DETAILS
Fairfield and Vedic City, Iowa

Sunday, November 12, 2006

GETTING THERE: The easiest route is to fly from Reagan National Airport to Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids and rent a car. American, United and other carriers are offering round-trip fares starting at $220, with restrictions and a change of planes. From Cedar Rapids, Fairfield is a 78-mile drive south.

WHERE TO STAY: The Raj Health Center and Spa (1734 Jasmine Ave., Vedic City, 800-248-9050, http://www.theraj.com/ ) is built in Vedic architectural style and offers massages, health treatments and Transcendental Meditation training. The rooms are large, with great views of the Iowa countryside. Doubles start at $165 a night, including a full buffet vegetarian breakfast.

The Rukmapura Park Hotel (1702 Rukmapura Park, Vedic City, 866-472-1008, http://www.rukmapuraparkhotel.com/ ) is a modern, Vedic-style hotel with spacious rooms, a restaurant and health club. Doubles, including breakfast, start at $129 a night.

The Landmark Inn (115 N. Main St., Fairfield, 641-919-3758), a small, recently remodeled downtown hotel, is a good choice for those who prefer to be near Fairfield's galleries, restaurants and other in-town attractions. The rooms are basic, but at $44 a night double the price is right.

WHERE TO EAT: Petit Paris (108 N. Main St., 641-470-1624) offers authentic country French fare in a relaxed setting. Meals for two run about $60. Revelations (112 N. Main St., 641-472-6733) is a favorite of locals for the pizza, book-lined walls and a friendly atmosphere. A pizza lunch for two, with soft drinks, is about $20.

INFORMATION:

* For info on gallery tours and other downtown activities: Fairfield Convention and Tourism Bureau, 641-472-2111, http://www.fairfieldiowa.com/ .

* To arrange a visit to a group meditation: Maharishi University of Management, 641-472-7000.

* To arrange tours of Vedic City: Maharishi Vedic City Office of Tourism , 641-470-7070. Rates vary. The Raj Health Center offers free maps for a self-guided tour.

-- Gary Lee