Hierarchy of Vacation Needs
Make no mistake about it — we are living through a crazy and continual time of uncertainty.
The absolute upheaval that Covid-19 created for so many people was unfathomable. Add an angry natural disaster to a global pandemic, and the disruptions multiply exponentially.
With hurricane season upon us once again, many of us are bracing for the turbulence it brings.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs places air, water, food, and shelter at the top of the pyramid. But I would argue there’s one more essential human need worth adding:
Vacation.
Yes — vacation.
I’ve been watching the Netflix travel series Down to Earth, and I absolutely love it.
Hollywood star Zac Efron, with all his boyish enthusiasm, shines a light on the wonder-filled world we inhabit, our place within it, and the ways travel and awareness can inspire meaningful change.
It makes me proud to have wanderlust. Proud to want to know more, do more, and experience more on a global level.
Here are a few of my favorite resorts — all located in destinations featured in the show — that beautifully embody our vacation bare necessities: sustenance, solace, simplicity, and sustainability.
Air & Water
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Puerto Rico is no stranger to the devastation hurricanes can bring.
Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc across the island, and recovery has taken years. During the aftermath, a small bed-and-breakfast called Casa Sol in Old San Juan became a refuge for residents thanks to solar panels and water cisterns installed long before the storm arrived.
Electricity and drinking water became lifelines.
Dorado Beach took notice.
Tucked along Puerto Rico’s Caribbean coastline, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve feels almost too beautiful to be real. Fresh air, silky turquoise water, coral reefs, and lush tropical vegetation surround this sanctuary of relaxed luxury.
The resort also pursued and achieved LEED Silver Certification, awarded to properties meeting high standards for sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Puerto Rico is open, it is a U.S. territory, and it deserves our travel dollars and affection.
Please reach out to learn more about the Virtuoso amenities you’ll receive when booking through How Far Adventures.
Food
Forte Village Hotel Castello
The Mediterranean island of Sardinia is one of the world’s renowned Blue Zones — regions where people consistently live longer, healthier lives.
Good living. Long life. A simple formula... plus happy hour.
The trick? One to two glasses of Sardinian Cannonau wine per day, ideally shared with friends and food.
Enjoy this one-of-a-kind resort located on the tranquil southern coast of Sardinia.
Si, grazie.
Forte Village Hotel Castello is an oasis of luxury and elegance just steps from a soft white-sand beach. Expansive terraces overlook the sea, gardens, and surrounding mountains.
And then there’s the most important part:
Il alimento.
The resort’s 21 gourmet restaurants create a culinary world tour of flavors, while wellness-focused cuisine and programming help support longevity and vibrant health.
Contact me at How Far Adventures to learn more about Europe reopening and the magic waiting there.
Virtuoso amenities through my agency include daily buffet breakfast and open-air dinners.
Shelter
Pacuare Lodge
The good news?
Even though Costa Rica borders the Caribbean, hurricanes are not a concern there and have never made landfall.
Costa Rica is also home to another thriving Blue Zone.
People living in Blue Zones often eat their smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening and avoid eating much afterward — perhaps with the occasional Imperial beer, of course.
But more importantly, they move. They live close to the land. They seek adventure. They know how to downshift.
No stress.
Pura Vida.
Pacuare Lodge is a luxury eco-lodge with only 20 suites, nestled along the banks of the spectacular Pacuare River — one of the world’s most scenic white-water rivers.
The vibrant rainforest provides an extraordinary backdrop for adventure.
And the adventure begins before you even arrive.
Guests raft the Pacuare River’s whitewater directly to the lodge’s jungle-covered shores — though there’s always the gondola option for those who prefer a gentler entrance.
The suites are crafted from sustainably sourced lumber with traditional thatched roofs built by the local Cabécar people and tucked high among the treetops.
Solar panels and water turbines minimize environmental impact while preserving the integrity of the surrounding rainforest.
The result is a rare combination of indigenous-inspired simplicity, pristine wilderness, and elevated luxury.
Gimme shelter.
Costa Rica continues welcoming travelers, and whether your destination is San Juan or Liberia, How Far Adventures would love to help curate your journey.
How Far Adventures is a full-service Virtuoso agency. If you are curious about the current travel climate — domestic or international — I would love to chat.
