choices of day-long or overnight excursions. Besides keeping you company, these gentle llamas come along to carry all the gear – all have been rescued and rehabilitated by Wild Earth throughout the Southwest. or 800.758.LAMA (5262).

If you find yourself in Russia and you love vodka, make sure to spend a few days at this St. Petersburg experience. The Grand Hotel is now offering a “Vodka Experience” at its always-fashionable Caviar Bar & Restaurant. Its vodka sommelier gives guests an introduction to the history of the liquor and an overview of the Russian style of vodka drinking. One rule of vodka drinking: the liquid should not be consumed in one dram – it is considered bad manners; it ought to be consumed gradually, in small swigs.