The Healthy Voyager visits Santa Barbara, CA! Join me on my vacation as I dine at Sojourner Cafe, Spiritland Bistro, Pizza Guru, The Natural Cafe, Backyard Bowls & CrushCakes Cupcakery. In addition, check out my adorable digs at the Cheshire Cat Inn bed & breakfast! I had a great time and hopefully if you’re planning a visit, you will too!

For more information, visit www.healthyvoyager.com

Nothing screams honeymoon like lying on the beach, soaking up the sun, eating to your hearts desire with a drink in your hand. A drink with an umbrella in it, of course ; ) We decided to go south of the border for some sun as well as some adventure as we knew that the Yucatan had plenty of it. I’m not much for sitting around the beach for a week so I’m glad we picked a spot that had tons to offer outside of the beautiful ocean. So much history, great food and great fun, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to get away with my new hubby!

On our first evening, of course I wanted Mexican food so we went on the lookout; ) Oddly enough, it was tough to find!! The Cancun area is pretty much the U.S. Laden with American chain restaurants, I refused to partake and hunted down the first local(ish) spot I could. Taco Grill satisfied my craving for local fare and exceeded expectation. A cute outdoor eatery, on the bay, Taco Grill served up some great veggie options. My dinner was complete with a large helping of fresh guacamole, a nice sized marg ; ), and the best grilled veggie burrito I’ve ever had! It was oozing with sauteed veggies, mushrooms, avocado, beans and delicious sauce. I’m craving one right now! Taco Grill is located in the La Isla Shopping Center.

Now, you wouldn’t think that going out for Italian in Mexico would be a good thing but Limoncello was great! Right across from our hotel was this cute, fine dining-ish, locale, right on the water. They even have a private gazebo on a dock for special occasions – very nice! I was delighted that they had my favorite dish, Gnocchi, and I was able to get it with a really great tomato sauce. their bread was a nice touch as well as it came out like a flatbread on a griddle – warm and melty ; ) We really enjoyed the food and the ambiance of Limoncello so don’t fret about getting some variety.

If you’re looking to do some tequila tastings while enjoying a flavorful, waterfront meal, then La Tequileria is the place for you! So veggie and special diet friendly, I really enjoyed the live music and varieties of their local beverage ; ) Their salads are all veganizable and mega tasty and there’s no denying yourself some guac and chips!

I need of curbing a sweet tooth, I stumbled upon Ah Cacao, an all chocolate cafe! And I was able to partake as they could make the cacao goodness vegany. I got a soy Mexican hot chocolate and it ruled! The company is super green and offers the best quality cacao products from the Mayan regions. See, chocolate can be green, helpful and healthy!

Nothing shows the magnitude of the health movement like finding a natural foods restaurant in the heart of Mexican part town. Natura is located on the main drag of Cancun and offers up all sorts of natural dishes, fresh juices and a ton of vegetarian options. Even though it was crazy hot out, I had to try their veggie soup and I followed that with insane vegan nachos. I also imbibed a super green juice and was very happy that I could get one anytime as it was in walking distance of our hotel ; ) Stop in for a healthy meal at Natura – Boulevard Kukulcan Km 9.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancún. 77500
Mexico Tel +52 998 8830585.

There’s way more to come as I have more rave reviews for Cancun and the surrounding cities in the state of Quintana Roo!

For more information, visit www.healthyvoyager.com

Healthy Voyager Tours launches this October with the first of many breathtaking trips to come, with the Inca Adventure in association with Fit Tours. Your healthy, special diet, fit adventure takes place in Peru’s Urubamba Valley, known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas,  that lies between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Along the valley are stunning colonial villages where ancient customs live together among impressive Inca ruins. Possessing a special energy, this valley is the perfect place for our first Healthy Voyager Tour where we will explore the varied attractions and rich culture including some of world’s best hiking through the Andean Mountains. Incomparable Inca ruins and other remnants of that indelible legacy lie in all directions, easily accessible from our resort.
The fertile valley – marked by the Urubamba River and majestic Andes mountains, charming villages, and stunning examples of Inca stonemasonry – is a beautiful, laid-back area attracting visitors interested in renewing, exploring the great outdoors, and enjoying the area’s year round splendid weather and lower altitude (2,700 m/8,900 ft, compared to Cusco’s 3,400 m/11,000 ft).
Nothing but the best for our healthy trip, our accommodations are found in the perfect location. Just down the road from the town of Ollantaytambo – with its remarkable original Inca old town, hilltop ruins and lively market is just 15 minutes away; within a half-hour are the town of Maras, from which travelers can visit the ancient and photogenic Salineras salt mines and the mysterious Inca ruins at Moray. The famed artisans’ market and towering Inca fortress in Pisac are just 45 minutes away.
Our hiking adventures will include excursions to:
The Salt Pans at Maras: This precious commodity has been produced here since before the Inca period.
Terraces at Moray: Terraced fields built in the form of an amphitheatre by the Incas and used, according to historians as a centre for experimental agriculture.
The Villages of Urubamba, Yucay, Calca, Chincheros and Pisac: Each of which has a special attraction, not only in its architecture but its living culture, indigenous markets and sublime countryside.
Village of Ollantaytambo: This is the only place in Peru where people still live in what was once the home of an Inca noble. It is the only village in Cusco which retains the Inca trapezoidal shape. Next to the village is the so-called “Fortress of Ollantaytambo“, the last fortified town before Machu Picchu, where the famous Inca architecture can be seen in its entire splendor.
Machu Picchu: 120 km from the city of Cusco, Machu Picchu is without doubt one of the few places on earth where not only the works of man take your breath away with their perfection and harmony of shape, but the surrounding countryside is also astonishingly beautiful. What is even more surprising is how the Incas managed to combine architecture and nature in such a way that one complements the other to make an inseparable whole. The greenery of the great mountains act as custodians of the sacred city, the sound of the wind and the river Urubamba in the distance create such energy in Machu Picchu that at its summit you feel quite simply closer to heaven. Built entirely in stone from the natural quarries nearby, the city has two sections: the urban area and the agricultural area consisting of numerous terraced fields. Within the urban zone are palaces, squares and temples with the Pyramid of Intihuatana and the temples at its foot being the most important religious sites in the city. The Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary was declared a Natural and Cultural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, a double distinction which it shares with few other places. We will climb and explore this incredible site making for a truly unique Healthy Voyager Tour.
In addition to the wonderful trips and excursions, we will be dining on the freshest and tastiest local fare. All meals will be vegan and we will have plenty of options for gluten free, diabetic and other special diet travelers. We will be hosting cooking classes as well as specialized fitness classes throughout the trip for an all-encompassing, whole body experience.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 (Su): Arrival Day
2:00a: Arrive Cusco transfer to resort
5:00p Welcome orientation
6:30p: Dinner
7:30p: After dinner walk
Day 2 (Mo)
6:30a: Wake-up
7:00a: Yoga
8:00a: Breakfast
8:30-12:30p: Pumahuanka Gorge hike
1:00p: Lunch
4:00p-5:00p: Strength & Core training or Cooking Class
6:00p: Dinner
7:30p: Evening activity (local evening village walk)
Day 3 (Tu)
6:30a: Wake-up
7:00a-8:00a: Yoga
8:00a: Breakfast
8:30a-12:30p: Yucay terraces hike
12:30p: lunch
2:00p-5:00p: White water adventure
6:00p: Dinner
7:00p: walk
7:30p: *Evening massage
Day 4 (We)
6:30a: Wake-up
7:00a-8:00a: Yoga
8:00a: Breakfast
8:30a-12:30p: Salt Mines Hike
1:00p: Lunch
4:00p-5:00p: Strength & Core training or Cooking Class
6:00p: Dinner
7:30p: Evening activity (local evening village walk)
Day 5 (Th)
6:30a: Wake-up
7:00a-8:00a: Yoga
8:00a: Breakfast
8:30a-12:30p: Mountain Bike Adventure
1:00p: Lunch
4:00p-5:00p: Strength & Core or Cooking Class
6:00p: Dinner
7:00p: walk
7:30p: *Evening massage
Day 6 (Fr)
6:30a: Wake-up
7:00a-8:00a: Yoga
8:00a: Breakfast
8:30a-6:00p: Full-day Machu Picchu
6:00p: Dinner
7:30p: Evening activity (local evening village walk)
Day 7 (Sa)
6:30a: Wake-up
7:00a-8:00a: Yoga
8:00a: Breakfast
8:30a-12:30p: Moray and Maras Hike
1:00p: Lunch
4:00p-5:00p: Strength & Core or Cooking Class
6:00p: Farewell Dinner
7:00p: walk
7:30p: Evening activity
Day 8 (Su)
6:30a: Wake-up
7:30a: Yoga
9:00a: Breakfast
11:00a: Depart
*Please note itinerary is subject to change

For more information, please visit www.fitnesstouring.com & www.healthyvoyager.com

Follow The Healthy Voyager around Los Angeles as she finds the best kept secrets in town. This episode is part 1 of the healthy, special diet friendly, vegan ice cream tour around the City of Angels, featuring Ice Pan, Millions of Milkshakes and Kind Kreme. More to come, stay tuned!

For more information, visit www.healthyvoyager.com