All the latest news, views and insights into the wide World of Spas from our well- travelled expert editor, Jo Foley
EDITOR’S LETTER
I’ve never really liked cold water (except for quenchingI’ve never really liked cold water (except for quenching my thirst); bathing or showering in it has never been quite
my thirst); bathing or showering in it has never been quite my thing.
my thing. I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to plunge pools andI’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to plunge pools and can just about manage the Atlantic beaches in August
can just about manage the Atlantic beaches in August or the occasional spot of kneipping (where you pop your
or the occasional spot of kneipping (where you pop your feet, legs or elbows fi rst into hot water and then cold to
feet, legs or elbows fi rst into hot water and then cold to boost circulation).
boost circulation). And, even though I believe it’s doing me good, I hate
the forceful hose. Now I learn the Romans – the guys who invented spa baths – didn’t believe in the cold eitheri
Now I learn the Romans – the guys who invented spa baths – ddn’t believe in the cold either.
On a recent visit to the ruins at Herculaneum (next to Pompeii), I discovered the women’s Baths had two
Pompeii), I discovered the women’s Baths had two tepidariums (nice, warm steam rooms), one caldarium
tepidariums (nice, warm steam rooms), one caldarium (the good hot job) but NO frigidarium (guess what?) as
(the good hot job) but NO frigidarium (guess what?) as they believed women were too delicate for that. How right they were to leave that for the chaps. It
they believed women were too delicate for that. How right they were to leave that for the chaps. It wasn’t just roads and sewers the Romans were good at – they knew what a body could take, too.
wasn’t just roads and sewers the Romans were good at – they knew what a body could take, too.
On a recent visit to the ruins at Herculaneum (next to
And, even though I believe it’s doing me good, I hate the last seconds of the Jet Blitz when the therapist lowers
the last seconds of the Jet Blitz when the therapist lowers the temperature to icy before you get that last blast from
World of SPAs
the temperature to icy before you get that last blast from the forceful hose.
HOT STUFF
La Serra, the pretty little spa in the old greenhouse in the gardens of the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, has just introduced an exotic new body-sculpting treatment. The Green Coffee Massage helps reduce bloating and increase circulation while simply concen- trating on the torso and legs. But it is the ingredients that give it that extra spark – fi rst, a warming oil that contains the coffee and chilli is massaged in to help warm the body and this is followed by a cooling gel to help tighten and tone.
A WINNING COMBINATION
SYBARITIC SPA SUITES
Some of the most exclusive and luxurious spa offerings at sea are the new Spa Suites aboard Windstar’s Wind Surf. There are 10 in total, with every piece of pampering included, from aromatherapy essences changed in each suite each day, and turn- down gifts (forget chocolates) of lavender hand night-cream, eye gel or body lotion. Added to which, there are specialist bath gels and oils from L’Occitane; a pillow menu offering everything from organic buckwheat to lavender; and a selection of herbal and well-being teas and tisanes. Plus, the Spa concierge will assist guests in organising their treatments – each cruise, Spa suite guests will enjoy two facials, massages and grooming treatments, as well as unlimited fi tness training, yoga and Pilates classes. Anybody want to go ashore?
MASSAGE MANIA
If you’ve never thought massage was a competitive sport, it’s time to think again. A vast massage marathon has just entered the Guinness Book of Records. It took place at Daylesford, Australia’s spa capital, just an hour from Melbourne, when 263 therapists got to work on 263 volunteers at Lav- endula Lavender Farm. The area was chosen as it has the largest number of natural mineral springs in the southern hemisphere and the highest number of therapists per capita. The ‘massage- athon’ easily beat the previous win- ners, who hailed from Washington DC and managed a mere 167 simultane- ous massages!
Summer 2010 I WORLD OF CRUISING 43
Spa specialist Elemis has teamed up with P&O’s Azura to offer some of the most exclusive treatments at sea. Among the more exotic are a 24-carat gold facial; a pro-collagen quartz lift facial; a bamboo massage; and a scented steam rasul. There is also the usual comprehensive Elemis menu of body-wraps, scrubs, manicures and facials, plus a plethora of anti- ageing therapies. Passengers can enjoy many of these at the Spa Retreat – an outdoor terrace on an upper deck with special cabanas to add privacy while allowing the soothing sounds of the waves and wind to provide extra relaxation.
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