Seven Simple Tips for Safer Holiday Travel

More families travel long distance to visit with friends and family during the holiday season than during any other time of the year.  Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this holiday by following these seven simple tips for safer holiday travel.

Before starting out, make sure your vehicle is properly tuned and mechanically sound.  Consider having a mechanic inspect the vehicle for potential problems so they can be corrected before they become BIG problems on the road. 

Timing is everything!  Try and steer clear of high density traffic by planning your route carefully and coordinating your departure time to avoid high-use areas such as large cities and major interstate highway exchanges during peak traffic hours.

Know your route.  Don’t rely strictly on GPS guidance- familiarize yourself with your driving directions and plan alternate routes in case of an emergency, detours, or traffic jams.

Don't drive drowsy!  More than 30% of fatal accidents occur during the early morning hours and often involve only one vehicle- often the result of driver fatigue. Keep your family safe overnight with a comfortable room at an affordable hotel.

Don’t rush.  Allow extra time for your travel than necessary so you can slow down, reduce your stress level, and remain alert while driving.  Excessive speed is a factor in most fatal automobile accidents.  Remember that it is better to arrive at your holiday party late than never at all. 

Avoid dangerous driving conditions.  If bad weather is looming with snow or ice projected to impact roadways along your route, consider postponing your travel plans, revising your departure schedule, or altering your route to avoid these hazards.  

 

Remain mindful of basic safety protocol: buckle up, keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, remain a safe distance from other drivers, and never, EVER drink and drive. 

By applying these seven simple tips for safer holiday travel and by observing proper safety protocol and driving regulations while on the road you can hope to enjoy a safe and happy holiday season with your loved ones both near and far.

Warm Holiday Memories on Cold Winter Days

In today’s fast and furious holiday rush, it’s all too easy to lose sight of the spirit of the season.  Family and tradition can be drowned out by the constant cacophony of gaudy advertisements screaming for a share of your holiday shopping budget. 

Don’t let your holidays be hijacked!  Give your family the gift of a treasured holiday memory this season with a trip upstate to cut your very own Christmas tree at one of our quaint Hudson Valley Christmas tree farms!

Step away from the crowds this year and step into a winter wonderland.  Harvesting your own natural Christmas tree hearkens back to a simpler age, and it can be a wonderful holiday experience your whole family will enjoy. 

Nearby Bells Christmas Tree Farm offers visitors the opportunity to select the perfect tree from more than 10 exciting varieties of every shape and size.  Armed with a saw and a sled, you’ll stroll through acres of scenic farmland while enjoying real “quality time” with your loved ones. 

Bells specializes in making warm memories on cold days, and they offer a number of holiday activities and treats along the way.  Be sure to enjoy some hot chocolate and apple cider while warming up in the rustic country gift-shop!  Featuring local honey, maple syrup and unique handmade gifts, you’ll find something for everyone on your list while helping to support New York agriculture.

Once you've found the perfect Christmas tree, the cutting process is fun and easy.  Simply saw parallel to the ground, and then load the tree onto the sled!  You don't have to worry about environmental impact: just like fruits and vegetables, these trees are a managed crop and each year hundreds of new trees are planted to replace the harvest.

There’s really something special about cutting your very own Christmas tree, and your family will cherish the memory of your day at the farm.  This is how holiday traditions begin- by stepping away from the crowd, and spending time with one another.

Just 90 miles over the river and through the woods from NYC, Bells Christmas Tree Farm is just minutes from the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa.  With clean and comfortable accommodations starting as low as $89 a night, you’ll feel a world away without breaking the bank.  Just call or click today, and we’ll help you make the most of your stay!

Top 10 Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and “The Holidays” aren't far behind.  If you’re like most people in the Hudson Valley, holiday stress can significantly impact your enjoyment of the season.  With the family on their way, holiday parties to plan, gifts to buy, and endless cooking and cleaning, stress can quickly add up for a less than happy holiday. 

The Hudson Valley has so much to offer throughout the holiday season that we shouldn't let stress get in the way.  Take a look at our Top Ten Ways to Beat Holiday Stress, and learn some effective techniques to keep your holiday woes in check.

Top Ten Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

10. Breathe Easy!

When holiday stresses mount, our bodies can react with a fight or flight response which includes excess muscle tension and increased breathing rate.  Practice this deep breathing technique and short-circuit your holiday stress.

• Recognize that a situation is triggering your stress symptoms. 

• Make a positive affirmation.  For example "I can do this" or “Be calm.”.  Affirmations counter the typical negative thoughts that may accompany stress. 

• Take an easy, deep breath. Imagine this diaphragmatic breath coming up through the soles of your feet and filling your abdomen.  

• As you exhale, let your jaw go loose, unclench your teeth, and allow your shoulders to relax. Imagine a wave of warmth flowing through your body.

9. Get Your Groove On

Listening to music while decorating for the holidays or preparing for company can be a great stress reliever by providing a mental distraction, reducing muscle tension and decreasing stress hormones. Crank up the volume and let your mind be absorbed by the music, not by your to-do list.  

8. Start a Holiday Journal

Writing out your thoughts can be a good release for otherwise pent-up emotions. Don't think about what to write — just let it happen. Write whatever comes to mind. No one else needs to read it, so don't strive for perfection in grammar or spelling.  Once you're done, you can toss out what you wrote, or save it to reflect on when stresses mount next holiday season!

7. Go to Bed!

Stress often makes getting quality sleep difficult. Your sleep can suffer when the stress of holiday party planning leaves you with too much to do and too much to think about.  But missing sleep prevents your brain and body from recharging, and can adversely affect your mood, energy level, concentration and overall functioning. If you experience trouble sleeping, make sure that you have a quiet, relaxing bedtime routine, listen to soothing music, and stick to a consistent schedule.

6.  Visit the Spa

There’s no better way to melt away holiday stress than treating yourself to a soothing soak in a spa Jacuzzi followed by a relaxing massage.  The Hudson Valley Resort’s spa facilities offer the perfect ways to ease your tension, revitalize your spirit, rejuvenate your mind, and regain a true sense of well-being and relaxation.  

5. Delegate, and learn when to say no!

You can’t do everything yourself, at least not without paying the price. Learn when to say no, and effectively delegate tasks.  Taking on too much at once may prevent conflict, but it can also lead to stress, anger and resentment when your needs and the needs of your family get lost in the holiday hustle. 

4. Try Yoga

Yoga is becoming an increasingly popular stress reliever.  Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping you relax and manage stress and anxiety. Try yoga on your own or join a class.

3. Laugh it off

A good sense of humor can’t cure what ails you, but it can definitely make you feel better- even if you have to force it through your holiday grumpiness. Laughing lightens your mental load and actually causes positive physical changes in your body. So read some jokes, tell some jokes, watch a holiday comedy or hang out with your funny friends.

2. Get Moving!

Virtually any form of exercise or physical activity can act as a great stress reliever. You do not have to be an athlete or even in great shape. Physical activity pumps up your feel-good endorphins and refocuses your mind on your body's movements, improving your mood and helping your holiday stress fade away.  

1. Let someone else do all the work!

Give us a call, and we’ll take care of it all!  Planning your holiday party at the Hudson Valley Resort is the easy and affordable way to beat holiday stress!  With over 41,000 sq. ft. of versatile meeting space, banquet halls, performance venues and ballrooms, there's no better place to share the holiday spirit with your friends, family, or coworkers! 

Our professional event planners are with you every step of the way to help create the perfect holiday party this season, and our world-class catering team can custom tailor your menu to suit your group's tastes and holiday wishes.

Gracefully set on more than 400 wooded acres in the heart of the Shawangunk mountains, we're perfectly situated just 90 miles from NYC, just over the river and through the woods!

From intimate to grand scale, we'll work with you to create lasting holiday memories which suit your tastes and your budget.  So give us a call and find out just how easy and affordable your holiday party can be at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa! 

Dominic J. Giamei Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament

Please join us on September 24th 2016 for  the 6th Annual Dominic J. Giamei Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament!

This golf tournament is held each year in memory of Dominic “Big Dom’ Giamei Jr, a local Criminal Justice major, volunteer firefighter, active member of our local first aid unit,  and avid football player who tragically lost his life at the young age of 20 as the result of a senseless farm accident.

Dominic is still helping others – through this scholarship fund – leaving a legacy of his own.

All proceeds of the tournament will benefit the DJG Jr. Scholarship Fund at SUNY Ulster, a sponsor of the President’s Challenge Scholarship which gives a local Rondout Valley High School graduate the opportunity to complete an Associate Degree at nearby SUNY Ulster Community College tuition free.   35 scholarships have been awarded to date, with an impressive $10,000 awarded this year!

Participants will enjoy:

• 9:30 a.m. registration with coffee and donuts.
  
• A full 18-hole scramble on the golf course at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa
• Delectable dining at the resort with lunch and dinner provided
• On-course beverages with a cash bar after golf.
• Trophies, awards, raffle, 50/50 drawing
• A silent auction
• Commemorative tee shirts
• Music provided by D.J. Jimi

The cost is only $100 per person, which includes lunch and dinner. Teams or singles are welcome. $30 for dinner only.  

To register for the event or for additional information on the fund, email debchristiana@aol.com.  We hope to see you there!

Explore the Outdoors for Health and Well-Being!

Recent studies suggest that spending time in nature may be crucial for prime physical health and emotional well-being.  The Hudson Valley offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, and we have a few exciting ways the whole family can get outside to explore the outdoors this summer to reconnect with nature without breaking the bank!

The Great Outdoors

Day hikes are an excellent way to get outside and appreciate the grandeur of the natural world while discovering the true beauty of the Hudson Valley. These fun outings allow you to relax and re-energize while learning about our unique environment.

Just minutes away, Minnewaska State Park offers visitors miles of nature trails, carriage roads, crystal clear sky lakes and stunning views of the Catskills and Hudson Valley.  You can learn more about Minnewaska and other nearby park preserves here: hiking in the Hudson Valley.

Get Your Game On!

If you’re looking for a great weekend activity, a good round of golf may be the perfect choice.  Leaning to play golf can be as fun as it can be challenging, and it affords an excellent opportunity to get out and enjoy nature while improving your game.

The 18-hole golf course at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is a great place to begin.  With a driving range on site and private instruction available, the Hudson Valley Golf Learning Center will help you get the most out of your time on the course. 

Other popular summer activities at the resort include tennis, basketball and volleyball- all of which offer players a chance to get outside to enjoy the sun! 

Splash the Day Away

Swimming has always been a popular summertime activity, and there’s no better way to cool off on a hot summer day than having fun enjoying some time in the pool. 

The beautiful outdoor swimming pool at the Hudson Valley Resort is available for guests to enjoy all summer, and we welcome local residents to purchase day-use pool passes for very reasonable rates!

Summer provides endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, which may be an important part of a healthy lifestyle. With a little planning you can enjoy these and other exciting summer activities for health and well-being without spending a fortune.

The Best Kept Secret in The Game

Golf season is getting into full swing, and we're gearing up get you back in the game!  Nestled in the magnificent Shawangunk Mountains, The Hudson Valley Resort's 18-hole par 71 championship course just might be the best kept secret in the game.

As challenging as it is beautiful, the golf course at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa offers players rolling hills, flowing creeks, tranquil ponds, long lush fairways and gorgeous Catskills views.

This pastoral setting makes for perfect parkland play appropriate for people of all skill levels.

Recent upgrades on the course are starting to pay off, with drastically regraded and recently replaced greens on the 3rd and 9th holes which play like new.

"Conditions on the course are improving every day, " says Grounds Superintendent Marty Williams, "and you don't need to be a guest of the resort to check it out- it's a public course and everyone is welcome."

Looking to book a group outing or organize a tournament?  We've got you covered.  The Hudson Valley Resort & Spa specializes in group events and offers full service catering and banquet options your players will love.

Best of all, the Hudson Valley Resort offers the most competitive rates in the Hudson Valley!  With a full 18 hole round starting at just $20 you simply can’t afford to golf anywhere else.

No longer just a diamond in the rough, the Golf Course at Hudson Valley Resort is quickly becoming a local treasure.

Call today to book your tee-time and see why it just might be the best kept secret in the game.