China, more formally known as the People’s Republic of China, is an incredible country full of history, tradition and culture. Plum blossoms, one of China’s most beloved flowers, decorate the country in the wintertime. In addition to being known for their beauty, plum blossoms serve a variety of culinary purposes including being used in juices and liquor, being pickled and eaten as a salty treat and serving as the base for plum sauce. Thanks to lentodolce for posting this photo.

Photo: lentodolce

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Even though yoga isn’t an activity that is necessarily synonymous with adventure travel, there’s something exhilarating about the thought of traveling to a foreign country to study and practice yoga. Yoga vacations and retreats are an increasingly popular way to spend those hard-earned vacation days, and there is certainly no shortage of options to choose from.

Yoga vacations and retreats are just as diverse as the people who practice. With a little determination and a lot of research, you can inevitably find a yoga vacation or retreat that is tailored to your needs; just make sure you are asking yourself the right questions.

Photo: lululemon athletica

1. What level of yoga are you currently practicing?
If you’re new to yoga or practice infrequently, chances are you won’t want to go on the 15-day intensive yoga retreat in the mountains of Nepal. Some retreats even require that you’ve practiced yoga for a year or more. Look for shorter retreats that specialize in instructing beginners. Also, picking a resort that offers a few yoga classes a day might be a suitable option if you are not ready to dedicate your entire vacation to yoga.

Check out: The Tides Zihuatanejo
Where: A Luxury Mexico Beach Resort in Zihuatanejo
What: Specialized sun salutations are offered daily and guests can book private yoga appointments—perfect for those who may be intimidated by a large class setting.
Why: Yoga isn’t the sole focus of this resort; there are many other activities to partake in, such as organic cooking classes, surfing, golf, fishing and zipline adventures.

For prices and more specifics, visit The Tides Zihuatanejo at www.tideszihuatanejo.com.

Plan a yoga vacation to Mexico on TravelMuse.

2. Where do you want to travel?
Yoga retreats and vacations are available in most places you can think of, so deciding where you want to go is an easy way to narrow down your options. If you live in the United States, don’t think you have to travel abroad to get an incredible yoga experience. In fact, some of the most celebrated yoga retreats are located stateside. If you’re looking to add to your collection of stamps in your passport, there are many exotic and incredible countries that offer amazing yoga vacations.

Check out: The Sewall House Yoga Retreat
Where: A quaint and celebrated retreat house in Maine that offers a personal and intimate yoga experience.
What: Daily morning Hatha yoga and meditation class and an afternoon Kundalini yoga and meditation class, with the option for an evening meditation. Three meals a day are also included. For those looking for a little excitement on the side, hikes, lake tours, massages and other activities are also available.
Why: The Sewall House encourages the exploration of self. Your free time is a great way to get even more out of your practice, through reading, journaling and exploring nature.

For prices and more specifics, visit The Sewall House Yoga Retreat at www.sewallhouse.com .

Plan a yoga vacation to Maine on TravelMuse.

3. What type of yoga vacation or retreat do you want to take?
There are many niches within the greater yoga community. If you are looking for a specific type of retreat or vacation, it’s pretty plausible that you can track one down. From women’s only retreats to yoga classes offered at resorts for gay men, the spectrum is wide and can provide you with another angle at which to approach your yoga practice. A popular retreat/vacation focus is on social contribution and environmental awareness.

Check out: Shreyas Yoga Retreat
Where: A retreat center in Bangalore, India.
What: A stay at Shreyas allows you the option to give back in the following ways: learn to cook, work in the organic agricultural garden or interact with local village school children.
Why: For those participating in the yoga retreat, the following is included: a wellness consultation on arrival, gourmet vegetarian meals, twice daily group yoga classes, daily group chanting / sound meditation class, use of all recreational facilities (pool, Jacuzzi, steam bath, gym), personalized yoga instructional classes, personalized Pranayama class, personalized meditation class, personalized yogic Kriya and a rejuvenation massage.

For prices and more specifics, visit Shreyas Yoga Retreat at www.shreyasretreat.com.

Plan a yoga vacation to India on TravelMuse.

A couple other questions to consider are is there a particular teacher who you’ve wanted to learn from and what style of yoga do you prefer practicing. Undoubtedly, a number of questions will arise when planning your yoga excursion, but regardless of where you end up, it’s bound to be a rewarding and memorable experience.

Namaste.

Congratulations to Laurie from Ringoes, N.J., our second winner of Trip of the Week and recipient of a Frommer’s day by day guide to Hawaii.

Laurie and her husband have never been to London or Amsterdam, so they built out this excellent European Trip on TravelMuse to help them along the way.

I asked Laurie a few questions about her upcoming trip and here’s what she had to say:

Why are you taking this Trip?

My husband and I have not been to either Amsterdam or London and would love to see both cities.  We think it would be thrilling to see the vast histories and cultures of both places and hopefully relax on an overnight boat ferry in between.

What are you most excited about seeing/doing?

I am very interested in seeing the castles of England and having traditional tea. I also think it will be fascinating to see the houseboats in Amsterdam and, seasonally permitting, the famous show of tulips.

Any other interesting facts/considerations about the trip?

Luckily my husband and I enjoy similar activities on vacation and would both be excited to shop in the many boutiques and markets, try the various cuisines, take copious photographs, and peruse the art and history of various museums.

Hope you both have a blast, Laurie! All of us at TravelMuse wish you safe and exciting travels.

*****

Tell us about your Trips and you could be featured in Trip of the Week–win one of the new Frommer’s Day by Day Guide Books and be entered to win a FREE, luxury Trip for 2 to Waikiki!

Mission San José in San Antonio, Texas, was established by Father Antonio Margil de Jesús in 1720. Labeled as the “Queen of Missions,” it is the largest of the missions. Thanks to heidielliott for posting this photo.

Photo: heidielliott

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Read about the San Antonio’s Mission Trail on TravelMuse.

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I went to London for the first time when I was 16 and immediately fell in love. From the sense of history that permeates the London streets to the simultaneously modern aura, London is a city where any traveler can be content. And for those intimidated by European travel (whether it be language barriers or any other reason), London is a great city for first-time Europe travelers. Here is a little crash course in navigating your way around the this regal city.

Photo: trodel

Timing
High season in London is June through August. That’s when the weather tends to be at its warmest, but consider a trip during the first three weeks in May (last week is school holidays in the United Kingdom) or in September—the weather is usually just as nice, but you’ll avoid the jostling crowds and have a better pick of lodging and restaurants.

What to Wear

• Bring a waterproof jacket.

• Comfortable shoes, since driving in the capital is a nightmare, I recommend you use public transportation, so you’ll be walking more than normal.

• Even in the summer it can get cool, so bring a light sweater.

• Get a money belt or wear a jacket with an interior pocket. Though London is a relatively safe city, there are opportunistic thieves in the tourist areas.

• When you are there, carry some bottled water. The Brits don’t believe in public drinking fountains.

Getting Around
Getting around London can be a thrill, and the city offers a host of travel options that make navigating among sightseeing stops part of the fun. London is also a very walkable city, but for safety’s sake, always remember to look to the right when you’re crossing the road.

If traveling from Heathrow, the cheapest option is to take the Underground (London’s subway system, also called the “tube”), as the Piccadilly Line will deliver you to Central London in 45 minutes for less than £6 (about $12).

If you have a lot of luggage or small children, instead try National Express, which runs several buses per hour from Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station. The journey takes about an hour, and you can pre-book tickets online.

Once you are free from luggage, the Underground is the way to explore London. It is easy to navigate with a color-coded tube map, and if you buy a reusable Oyster Card, cost effective.

West End and Central London
If you are going for less than a week, focus your time on the West End and Central London. Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Parliament, the Tower of London, the shops of Covent Garden, the theatre district near Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and the British Museum in Bloomsbury are all within a few tube stops of each other.

Plan your trip to London on TravelMuse.

Post based on “Exploring London” by Anna Marie Roos.