Taming the Wild

It’s an enduring conundrum — the more advanced civilization becomes, the more people endeavor to escape it for a while and return to nature. For historic evidence of this, check out Henry Thoreau’s Walden (or, for a more recent example, Into the Wild). But however badly you may want to ditch your laptop, there’s no need to live in a dingy cabin or, worse, eat suspect berries from a strange bush.

A better choice would be to pack a rucksack for the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, located on the mouth of the Bedwell River in British Columbia, inside the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve. Here you can “rough it” to your heart’s content, and you won’t have to live without your loofah.

Getting to Clayoquot requires a 45-minute flight on a floatplane from Vancouver, but the aerial view of untamed British Columbia is worth the extra leg. The deluxe digs that you’ll find upon arrival are even more attractive. The facility has 20 tents — including eight family “suite” tents with a lounge area and cots for the kids — appointed with remote-controlled propane stoves, antique furniture, Oriental rugs, oil lamps, and warm beds complete with down duvets. It’s rustic luxury at its finest.

Experienced wilderness guides at the eco-lodge, which is open from May through October, gear activities to guests’ needs — your days can be as packed or relaxed as you like. Available activities include horseback riding, fishing, and trips to local hot springs, all coupled with a gourmet picnic. Clayoquot also invites guests to take part in its environmental legacy program, which will have you participating in salmon habitat restoration, research into whale acoustics, bear mapping, or raptor rehabilitation in the surrounding alpine rain forest.

Everything at Clayoquot is designed to bring guests back to nature, from the wood-fired saunas in the wellness outpost to the meals, which include organic, vegan, vegetarian, and low-carb offerings. The chef will even prepare a gourmet menu based on your daily catch, whether that’s fish or wild mushrooms; guided foraging excursions uncover diverse items like crabs, wild greens, and blackberries — for eating, not e-mailing.

(Unheard Of)

Eat Local. Really Local.

At King Pacific Lodge, eating local is an enticing option. The resort sits in Barnard Harbour, on Canada’s Princess Royal Island (guests take a private charter from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Bella Bella, about 250 miles north; from there a floatplane takes them to the resort). The area is home to more than 100 edible seafood species, and the lodge’s Chef’s Catch program allows guests to bring dinner from dock to dish. The many outdoor activities available at the resort include kayaking, heli-hiking, and, of course, fishing. kingpacificlodge.com — J.P.P.

Madrid

Towering achievement

Rising over the landscape of Zaragoza, Spain, three and a half hours from Madrid, is the aptly named Water Tower. With its floor plan in the shape of a water droplet, the transparent tower serves as the emblem of Expo Zaragoza, which is open through September 14. The expo spotlights the importance of water, addressing concepts like responsible water management and water’s importance for all life forms. Vying with the Water Tower for iconic status is the Bridge Pavilion, designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Zaha Hadid. Her gladiola-shaped structure traverses the Erbo River, bringing visitors from the city proper to the expo grounds. Both buildings reinforce the expo’s focus on water and sustainable development, as do the interactive and multimedia exhibits located throughout the grounds. Also supporting the water theme are a freshwater aquarium (the largest in Europe) and more than 3,400 artistic and theatrical performances. Of particular note is Awakening of the Serpent, a daily parade created by Cirque du Soleil. expozaragoza2008.es — Claire McGregor

Albany

Pillow Talk

In 1930, renowned dancer Ted Shawn bought a sleepy western Massachusetts farm — dubbed Jacob’s Pillow by its previous owners — to pursue his dream of establishing dance as a legitimate art form for men. Beginning with a series of “Tea Lecture Demonstrations,” Shawn and his troupe, the Men Dancers, grew such a following that the event itself, like modern dance in that era, began to evolve into something greater. The Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival still takes place at the small farm an hour southeast of Albany, N.Y., continuing the tradition of celebrating artistic innovation and exhibition. This year, through August 24, 150 performances feature dancers from around the world. Shows include Griot New York, by Tony Award winner Garth Fagan, and Chapel/Chapter by Bill T. Jones, another Tony winner. Guests struggling with two left feet can practice pliés and pivot steps with the festival’s experts every morning, or partake in PillowTalks, twice-weekly sessions including panel discussions, film screenings, and interviews with featured choreographers and dancers. jacobspillow.org — Karen Peláez

Los Angeles

See and Be Scene

Unless you are specifically looking for the Viceroy Santa Monica, you’re unlikely to notice it. Looming tall over Ocean Avenue near Los Angeles and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this upscale beach hotel calls no attention to itself from the outside — the building’s exterior is largely unadorned, and a high wall around the property keeps out paparazzi. But the inside is all about seeing and being seen. The hotel’s swanky décor is heavy on the mirrors, which makes it great for catching a glimpse of a star without making eye contact. But ultimately the service and amenities make every guest feel like a celebrity. Whether it’s morning coffee by the pool, dinner in the posh hotel restaurant, or a nightcap at the Viceroy’s bar, keep your sunglasses on here, and everyone will be wondering if you’re somebody they should know. viceroysantamonica.com — J.P.P.

Asheville

A Rustic Must

Originally conceived as a family-oriented spiritual sanctuary, the Swag Country Inn, located 30 miles west of Asheville, N.C., still adheres to a regimen of relaxation and privacy. And with 250 acres of private, pristine wilderness at its doorstep, it’s not hard to find a spot for some good old-fashioned alone time. Nature trails lead hikers from the inn toward the abutting Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and throughout the year special classes like bird-watching or natural history lessons with nature writer Bill Collier help visitors gain a deeper experience while on the trail. Perched atop a 5,000-foot mountain, the inn — built of hand-cut logs and local fieldstone — surveys a stunning expanse of the Smokies, including grand views of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern United States. The rooms, furnished with views of the surrounding forest, are adorned with handmade quilts, woven rugs, and original Appalachian artwork. Private cabins include fireplaces and secluded balconies that overlook the mountains, offering guests a perfect place to end the day after a rowdy game of badminton on the lawn or a rejuvenating soak in the inn’s redwood sauna. theswag.com — Kalyn Belsha