Wellbeing Wisdom

Top Spa Trends for 2012

2012-01-18T04:09:00.000-08:00

It’s All About the Food

Food has been proven to be a fantastic source of healing, and spas have really taken notice and upped their game in this department. In the UK, there has been a massive rise in awareness about how food can heal you. With TV programmes like ‘The Food Hospital’ on Channel 4 showing the nation how they can cure some common ailments just through a change in diet and lifestyle. All of our spas now offer delicious and healthy food that can help restore and replenish the body and many also go one step further, with qualified nutritionists on staff, explaining the ‘hows and whys’ of food being able to improve the skin and organ functions, plus they teach how to recreate spa menus at home.

Legitimising wellness

It looks like the world of western medicine is finally catching up with many wellness principles of Eastern philosophies, and doctors who are more open to integrative medicine are busy gathering scientific data to prove their claims. Check out www.spaevidence.com where results of studies have been posted. Financial pressures always drive change and preventative health is front of mind as the NHS looks to cut costs by prescribing therapies such as meditation for mental health problems and acupuncture for insomnia to back pain. The world’s best spas are ahead of the game with experienced practitioners offering a wide range of therapies as part of their wellness programmes.

Spa and local culture

Mixing up a bit of local discovery with deliciously relaxing treatments is the way forward. Why travel to a beautiful unique destination and not sample the delights of the local culture? There is a real trend towards holistic holidays that embrace indigenous treatments from the surrounding area and also include authentic excursions to delve under the skin of the destination. Delights include local walks that end up in waterfall swims, sampling organic produce on farms and adding a bit of culture to complete a well-rounded wellness experience!

Sleep Tight

Sleep is stepping into the spotlight as the reports on how depriving yourself of sleep can not only affect your mood but can also lead to other health problems down the line. Sleep is highly restorative, but it can be difficult in our busy lives to catch enough ‘zzzz’s’ to keep feeling in fine fettle. We’ll see more and more spas devising programmes that cater for the stressed out and sleep deprived as it becomes a greater need in our modern world.

Education, Education, Education

Pampering simply isn’t enough for spa aficionados these days. People want to learn about how their wellness experience benefits them and what tools they can take home with them to apply in their day to day lives. It ties in with the trend of discovering why certain treatments make us feel good from a scientific point of view. Spas are more geared up than ever before to impart their wellness wisdom on their guests through expanded activity schedules including lectures and wellness techniques. Classes often take a wonderfully interactive approach so you can practice what they preach.

A Value Proposition

There is no denying the amount of economic uncertainty rife in today’s world. ‘Trying economic times’ are buzzwords on every politician’s lips. What we’ve found is that people are shunning the glitz and swank of uber luxurious spas in favour of a more authentic experience that caters towards true wellness. The spa-going population is now even more sophisticated and, focusing more on value rather than the cheapest price. People are discovering that the cheapest spa will not necessarily bring them a return on investment in terms of measurable health benefits and long lasting results.

Healthy ageing

This continues to be a strong trend in 2012. The focus isn’t about reducing wrinkles but about disease prevention and health enhancement. We like the idea ‘it’s not the years in your life, but the life in your years’ that count. Personal medical evaluations are followed by personalised health plans that include treatments, education and activities that will help achieve optimum health and boost vitality. Keeping an active mind is a key part of this trend – so activities like meditation and puzzles that keep the brain alert are recommended. People are also turning to more natural skincare solutions and again nutritious food to keep their outer body a beautiful reflection of inner health.

For where to find Spa Holiday hot on the trail of these spa trends visit www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk

Absolute Sanctuary Launches its first ever recipe book!

2012-01-17T07:19:00.000-08:00

With constant requests from guests for recipes to take home with them to continue eating healthily at home and with a mission to spread the love for cooking healthy and tasty meals ABSOLUTE SANCTUARY has printed a cook book Food Made With Love from The love Kitchen for this dedicated purpose.The hard cover recipe book will feature enticing appetizers, vegetarian and non-vegetarian main courses, tempting guiltless desserts, as well as refreshing detox dishes in keeping with the spirit of the resort’s detox focus. A special feature of the book is the heart facts introduction to each recipe giving the nutritional benefits of the ingredients that go into the making of each dish.

Should you be interested in purchasing a cook book please email pik@absolutesanctuary.com or bookings@absolutesanctuary.com

Travel Diary - Ti Sana

2012-01-11T04:35:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the best detox programmes can be found in the most tucked away places. This little Italian treasure has been discovered by our Spa Spy Helen. Dedicated to health and wellbeing, there is a wealth of information under it's historic roof, all only a short flight from London.

What were your first impressions of the resort?
My first impressions? A wonderful mix of old world charm and contemporary design – a short transfer from the airport took me from the hustle and bustle of Milan through sweeping Italian countryside to a quaint cluster of charming Italian homes where, in the heart of this sleepy hamlet, lies Ti Sana. Constructed from part of a former Italian nobleman’s home, the thoughtful renovation, peaceful setting and caring team creates an intimate and nurturing ambience right from the start.

What do you think makes Ti Sana special?
Bags of enthusiasm from the knowledgeable, impressive young team and a strong belief in the benefits of following a raw food lifestyle. Newly opened, with immaculate facilities, including the only Angel of Water colon hydrotherapy in Italy, Ti Sana has award-winning freestyle spa facilities, an in-house spa doctor who has published books on the subject of the colon and an authentic, balanced approach to detox and weight management. I also loved the fact that it’s a small and personal property as there are only 22 bedrooms, so it’s ideal for the single traveller – and each room is individually designed, which makes your stay feel even more individual.

What was your favourite activity?
Apart from reaping the benefits of the well-laid out, relaxing freestyle spa, I also loved jogging with the owner, Signore D’Angelo, along the River Adda (he frequently takes guests running, or there’s a guided power walk each morning too with Mario, the fitness trainer, for those who prefer to rest their knees!). The feeling of being in rural Italy when wondering around the little hamlet was special too – there was even a little Italian grandma doing her linen washing in the fresh water trough. There’s a good selection of activities to keep you busy if that’s how you want to be - daily staff tips, educational lectures, group activity classes – but the sense of calm remains at Ti-Sana, so it’s just as easy to lose yourself in the little lounge and delve into a good book...
What was your most relaxing experience?
Having a massage with a therapist with who I swear had magic hands... and unwinding in the sauna (there’s even an infra-red sauna here).
How was the food?
Delicious, varied, well-presented and entirely vegetarian. The raw food specialist chef, Valerie, whipped up a different fresh juice blend each day, and, given the unlimited supply of broth each day, as well as three good sized, healthy meals each day, I definitely did not feel hungry.
Would you recommend Ti Sana?
Absolutely – this is a real find. Authentic, intimate and so very easy to get to - a choice of four nearby airports is about as convenient as it gets.

Fore more on a luxury spa holiday at Ti Sana visit www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk

A healthier lifestyle can prevent you from getting cancer

2011-12-09T03:31:00.000-08:00

Drinking and smoking less and losing weight could save 134,000 cancer diagnoses each year, Cancer Research UK finds. We've been very interested to find out that making simple changes to yourlifestyle and diet can significantly cut your risk of getting cancer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/dec/07/cancer-causes-list

Our Spy Spy Visits Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona, USA

2011-12-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

Think you know it all when it comes to Destination Spas? Well Canyon Ranch is the place the experts go to when they want to learn more. Taking the turn of Spa Spy, our Peter finds out just what makes it one of the best places for tackling your health and fitness goals.
What were your first impressions of the resort?
Considering the amazing reputation it has as a luxury spa holiday destination, it was understated and rustic but very comfortable and welcoming. There is very much a sincere focus on the health of the individuals - in mind body and spirit.
How did you find the food, was it healthy?
I found the food very healthy, fresh, plentiful, and satisfying. All the menus contain the nutritional details for each dish, i.e. calories, fat content, carbohydrates, etc. You know what you are eating. I’d call it a ‘performance food’ menu, to maximise your experience in terms of achieving your goal. Also, there was food, fruit, drinks available all the time between meal times which was great and well appreciated; there is so much going on that it is easy to forget to refresh yourself and get some energy back, so having this available was really useful!
What do you think makes Canyon Ranch special?
Definitely the high calibre of their staff. The nurses, trainers, therapists, consultants are all at the top of the game and full of knowledge, wisdom and practical advice. Many of them have been there 20 years plus, so they really know their stuff, and genuinely love working there.
What was your favourite treatment?
The ‘road warrior massage’, fantastic as a ‘recovery’ type treatment after a day of hiking or biking. Large sachets of various herbs and spices are steamed and heated and then applied to selected muscle groups. I had it after a glorious hike in the Catalina Mountains and it worked wonders.
Did you learn anything you didn’t already know from your time there?
You couldn’t help but learn if you engaged yourself even a little in the range of activities, discussions and seminars available every day. It is a learning centre as much as a destination spa and wellness resort – I felt like I was at an elite university the whole time I was there.
What was your favourite activity?
The early morning hike up into the canyons near the resort. Two and a half hours up the mountain and about an hour and a half back. You are back at Canyon Ranch in time for a late breakfast after having a great bit of exercise while watching morning break over the desert.
What was your favourite aspect of the resort?
The range and variety of activities available to you every day, it is incredible. There were up to 40 classes and seminars, with everything from high octane fitness classes to metaphysical subjects such as tarot reading.
Did anything surprise you about the resort?
Considering all the activities going on the resort was really calm and serene. Even when it is busy, it never seems crowded due to guests being involved in different activities throughout the resort or even off the resort such as biking and hikes
What is the atmosphere at Canyon Ranch like?
I compare it to being at a top university with a highly ‘switched on’ student body. There was a level of seriousness to the way people were getting on with their programmes and daily activities. The staff had the same attitude, doing all they could to encourage the maximum effort with the joint goal of getting results. All this was tempered with a degree of mutual respect and fun that motivated you to keep coming back for more.
Who would you recommend Canyon Ranch to?
I’d recommend Canyon Ranch to someone who is genuinely serious about an investment in themselves, physically, mentally, and emotionally and who really understands the destination spa experience. For everything you give in terms of time, money, effort and dedication while you are there, you get it all back in terms of results...and with interest. It's more than a spa holiday, it's a life-changing experience.
For more on Canyon Ranch visit our website here!

A Rum Affair

2011-11-23T02:26:00.000-08:00

Nothing quite says holiday like sipping a delcious cocktail on a tropical beach paradise. But Shanti Mauricie, in Mauritius, takes it to the next level. Their rustic beach bar, the Fish and Rhum shack, has been voted 9th amongst the 50 Best Beach Bars in the world by top global travel website CNN Go.

With a drink in hand, the sand beneath your toes, glowing lanterns lighting up the midnight sea, and mauritian sega dancers swirling their brightly coloured dresses it's a heady and intoxicating way to spend a Mauritian night.

As well as cocktails, guests are offered a range of over 40 local Mauritian rums or a selection of ice cold beers from the local Mauritian brewery. Freshly caught fish and lobster is cooked on the BBQ and served alongside delicious salads featuring lettuce and vegetables grown on-site in Shanti Maurice’s herb garden.This is a luxury spa holiday with food like no other.

Shanti Maurice’s General Manager, Paul van Frank said, ‘We are extremely proud that our Fish and Rhum Shack has been recognised as one of the top Beach Bars in the world. The accolade really recognises how special the resort is and how much we value the exceptional, authentic experiences that our guests receive when staying with us.’

For a luxury spa holiday at Shanti Maurice check out our fantastic 'Discovery' holiday.

We're still astonshed by this excellent offer at Longevity!

2011-11-18T10:01:00.000-08:00

Exclusive 'Taste of Longevity' Luxury Short Break - Save up to 45%!

Taste the good life on an exclusive luxury spa holiday at Longevity Wellness Resort in the Portuguese Algarve. For a short time only, save up to 45% on usual rates and feel refreshed and rejuvenated in just a few days. The location in a stunning natural reserve in the mountains of the Algarve will give you a sense of calm and tranquility while you indulge in the relaxing pampering spa treatments. To take up this fantastic deal, we kindly ask you to agree to write a short review on your time at Longevity, which we will post on our website.

There are LIMITED SPACES available so act fast to make the most of this incredible offer!

Postcards from Lefay

2011-11-18T02:37:00.000-08:00

Our spa spy has proven quite the photographer with these beautiful shots from Lefay. In this interview, she gives the insider scoop on what she liked best about the resort.

What were your first impressions of the resort? I was immediately struck with the stunning views of Lake Garda, which you could just stare at for hours. There was also a great sense of space in the property. Plus, it was very eco-friendly, I was impressed by the fact there was no air-conditioning. To cool the rooms they used running cold water. It was quite high-tech there were lots of buttons everywhere and it was fun seeing what did what. There was even a button to open and shut the curtains, which I wish I could have every morning!

How did you find the food, was it healthy? On the lunch and dinner menus they have a healthy food option which tells you how many calories are in each dish. The food was absolutely gorgeous; it had a strong Italian theme and was all fresh and yummy. The salad buffet was incredible, with cheeses, hams, leafy greens, beans, antipasti and the like to choose from. You could take a buffet of salad and be totally happy for dinner. Breakfast was a decent spread, with an egg station, cereals and lovely breads. A special touch was that they had a juicer and a big basket with apples and carrots so you could make your own fresh juice. I made my own healthy cocktail with carrots and ginger. Be careful though, on the breakfast table there was champagne should you want it. I thought ‘ooo I could try that, but then I thought actually probably not!'
Lefay are famous for their Chinese Medical approach. How did you find it? Doctor Maurizio was really approachable and obviously very knowledgeable; he's quite a big shot in Italy. He knows a few words in English but there is a translator in the room. Like with our other spa holidays, he talks you though your lifestyle, eating habits, checks your tongue and your pulse - the whole Chinese medicine approach is very personal. They translate the consultation into English so you have a record of it. He prescribed me a moxibustion, which was like a hot heated rod that works on your meridians a bit like acupuncture. When the stick touched my back, I could really feel it working.
The Five different Saunas sound like an incredible experience - how did you find them? It's very European in the sense that everyone is naked, and to be honest that's not for me. They believe that when you're in the sauna you're sweating out your toxins, so it's not good to wear a swimsuit as it keeps them against your skin. Thankfully they had a separate female only sauna which had a sunset relaxation area, it was really lovely in there.
Was there anything particularly special about the spa area? The salt lake was really impressive. It was 37 degrees with a salinity of ten percent. You book into it and there's no one around so you can take all your clothes off if you want to! The whole area had lounge chairs and proper salt there. I floated around for a good 20 minutes. I felt so sleepy and blissful afterwards, I couldn't wait to get back to my room and chill out.
How did you find the resort's atmosphere? It was a really relaxed luxury spa holiday- you can wear your dressing gown everywhere, except to dinner. The service was lovely and friendly, the staff always came over to ask ‘how was your dinner'. There was also an amazing meditation walk which took you through the beautiful grounds. I think it would be a great place for stress management.
What was your favourite part of the resort? Well I couldn't get over the views - you can just keep on looking at it, and the gardens. They allow you to make the most of it by providing lots of lounge chairs and seating areas around the property. Inside, there was a lovely ‘gentleman's' lounge with a bar area. You could cosy up in the armchairs and read a book or the newspapers which were laid out.
Any other insider tips? Remember the Italians take a siesta between 12:30-3:30, which is worth bearing in mind if you fancy visiting the nearby town. It is also well worth exploring the sensory gardens, in fact the whole place is so serence and beautiful it's great to jog or walk around.
Did anything surprise you about the resort? The Europeans often do shorter exercise classes, more frequently, which gives you a lot of variety. The Pilates and yoga classes were only half an hour long, but as no one else turned up it was like having my own private class, and the instructors were really knowledgeable, they knew exactly how to correct my postures.
Lefay have some fanstastic packages that will leave you destressed and glowing with health. Try a rejuvenating pacackage or a chinese medicine based spa method programme.

Luxuriate at Laluna - our latest Caribbean hideaway

2011-11-17T06:50:00.000-08:00

With its eclectic fusion of Italian influences, Balinese bounty and Caribbean charm you might think Laluna a bit of an odd mix, but it works. Voted this year as one of the top 100 best hotels in the world by Sunday Times Magazine, this chic little Caribbean bolthole on a golden Sandy beach in Grenada has proven itself a perfect spa holiday.

We've managed to secure some exclusive spa holidays at this super chilled resort. Explore the rainforest filled island, swim in secluded waterfalls,and roam around spice markets on our brand new Balance & Discovery Programme or take private yoga classes in their stunning beach-based yoga pavilion with our Exclusive Yoga Programme. Take some time to yourself and check them out!

A Massage With A Difference

2011-07-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

Us brits can have a bit of thing about going for massages, we simply don't do it nearly as much as other cultures do. Maybe our reserved reputation is getting the better of us, making us shy or uncomfortable about stripping down till we're in our pants only while a stranger kneads us for a good hour. And yet, it's funny as many think nothing of baring all while a beautician rips the hair from their nether-regions. It's almost as if we think that just because there are no immediate visible benefits, it's not worth spending the time or money on.

Having just had an amazing massage from one of our wellbeing experts Claire Farman I am wondering why I don't go for them more often. Claire is a gifted yoga and meditation teacher as well as a qualified homeopath. She has been studying many sacred arts of healing for over 20 years. Her own yoga and healing centre is in the aptly named Vale of Health, over looking a quiet green piece of Hamstead Heath. Full of light and energy, the treatment room is beautiful.

"So what's going on with you," asks Claire in a totally relaxed, completetly non-judgmental way. I immediately feel like I'm engaged in a heart-to-heart with a lifelong friend. After a ten minute chat, through which Claire intuits any problems or energy blocks that might need healing, the massage begins. Working her hands deep into my muscles, she covers me in skin softening shea butter. She is not always gentle, tugging on my limbs and pressing hard into my shoulder blades, with a strength that belies her slender frame. I do say 'oww' several times, but I also feel my muscles start to soften and relax. After this she places Tibetan healing bowls, each corresponding to different organs, on my body. Each bowl is gonged in different ryhtms and patterns and I can feel my whole body vibrating pleasantly. Claire tells me the Tibetan healing bowls use sound vibration to balance and realign the body's subtle energy systems.

Turning me over, she asks me to pick a coloured vial (I pick pink) from a spectrum and then uses it to spray an aromatic mist of divine roses over me. It's 'gem medicine', she says, made of potentised gems and crystals such as amythyst and rose quartz. She also gives me carefully selected homeopathic remedies that she says are to help clear emotional and pyshcial blockages.

I leave feeling tired to my bones, it's been something of an emotional release. All I want to do is go home and go to sleep. Which I do, and I'm out like a light. It's a deep and delicious slumber, and the next morning when my alarm goes off I actually get out of bed with a spring in my step. Whether it's pyschological or phsycial, I certainly feel more energic and lighter- hearted. It makes me think that there is more to massaging than relaxing indulgance.

Ready to be Reformed

2011-06-27T02:34:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot in the press of late about the benefits of Pilates, with the lovely Miss Pippa Middleton outting the muscle control method as the secret to her killer figure. It seems important to note at this moment that the style of Pilates she was using was based around a machine called 'The Reformer', a terrifying name for a piece of Pilates apparatus designed to shape, tone and scuplt your muscles. The traditional mat based Pilates, although highly beneficial for posture and body control, does not deliver as immediate or as intense results as a Reformer.

For those of us who get a bit too little exercise, are a bit too time-starved and spend a bit too much time sitting down, a Reformer based Pilates class sounds pretty much ideal. Toned muscles, better posture, stronger core you say? Where do I sign up!

Saying that, I'd somehow managed to avoid trying a session despite endless invitations from our friends at Ten Pilates, a company that has been going from strength to strength in the fitness world. To be honest, I think the name Reformer had put me off a bit. And, I had seen pictures - it resembled a Medieval torture wrack.

Despite this, swayed by the outstanding testimonials from people who had tried the classes, plus the dread of baring my pasty thighs in skirts over the summer, I found myself flat on my back, heels up in one of these devices, wondering if it was all it's cranked up to be. No pain no gain right?

I needn't have been so worried. The begginners class was suitably gentle, and our instructor for the evening, Ken Fitzmaurice, a humorous Irish gentleman helped us get to grips with the equipment. I won't lie, it was hard work, but in a satisfying 'Yes I can feel myself working out right now and it feels damn good' way. It was also gentle enough to do it fairly easily. I could feel muscles in my legs and behind that I didn't even know existed. And that's when I see the appeal. I'm lying down and this equipment is really helping me workout muscles that other kinds of exercise just don't get to. I also feel like my spine is protected by the padded shoulder blocks on the Reformer, so my back and pelvis stay nicely aligned througout.

The next day I do feel a bit sore and stiff in my body, which I think is a good sign. I swear my thighs seem a teency bit firmer, even just after one class, and that's enough to tantalise me into wanting to go again.
For people preparing to go on holiday, or coming back from a spa holiday I think it's a great way to get into shape and stay that way. There are a whole variety of levels and classes to choose from so you won't get bored, and the results and benefits for your body are incredible and will help you a heck of a lot if you're sitting on your rump in an office all day. It's definitely worth clearing some space in the diary for.

You and Your Bump

2011-06-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

Last night Wellbeing Escapes went to the book launch of our Chinese Medicine Expert Emma Cannon at Wodka restaurant near Hight Street Kensington. A delighted and glowing Emma was there to promote her fantastic new book You and Your bump which is all about wellbeing through pregnancy.

Using a gentle blend of ancient Chinese medicine wisdom with conventional Western medical practice, the book starts with a '360 degree' health check that takes you through some general conventions for assessing your health so you can start working on areas with any deficiencies. It has great recommendations for how to eat well to address certain problems you might be experiencing, whether in conception or pregnacy. A must for any mother in the making!

Emma regularly contributes health tips on all areas of life to our website. Read more about her, and have a look at her wellbeing tips, this month our experts discuss Stress and Burnout

For more on our spa holidays visit www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk

Catch the Zumba Fitness Blog

2011-05-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

In my quest to find enjoyable fitness pursuits I have recently discovered Zumba and am hooked. For those who have not caught the Zumba bug yet, it is a high energy fitness routine based on Latin American dance moves. The music just makes you want to move, and the one hour workout they tell me burns between 500 – 800 calories (depending how hard you work and on your base metabolic rate). You also need to keep up with the routines so your brain gets a bit of a workout too. Many of the spa holidays we offer include fitness classes but I was delighted to hear that our partners at Aphrodite Hills have just introduced Zumba to their weekly spa schedule. If you are visiting, I highly recommend you give it a go as a top up to our Flexible Fitness Holiday there or even for a bit of high energy if you are having a relaxing spa holiday there.

If you want to incorporate Zumba as part of your fitness regime at home then check out classes at your local gym or in your local newspaper.

Stella

Workplace Wellbeing

2011-05-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Workplace Wellbeing

Is your workplace helping you thrive? We spend most of our lives at work, many of us hunched over our desks staring at a screen without taking regular breaks. Unhealthy habits at the workplace can damage your posture, eyesight and sanity. Luckily some simple things can be done to keep you feeling tip top at work. So grab a glass of water, sit up straight, uncross your legs and read on >>www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk and find our more about our fantastic Luxury Spa Holidays

Office Health Tips

2011-05-11T08:54:00.002-07:00

Expert Monthly Tips - May Office Health Tips
Considering most of us spend the majority of our time at work, it's suprising that we make our health in the office our lowest priority. Stressful and competitive work environments, can stop many people from taking a proper lunch breaks, eating well or fitting in regular exercise. It can be hard to even make little changes (like stretching out in front of baffled colleagues, or allowing yourself to take that walk around the block) but if you are brave enough to you'll find you feel infinitely more refreshed productive and probably have less sick days off. Our experts have some top advice for tackling the office health minefield. Visit our spa holiday website
www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk for our expert's tips!

Office Health Tips

2011-05-11T08:54:00.001-07:00

Expert Monthly Tips - May

Office Health Tips Considering most of us spend the majority of our time at work, it's suprising that we make our health in the office our lowest priority. Stressful and competitive work environments, can stop many people from taking a proper lunch breaks, eating well or fitting in regular exercise. It can be hard to even make little changes (like stretching out in front of baffled colleagues, or allowing yourself to take that walk around the block) but if you are brave enough to you'll find you feel infinitely more refreshed productive and probably have less sick days off. Our experts have some top advice for tackling the office health minefield.

Margo's Organic Pharmacy Tips	Emma's Chinese Medicine Tips	Lynne's Lifestyle Tips

The Food Doctor, Ian's Nutritional Tips	Claire's Holistic Yoga and Meditiation Tips	David's Fitness tips

Office Health Tips

2011-05-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Expert Monthly Tips - May

Office Health Tips Considering most of us spend the majority of our time at work, it's suprising that we make our health in the office our lowest priority. Stressful and competitive work environments, can stop many people from taking a proper lunch breaks, eating well or fitting in regular exercise. It can be hard to even make little changes (like stretching out in front of baffled colleagues, or allowing yourself to take that walk around the block) but if you are brave enough to you'll find you feel infinitely more refreshed productive and probably have less sick days off. Our experts have some top advice for tackling the office health minefield.

Margo's Organic Pharmacy Tips	Emma's Chinese Medicine Tips	Lynne's Lifestyle Tips

The Food Doctor, Ian's Nutritional Tips	Claire's Holistic Yoga and Meditiation Tips	David's Fitness tips

2011-04-20T01:44:00.001-07:00

Our Insider takes a sneaky peek on a Spa Holiday at The Almyra...

Wellbeing Escapes Spring into Action

2011-04-20T01:36:00.000-07:00

Spring into Action

Stop hibernating! It's time to get out into the sunshine and embrace the new energy that comes with the seasonal shift. If like Wellbeing Escapes Spa Holidays, you need a little something to add some extra pazazz to your step then try these super quick energy boosting tips to reawaken your inner zest no matter how busy you are. You go, girl!


	Get more ginseng Ginseng is renowned for having energy boosting properties. It is an adaptogen, a herb which increases the body's ability to adapt to stress and circumstance, so it's great at building resistance to stress and boosting energy. You can take a ginseng supplement but we like sipping Dr Stuart's Triple Ginseng tea, with an extra zing of lemongrass to help see us through the hectic times

	Get on your toes and stretch Office life getting you down? Roll up and down on your toes. You may look funny to your colleagues but this simple move stimulates your circulatory system, delivering much needed oxygen and fuel (glucose) throughout your body. You’ll be more energised and sharper. So get out of your chair and stand up, stretch your arms above your head, breath deeply a few times carefully watching your breath and you'll be amazed by how much sharper you feel.

	Rotate probiotic into your diet Probiotics are great for keeping the digestive system clean, and helps your body absorb all the nutrients from food. That makes you healthier and more energetic. A good probiotic can also support your immune system, helping you fight seasonal colds. We recommend Acidophilus, especially if you're coming off a course of anti-biotics. Live Yoghurts are not always that abundant with live bacteria so it's important to get a good quality supplement. Try Nature's Best, one capsule provides the quantity of bacteria equivalent to 20 pots of yoghurt.

	Take a mini-holiday Take one day and just do whatever you want. No work, no chores, no errands. Enjoy your one full day of holiday, then come back to work more motivated and energetic. On a rare off day we taking ourselves to be pampered at the luxurious Six Senses Pan Peninsula in London. If you're feeling adventurous why not turn a mini holiday into a full one on one of our fitness programmes and really return revitalised!

	Drink lots of water It sounds obvious but it makes a world of difference. Dehydration is a sinister cause of fatigue because it slowly creeps up on you. If you consistently drink less than 8 glasses of water a day, you may feel sluggish all the time. Get a decent water bottle, we like this eco-friendly Britta bottle. Your goal is to polish off 2 of those a day. Try it for a week and see your general energy levels increase.

2011-03-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

Easter Eggstravaganza

It can be tricky to find hotel availability at the best of times over Easter, but with the Royal Wedding and Bank Holiday coming up, it's trickier than ever. Here at Wellbeing Escapes we've hunted out some of our favourite spa holidays that still have some vacancies over the holidays. But if you're interested in getting away we urge you to hurry, most resorts have limited availability and rooms are getting snapped up fast!

Have a peep at the stunning Kempinski Barbaros Bay resort in Turkey (pictured above). This luxury Spa Holiday provides a traditional Turkish Hamman experience using gorgeous locally sourced natural olive oils and salts. It's the perfect break for those wanting to get away from the wedding and indulge their own inner prince or princess.

2011-03-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

SwaSwara delivers serenity, calm and tranquillity on every level. But what is little known is that, in its sleepy way, SwaSwara is also a hive of holistic activity with lots to learn and vibrant Indian markets only a tuc-tuc ride away. Our intrepid spa spy Anuska went on a 6 day Ayurvedic Programme to find out...

What’s special about the Ayurveda Programme at SwaSwara?
I’d had Ayurveda before but this was so relaxing that I fell asleep all the time during treatments. The Doctors were a very sweet husband and wife couple who delved into how to treat my particular nervous system, and gave me all sorts of tips about how to calm my doshas (body's constitution), including rubbing sesame oil into my skin. I couldn’t believe quite how much the treatments made me want to sleep. I found myself walking around the resort in a daze, I knew I’d feel relaxed but I hadn’t ever prepared to be this blissful. All I wanted to do was snooze in the beautiful grounds or laze in a hammock on the beach drinking it all in slowly. There was so much excess space on this Spa Holiday I was spoilt for choice for places to relax in. It was truly restorative.

Just how relaxed were you?
I felt like I didn’t have a care in the world. I lost any inhibitions, even when I was wrapped in nothing but a loin cloth for the massages with everything else hanging out I didn’t care. I had the same therapist all the way through, so only one person seeing my naked body!

Is there anywhere you didn’t fall asleep?
Funnily enough I didn’t fall asleep during the meditation class, which surprised me - usually I do. I think because I was so relaxed my mind was able to tune into the meditation properly. Instead of seeing it as a chance to sleep it awakened me in a refreshing way. I guess I finally learned how to do it right.

What surprised you most about the resort?
How therapeutic the extra activities can be. There is so much choice, meditation, yoga, cooking art, whatever tickles your particular creative bent. Art was my favourite. Usually I don’t get much time to unleash my creativity so I found myself wanting to spend a lot of time in the art room with the lovely art teacher, Joy, who showed me how to do water painting, glass painting, and pottery. I ended up making a piggy bank to bring me good luck in wealth. The teacher asked me to call her when I eventually open it!

How did you manage to get outside the resort?
It was hard to leave the sanctity of SwaSwara, but I had to see the real India which lay just beyond its front door. One short tuc tuc ride was all it took to take me to the nearby market which was bursting with Indian flavour. Colourful spices were heaped up everywhere, cars were zooming, cows were pushing you – but you can’t touch them back as they’re considered very sacred animals. It was another, very hectic, side to India. You don't always see that on a Spa Holiday!

What else was did you do around the resort?
I went on a nature trail where I saw lots of different birds, plants, beaches, and even people playing cricket. I learned so much from my guide about the different species of wildlife that live and grow in and around the resort, many of which are used by the chefs in the food.

And how was the food?
Apart from the delicious fresh fish and vegetables served every day, the resort is keen to teach you how to cook healthy food that compliments your doshas, or body type. I had a cooking class where I learned how to make an authentic Indian curry, the basis of which is onion, ginger, sunflower oil and garlic. The only thing I couldn’t really eat was the breakfast curry – it was too early for me!

What’s your fondest memory from the trip?
I loved sitting in the hammock on the beach, seeing the trees up above me and watching the sun flickering through the leaves while hearing the sea roaring back and forth. I remember thinking ‘this is life, this is great’.

Would you go back?
Yes definitely – but for longer. Six nights wasn’t enough. I think 10 would be perfect to make the most of it, especially after all that travelling.

For more luxury Spa Holidays visit our website www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk

2011-03-23T02:44:00.000-07:00

Ananda in the Himalayas Luxury Spa Holiday - A Trip of a Lifetime

Over the last 10 years, Ananda in the Himalayas has become one of the most sought after destinations for tranquility and true wellbeing. It's little wonder Conde Nast traveller has voted it into their top 3 luxury destination spas in the world 6 years in a row. Bathed in the fresh Himalayan mountain air, Ananda is a magical destination steeped in Indian history. Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and the source of the ancient practices of Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda, Ananda provides guests with a total immersion experience designed to create health balance in body and mind. It's truly a trip of a lifetime!

For more on the mystique that shrouds this beautiful resort visit our spa holiday website www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk.

Enjoy a Women's Creative Leadership Retreat with Lynne Franks

2011-03-22T03:35:00.000-07:00

Spend 7 days in Spain and Discover your Full Potential

Not just any Spa Holiday. Lynne Franks is one of the world's most successful PR consultants having run successful campaigns for some of the world's most famous brands and creating British Fashion Week. After selling her famous PR agency, Lynne has turned her talents to writing her best selling books dedicated to helping women achieve their potential in business and with their personal lives. Lynne currently advises both the public and private sectors as a Strategic Advisor on women and has an impressive client list including HSBC & Cisco.

Lynne is running one of her Bloom Retreats between 11 - 17 June 2011 in her beautiful home in Deia, Mallorca. Lynne focuses on all areas of life relevant to a modern woman including relationships, career, emotional wealth and physical wellbing You will relax, learn wellbeing tools and tap into Lynne's inspirational techniques to help you get the most out of your life both professionally and personally. Lynne will also work with you on a one to one basis to help you create your own personal life and work plan.

For further information and to book your space check out >> Lynne's Bloom website. Take advantage of the early booking offer of 15% Discount for places booked before 31st March 2011.

For more great offers and information about luxury spa holidays visit our website www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk

2011-02-24T02:26:00.000-08:00

Did you know that turmeric has anti inflammatory properties and is jam packed with anti oxidants?...it is so powerful that it is being seriously investigated by pharmaceuticals for use in anti cancer drugs and even as a treatment for cancer.

Check our the Spa Holiday Recipes on our website for some top nosh tips. They use ingredients like Chillis are high in vitamin A,B and C and release endorphins that help lower cholesterol. And don’t start me off on garlic – ok I know it doesn’t leave the most pleasantly fragrant breath but it is a powerhouse of medicinal properties. It can assist in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, it is a natural antibiotic (try rubbing a garlic clove on painful teeth or gums – the immediate results are amazing!).

I went to a great Thai cookery class today at the Saffron House Cooking Academy and it got me thinking about how Asian cuisines are jam packed with ingredients that are so good for you, and how food can be such a potent therapeutic tool. I don’t just mean getting your 5 a day but incorporating a variety of spices and herbs that can enhance your wellbeing.

So many of the Wellbeing Escapes Spa Holidays use food to enhance the whole wellbeing experience. I don’t just mean learning how to cook to assist keeping the weight off but incorporating a variety of spices and herbs to harness their healing benefits. Many of the spas we feature also offer cookery classes so you can take some of this knowledge home with you. Two of the best cookery classes I have had are at Chiva Som and the Six Senses Sanctuary in Thailand.

My parting Thai spa cookery tip is boiling a pan of water with lemongrass stalks and boil to make a tea (you can use a bit of honey for taste if you like). It’s very calming and a great way to relieve stress. Use ginger instead of lemongrass if you are coming down with a cold as ginger has high anti inflammatory properties and can help build your immune system.

To read more about our fabulous luxury spa holidays visit our website www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk

Gong Meditation

2011-02-03T05:43:00.000-08:00

It’s a Friday night at the end of January and instead of the usual drink (and a few) after work I’ve decided to try a Gong Meditation class at the Alchemy yoga centre in Camden. Perhaps it’s partly hangover from a particularly austere January or that fact I’ve been writing about detox all month, but I fancied ringing the changes, so to speak. Hey – a prolonged New Year’s resolution is better than nothing right?

I hadn’t got much of an idea of what to expect, except that there’d be a gong involved and I was pretty sure, but not completely sure, that I knew what one looked like. In my mind I’d imagined someone banging away solemnly on a gong, a bit like a Zen Buddhist. Maybe there’d be some chanting. Maybe we’d just lie there. Basically I hadn’t a clue.

Alchemy in Camden came recommended to me by a lovely yogi friend of mine, Steph Knight, who highly rated the classes there. They have a special offer on where you can try as many classes as you like for 10 days and only pay £10! It’s a great way to find a class that suits you. Gong Meditation sounded like the perfect initiation to the centre, which is hidden away amid the hubbub of Camden, just above the recently converted Stables Market. Inside it’s all bleached wood and serenity. A particular vibe and buzz to the place practically bounces off the walls and faces of those inside.

‘Gong’ as the class quickly becomes abbreviated to, is to be held in the circle room. Colourful cushions, yoga mats, and cosy red blankets line the walls which the people already laying on the floor have helped themselves to. Following suit, I take one of each and find a space. Three gongs stand majestically at the back of the room. When the teacher arrives, the room has completely filled up, the class is obviously popular. Moshik, the teacher, takes us through some simple Kundalini yoga exercises to warm us up, including breath work and some prayer like chanting which some people seem to know and others don’t. We’re instructed to keep our eyes closed, which I don’t quite manage as I want to check I’m doing it right!

When the time arrives, the lights are dimmed to nothing, and we lie back on our mats covered in the blankets. Memories of fireside camping trips spark in my head. Everyone is quiet and gently breathing. The gong starts. At first it’s low and trembling, just a small vibration moving through my head and shoulders, torso and toes. The sound is ethereal and incredibly beautiful, not at all what I expected. It’s pure music. Gong chimes tingle all the way up into the ceiling’s vaulted wooden rafters. Sometimes the sound is sparse and whispering as if I was in the far reaches of outer space. Other times it swells so loud I’m filled with vibrations to the point of bursting. Every cell in my body is resonating, realigning itself with this music, drifting and gliding as it washes through me. There is no teacher, there is no room there are no people there is just this sound, this amazing incredibly unworldly sound.

As the gong gradually fades, like the embers of a fire, you can also hear a few snores of The Very Relaxed rising with the sounds. The gong slowly vibes down and we rise slowly from the meditation into a final prayer before leaving into the chaos of Camden on a Friday night. From one frequency to the next.

For more on the benefits of meditation visit www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk, also to read an interview with a meditation guru here

Top Natural Muscle Relaxants

2010-09-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

During a recent Tui Na (Chinese)Massage, my therapist commented on how tight my muscles are. I thought about what the causes are and I'm sure none are unique to me: tensing up when stressed, high impact cardio exercise, bad posture to name a few. So here are some natural options to relax those muscles when you are feeling the tension.

•Take Magnesium Supplements. A well known muscle relaxant which most of us don’t get enough of in our diets. Highly effective for avoiding aches and pains after exercise. Take before you go to bed to help you sleep.

• Have Hot & Cold Showers. Not something that would immediately come to mind as relaxing but it really does work, especially after exercise. A hot shower will relax the muscle but will also increase inflammation, so follow it immediately by a cold shower that will increase circulation and decrease inflammation. A bit of a shock at first but you get used to it and it’s very exhilarating!

• Try Yin Yoga. Deeply restorative, you hold postures for a long time, stretching and opening your muscles in a very gentle way. A fantastic wind down before bed time. (You will need a bolster) Highly recommend Simon Low’s yin and yang yoga dvd which has a dedicated section.

• Good old Massage. All different types are relaxing and will help your muscles soften. Try sports or tui na for a more vigorous massage that will concentrate on specific muscles or Thai Yoga Massage for a nice big stretch!

• Correct your posture. Bad posture is very common caused by muscle inbalance. Certain muscles will have to work harder than others resulting in tension or pain. A good personal trainer will be able to analyse your posture and put you on a regime to help strengthen the weak muscles. Alternatively try the Alexander technique or Pilates.

• Rest. So many of us feel the need to keep going, setting ourselves more goals to achieve. Be gentle on yourself and when you feel tense, sore or tight, get plenty of “me time” to rest and restore your body.

Stella

Study shows holidays can help people live longer

2010-08-20T05:45:00.000-07:00

When I read this in the press a few weeks ago I thought that it must have been a bad news day given they are stating the obvious. The Australian study said that taking holidays increase happiness, better health and could be prescribed in the future by doctors for depression . Oh yeah, I hear you ask, who will pay for that...the taxpayer, especially when we are reducing a record deficit! But what we don’t factor in is how much of tax payers money is used to prescribe drugs for depression.

The study triggered a thought process on what people are looking for from their holidays and how this has changed over the years. The old style fly and flop holidays have gone out of fashion, particularly for professional people, who are now demanding more from their valuable time off. They have been replaced with experiences where you can learn, heal and grow in a beautiful environment. It’s about getting results and coming back with a return on your holiday investment.

We have seen this over and over again with our clients . For many of them sitting on a beach with a bit of pampering every now and then is not enough. They want to achieve something and come back with knowledge, tools and feeling rejuvenated so they can deal with the additional stress everyone is encountering at work nowadays. That is why we are extremely stringent with our quality checks for our wellbeing packages and all details are thought of, from the quality of the treatments, to the food and other activities to name a few.

So its all moved on to be about R O I - think about how your next holiday can give you a return on your investment and hopefully help you live longer.

Stella

Stress Vaccine is Bad...or is it?

2010-08-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

I read a report last weekend about scientists from California developing a vaccine that will reduce ongoing stress. On a simple level, this is how it works. When we are in a stressful situation our fight or flight instinct produces a hormone that helps us deal with the situation. Unlike animals, this hormone will not disappear once the situation has been resolved but will linger to produce toxic chemicals that go straight to the brain and undermine our immune system, contributing to the onset of disease. So, the scientists are working on a vaccine that will neutralise the bad hormones before they can damage the brain. Apparently this is years away but trials have been very effective on rats.

I have a bit of an internal conflict going on about whether this is a good development or not. There are so many “natural” tools to help to reduce stress that I consistently advocate. Yoga, meditation, exercise, having fun with friends, holidays (especially wellbeing escapes)....the list is endless so why can’t people adopt techniques that are proven to enhance wellbeing and reduce illness?...the answer is many people can and do and many people are open to finding out more.

BUT there is still a big chunk of the population who thinks its all a bit mumbo jumbo and prefers to pop a pill or have an injection for instant results. Can we convince those people otherwise?...probably not, so the vaccine can actually have a positive effect on those who wouldn’t use any natural means anyway. I also have a vision of lots of calm, happy people with less aggressive behaviour and more positive vibes. Am I dreaming?...possibly not.
Stella

Pre Holiday Tips

2010-07-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

Every year I get super stressed before I take my spa holiday. The run up to the date of travel is horrendous with self imposed personal deadlines adding to the obligatory work deadlines. This year I decided to do it differently and force myself not to get into a frenzy .
For those who haven’t yet gone away here are some tips to take away the stress of travel and burnout before you go:

Do NOT try and leave your home spotless before you go (many of us have inherited this from our mothers). Yes it’s nice to come back to a clean place but it doesn’t need to look like a show home!

Ditto with the laundry – just launder all the clothes you want to take on holiday

The day before you travel try and eat your evening meal by 7pm and make it low in carbs. This allows your digestive system to work before bedtime giving you a better night’s sleep. There is nothing worse than feeling exhausted before you get on the plane.

Cut down on stimulants and drink plenty of water a few days before travelling. This helps with jet lag and also reduces water retention. Even on some short flights you can feel sluggish and look puffy and bloated when you arrive (not a great beach look!)

If your flight is not too early, try and do some stretching before you go to the airport so your body doesn’t feel knotted and tight during the flight

I always travel with my holistic silk massaging slippers and lavender eye mask (even for short haul flights). The slippers are great for flights as they have magnetic insoles that help with circulation and massage your feet. www.holisticsilk.com

For more advice before you take your luxury spa holiday visit our website!

Happy travelling!
Stella

MEDITATION Comes Out of the Closet

2010-07-02T16:29:00.000-07:00

Excuse the pun, but I have had meditation on my mind for quite a while now. As someone who used to meditate at least once a day over 10 years ago, I don’t need convincing about the benefits. So why did I stop? You know how it goes...I convinced myself that I was so busy that I couldn’t find 15 minutes a day to practice something that would help me stay healthy, calm and focused and actually be more productive!

I tried to convince the sceptics around me of the proven benefits, flattening the 60’s image of bearded Indian gurus, mung beans and middle aged hippies sitting cross legged in circles chanting and smoking joints. What a difference 10 years can make in perception and image! It seems that the media machine is working hard as journalists cover the topic in broadsheets and glossy magazines to push meditation into today’s sober baby boomer consciousness. You know why? There are more and more stories being shared by high-powered, top of the power chain execs that meditate as part of their success regimen. Even the medical profession has reached a state of consciousness as the NHS now prescribe meditation to help treat depression, high blood pressure and even diabetes. Scientific research conducted at Harvard and the University of Massachusetts is routinely quoted to prove that this is not some far out practice only for disciples of the Beatles sojourn to India a few decades ago.

So I feel like the universe is telling me to pick up where I left off. I recently discovered www.getsomeheadspace.com which is a good introduction to meditation that you can do online. If like me, you want to a face to face session to start or kick start, check out www.londonmeditationcentre.co.uk.

Here at Wellbeing Escapes are working on a range of meditation holidays, so focus and watch this space.

Stella

Austrian Remedy for Stubborn Coughs

2010-02-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

One of the many advantages of working in the travel industry is that you get to meet lots of people from different cultures and countries. Add a wellbeing twist and you learn about indigenous remedies that people have followed for generations and are open and generous about sharing their pearls of wisdom with you.

I recently had a stubborn cough that was keeping me awake at night and the usual gargling with sea salt, lozenges and even cough medicine was not helping. I resisted going to the doctor to be dished out the obligatory antibiotics but I had to do something as I was exhausted and cranky during the day! I then received an email from an Austrian business associate with a great tip that has tried and tested results:

Hollow out half an onion, fill with liquid honey and leave overnight. Eat the honey with a spoon the following day.

As you can imagine, not the nicest taste in the world but after doing this for 2 days, my cough gradually got better and I had a solid nights sleep. Must be something to do with the antibacterial properties of onions and honey.

I am now on a quest to collect more of these remedies from my international colleagues!

Stella

Conde Naste Traveller Spa Awards

2010-02-02T01:44:00.000-08:00

I attended the Conde Naste Traveller Spa Awards last night at the Mandarin Oriental in London and apart from enjoying the champagne and very tasty but healthy hors d'ouvres I was pleasantly suprised with the results. I am always quite sceptical about how these awards are dished out by publications (are they truly based on readers voting or more biased towards the hotels that support them through big advertising budgets?). However Conde Naste proved to be at least somewhat true to their word that the readers choose who wins in the various categories. Our friends at SHA Wellness Clinic picked up the best medical spa award and I know for a fact that they have not been advertising! Susan Harmsworth, founder of Espa gave a short but powerful speech about how the industry should not jump onto the bandwagon on the current buzzword "Wellness" without being able to deliver true wellness to the customer - this is the real mind, body and soul stuff!

Which leads me on nicely to our biggest mantra at Wellbeing Escapes which is authenticity! We pride ourselves on only featuring hotels and spas that provide exactly what they promise. The newest and sexiest doesn't necessarily mean the best and these places are not cheap - so you want to make sure your expectations are delivered on. I was therefore delighted to see that some of our closest partners were shortlisted and picked up awards based on the quality of what is delivered.

SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain - Voted number 1 in best Medical, Thermal & Natural Spas category

Como Shambhala Retreat Cocoa Island, Maldives - Voted number 1 in best Hotel Spas category in Africa, Middle East & Indian Ocean

Six Senses Spa, Kempinski Hotel, Barbaros Bay,Turkey - Voted number 2 in best hotel spas category in Europe & Asia Minor

The Retreat Spa, Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus - Voted number 3 in best Hotel Spas category in Europe & Asia Minor

Como Shambhala Estate, Bali - Voted number 3 in best overseas Spa Retreats category

Chiva Som, Thailand - Voted number 4 in best overseas Spa Retreats category

Ananda in the Himalaya, India - Voted number 5 in best overseas Spa Retreats category

Six Senses Spa, Porto Elounda, Crete - Voted number 5 in best Hotel Spas category in Europe & Asia Minor

To read more about our luxury spa holidays visit our website

Is a Spa Holiday a Luxury or an Investment?

2009-08-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

As always in times of recession, people start to question their own spending and look for ways to plan and stick to budgets. As our company was bracing itself for a tough year we have instead seen a growth in people taking a wellbeing holiday – definitely something we didn’t predict.

What has brought about this development?...well it has become apparent to us that our clients are looking for some serious stress relief not just with a flop in the sun with a couple of massages type of way, but a serious wellness programme that will rejuvenate and give them energy and good health. This is particularly important in times like these, where we all have to work extra hard and keep ourselves in the best condition to keep at the top of our game! People seem to want to take care of themselves more in this environment – maybe they need to work harder or deal with additional stress so they want to be armed with tools that will help them through these difficult times. That’s where a wellness holiday is seen as a genuine investment rather than an indulgence.

We have seen a general increase of demand to destination spas as they provide a one stop shop to address people’s concerns in the current environment. Stress relief, healthy eating, exercise, and education so people can bring back what they have learned and apply it to their lifestyles. From an economic point of view they are also desirable, not because they are cheap but because all is paid for up front and there are no huge check out bills as treatments, meals and activities are part of the package. Our clients like this certainty to their budgets and now is a good time to get a good deal!

The BBC News channel also found this subject interesting and put together a small programme where we were interviewed for our opinion. Take a look >bbc news interview

Stella

How Reliable are Trip Advisor Reviews?

2009-08-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of fuss made in the travel industry lately about the authenticity of hotel reviews posted on Trip Advisor. It has come to light that many fake reviews have been written either by the hotel’s own marketing people, giving themselves top marks, or by competitors with scathing reports. This is a nasty practice but it happens! Hotels become obsessed with their ratings and reviews and rightly so given the size and popularity of Trip Advisor.

We frequently hear from our clients about the reviews they have read on Trip Advisor after we have recommended a particular resort. This is entirely normal – I also check consumer reviews on a big purchases I am about to make. But a small word of warning, Trip Advisor has no way of substantiating whether the person posting the review has actually stayed at the hotel and has started putting disclaimers on many of its pages stating this fact. Also it is human nature to want to voice your complaints to the world if you have had a bad time but you are less likely to do so if you were entirely satisfied.

When we launched our new website earlier this year we did introduce a review section that only the clients that booked through us could post their own comments on. We frequently have dodgy reviews posted by people who we have no knowledge of that are immediately deleted. We are constantly encouraging our clients to post their comments when we phone them to find out how they enjoyed their Wellbeing Escape, but frequently it gets pushed down to the bottom of their priority list in their busy lives. If you have travelled with us, please do post your comments. It will help people have more access to truthful reviews rather than just the questionable content on Trip Advisor.

Stella

Should you tip at the spa?

2009-08-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from my holiday at Le Sport in St.Lucia and the issue of tipping spa therapists once again reared its head. You would think that being in "the industry" I would be very clear about when and where it is appropriate, but I still struggle with this issue, primarily because the treatments are quite pricey to begin with.

Le Sport state clearly in their in room directory that it is a NON tipping resort so you would think that cleared it up for me. Well not so! On my daily visit to the spa, I frequently saw the American visitors leaving tips for therapists, (yes I know tipping is in their DNA), but I still felt slightly guilty that I was being a stingy Brit and not showing my appreciation for a hard working therapist.

On questioning the General Manager at the resort about their policy, he told me that they believe that their service should be first class without tips and don't want to encourage different service levels that are dependent on tips. He said that guests could leave a discretionary amount at the end of their stay that would go into the staff welfare fund (which is managed by the staff).

Well that made sense and my guilt went away, but what happens if the resort doesn't take such a common sense attitude? On thinking about this further, I have finally come to the conclusion that I will only tip a therapist who is outstanding and has clearly taken extra care to give me a fantastic treatment rather than feel pressurised to do so because everyone else is doing it. You can generally decide who deserves this at the end of your stay so I will be doing this then rather than after each treatment. This is so personal and I am definitely not saying this is the "best spa etiquette" but I'm pleased I have finally cleared this up for myself.

Let me know what you think?

Stella

Will Single Travellers Take Over?

2009-07-08T02:55:00.000-07:00

A recent Mintel report shows that over 5 million Britons travelled alone this year and this is expected to be one of the fastest growing travel sectors in future years. Although 70% of Wellbeing Escapes clients are single travellers, the sheer size of this figure surprised me, although given the fact that 39% of the adult British polulation live alone it shouldn't! This number is set to get even bigger with projections that by 2031 single households will represent 45% of the population in the UK.

This is largely about women driving the trend. We are talking about confident,professional and independent women who unlike previous generations don't think twice about going off to do their own thing and get what they want out of a holiday. Busy schedules and the desire not to have to satisfy other people's needs on holiday are a main factor - many of our clients have partners, and some even families but choose to have at least one holiday on their own. Some may call this selfish (my mother just can't understand why I would go away without my family!) but a wellbeing holiday is a perfect way to recharge your batteries and focus on yourself. What is so selfish about that?...surely if we are energised, calm and focused we can be a better friend, partner, parent or even employee.

The majority of holiday companies and hotels are still punishing the single traveller with hefty single supplements. The excuse/reason is that the room at a hotel can be filled with 2 people bringing double the income but lets get real - how many hotels are 100% full all year round with couples and families?...If the travel industry wants to take this sizeable sector of the market seriously they need to start catering to their needs. We work very hard to get lots of no single supplement deals for our clients as we don't see why they should be hit with extra costs for the room, especially since they are spending more on treatment packages than most clients. Long live the Single Traveller!

Stella

What on earth is Jalneti?

2009-05-08T08:31:00.001-07:00

You may have seen in either yoga centres or spas those small ceramic pots that look like milk jugs with long spouts (like Pinocchio’s nose) and wondered what on earth they are for? No, they aren’t for watering small Japanese plants or holding your soya milk, but in fact Jalneti pots, crucial equipment in the cleansing of your nasal passages and sinuses. This simple practice of salt dissolved in warm water (Himalayan rock salt is my preference, though regular table salt is fine) poured into one nostril and exiting the other (you need to tilt your head to the side and most importantly breath through your mouth during the process, otherwise is will be like inhaling the Indian Ocean!!) will deepen your breath, allowing you to increase oxygen into your blood and thereby invigorate your mind. After blowing out all the blockages, you still can have a reservoir of water left in, so stand with your legs apart and do a forward bend from your hips – the rest should all run freely out! Look, this isn’t something you want to do after a first date, but if you do practice it daily, and it becomes as routine as brushing your teeth you will start to notice the profound benefits. If like me you have a husband who has always snored like a train due to sinus problems (conventional medicine couldn’t offer him a solution other than drugs) you will overlook the salty nose drips and consider this a miracle.

Victoria

Couples Treatments - What's the big deal?

2009-05-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

I really don’t get what is the big deal with couple treatment rooms. Hoteliers and spa managers can’t wait to boast about how many couples treatment rooms they have, how big they are and all the special features (in room jacuzzi, saunas, steam rooms). Personally they don’t float my boat and I don’t find the sight of my husband in paper boxer shorts (or heavens above, a thong) particularly exciting or conducive to relaxation! In my opinion, the best spa treatments are enjoyed without conversations, I know some people like to catch up with a girlfriend over a shared spa treatment, I can’t think of anything less Zen like than chatting during my precious ‘me-time’ – surely that is what the sauna, steam and spa pools are for?

The Wellness Detective

	Luxury Algarve Getaway This Exclusive Escape includes: -Aromatic Body Scrub -Deeply Relaxing Cranio Facial Massage -Return Flights and Transfers -3 Nights Accomodation with Breakfast Prices from £300pp sharing, £370 single
	Become a Spa Spy like Helen! Read more about the beautiful Longevity Wellness Resort as visited by our very own Wellbeing team member Helen! Feel Insipired? Write a review of your trip to Longevity and see it appear on the website!