Ahhhh Bliss....

The word holiday means different things to different people.  My husband's idea of a holiday is flying for hours to an international destination, checking into an expensive hotel and sleeping for a week.

This drives me mad.

As a mother of several small children I've learnt that sleep is overrated (sleep? What is this sleep that you speak of?) and on holidays I want to DO something.

And I'm not referring to the same old tourist activities that are offered everywhere that we seem to visit.  The ones that leave your wallet empty and credit card company in business.

Let's do something interesting and CHEAP.  Something that gets you into shape (bonus after having babies), increases stamina and pushes you to new heights.

Let's go bushwalking.

Okay, okay.  I can see that you're a bit hesitant.  Bush walking (or hiking) doesn't quite have that wow factor.  You're probably thinking that all it involves is walking...through the bush.

It does.  But let's make it interesting.

If you've been following this blog, you may remember that I've been exploring the wineries and cheese makers of Tasmania.  I've decided that combining a walking trip with my gastronomic holidays is a great idea.  Best of both worlds.

Throw in stunning scenery, a great lunch and exercise to work off the camembert.  Bliss.

If you're holidaying with the kids, bush walking provides quality time without the distractions of video games and television.  It's a great opportunity to develop a real connection to the natural world and to see wild life up close.  And all that fresh air makes them really, really tired.  Double bonus.

 

If you're lucky enough to be able to ditch the kids for a few days, then a walking holiday gives you the opportunity to take a break from your ordinary routine and a chance to reconnect with the natural world and ourselves.  You can go totally zen.

Why have I jumped on the promote Tasmania band wagon?

I've travelled to a lot of places, in Australia and overseas.  And I've discovered that sometimes the most spectacular places are at home.

Tasmania's location in the Southern Ocean has preserved it as not only an island of rare beauty but also one of the most unspoiled places left on earth.

Much of its ancient glacial formed mountains and lakes, temperate rainforests and undeveloped coastline are protected as World Heritage Area, national parks and marine reserves.

This means the rains that fall, the rivers that tumble through its valleys and the oceans that brush its shores are still clean.

Sounds pretty good to me.  And you know I'm a sucker for mountain views.  It's that whole Sound of Music obsession I had as a child.

So I present to you Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.  It has world renowned walking tracks.  Really.  I googled it.

And guess what?

After a day in the wilderness, you've earned some special pampering don't you think?

I've found a spa that will take special care of your tootsies after a long day of trekking.

WALDHEIM ALPINE SPA - Cradle Mountain Lodge.

Doesn't this sound like heaven?

"Waldheim Alpine Spa invites you to embark on the ultimate sensory journey designed to indulge the senses.  The pampering begins with a traditional Hot Lime Foot Cleansing and Thai Foot Ritual, using warmed aroma-therapeutic oils, applied to nourish and condition the feet, followed by the decadent experience of soaking them in Elemis' award - winning Skin Nourishing Milk Bath.  Exfoliating with Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow, feet are lavished with an application of warmed Frangipani Monoi Oil to seal in moisture and leave skin feeling silky soft.  With feet and mind in a blissful state, the focus shifts to the upper body with a customised back, neck and shoulder massage and is completed with an energising foot massage that will leave you floating on air as you leave the Spa."

See, a bushwalking holiday isn't as daggy as you thought, is it?