Travel is a pleasant and necessary rest of the mind and body from the demands of everyday life. Whether you like to follow a busy route or venture a little off the beaten path, travel closer to home or abroad, explore with a buddy or go solo, you will feel an improvement in mental health as you move from one adventure to the next during your journey. time away from home, sweet home. That being said, I spent the weekend exploring the best-kept secrets of St. Louis, Missouri and the surrounding area on an all-expenses-paid trip, full farm-to-table cuisine, outdoor fitness, spa pampering, the city’s rich history, and breathtaking views of the Gate arch. Read on to find out more about this exciting mind-body escape you’ll want to take too.
If you are a yogi who loves fresh food, handicrafts and beautiful flowers, then you absolutely must spend a Saturday morning exploring Tower Grove Farmers Market. Fun fact: What is very inspiring about this market is that a lot of St. Louis small businesses started here.
Visiting one of the largest farmers’ markets in the area is the best way to wake up and get energized in the morning. Trust me on this – you’ll feel healthy, energized, outgoing, and ready to get through the rest of the day.
Before I passed the vendors and grabbed a breakfast burrito, I headed to the grass in Tower Grove Park to put on my namaste. The turnout was incredible and made me feel like part of the local crowd. Everyone spread out their mats in the most ideal spot for a rejuvenating yoga session. The studio can be a bit intimidating for some, and yoga in the park where you can breathe in the fresh air and walk at your own pace is a refreshing alternative.
After the market, the Missouri Botanical Garden is within walking distance. Drop by to see what’s blooming before you go! Right now you can see the tropical water lily, sweet echinacea, blue beard, Inca lily, Madagascar periwinkle and much more.
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Of course, the Gate Arch is incredibly beautiful to look at from the outside, but did you know that you can climb to its top, at a height of 630 feet? i was driving on very tiny by tram to the very top of the 43,226 tonne stainless steel giant which is the tallest monument in the national park system in the country and it is definitely an experience for the books. The ascent took four minutes, and the return journey three.
After I passed out from the views from above, I went to the museum and watched a video of how the Gate Arch was being built. It took 2.5 years and $13.4 million to create this legendary landmark.
Confession: I fell in love with a restaurant and its name is Visha. This trendy JBF-nominated establishment is famous for its veggie dishes, and for good reason. This is one of the best kept secrets in St. Louis if you are visiting for the first time. And even if you’re not a vegetarian, I highly recommend adding this place to your wish list. (I had pork loin and pork belly topped with blueberry barbecue sauce along with my veggie plates!)
Dinner consisted of a three-course “farmer’s feast” and it’s safe to say that both my taste buds and stomach were delighted. outside satisfied. Menu items on the “holiday” are constantly changing depending on what is available from local farms and depending on the season. “By focusing on what’s fresh, we strive to deliver unforgettable gastronomic experiences that can be enjoyed in a new way every time,” Vicia’s website says.
Ready to get your mouth watering? To give you just a small part of my “farmer’s feast” experience, I ate risotto with creamy farro and corn, peach wrapped in prosciutto with fresh basil and balsamic sauce, homemade sourdough bread with homemade butter (which I honestly could eat with a spoon). ), fried okra with homemade honey mustard and goat milk ice cream with basil oil and elderberry.
We then head to Olive + Oak, a vibrant and beloved neighborhood in Webster Groves. “Our food philosophy is simple. We work tirelessly to source the best ingredients from local sources whenever possible. In the kitchen, we use proven, old-school cooking methods,” the Olive + Oak team writes on their website.
For applications, I had gorgonzola-stuffed dates with chorizo vinaigrette (my favorite!), as well as charred octopus with smoked paprika aioli, and crispy ferns. For dinner, the gaucho steak was perfectly cooked and hit the spot, paired with malbec marinade, spinach, fresh tomatoes and chimichurri potatoes.
Professional advice: If there is a queue at the table, grab a fun cocktail from the bar – gin, strawberries, rhubarb, honey yogurt and ground pepper, anyone? — or head back to Perennial for a few pre-dinner sips.
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What’s a vacation without a little pampering? I must admit that my experience at the Four Seasons Hotel was incredibly luxurious and enjoyable. The L’Occitane toiletries were so comfortable, as was the cozy robe I wrapped myself in after my shower. My room had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the rooftop bar and pool (which was the perfect spot for golden hour selfies and cocktails) and, of course, the famous Gateway Arch in the distance.
Let me let you in on another one of St. Louis’ best-kept secrets: The resort’s spa offers one of the city’s most breathtaking views. Before the procedure, I sat back in an easy chair, sipping a cold glass of coconut water, and enjoyed the view of the Mississippi River, the Stan Musial Bridge, and the Gateway Arch. Talk about relaxation at its finest! The spa lounge has a hot tub where you can spend hours enjoying the view.
Then it was time for my treatment. I got the 100 minute Lavender Dreams massage and it lived up to its dream name. Lavender has been linked to many potential health benefits, including improved sleep, reduced inflammation and pain, anxiety relief, and relief from menstrual pain, so I knew I was in for a wellness treatment.
To start, my masseuse used a combination of lavender and earthy minerals for a full body exfoliation and dry brushing. (Dry brushing unclogs pores and detoxifies skin. It’s also celebrity approved!) This was followed by an amazing and much needed shoulder, neck and back massage with warm healing stones and lavender oil. I then curled up in a super cozy cocoon while enjoying a foot massage.