Tag: Gaia

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Staying at Gaia Retreat & Spa

Approaching Gaia Retreat and Spa
The entrance to Gaia Retreat and Spa

From the Gaia Retreat & Spa website: Majestically poised on the highest point in the shire and set on 25 acres, Gaia boasts a dramatic backdrop of green valleys and undulating hills in the subtropical hinterland of Byron Bay. This boutique 19 room property will seduce you and capture your heart with its exquisite vistas.

Founded in 2005 by Olivia Newton-John, Gregg Cave, Ruth Kalnin and Warwick Evans, Gaia offers a retreat with tailored programs aimed to the individual. Gaia is run on a day-to-day basis with gracious hospitality by Gregg Cave, who along with the entire team at Gaia, is committed to your wellbeing.

Inspired by the healing culture of the Byron Bay region and its abundant and fresh local organic produce, Gaia Retreat & Spa is so much more than a healthy holiday; it is a unique retreat and spa experience – with heart.

Since opening in 2005 Gaia has received multiple awards and accolades including Winner of the prestigious 2008 Conde Nast Readers Spa Awards Favourite Overseas Hotel Spa – Australasia and South Pacific and Winner of the 2008 Australasian Spa Association- ASPA Award for ‘Best Destination Spa’.

Kukura House – main building and dining area
Just gorgeous.

Michael relaxing in the lounge at Kukura House
Travel critics have referred to Gaia’s style as “barefoot Armani”

Even the entrance to the restrooms in Kukura House are gorgeous

One view from Kukura House

The view from Samira Lookout towards the ocean.
You can see Byron Bay on the horizon.

Michael and I atop Samira Lookout with the gorgeous landscape around us.
Olivia with co-owner Gregg Cave
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A September day at Gaia Resort and Spa

While I hold down the fort here in the states, hubby Michael is abroad with his client Olivia Newton-John in Australia.

Olivia is currently handling some promotional fund-raising events for the Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne.

Between events though, she and Michael have traveled up to Gaia Resort and Spa, her award-winning oasis near Byron Bay. The resort has won countless awards from luxury travel websites and magazines.

Michael shared a few pictures from an average day (gorgeous) at Gaia, complete with a little video and an idea of the gourmet “barefoot Armani” approach to rest and healing at Gaia.

Looks like a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.

I’ve written before about the fab experience that is Gaia here.

View from just about anywhere at Gaia

Breakfast today – poached eggs with fresh salad and goat cheese

Lunch was a pumpkin chicken risotto. OMG!

And who doesn’t enjoy a palette cleanser after a meal?
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Olivia Newton-John’s Gaia Retreat and Spa awarded top honors at 2013 World Travel Awards

Olivia Newton-John’s Gaia Retreat & Spa was recently honored as “Australia’s Leading Boutique Hotel” and “Australia’s Leading Spa Resort” at the 2013 World Travel Awards – the most prestigious awards program in the travel industry worldwide, regarded as the ‘Oscars of the Travel industry’ by The Wall Street Journal.

“I am so thrilled that Gaia has received this prestigious award, it’s truly an honor to be recognized,” says Olivia Newton-John, Gaia Director. “I’m so proud to share this with my fellow directors, Gregg, Ruth and Warwick, as well as our entire staff. Gaia has become my personal sanctuary and I am grateful for our wonderful healers and therapists – our family – who have all helped make our dream a reality by creating an unforgettable experience for our guests.”

Olivia Newton-John's Gaia Retreat and Spa wins top honors at 2013 World Travel Awards
Olivia Newton-John with Gaia directors Warwick Evans, Ruth Kalnin and Gregg Cave.
Click pic for larger view

Since opening in 2005, Gaia has received numerous accolades and awards, gaining an impeccable reputation as a leading unique boutique Australian Spa experience. Some of the awards include: Conde Nast Traveller Readers Spa Award – 2008 Winner- “Favourite Overseas Hotel Spa – Australasia and South Pacific” and listed 17th in the world; Gourmet Travellers – 2011 Winner -“Best Health Retreat”; World Luxury Hotel Award – 2012 Winner “Country Best Luxury Destination Spa”; The Spa Traveller Awards 2012 – Winner – ‘Readers Choice Ultimate Wellness Spa, -Australasia and South Pacific, Winner – ‘Best Spa Resort 2011 and 2012’, Winner ‘Best Wellness Cuisine’ 2011 and 2012; Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Winner of 2012, 2011, 2010 in the categories – “Best Relaxation & Spa Hotels in Australia” and “Best Relaxation & Spa Hotels in the South Pacific.”

In addition to its numerous awards, Gaia is thrilled to announce the release of the long-awaited second cookbook, Gratitude, featuring recipes by Head Chef, Dan Trewartha. “Dan’s cooking skills and appreciation for organic foods and finer detail to flavoring is second to none,” says Gregg Cave. “We’re excited about Gratitude and what you can expect will live up to the recent London-based Spa Traveller awards received for “Best Spa Cuisine 2011 & 2012.”

For more information on Gaia Retreat and Spa, click here.

(via press release)

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Gaia Retreat and Spa 2013

So, my husband Michael has been “down under” in Australia helping handle press for the opening of the final phase of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.  You can see pics from those events here.

While there, since it’s SOOO far away, he is taking a few days for R&R at Olivia’s award-winning Gaia Retreat and Spa (World Luxury Spa Award, Conde Nast Traveller Award, Traveller’s Choice Awards, featured on Oprah, many more).

I got to visit there last year and it’s truly a beautiful place to disconnect, unwind and pamper yourself.  Located in the stunning hinterland region of Byron Bay, it’s hard to imagine a place more perfect for realigning yourself. Gorgeous day spa with every service you could want; the food served at Kukura House is fantastic and fab for you; there’s a gym; nearby beaches; name it, it’s there to help you unwind.

Whether you get a massage, head to a local beach, walk and relax on the property grounds, work out in the gym or hang out at Kukura House (the main building for meals and checking in), it’s not to be missed.

Here’s just some of the pics Michael took on this trip. If you’re ever in Australia looking to escape the stresses of daily life, make sure you check out what many call “magical” and “special.”

Click on any of the pics below to enlarge.

Inside Kukura House

Inside Kukura House

Inside Kukura House

Coffee on the veranda at Kukura House

One of the 18 or so bungalows at Gaia. Not many rooms, so very private and tranquil.

Yes, you can buy Olivia’s cookbook plus some healing music like “Grace and Gratitude” in the small boutique at Kukura House
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Olivia Newton-John on The Candi & Randy Show

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Olivia Newton-John on The Candi & Randy Show!

Olivia has spent decades not only as a chart topping music icon and star of film (Grease, Xanadu) & TV (Sordid Lives, Glee) but as an international ambassador of good health & well-being.

After her own cancer journey 20 years ago, she emerged as a breast cancer activist who advocates the best in not only western medicine but alternative holistic therapies that help support the body, mind and spirit.

Olivia has written a best-selling cook book of health-conscious recipes – “LivWise: easy recipes for a healthy, happy life” – to help everyone reach their goals of health and well-being. All proceeds go to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.

Plus, we talk with Olivia’s co-owner/partner Gregg Cave about their award-winning spa and retreat GAIA, named for “mother earth” located in Australia, where centering your physical and mental health is the ultimate goal.

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Gaia Retreat and Spa named one of Travellers Choice Awards Top Relaxation Spa Hotels

Me relaxing at the multiple award-winning Gaia Retreat and Spa

World travellers have recognised the Byron Bay health retreat owned by Olivia Newton-John and Gregg Cave as one of the most luxurious spa experiences on the planet.

Gaia Retreat and Spa has been honored again this year as one of the top Relaxation and Spa Hotels in the World on the 2012 Travellers’ Choice Awards.

The Travellers’ Choice awards are judged by the editors and travellers of Trip Advisor, one of the world’s most popular travel website.

The retreat has won numerous accolades since it was opened by Ms Newton-John and Mr Cave in 2005.

Set in lush sub-tropical gardens at the highest point in Byron shire, the location alone creates an atmosphere of serenity and relaxation.

“There are very few places like it,” Mr Cave said.

“We are sitting on the healing capital of Australia and I think Gaia taps into that.”

The 20-room boutique hotel and day spa employs 35 healers and therapists who all provide unique and specific skills.

Gaia offers massages, alternative therapies, facials, a sauna, pool, gym and yoga room, so there is a focus not just on luxury, but health as well.

Mr Cave said the secret to Gaia’s success was its friendly service, fresh organic cuisine and a philosophy that treats every guest as unique.

“People come here to have a personalised retreat journey because we are tailored to the individual,” Mr Cave said.

Oprah Winfrey lavished praise on Gaia when she treated her studio audience to a day at the retreat last year.

I spent several days at Gaia last month, and I can personally attest to the beauty, serenity and healing nature of Gaia. It was really the perfect way to unwind and find “center” again. If you head to Australia, don’t miss your chance to relax at one of the very best retreats in the world.

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Pre-order Olivia Newton-John’s “Gaia” from Amazon

Olivia Newton-John’s CD “Gaia: One Woman’s Journey” is now available for pre-order through Amazon for a February 28th release date.

A lot of people had the impression this CD was more along the lines of “New Age” music, but it’s really terrific pop music. Strong vocals and great lyrics make this a terrific CD in my opinion.

Listen to a sample of “Not Gonna Give In To It” from the CD:

Your browser does not support the audio tag.

From Olivia about “Gaia: One Woman’s Journey”: “I am so delighted that this very personal album has finally been released in North America. I wrote all of the songs on this CD in 1992 on my farm in Australia, after completing treatment for breast cancer.”

“Every song reflects that experience – my raw emotions and feelings and my close connection to Mother Earth, Gaia. I am so grateful that now, almost twenty years later, I am extremely healthy and that I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet and be inspired by so many wonderful people – fellow cancer thrivers – thank you for sharing your experiences with me!”

You can find more info about the CD by clicking here. I think you’ll like 🙂

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A very special celebration at Gaia Retreat & Spa in Australia

I spent January 21, 2012, at a wonderful, fantastic and perfectly appropriate birthday celebration for my dear, fabulous Gregg Cave. Spectacular doesn’t begin to describe the evening. I’m so happy so many close friends came together from all over the world to celebrate Gregg Cave’s birthday in the most perfect setting in the world, the award-winning Gaia Retreat & Spa.

Gregg is one of the owner’s of Gaia Resort and Spa, and he’s the man who makes it all move and flow so seemingly effortlessly on a day to day basis.

Beyond that, he has the most wonderful spirit and makes everyone around him feel at ease in whatever setting he is in.

This is how to have a birthday,  If you have special event coming up, you can’t do better than Gaia Retreat & Spa.

Happy happy birthday Gregg!

Me with Michael, Olivia, Louise from ONJCWC and Rowina Thomas of the Lyall Hotel
at Gregg Cave’s birthday celebration
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The Candi & Randy Show: Welcome Back

Sunday night on The Candi & Randy Show we talked about my recent adventure ‘down-under’ to Australia for the premiere of Olivia Newton-John’s new movie “A Few Best Men” – which opened this weekend to the best box office numbers for an Australian comedy in 12 years!

Click here to listen to the show.

We also talk about the men of Australia, my stay at Olivia’s fantastic award-winning Gaia Resort and Spa, go on a walking tour of Melbourne with Olivia and a few other adventures along the way.

Plus we play a few tracks from the soundtrack of “A Few Best Men” featuring Olivia.

So hit play and find out what a movie red carpet is like, plus what it’s like to almost miss your international plane ride home.

If you’d rather download from iTunes for free and listen at your leisure – here’s the link.

(There’s a mandatory ad at the beginning that the player doesn’t play, just give it about 15 seconds…)