Spas
Perhaps it is the hectic pace of life as we live it today, or an innate craving we all have for a little quality time every now and then, but whatever the spur spa holidays are now a growing must on everyone’s agenda.Travel the globe and there are plenty of places waiting to pamper you, whether you want a sanctuary in the sun or treatments tucked away in a country house hotel.
Ireland’s landscapes offer plenty of peace and serenity and add in resorative spa treatments at award-winning spas and you get an extraordinary, relaxing and totally unforgettable experience. There is a good choice accessed through Dublin or Shannon.
Set off for a bit a bit of pampering in France, and Aix-les-Bains, just south of Chambery, is a popular spa resort famed for its thermal baths since the 18th century. Combined with a dose of pure alpine air, it can’t help but reinvigorate both body and soul. Head to Brest and you can actually follow the production process, which turns seaweed into a spa treatment: they now have a mini-industry there creating marine-life treatments.
The Swiss too know how to pamper both themselves and visitors and whether its just rest and relaxation in pure, fresh mountain air you want or some full-on beauty treatment, head to Berne or Geneva for thermal baths, saunas and all manner of tonics and treatments.
For a taste of how taking to the waters was done in years gone by, check out Bath (via Bristol) for Roman Baths and all the classic style of a traditional spa.