Lifestyle Buzz

Spa-ctacular Luxury
When you hear the word spa, all things relaxing come to mind – exquisite flowers, tranquil surroundings, soothing aromas and calming music, all served with a generous platter of hospitality. Well actually, the word ‘Spa’ is derived from the Latin phrase, Salus per Aqua, which stands for ‘Health by Water’. Technically, Spa is a therapeutic water treatment used for rejuvenation, relaxation and rest.
 
As far as history goes, the term is derived from the town of Spa in Belgium. The famed city has been known for its rejuvenating properties since as early as the 14th century.  It is said that in the year 1326, Collin le Loup, an ironmaster from Belgium, discovered the chalybeate springs of Spa, Belgium. Eventually, a famous health resort grew around these springs, and the term ‘spa’ came to refer to health resorts located near natural springs. Till today the site hosts healing hot springs. Back in Roman times, the town was calledas Aquae Spadanae and was sometimes incorrectly linked to the Latin word ‘Spargere’ meaning ‘to scatter, sprinkle or moisten’; hence the connection with water therapy again.
 
Traditionally, spas were set up and maintained right at the location of natural hot springs or sources of enriching mineral waters to benefit from their healing properties.  For instance, Gentlemen's Pool House, Jefferson Pools, Warm Springs, Virginia, built 1761 is the oldest spa building in the USA.  It is amazing how the spa waters flow through the centre of the building.
 
In today’s modern set up, spas have increasingly become a part and parcel of our daily lives. People visit spas for various reasons  – to de-stress, to tone up, to heal aches and pains or simply, just to pamper themselves. More and more destination spas across the world are now gearing up to provide and unmatched experience and additional hospitality for their patrons.
 
Typically, destination spas provide programs that provide a luxurious a seven-to-ten day stay. Such a stay includes a comprehensive health and spa program incuding specific spa rituals, fitness activities, tips on wellness, healthy cuisine menu and/ or spa-special offerings. During your program you can stay at the spa’s luxurious yet tranquil property. Let’s have a look at some of the best spas across the world.
 
The Auberge Spa at Auberge Du Soleil, Rutherford, CA, United States is one such luxury spa. It prides itself in a 7,000 square feet stucco building, overlooking the mezmerizing Napa Valley. Guests can take a pick from thie award-winning spa’s extensive menu of body and facial treatments, which use home-grown natural ingredients.
 
 
Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort in Tuscany Italy is aptly called as ‘The Renaissance Of the 21st Century!’Housed in unbelivably lush countryside of Siena, Fonteverde specialises in offering its patrons a‘spiritual rebirth’. The entire contruction and décor of this spa resort naturally helps impart health and beauty to its guests. An extensive array of spa offering coupled with the the wisdom of the experienced hands of therapists are enough to take you to another dimension of relxation. The treatments rely on the combination of Italy’s age-old natural substances with today’s modern spa techniqes to create an experience par excellance.
 
Located in the picturesque Himalayan foothills of Haridwar and Rishikesh rests one of the world’s best spas in the world – the Ananda Spa Resort in India. It also enjoys the status of being India’s first desination spa. Surrounded by the mystical Sal forests and pristine Ganga, Ananda is the abode of all things spiritual. The breathtaking surroundings of the resort amplify the wellness regimes based on techniques of Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta. The luxurious spa, loacted in the area of about 24,000 square foot, offers an exquisite menu of over 79 treatments. Their uniqueness lies in the amalgamation of the traditional Indian techiques of Ayurveda with the modernistic Western spa approach. The result is a spa resort that will transport you to a magical world. 
 
Bali is home to all things spiritual. It is no surprise then that Maya Ubud Resort & Spa set in 10 hectares of hillside garden in Ubud, Indonesia enjoys such award-winning reputation. This tranquil resort stretches 780 metres along a peninsula set atop two river valleys. The resort, along with its spa facilities, also offers a spacious, stylish and luxurious environment where one can forget about everything else and just soak in nature completely.
 
Finally, a little gem called the Les Pres d’Eugenie Spa in France is the vision of one of world’s most coveted chefs and inventors of Nouvelle cuisine, Michel Guerard. For his spa, Guerard also evolved a unique style of cooking he christened Cuisine Minceur, which included healthier versions of traditional Nouvelle cuisine dishes. This new cuisine became one of the star attractions of the Les Pres d’Eugenie spa and earned Guerard three Michelin stars! In fact, this cuisine is the reason why loyalisst from across the world do not hesitate to make the 800 kilometer trek to the spa located in the small village cocooned by lofty mountains and valleys of France!
 
Well, with so much available on the platter, taking a pick for your next spa holiday should be an absolute pleasure!