“It’s akin to a nature walk on water—good
for body and soul,” he said. “Hilton Head
Island is a natural dolphin habitat and you
can get up-close and personal with these
amazing mammals.”
Farm-to-table meals can be found on
Hilton Head, but as an island, Clark said
“it’s all about boat-to-plate group dining.”
Among the group-friendly eateries
showcasing ocean fare are the longstand-
ing Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks,
which cultivates its own oyster beds and
offers shucking demonstrations, and Red
Fish, where attendees can count on a
meal made with fresh seafood and local
produce.
Pre- or post-meal, groups will enjoy yoga
on the beach, horseback riding through the
Sea Pines Forest Preserve or bike riding in
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.
“The Zen of nature is what sets Hilton
Head Island apart from so many other
beach resort destinations,” Clark said.
Hilton Head is also home to traditional
spa settings, including Indigo Spa at Hilton
Head Health as well as Heavenly Spa at
Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa.
Myrtle Beach
Majestic natural surroundings that inspire
wellness are also available for groups
meeting in Myrtle Beach, where they can
bike ride or hike at Myrtle Beach State Park,
including along its popular Sculptured Oak
Nature Trail, Waccamaw Neck Bikeway and
Huntington Beach State Park.
Additionally, the area boasts 60 miles
of beautiful coastline and various water
activities, including kayaking, parasailing
and surfing.
“Whether you are sitting along the beach
gazing at the ocean, walking through the
trees at the state parks, kayaking along the
Waccamaw River under the grand cypress
trees or leisurely wandering through the
pristine grounds of Brookgreen Gardens,
anyone can achieve a Zen-like state in Myrtle Beach,” said Diane Charno, director of
marketing for the Myrtle Beach Area CVB.
Healthy meals are served up at local
group-friendly “hook-to-plate” eateries,
For massage therapy and various other
detoxifying and relaxing treatments, at-
tendees can check into The Awakening Spa
at the oceanfront Anderson Ocean Club or
Kiva Day Spa in Myrtle Beach’s Kingston
Plantation area.
Inland South Carolina
The Columbia region, home to three rivers
and one of South Carolina’s largest lakes,
offers kayak excursions and stand-up paddleboard yoga classes to visiting groups.
According to Jason Outman, executive
director at Experience Columbia SC, the
region is also flush with regional parks
and green spaces that are perfect for quiet
meditation.
“And with so many trails, gardens and
Lake Murray nearby, Zen-like spaces are
easy to access from any hotel or conference
space,” he added.
Additionally, interested groups will find
local meditation centers that welcome
drop-ins, including Kadampa Meditation
Center South Carolina, and Fit Columbia
facilitates aerial yoga classes that mix exercise with teambuilding for small groups.
“Local fitness instructors like Heather
Cooper with Fit Columbia can meet groups
at their hotel for a guided morning run or
outdoor fitness class before the day’s conference activities get under way,” Outman
added.
Also in Columbia is Farm to Table Event
Co., which works with planners on customized meals at City Roots, Columbia’s urban
farm.
In Greenville, the award-winning 22-mile
GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail provides a respite
during meetings for attendees who would
like to get out for a walk or bike ride.
“The scenery as you head out of downtown Greenville, through Furman and into
the charming town of Travelers Rest is simply breathtaking, and there are a number of
great eateries right along the trail, so groups
can park their bikes and grab a quick bite,”
said David Montgomery, vice president of
sales for Visit Greenville.
Greenville is also home to Zen, a spacious event venue that creates a relaxing
atmosphere for any group event, including
in its Bamboo Garden, which features lush
plants and soothing water sculptures.
“Groups will enjoy Zen’s custom team-building programs geared for mind, body
and spirit balance,” Montgomery added.
“Available activities include private organic
cooking lessons with a local chef, tai chi
exercises, nature walks and more.”
At NOMA Square, an outdoor space
in front of the Hyatt Regency Greenville,
groups will find regular complimentary
yoga classes.
“There’s no better Zen-like way for your
group to take in the beauty of Greenville’s
Main Street than upside down staring up at
the beautiful trees,” Montgomery said.
To start the day in Rock Hill, groups
should plan on breakfast at The Yolk, where
Chef Gregory Collier uses local ingredients
in his regularly changing menu.
After breakfast, head over to Rock Hill
Riverwalk, an area situated along the
Catawba River that brings an element of
wellness to York County.
Guided mountain bike and group
running sessions can be arranged there, as
well as moonlight kayak and tubing trips,
according to Andy Clinton, group/sports
market specialist for the Rock Hill/York
County CVB.
“The great part about it is once you are
finished exercising, you can walk around
the corner to Grapevine Wine Shop to grab
a drink and enjoy the ambiance of Riverwalk,” he said.
And at Cat’s Paw Winery, groups can
book an intriguing private experience that
mixes something called goat yoga with wine
tasting.
A certified yoga instructor will lead the
group with help from a herd of baby goats,
and afterward attendees can enjoy samples
of York County’s only local wine. m
MYRTLE BEACH
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GOAT YOGA AT CAT’S PAW WINERY, YORK COUNTY
