Before people escaped to tropical ocean resorts that catered to their every whim, there was the Dude Ranch. It was a great escape for the city-dwellers to enjoy the great outdoors and still have their needs met. Today the Dude Ranch is alive and well in America and parts of Canada with ranches in 12 Western states and 2 provinces. Ranches are divided into 3 categories: Working Ranches, Dude Ranches and Resort Ranches.

Working ranches are cattle, horse and sheep ranches have a strong focus on cattlework. Whether you're a beginner or an expert rider, you can experience what it is to drive livestock and learn roping. Dude ranches are centered on horseback riding. These give you a taste of the cowboy life along with a wide variety of outdoors activities. Resort ranches are typically larger facilities with a wide spectrum of activities and facilities, such as spas, yoga, tennis courts, airport shuttles and golf courses.

As these properties are all-inclusive, meals range from homestyle and even homegrown on the smaller ranches to fine dining at resort locations. Activities other than horseback riding can include fly-fishing, rock climbing, river rafting, balloon trips, archery and more. Some locations also have kid's clubs and babysitting services.

Whether you are looking for a cozy spot for a family getaway or a large resort for a corporate retreat, there's a ranch to meet your needs. Many offer special packages such as Honeymoon, Reunion and Girlfriend Getaways. Many ranches offer year-round programs and most only require a 3 night minimum stay. A sampling of ranches offering winter getaways are The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, White Stallion Ranch , K Diamond Guest Ranch , and Rancho de Los Caballeros . Remember, when seeking your next getaway consider the dude ranch, the other all-inclusive.




(If interested in a Dude Ranch All-Inclusive, please click here and let us know how we can assist you with your next getaway. Please specify Dude Ranch in request for travel quote.)

After living in a modest Kalihi neighborhood on Oahu for nearly a decade, it is an understatement to say I miss Hawaii.  I miss my neighbors many who were like ohana (family). I miss asking my child for the millionth time why she has no shoes on. I long for the predicatability of the ever-comfortable tropic weather. I miss the electricity of Waikiki on a Friday night, driving around the island just because, and the peace of Lanikai Beach on Christmas after the presents have been torn to shreds. One thing I truly miss though is the food. Whether a spontaneous neighborhood barbecue, an orphan's Thanksgiving, or a PTA meeting, eating in Hawaii is an integral part of the culture. The restaurants in the islands certainly do not fall short in serving up the aloha either. Just a few blocks from home was a family favorite, Helena's Hawaiian Food. The restaurant is small yet popular, waiting for a table a common occurence yet noone ever seems to complain. It has been a Kalihi staple since 1946 and it's fabulous food has earned it a James Beard Award (2000) and a spot on the Travel Channel's Man vs. Food.  We often would order kalua pig and cabbage (with a pound of kalua pig on the side), rice and poi. No trip to Helena's was complete without an order of the most sinfully satisfying dessert, haupia, a coconut gelatin popular in the islands. The haupia at Helena's is a family recipe and has an addictive flavor like no other.  Our last trip before departing the islands, we paid for our dinner and dessert and decided to get one more pound of haupia to take with us.  My husband order our sweets to go and paid with a $20 bill, leaving the change for the waitress.  She chased us into the parking lot, insisting it was too much of a tip. We explained it was our last visit and wanted to show our aloha for all the great meals and service we had over the years. She insisted we wait and ran back in to retrieve another pound of haupia, gave us a hug and bid us aloha. I can't say I've had service like that before or since. Much aloha to my former home and even more to Helena's.
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    Cancun  is renowned for it's crystal blue waters and ivory sand beaches. It has been a long-time favorite among Spring Breakers as well as families looking for that "great escape".  Cancun's Hotel Zone offers some of the most amazing lodging, shopping and dining options in the world.  It currently has some of the most affordable all-inclusive vacations available. What lies beyond the beach, though?
   The wonders of the natural world await less than an hour out of Cancun.  Adventure and ecotourism are flourishing at these four ecologocal theme parks. Garrafon Isla Mujeres Reef Park is a 30 minute boat ride from Cancun. Snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, biking and for the daring, ziplining. Enjoy memorable moments swimming with dolphins or standing at the edge of Punta Sur, the highest cliff on the Yucatan Peninsula. Explore the Sculpture Garden and nearby Mayan Temple.  Xplor is an underground experience like no other. Here an amazing 13 ziplines are offered. Amphibious vehicles allow you to tour the jungle. Underground rafting and swimming amongst stalagmites and stalactites offer an unforgettable experience. Xcaret is a world of wonder a mere 2.5 miles from Cancun. This park has something for everyone. Underground rivers, beaches and lagoons offer snorkeling, swimming and SNUBA. Nature walks take on a new meaning when they include flamingoes, macaws, jaguars, turtles, and crocodiles. Mayan archeological sites and cultural exhibits offer multiple educational opportunites. Xpa and La Cava Wine Tasting Tours are a chance to truly relax and taste exquisite wines paired with regional dishes. Then of course, there is the Butterfly Pavilion, Orchid Greenhouse, and Coral Reef Aquarium. The fourth ecopark is Xel-Ha.  Here you can snorkel, SNUBA or go on a SeaTrek and walk on the ocean floor. You can swim with either sweet manatees or play with the dolphins. Escape with a full-body massage from Xel-Ha Xpa while listening to the ocean waves.
    All of these beautiful ecological wonders can be reached by boat, car, bus or guided tour.  Explore more than just the shore.

     Thank you and welcome! Your visit is greatly appreciated. The goal of Escape It All Travel is to provide true customer service.  In order to acheive this goal, being in tune with our clients needs and wants is essential.  If you have a request, we want to see it met.  The only way for our agency to make you truly happy is to get to know you.
     It's important for us to know what type of traveler you are. Is your style relaxed, suited to lounging on the beach, wandering through local markets and your only set appointment a spa treatment? Are you a daredevil, aching for adventure? You may be the one up for parasailing, ziplining through the forest canopy, or "flumin' the ditch".  You may just be a bit of both.
     What defines a vacation for you? Is it all about that once-in-a-lifetime experience? It could be a long-standing tradition or a time when all the family comes together. The perfect combination of people and places can define those scrapbook moments in the years to come.
     After figuring out what type of traveler you are and who you're sharing the experience with, then comes the where. The possibilities are endless.  Our job will be to provide you with choices that fit your tastes as well as your budget.  Life is all about choices, who say's a vacation can't be as well?  All-inclusive resorts may be to your liking or a quaint B&B? It could be a condo or a cabin, whichever we will do our best to accommodate your accommodations. 
     Then there's the LOCATION! Sun-kissed beaches, snow-blanketed peaks, urban energy or the mystery of a rainforest?  Whatever the dream let us help make it happen.