Healing Springs Amid Lush English Gardens

Tucked quietly away into romantic coziness at the foot of the Cascade Mountains, the Lithia Hot Springs Inn & Gardens' hot springs’ mineral water pervades 4 acres of koi ponds, burbling streams, and stately English gardens. Wayfarers wander down the leafy, blossomed paths to their Irish cottage, swinging open the door into sunny rooms with cozy furnishings lushly upholstered with Irish-inspired patterns.

Tired travelers can sink into the plush-top king-size bed cosseted in fine linens and feather-soft pillows, or they can steam open their hearts' envelopes in their private spa, which brims with naturally detoxifying mineral waters. Each Irish cottage also hosts a wet bar with a mini fridge, an intimate dining area for two, and included wireless Internet. USA Today regards Ashland as "one of the most romantic towns in the Northwest" and singles out Lithia Hot Springs Inn & Gardens as the place to stay in town.

Roomers on a stress-relief getaway can choose to redeem a 30% off discount for services at the resort’s room-service spa, which conjures massage therapists to knead out tension in one-hour Swedish massage for one ($90) performed within the cottage. Alternately, wine-seekers can course along the Applegate Wine Trail for a taste of local wines from a cluster of small, boutique vineyards specializing in pinot noir and chardonnay varietals.

Back at the resort, 4 acres of English-style gardens enchant visitors to recline under foliage-heavy trestles, contemplate the peaceful koi pond, and refresh boutonnieres in gracefully rendered fountains. Irish afternoon teas, augmented by authentic Irish scones and sweets, refresh explorers after a day of wine hikes or a particularly intense massage. Upon departure, a bag of the chef's peanut-butter cookies for a tasty snack that prevents drivers from nibbling on the steering wheel. Lodgers may purchase two Groupons for a two-night consecutive stay with all amenities included.

Ashland, Oregon: Arts in the Mountainous Wild

Founded in 1935, Ashland's year-round Oregon Shakespeare Festival represents one of the oldest nonprofit theater companies in the country. High production values and strong artistic standards attract actors, directors, and designers from all over the country to lend their passion to Shakespearean and contemporary plays performed February–November. The 2011 season includes Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure (through November 6), Gilbert and Sullivan’s musicalized Pirates of Penzance (through October 8), and Tracy Letts’s Pulitzer Prize–winning drama August: Osage County (through November 5).

Ashland also hosts various outdoor attractions, such as equestrian trail rides through the countryside’s evergreen forests, elevated lakes, and photogenic mountains. Croquet on the Lithia Springs lawn spurs gentle competition during mornings and evenings Thursday–Monday, with lessons and touch-up sessions available. Whitewater rafting (through September 4), golf, and excursions along the Applegate River Valley soothe visitors with the crisp air and untouched beauty of Oregon's rolling landscapes.