Archive for » 2012 «

Spectacular Spa Breaks

If you have been neglecting yourself and are feeling overworked, stressed and tired, it is time that you did something about it. There are some spectacular spa breaks that will give you the pampering that you deserve. Treat yourself to a massage, body wrap, scrub, facial or beauty treatment.

Some health spas specialise in massage, and will give you a consultation so that your therapist can determine what the best treatment would be for your body type. If you have never had a massage before Swedish may be the best therapy for you to begin with. Another treatment that is perfect for those who are new to massage is Hot Stone therapy. This treatment incorporates warm basalt stones into the massage. Other treatments can include Thai, Shiatsu, aromatherapy, deep tissue and sports massage. There are even special therapies that are designed for pregnant women.

Body scrubs and wraps have been around for centuries and were especially prominent in ancient Greece. Women and men would use herbal ointments and wraps to detoxify their bodies. These days, spas use a number of different treatments to help you lose weight, cleanse and rejuvenate your skin. Mineral wraps are quite popular and claim to draw out toxins and impurities. They can also help with cellulite. Other popular wraps include seaweed extract and Aloe Vera. A body scrub is used to rejuvenate the skin through exfoliation. Your therapist will use an abrasive material such as sugar, salt, or granulated minerals to get rid of dead skin. This is usually followed by an application of a massage oil or body cream.

Every city in every country in the world has a wonderful spa. If you are in California you could head up to Calistoga which is located just outside of San Francisco in the Napa Valley. This area has been home to day spas long before they became popular. The natural hot springs are very therapeutic and attract people from all over the globe. Another popular spa destination is Phuket in Thailand. There are hundreds of spas where you enjoy a traditional Nuat Phaen Boran Thai massage. The Yucatan Peninsula offers visitors more than beautiful beaches. These modern day spas in Mexico have a mystical overtone that incorporates spiritual Mayan rituals. If you are working on your mind, body and spirit, a trip to Sedona in Arizona could be the next step towards enlightenment. Most of the spas and healing centers concentrate on personal enrichment and can include yoga and hypnotherapy. Hawaii has more to offer than just Luaus and hula dancers. Many people travel to the islands to experience seashell or Watsu massage. The volcanic ash facial is especially popular and is known to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The island of Bali is one of the most popular spa destinations in the world. This Indonesian island specializes in reflexology, aromatherapy, firming treatments and acupressure. The tiny village of Ubud is a wonderful backdrop for the famous Balinese massage.

Whether you are on holidays, taking a business trip or just want to get away from the house for a while it is imperative that you take care of yourself. Consider how you book your stay as many credit card providers often partner with resorts to give their card holders extra benefits along the way. With so many spectacular spa breaks available it’s definitely worth checking to see where you can get the most out of it!

The author of this article is part of a blogging team that works with brands like American Express. The content contained is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.