Who knew? September is National Honey Month, a holiday dedicated solely to raising awareness about beekeeping and (you guessed it!) the health benefits of honey. Although the under-the-radar celebration was first introduced to mark the end of the honey harvest season, the sweet festivities have since evolved into a wide array of hive-themed activities including honey spa treatments, tasting menus, and amateur beekeeping lessons. Here, we round up four buzzworthy resorts where you can relax, enjoy apiary programs, and (temporarily) live the beekeeping experience this fall.
Carmel Valley Ranch
This 500-acre ranch in Central California is the perfect place to get up close and personal with the Queen Bee. Visit the hotel’s aptly named Organic Garden, where professional beekeepers take guests behind-the-scenes to learn about the connection between plants and pollinators.
Participants in the 90-minute A Bee’s Life program have the opportunity to indulge in local honey tastings, as well as embarking on an interactive tour of the ranch’s apiary. Rates range from $75 to $115.
Nanuku, Auberge Resorts Collection
Any excuse to visit Fiji is a good one, but Nanuku truly is a tropical paradise for the honey aficionados who like their beekeeping experience with a side of luxury. Start your day with a visit to Nanuku’s Bee Hive, where you’ll learn how the 2,000 resident bees make honey, along with how it is ultimately harvested.
After you’ve played beekeeper for a day, kick back and enjoy the fruition of your labor with a honey-inspired spa treatment, as well as a 5-course honey tasting menu. Rates start at $750 per couple.
Ojai Valley Inn
This tranquil resort is situated at the base of the Topa Topa Mountains in Ojai Valley, about 90 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. But you’ll feel like you’re a world away after donning a protective beekeeper’s suit to visit the bee yard, where experts will lead you in a lively discussion about how the hive chooses a new queen and what it takes for beekeepers to harvest honey from start to finish.
Each apiary experience concludes with a raw honey tasting. Rates start at $150 per person.
Mauna Kea Resort
Hawaii may be synonymous with romantic getaways, but it’s also a great place to get in touch with Mother Nature. This laid-back luxury resort is the only hotel that works with the State of Hawaii’s Apiary Division to sustainably maintain honeybee, making its beekeeping program one of the best in the world.
Guests can take a walking tour of the hives and participate in a honey pull during the harvest season. There’s also a “Bee Buzz” lecture, hands-on beekeeping demonstrations, and food and beverage samples using the locally-sourced honey. Each participant also receives a complimentary jar of honey to take home. Rates start at $50 per person. (To book call 808-882-5707 or email maunaconcierge@maunakeabeachhotel.com)
Would you go on a beekeeping experience vacay or have you been? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
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