(Highlands, NC) With the burgeoning interest in adventure travel and learning vacations, travelers no longer have to venture to Costa Rica or beyond the U.S. to fulfill their quest for more enriching leisure. The North Carolina Mountains are ready with their abundant treasures just waiting to be discovered—including locally residing global experts in several fields to help make the experience more enriching.

Learning vacations, experiential travel, eco-tours and adventure vacations—these are all ways that people are making more of their treasured leisure time. Studies have shown that people who normally lead busy lives can actually feel more angst on vacations because they have plenty of time to worry about what is going on at the office that they should be involved in. They have trouble unplugging by sitting around the pool, going to social functions and trying to just vegetate.

Many of these people find relief in “active” relaxation by doing things like yoga and massage. But the newest prescription for beating the vacation doldrums is “experiential vacations.” And they’re taking the travel and leisure industry by storm.

Experiential travel is exploding for all ages and fitness levels. And the Highlands/Cashiers area of North Carolina is a goldmine of natural assets that people can tap into escape the day to day and re-focus their minds on something completely of the ordinary.

The Family Golf Experience
• Three-Night Package in Deluxe Accommodations with Check-In on Monday and Checkout on Thursday
• 1 Hour of Golf Instruction on Tuesday and Wednesday
• 18 Holes of Golf on Wednesday, with 9 Holes with Our Golf Professional
• Lunch at Old Edwards Club Grill on Tuesday and Wednesday
• Old Edwards Club Hat and Bag Tag

Jordan Kenter, head golf professional for Old Edwards Club says, “In a club atmosphere, especially in the mountains which are rich with recreation opportunities, the family bonding experience is key. Our Golf Learning Experience allows families or friends who have always wanted to dabble in the game to do it in a non-threatening environment that includes a relaxing lunch and some golf goodies. It’s all the benefits of learning a new sport without the intensity or pressure of playing with seasoned golfers—it makes learning fun.”

Art and Art Journaling
Take the multi-day studio workshops with one of the Artists in Residence at The Bascom, or enjoy on-site classes at Old Edwards with Artist in Residence Jane Smithers. Multi-generational classes, “Girlfriends Sip and Stroke” classes, plein air, sculpture, pottery, team building through art.

Noted global artists are also drawn to the inspirational allure of the North Carolina Mountains. Many of them make Highlands their summer home, including Jane Smithers who spends the other part of her year in France. Jane, the 2010 Artist in Residence at Old Edwards Inn and Spa, provides lessons for guests. Jane’s lessons delve as far as one wishes to go into self expression or self discover through art journaling or simply enjoying the beautiful outdoors while painting en plein air. The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts also features a full schedule of art lessons and summer workshops for all ages and experience levels.

Horse Whispering and Exploring Human Potential Through Horses
People of all ages are building self-confidence and learning to flow with their own energy by connecting with the energy of horses. It’s a great bonding experience for families, friends, couples and just individuals. This is truly an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Sue Blair’s Carpe Diem Farms has been providing Horse Whispering and the exploration of Human Potential Through Horses experiences for years. “There is something about the healing power of horses, particularly when the experiences are offered on ‘magical land once walked on by the Cherokees,’” says Sue. “People are amazed at the self-discovery, healing and simple openings that occur when they connect with the energy of a horse—whose personalities, moods and attitudes closely mirror those of humans. And whose perception and intuition far exceed it.”

Survival Skills and Family Preparedness Package
Three-night package. Learn how to safely navigate through nature with global survival and preparedness expert and author, Dale Stewart. Recognize edibles and other survival skills. Couples, friends, families, girlfriends, everybody can benefit from being prepared for the unexpected, learning to survive in nature and after disasters all while adding a little adventure to your life in the process!

Global survival and preparedness expert Dale Stewart trains vacationers in survival and preparedness skills. In addition to bonding groups of friends or families, these are real life skills taught by a seasoned expert that will see people through unexpected events in their lives. Dale says, “After traveling globally to deliver my services to governments, agencies and private corporations for over 20 years, the Highlands/Cashiers area of North Carolina offered the perfect home base from which to provide survival training and family preparedness.

Beyond the learning vacations, the opportunities for adventure—including river rafting and family float trips—are endless in the North Carolina Mountains. Gem mining, eco-excursions, rock climbing, canoeing—are all ways of meeting the needs of the “active leisure” traveler while still taking them so far out of their zone that they return refreshed, renewed, enriched and recharged.

For more information call 828-787-2625 or visit www.oldedwardsinn.com.

About Old Edwards Inn and Spa (www.oldedwardsinn.com)

• Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 Hotel Spa in North America for 2010 with the First Ever Perfect Score in the 20-Year History of the Reader’s Survey
• 2010 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award (top ten in the US)
• Condé Nast Johansen’s Most Excellent Inn in the US and Canada 2008
• Forbes Four-Star Rated for both the Resort and The Spa
• AAA Four-Diamond Rated
• Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden has won the Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” every year since 2005 and the “Best Of” award in 2008 and 2009.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa welcomes visitors to North Carolina’s high country with its unique blend of relaxed luxury recognized worldwide. A spectacular outdoor heated mineral pool, world class spa, award-winning dining, and golf at the private Old Edwards Club are signature experiences at this full-service mountain resort. Guests are surrounded by the warmth and character of Old-Europe architecture and authentic period antiques. Many rooms, cottages and suites offer private patios or terraces—some with captivating rooftop views of Main Street and downtown Highlands. All of the luxury accommodations include champagne arrival, twice-daily housekeeping, two 24-hour business centers and two 24-hour Butler’s pantries with Dove Bars, fresh fruit and soft beverages. European bedding, fine Italian linens, plush robes & slippers, rainfall showers, heated-tile bathroom floors, in-room safes and Wi-Fi enhance the in-room experience. Old Edwards Inn and Spa also boasts a state-of-the art fitness center with wellness classes that include guided hikes into the scenic surrounding mountains known as “waterfall country.”

Guests enjoy onsite shopping at the Spa Boutique, Acorn’s Boutique or Acorn’s Annex featuring fine antiques and home accessories. Dining venues include Madison ’s Restaurant and Wine Garden serving innovative New South Cuisine, The Rib Shack and Sports Corner, the Spa Café and the Poolside Bar and Bistro. Special events and weddings take place at The Farm—a lushly landscaped Old Edwards property located one mile from downtown Highlands featuring The Barn, the Farmhouse with luxury lodging, Bridal Pavilion, Bridal Bridge over a scenic pond and outdoor events pavilion. The Old Edwards Executive Conference Center provides a catered corporate retreat venue.

Also introduced in 2009 was Satulah, Old Edwards Private Residences, which includes 14 luxury mountain homes just two blocks off Main Street, Highlands. The Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond resort is located at 445 Main Street in Highlands, NC.