239 great places to escape to nature without roughing it

Escape to the Great Outdoors in Style!Fill your lungs with country air, ride horsebak through a lush valley, spy on starfish, or hike into the desert--and still return to a good meal, fresh sheets, and a hot shower. Our accommodations are handpicked according to four criteria--wilderness setting, serenity, seclusion, and environmental awareness--then divided into categories that describe the experience:Family Hideout: Discover the great outdoors at full-service resorts and kid-friendly guest ranches with wholesome meals and organized activities like gold panning, lake swimming, and wildlife viewing.Romantic Retreat: Explore a nearby nature reserve, enjoy rock-climbing class together, take an afternoon snooze by the lake. End your day in secluded adult-oriented accommodations with bubbles and bubbly in an outdoor tub.Laid-back Adventure: Take it easy in a log lodge or lakefront hotel where activity staff can recommend river-rafting sites and gentle hikes. Return to a soothing back and hot meal.Rustic Escape: Immerse yourself in nature while staying in a no-frills cottage or cabin. Fire farm-stand vegetables on the grill outside and make your own coffee, just the way you like it.Luxurious Resort: Indulge yourself at lavish lodgings nestled in the mountains, miles from civilization. Enjoy breakfast on the terrace and a hotstone massage with a stunning river view.Tranquil Outpost: Saunter along winding trails past glassy mountain lakes and herds of buffalo. Return to a hot tub and hearty meal in your cozy lodge tucked away in the woods_________________________________________________________________Enrich your experience, visit www.fodors.com- Research and book airlines and hotels.- Link quickly to other travel sites.- Talk to your fellow Fodor's traveler.From the Trade Paperback edition.