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Spas in Costa BlancaSpas in Costa Blanca... could involve a spa bath, a massage, sauna, steam-room, hot pools.All words that lean toward suggesting that someone could be described either smelly, stinky, unwashed, uptight, stressed, in need of a holiday, in need of pampering, or combinations thereof. Whichever it is, you generally go in one side with these attributes, and come out the other side of the experience feeling a lot better, and feeling good radiates and resonates with other people. Whether it's imaginary or not, it seems to leave your skin with a slight tingle*, popularly described as a 'glow or a buzz' and attributable to feeling more alive. Whether the experience actually improved your appearance is wholly subjective; but, you may get the benefit of the doubt. *Not to be
confused with the tingle from fingers in a light socket; that
results in the wrong sort of glow.
One thing is certain though. You will be a lot cleaner. Maybe even lighter if it included two hours in a sauna.
Ancient Greeks and Romans routinely took the 'baths'. Construction digs routinely unearth ruins from a bygone era and behold!, another bath. Same in Turkey with the hammams, and all around the Mediterranean rim, as well as other parts of the world. Today it's a different outlook: they're now more available for everyone, come in all flavours, and they present an attractive experience to be had. With wonderful ambiance, luxurious facilities, possibly surrounded by beautiful gardens and even close to local beaches. Spas in Costa Blanca, particularly in the Alicante region, have existed here since Roman times. They were renowned for their healing powers. What do you think of when considering this type of vacation? I've been to two or three destinations, where I've used the mineral-rich waters and mud from the area as a cheapie give it go experience, to sumptuous luxurious treatments in a five-star environment.
In, cool serene welcome, plush sensuous surroundings, perhaps huge chandeliers in the waiting room, or enormous aquariums full of tropical, exotic fish. Maybe in the Maldives while you snack on complementary blueberry, banana and honey muffin oozing with date sauce, looking out over the turquoise sea, finishing off the exquisite mango and papaya crush, while waiting for your turn to be pampered with a hot stone massage.
A survey in 2007 found more than 54 percent of American travellers were interested in going to a place to relax and rejuvenate themselves. Almost a third reported they were more interested now compared with five years ago. In 2005, 33 percent of leisure travellers said access to a spa was one of the foremost ideas in making their planning vacations. Hot mineral water type vacations are certainly all the rage today, but they've been around in Spain for more than 2,000 years. When the Romans colonized most of the country in the first century B.C. they brought with them their culture of bathing. The coastal areas take full advantage of the healing powers of sea water in their therapies, or thalassotherapy. Here in Spain, guests can relax in nutrient-filled waters and de-stress or opt for turn in a giant jacuzzi, Turkish bath, saunas, mud and seaweed jacuzzis, or try an electrotherapy treatment. All these treatments are possible - from facials, massages as well as cosmetic procedures in addition to their supplicating treatments life-enhancing mineral-rich waters and mud from the area. The Moors continued the tradition and water - hammam (a type of steam bath) is a fun and relaxing experience, although it does have its own (sometimes unwritten) rules of etiquette. At the turn of the century, European royalty and the ruling elite often chose to “take the waters” in resorts like Evian and Baden Baden. More than 100 years later, experts are forecasting that spas are returning to their origins as centres for bathing and water treatments. And they're not only for a well-heeled. Pamper yourself on your birthday perhaps. Take a trip. Taiwan' s blessed with numerous natural wonders including natural hot springs. There are a few towns dedicated to the art within an hour's train journey - that's an idea. Or South Africa - combine your trip to South Africa, whether it be for a wedding, safari or sight-seeing, with a relaxing, revitalising visit to a thalassotherapy resort. In Spain, the spaciousness of some of these centres and lovely gardens make it a perfect place to celebrate events and weddings, the thyme and lavender in the air, or mimosa and bougainvilleas rustling in the breeze, set amid palms, eucalyptus and lemon trees. The spas of today are in an enviable position.
Spas in Costa Blanca around Alicante? - there are many mineral bath and thalassotherapy centres here. The site of the one of them near Murcia is one of the oldest centres in Spain, more than 2000 years ago. Here the Romans built a spa for their soldiers. Later in the Middle Ages, the baths belonged to the Knights of Santiago and the holy order of Saint John used the waters to cure their wounds, and it is still used today. Alicante. Besides the many spa-hotels in the area, a special spa called Balneario de Aigues, in retrospect must have been wonderful in its heyday. It was built in 1816 and in full use up until the 1960s when it fell into decline. There are plans to renovate it back to its former splendour and create a formidable centre with a impressive hotel by 2010... fingers crossed. But, come to Spain and try out lots of other spas on your vacation soon. You'll never know what other ideas you'll get for your vacations, perhaps golf and spa break? - that's definitely a worthwhile idea. May 2010: Have actually tried a spa out.... see Jacq's Musings 24 for the full write-up.  |
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