Spa travel is becoming an increasingly popular holiday option. But I have to admit that until recently I couldn’t make up my mind if this was something for me or not.
I love to be pampered and massages are one of my favorite things in the world. So as Antoine de Saint-Exupery would say, I was already built to catch fire. All I needed was a spark. Two sparks actually. The first one came in the form of a Balinese massage at Grand Mirage Resort in Nusa Dua, a blissful experience I still day dream off. Second, was a Thai massage in London.
The character of the two experiences was completely different though. One took place in a secluded exotic heaven, the other one in a luxurious hotel in the middle of one of the most culturally rich cities in the world. And this made me realize that spa travel can come in two different forms also.
There is the ‘away-from-it-all’ spa experience, organized around the self. It can easily be transformed into a journey of self discovery, being orientated towards healing the body, mind and soul at the same time. And more often than not, when life gives me lemons, this is the type of break I would like as a gift. A secluded, no phones, no internet type of resort, in the middle of nature (preferably among snow-kissed mountains reflecting in a pristine lake), where guests would have the opportunity to choose from long walks admiring the breathtaking landscape, yoga classes, counseling, tae bo, an incredible number of spa treatments and massages and a hair salon where I could choose a new hair style every morning.
And there is the ‘spa-and-culture-mix’ experience, organized around the self while also meant to broaden the horizons. And this is probably the option I would go for most days. I love the idea of getting a massage in a nice ambiance after a day of sightseeing. Soothing music, aromatic candles and luxurious surroundings seem to me like the perfect way to unwind and let sink in all that has been see and done during the day.
Something tells me there will be a considerable number of spa breaks in UK and perhaps Switzerland coming my way in the near future. The Swiss Alps are my favorite place on Earth and I can never have enough of them. On the other hand, I love all the traditional, comfy, aristocratic feeling that I can’t get anywhere else but in UK. What can be more perfect than cuddling in a soft blanket with a cup of Earl Grey with milk in hand while watching life carrying on in the rain? Well, I tell you what. Relaxing in the hotel’s sauna after a day of sightseeing in bad weather!
And this is why I believe spa travel is nowhere more appropriate than in cold, miserable climates. It’s not only the long thought after relaxation that makes me enjoy a spa treatment, but a need build during the whole day that gets satisfied. You know how they say, don’t try to fix it if it’s not broken. But there isn’t a more rewarding feeling than having something fixed after it broke.
Photo by Dennis Wong via Flickr Creative Commons
5 Responses
Mary @ Green Global Travel
Sometimes getting away and unwinding can be nice! It will be amazing to do it in the Alps! Thanks for sharing!
Christopher Allen
We've stayed at spa hotels in South Tyrol and Udud, Bali. Definitely relaxing after a day of hiking.
Marina K. Villatoro
Love love spas!!!!
I've done while at home never really while traveling yet. BUt now that my kids are older, I'm giong to start that new page of my travel fun.
Wil @ Where' Wil
As a backpacker, I don't have a lot of pampering but I do take care of myself.
Since I'm currently in Southeast Asia, where an hour massage is under $10 US, I find it irresponsible to go more then a week without one. =]
Gabe - WTAB
Yes spa's are awesome. This reminded me of the time I went to get a massage while in China. It was about two hours and in total it only came out to around 10 usd. I was so surprised to see how cheap it was, especially compared to how nice the hotel is.