Venture with Planet D: Unraveling North American Luxury and Wellness
Mediaplanet interviewed Dave and Deb, founders of Planet D. Discover their luxury travel tales, North American gems, wellness fusion, and expert tips for crafting unforgettable journeys!
Luxury travel has become increasingly popular. In your opinion, what sets North America apart as a destination for luxury travelers seeking unique experiences?
With world-class cities like New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Vancouver, to cultural and historic cities such as New Orleans, Quebec City, and Mexico City, the opportunities are endless. Each city has luxury hotels, Michelin-Star restaurants, and top-tier experiences. As of 2019, there were a total of 121 hotels that are ranked AAA Five Diamond Ratings alone. North America is massive with diverse landscapes from snow-capped mountains to sandy beaches.
As far as unique experiences in North America, one of the ultimate luxury adventures we have taken part in was walking with Polar Bears in Churchill. Churchill Wild has luxury lodges in Manitoba where people can enjoy fine wine and dining as they go on daily safaris in search of polar bears.
From kayaking and camping with personal chefs and guides in the Baja Peninsula of Mexico to luxury Alaskan cruises, the opportunities are endless in North America.
Many travelers prioritize health and wellness during their trips. How do you incorporate wellness into your travel experiences, and what benefits do you see from this approach? We always add adventure to our travels. We aren't fans of going to the gym or working out in our hotel rooms,
but we love the outdoors. Getting out in nature is the best way to pri oritize our wellness. We almost always follow our outdoor adventures with a pampering couples massage or a day at the spa. We love combining an adventure that pushes us to our limits with a rewarding experience in a luxurious spa.
We also almost always get on the water no matter where we go. We love paddling be it kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, or canoeing. Exploring a destination by paddling is our favourite way to explore. It's a great workout that doesn't feel like work, and we can cover a lot of ground while seeing places from a different vantage point.
If you aren't into the outdoors, we find that simply walking is an amazing way to stay active. When exploring cities like Zurich or Athens the last two summers, we walked 20,000 steps a day. Now that is a workout.
Enjoy the Ultimate Wellness Getaway and Ignite Your Senses
The Groupe Nordik family of spas combines an upscale spa experience grounded with an escape into nature.
With the thermal cycle at its core, Groupe Nordik has transformed the traditional spa into an immersive wellness experience. Its spas, located in Chelsea, Que., Whitby, Ont., and Winnipeg, Man., are each inspired by sauna culture and spa rituals from around the world, but with a distinctly Canadian identity.
The immersive spa experience is tailored toward the health and well-being of its guests, with world-class amenities like saunas, steam rooms, outdoor baths, meditation rooms, and gourmet dining
experiences. Guests can get pampered with a variety of massage and treatment options and enjoy ultimate serenity in the Källa flotation pools in Chelsea and Whitby, all while discovering the physical and mental benefits of thermotherapy — a three-step relaxation ritual that involves immersing oneself in heat, then cold, followed by a rest period.
Every season brings a different feel to the spa experience, with summer patios and cozy winter fire pits. These wellness destinations are meant to be both places of quiet meditation and enjoyable socialization, offering guests a chance to reconnect with nature, their loved ones, and themselves.
THE THERMAL EXPERIENCE + CYCLE
Based on ancient Nordic traditions, thermotherapy is a wellness ritual that involves spending time in a hot environment, then a cold one, followed by a rest period.
Benefits include:
• Improved physical and mental well-being
• Better sleep, memory, and mental alertness
• Relief from injury, chronic pain, rheumatism, and arthritis
• Deep relaxation
For maximum benefit, the thermal cycle is done three times in the following sequence:
HOT CYCLE
Hot dry sauna or steam room to raise body temperature and build a sweat (8-15 minutes)
COLD CYCLE
Short cold-water plunges to release adrenaline (10 seconds or more)
REST CYCLE
Recovery to slow the adrenalin and boost endorphins (at least 20 minutes)
AN IMMERSIVE WELLNESS JOURNEY
Nordik Spa-Nature, nestled in the picturesque village of Old Chelsea in Quebec, is the largest spa in North America. Since 2005, the spa has been offering guests an immersive relaxation experience, with wellness services like facial and body treatments and massages, and the Källa saltwater flotation pool, which will make you feel like you’re floating in the Dead Sea.
Thermëa spa village in Whitby, Ont., also features a Källa saltwater flotation pool, along with six dry saunas, two steam rooms, and seven other baths, making every visit to the spa village a new experience. Located only 50 minutes from downtown Toronto, Thermëa spa village offers a wide selection of experiences dedicated to the well-being of body and mind. Guests may enhance their visit by adding a massage or treatment, such as the self-guided wellness treatment, Rhassoul, or by visiting one of the three restaurants, each with a different menu that changes with the seasons.
UNIQUE SAUNA RITUALS
Customizing your experience is one of the benefits that each of Groupe Nordik’s spas offers — with rich, meditative Ritual experiences that transport you on a journey elsewhere. Discover the Aufguss — a German ritual designed to maximize the benefits of thermotherapy through an intensified thermal cycle guided by a Rituals Artisan. Based on an ancient practice, this ritual embraces water vapour infused with essential oils that carry health-enhancing properties. No two Rituals are the same — different aromas, atmosphere, length, intensity, soundscape, and choreography all create an open-ended story in this unique experience.
Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature in Winnipeg, Man., offers guests a peaceful escape in the midst of a bustling city. Just a short drive from downtown Winnipeg, this haven of wellness is a must-visit destination no matter the season. Whether it’s snowing or sunny, Thermëa is the ultimate retreat.
A PEACEFUL ESCAPE
In the winter, Winnipeg’s Thermëa invites guests to experience the season in a gentler way. Relax in plush robes, warm up in the heated relaxation beds or one of the four saunas, or sit, rest, and listen to the crackle of roaring fires. As the only Nordic spa in the Canadian prairies, it’s worth revisiting in the summer. Thermëa’s seasonal beach area offers an additional escape where you can dig your toes in the sand, enjoy a crisp, craft beer with an artisanal wood-fired pizza from the outdoor Biergarden, bask in the sunshine on handcrafted beach loungers or daybeds, and cool down in the spa’s luxurious rainforest mist.
A trip to any one of Groupe Nordik’s luxurious spas is a treat for the senses and a revitalizing experience for the mind, body, and soul. With so many Rituals, treatments, and experiences to choose from, you’re sure to find your perfect fit. And whether you’re in Quebec, Ontario, or Manitoba, you can enjoy a well-deserved moment’s respite and discover the joy and benefits of thermotherapy.
RVING FOR ALL: Unleash Your Inner Explorer
For getaways in the great outdoors, you can’t beat the convenience of an RV. Get rolling with Go RVing Canada — your one-stop trip planning resource.
Veronica Stephenson
STARTER TOOLKIT
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EXPERT ADVICE
In today’s wellness-conscious era, there’s no shortage of expertly marketed products and promises for improving one’s health and mental well-being. But before there were rose quartz facial rollers and pricey superfood powders, there was the great outdoors — a time-honoured way to leave the stress of city living behind, rejuvenate your mental state, and stop burnout in its tracks.
You can always take a day trip to a local park, but there’s an even better way to venture into nature’s playground. For adventurers who still enjoy some of the comforts of home on the road, an RV or recreational vehicle is essentially a sanctuary on wheels. And fortunately for Canadians, there’s a free, one-stop-shop resource for RV enthusiasts — whether they’ve never stepped foot in one before or are seasoned travelers looking for the most up-to-date information.
Go RVing Canada is committed to helping Canadians explore their country’s vast natural playground, whether they want to see the sights in their own province or travel coast-to-coast. Besides the
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Who better to learn from than a seasoned RV specialist? For your more advanced RV questions, we’ve got experts on board. Learn how to save gas money, camp responsibly in Canada’s gorgeous natural landscape, get a cost-effective insurance plan, or fund your adventures with a lucrative side gig.
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PLANNER TOOL
Now you’re ready to plan your trip. Tell us where you’ll get rolling and where you want to go, and we’ll take care of the rest. Go RVing’s Trip Planner tool will map out convenient places to park your RV and point out mustsee spots in the places you want to explore.
immense wellness benefits of spending time in nature, planning a group getaway in the great outdoors is an amazing way to connect with family and friends. From affordability guides and RV comparison tools to comprehensive getting started guides, Go RVing Canada ensures that every aspect of RVing is covered.
Once you're ready to get rolling, use the interactive trip planner and campground finder to help you plan and locate the ideal RV spots. Virtually everything you could need to plan an RV adventure is available on the site — tips, tricks, checklists, recipes, budget planning ideas, and maintenance guides, catering to RV enthusiasts of all experience levels.
It’s not too late to plan a thrilling autumn adventure — with a wealth of vetted resources at your fingertips, you’ll find that RV travel is more accessible and affordable than you think. Go RVing empowers you to design a personalized summer escape that suits your preferences, budget, and timeline. Embrace the freedom of the open road and make the most of the summer season.
RENT AN RV
First RV trip? Want to hit the road without a major commitment? Renting an RV might be for you. Read our ultimate first timers guide for everything you need to know and learn how to find the best RV for you and your friends or family — furry best friends included.
It’s never too late to get rolling with Go RVing. Visit gorving.ca and make the most of this summer.