VACATIONS, like birthdays, are occasions when calories allegedly don’t count. But with the recent and upcoming crop of site-specific diet books, it’s hard to go anywhere without reflecting on your regimen. Is it possible to keep these plans’ prescriptions and still indulge in the area of their origin? From Sonoma to St. Tropez, the answer is absolutely – but only if you want to. Here, our guide to staying on (or falling off) the wagon in three destinations famous for their diets.
SONOMA
The book: “The Sonoma Diet: Thinner waist, better health in just 10 days!” by Connie Guttersen, R.D., Ph.D.
The diet: Because Sonoma County lies at approximately the same latitude as the Mediterranean, this diet stems from the eating habits in the region’s surrounding countries. Pile your plate with the ten “power foods” (almonds, bell peppers, blueberries among them).
Steady on: After relaxing in the bath house at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, there’s no need to disrupt your stress-free state with weight worries. Chef Joseph Brown’s culinary team at the hotel’s Santé Restaurant recommends the seared ahi tuna with sweet red peppers ratatouille and chickpea panisse.
Go wild: Sneak into Wine Country Chocolates’ new tasting room in Glen Ellen and check out their wine truffles, filled with ganaches of Zinfandel, Cabernet Savignon, Port and Merlot.
MARTHA’S VINEYARD
The book: “21 Pounds in 21 Days: The Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox” by Roni DeLuz, R.N., N.D. with James Hester (release date: May 8)
The diet: Dr. Roni DeLuz moved to Martha’s Vineyard more than a decade ago . She and Hester claim their liquid-based diet of distilled water, fresh juices and green-vegetable soups will cleanse digestive systems, improve skin, and help with weight loss.
Steady on: DeLuz runs the Martha’s Vineyard Holistic Retreat at a bed and breakfast on the island, so forget those intense menu inspections and leave the details to the master. Stay in one of the six suites, give up solid foods in favor of berry “cocktails” and other organic blends and immerse yourself in cleansing therapies like hypnosis and colonics.
Go wild: Drinking alcohol and smoking are forbidden during detox, but who says you can’t just have one teeny little sip of a drink at the Offshore Ale microbrewery? Staff will serve up samples on request.
ST. TROPEZ
The book: “The Saint-Tropez Diet,” by Apostolos Pappas Ph.D. with Marie-Annick Courtier
The diet: According to this book, the trick is to up your intake of omega 3 fatty acids and decrease your consumption of omega 6. Fill your bikini-exposed belly with fresh fruits, sardines and protein-rich seeds.
Steady on: At the sleek, modern Spoon in the Hotel Byblos, Chef Alain Ducasse suggests the pan-seared tuna with satay sauce and wok-sautéed vegetables.
Go wild: The diet frowns upon sugar and butter, but try remembering the rules when you step inside the town’s La Tarte Tropézienne. The prevailing wisdom is that Brigitte Bardot suggested the name for the bakery’s signature cream-stuffed brioche during a 1950s film shoot.