Spring Break and summer vacations aren't just for students any more, everyone needs to take a break from their day to day routine. Working, raising children, even being pregnant are all things that can exhaust the body and mind. If a 2-week vacation to Maui isn't in your future there are plenty of rejuvenating getaways within two hours of San Diego.

Palm Springs and the desert cities feature dozens of hotels and resorts all centered on the idea of leisure activity. If playing 18-holes of golf in the desert sun sounds relaxing to you- tee off early and drink plenty of water. On the other hand, if you're idea of relaxation involves a pool, a lounge chair and a spa-we're on the same page! I checked myself into the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort under the guise of research to see how well I could rejuvenate myself in a weekend.

As it usually goes without fail I choose the one weekend in months that it's rained in the desert. I choose not to let this dampen my spirits and head to the newly renovated Aqua Serena Spa. They offer an extensive menu of treatments offering various ways to wrap, scrub and exfoliate yourself into a glowing new you. I chose the date and sugar body polish paired with the desert herbal wrap. While remarking on the surprisingly bad weather, my technician Karen slathers and scrubs my entire body in an invigorating fashion. 50 minutes later I'm completely exfoliated, although strangely I feel I smell like a Fig Newton. During the herbal wrap I'm once again slathered-this time with a seawater gel mixed with lavender and sage oils. Karen then wraps me in some sort of human paper, and then places hot, wet towels on top. I find this to be relaxing beyond belief and drift off to sleep while Karen gives me a scalp massage. The hour passes far too quickly and soon enough it's time to get unwrapped and shower off. To my surprise the shower is located outside the treatment room as in outside on the patio. I'm sure this private, outdoor shower is absolutely delightful on a hot desert afternoon; however on this drizzly day it's mildly annoying as I find that seaweed gel takes a remarkably long time to rinse off. Afterwards, I lounge about in the relaxation room where someone brought me an iced tea and the latest issue of People magazine and I was actually left alone for 45 minutes with no one talking to me and no phone ringing. (No cell phones allowed.) This in itself was worth the price of admission.

The next day I returned to Aqua Serena to have an entirely different sort of experience with my introduction to Thai massage. Thai massage is completely different than your standard Swedish massage in that you keep your clothes on, you lie on a futon on the floor and you seem to be doing a great deal of stretching. Thai massage actually involves the components of yoga and acupressure by manipulating the body through passive stretching and gentle pressure along the energy lines. At least that's what Mario, my masseur explains. Mario could be Fabio's shorter, tanner brother and frankly, who wouldn't want to have a massage from Fabio? Mario proves to be incredibly talented and gives me the massage of a lifetime. I am stretched and manipulated into complete relaxation with some reflexology thrown in for the fingers and toes. After 50 minutes I emerge from the massage room in a near euphoric state wondering if I can afford to spring for another Thai massage in the morning. At $90 I decide to treat my husband, a devotee of the deep tissue massage, to get his take on Thai. Michael has an equally incredible experience and we agree that after this fantastic initial Thai massage with Mario, all others will pale in comparison.

To round out the weekend, I take a Pilates mat class, work out in the gym and have a decadently expensive manicure and pedicure in the salon. In addition, I watch movies on pay-per-view, have room service and soak in the giant hotel bathtub.

Surprisingly, I actually do feel completely relaxed and refreshed after my wonderful 48-hour getaway. I check out of the hotel feeling completely rejuvenated, only briefly ill when I see my itemized bill. I vow to return to the desert the next time I'm in need of a getaway, after checking the Weather Channel of course.

In order to ensure your getaway is as relaxing as possible:

1. Book spa appointments and tee times before you arrive. Most resorts offer complete spa menus on their websites, call ahead of time to make sure you'll get the best times to fit your schedule.
   
   
2. Use the hotel concierge. They're there to help make your trip as carefree as possible.
   
   
3. Get directions to the hotel before you leave home. Nothing like bad directions to get your trip off to a bad start. I missed an exit and went 30 miles out of my way before realizing signs for Phoenix should not be seen on the way to Palm Springs.
   
   
4. Let your kids have a getaway too. If you're traveling with kids, many resort hotels have wonderful day camp programs with fun activities for ages 4 and up.
   
   
5. Find out about special packages. Most resorts offer special rates for spa, golf even romance packages that cater to your individual needs.
   
   
6. Allow yourself to be pampered. It's okay to let someone else bring you water, get you towels, pick up after you. After all, you'll be doing it for someone as soon as you get home.
   
   
7. Turn off your cell phone. Need we say more?
8. Remind yourself "I am on vacation." Make this your mantra.
   
   
9. Bring your serenity home with you. Don't let the everyday stressors hit you as soon as you walk through the door. Try to keep your relaxed peaceful state as long as you can.
   
   
10. Plan your next getaway. Give your self something to look forward to. There's nothing like knowing you have another escape planned for the future.