S P A D e s t i n a t i o n s - F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0

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ce A business traveler wants to minimize jet lag. A group offriends plans a birthday celebration. A man with back painseeks relief. A weekend warrior is sore from overexertion. Aman decides to stop smoking. A busy executive wants to redis-cover spirituality. An obese man needs help controlling hisweight. A couple wants to reconnect. Where can all these peo-ple go for help? A spa.

Today's spa is a center for healing and nourishing mind, body,and spirit. People go to spas for fitness, stress management,peace of mind, pampering and pleasure, and health and well-ness. Spas offer a wide variety of techniques and services -traditional and modern, from the East and from the West - tomeet the diverse needs of their clients: Swedish, JapaneseShiatsu, and Thai massage, European facials, acupuncture,Dead Sea salt scrubs, Moor mud wraps, thalassotherapy, aro-matherapy, reflexology, microdermabrasion, endermologie,reiki, aura imaging, watsu, rasul, hypnotherapy, classes innutrition, meditation, journaling, yoga and Tai Chi, state-of-the-art fitness centers with personal trainers, and much more.To understand and organize this overwhelming variety of spaofferings, the International Spa Association (ISPA) has definedthe "ten domains of SPA" or segments of the industry as:

1. "The Waters"2. Food, Nourishment, Diet and Nutrition3. Movement, Exercise and Fitness4. Touch, Massage, and Bodywork5. Mind/Body/Spirit6. Aesthetics, Skin Care, Natural Beauty Agents7. Physical Space, Climatology, Global Ecology8. Social/Cultural Arts and Values, Spa Culture9. Management, Marketing, and Operations10. Time, Rhythm, and Cycles

Not every spa includes every domain. Spas come in manyshapes, sizes, and focuses - from day spas where you can geta single treatment to destination spas where you can stay fora week or more to medical spas that treat cosmetic and chron-ic health problems.

Although spas seem to have sprung up overnight, that's notthe case. "The Waters" can be traced back to early civiliza-tions. Like water, spa popularity has come in waves throughouthistory. Spas has accompanied cultures with leisure time.Social bathing was an important cultural process practiced byMesopotamians, Egyptians, Minoans, Greeks, and Romanswhenever they sought health and relief from their pain anddiseases.

Homer and other Greek writers tell us the Greeks favored avariety of baths as early as 500 BC, from hot water tubs tohot-air baths, or laconica. From the small Greek laconica grewthe Roman balneum and finally the extravagant Roman ther-mae (Greek word for "heat"). Before Emperor Agrippadesigned and created the first thermae in 25 BC, the smaller,more numerous balneum had been enjoyed by Roman citizensfor more than 200 years. Each subsequent emperor createdthermae more spacious and splendid than his predecessor. TheDiocletian bath could hold 6,000 bathers.

They were built all over the Roman Empire from Africa toEngland. The thermae later became a central entertainmentcomplex offering sports, restaurants, and various types ofbaths. A typical routine might begin with a workout in thepalestra, followed by a visit to three progressively warmerrooms starting in the tepidarium, the largest and most luxuri-ous room in the thermae. Here the bather would stay for anhour or so while being anointed with oils. This would be fol-lowed by a visit to the caldarium with small private bathingstalls offering a choice of hot or cold water. A visit to thehottest chamber, the laconicum, would follow. Here the bodywas vigorously massaged and the dead skin scraped off with acurved metal tool called a strigil. The bathing ritual would endwith a cool dip in the pool of the frigidarium. Refreshed andclean, the bather then retired to the outer areas of the ther-mae to relax in the library or assembly room.

As the Roman Empire fell, the Roman thermae fell into disre-pair and disuse. The bath gained and lost popularity in differ-ent parts of the world - Asia, Europe, Africa, and NorthAmerica - through the present day. Baths were often built nearnatural hot or mineral springs. In the Renaissance era, Paracelsus' mountain mineral springsat Paeffers, Switzerland, and towns like Spa, Belgium, Baden-Baden, Germany, and Bath, England, grew up around naturalthermal waters considered to have healing properties. The useof saunas and steam baths also emerged.

As these springs and spas were discovered, forgotten, andrediscovered, the healing power of the water was oftenenhanced and formalized. In 1522, the first scientific book onthe Czech Karlovy Vary treatment for disease was published inwhich a regimen of baths and drinking the waters of thesprings was recommended. In the 1890s, Father SebastianKneipp developed holistic herbal and water therapy in theGerman spa village of Bad Worishofen.

With the medical discoveries of the early 20thcentury, scientific clinics and public hospitalsreplaced the spa. Existing spas responded byoffering luxury accommodations, and many even-tually turned into vacation locations or clinics thatconcentrated on weight loss, catering to thewealthy, with the spa origins obscured. In recentyears, the value of prevention, healthy lifestyles,and relaxation has been rediscovered and the spais again finding its place in modern society as aplace uniquely qualified to address these needs.The wealthy no longer have exclusive use of spas.Spas now appeal to and are accessible to a muchbroader population.

The Spa Experience

Katikies - Santorini

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The Atlantis-DubaiThe Atlantis-DubaiSet oSet ovver two magnificent floors wthin the Rer two magnificent floors wthin the Rooyyal Tal Tower of Aower of Atlantis, tlantis,

the Spa prothe Spa provides a sublime rvides a sublime range of treatments, bathing options, trange of treatments, bathing options, traditional and waditional and water therater therapies. apies. ExExclusivclusive to Dubai, the six Laconium thrones in his quarters will stimulate circulation e to Dubai, the six Laconium thrones in his quarters will stimulate circulation

and the body's defense system.and the body's defense system.+ 971 4 426 1000+ 971 4 426 1000

www.atlantisthepalm.comwww.atlantisthepalm.com

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The up-scale Zalez Spa & Wellness center represents uniquespace for anybody who revels in luxury, relaxation and harmo-ny at the foot of the beautiful Pirin Mountains. The center is divided into three areas for a complete beauty,well-being and revitalizing satisfaction. In the common area guests enjoy two indoor and two outdoorswimming pools, heated throughout the year, and an outdoorJacuzzi. Large windows overlook the mountains and open a stunningview, which inspires admiration of the natural beauty.In the Wellness area one feels like the most important personin the world and all senses are soothed. Here every detail isdesigned to give complete relaxation and luxury.

The treatment area is where miracles happen - isolated frommain zone, guests are greeted at a separated reception andoffered best body, beauty and health care.Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena, Bansko96, Pirin Str., 2770 Bansko BULGARIATel: +359 (0)749 88888 Fax: +359 (0)749 88560

Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko Zales

Spa and Welness Center

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Fairplay Golf Hotel and Spa

Escape to a gentler pace at The Fairplay Spa, part of TheLeading spas of the World where the constant presence ofthe sierra inspires renewal. All 13 treatment rooms withinthis totally relaxing Andalucian spa are bathed in soft huesof aqua and beige and tranquil water features, adding tothe overall sensory experience. Indulge in a variety ofstate-of -art beauty treatments such as the ¨M6 AntiCellulite Slimming treatment / and the ¨Lift Defense AntiAge facial¨, showcased in light and airy spa rooms. Also ,we offer special treatments for golfers who are now realis-ing how it will benefit their fitness levels and mental alert-ness for the next game.

All therapies are authentically designed to nurture bodyand mind, enliven the spirit, and uncover nature's beauty- providing a blissful return to balance.

High-style locker rooms, public spaces, and saunas ensurea soothing aura throughout this luxury spa in Benalup,Andalucia - set to the ever-present rhythm of the nature. Calle La Torre S/N,11190 Benalup-Casas Viejas, Espanainfo@fairplaygolfhotel.com Tel: (+34-956) 42 91 00 Fax: (+34-956) 42 91 19

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La Reserve, Geneva Hotel

Each day, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., in more than 2000 sqm, theSpa of La Reserve will offer you a personalised service.

With 17 treatment rooms, all dedicated to massage, person-alised treatments and facials, the time has come at last foryou unwind and to reinvigorate in beautifull surroundings.

Here, everything has been planned for your absolute well-being: state of art gym, indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, ham-mam, sun bed, hair salon... A heavenly retreat to relax andforget your daily woes. 301, route de Lausanne1293 Bellevue, Geneve, Suissetel. + 41 22 9595959info@lareserve.ch

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The new ADLON SPA-BerlinRelax and indulge yourself in an ambience of peace and tran-quility – the new ADLON SPA provides a unique atmosphere ofwell-being and promotes the renewal of body, mind and soul.

Immerse yourself in the world of the ADLON SPA and escapefrom the hectic pace of daily life for a few moments of totalbliss.

Enjoy the SPA’s breathtaking architectural design extendingover 900 sqm and experience how first-rate service and tradi-tional beauty treatment philosophies in conjunction with the

latest of treatment techniques establish a harmonious overallconcept.

Enjoy your stay at the ADLON SPA with all your senses andimmerse yourself in an absolutely fabulous spa environmentfeaturing pool, yacuzzi, saunas, steam baths as well as cuddlysoft bathrobes, extensive beauty and massage treatments andlast but not least impeccable service.

tel. +49 (0)30 2261 1220. www.hotel-adlon.de

Evason Ma’In Hot Springs & SixSenses Spa, Jordan

Lying 264-meters below sea level, Ma’In Hot Springs is theinspired site for the well appointed Evason Ma’In Hot Springs.

Set like an oasis in the dramatic terrain, the location is easilyaccessible and defines the resort and spa experience in theMiddle East - making it a destination of choice for those seek-ing the perfect retreat to relax and be pampered whilst enjoy-ing the therapeutic benefits of Ma’In hot spring waterfalls. Tel: +962 5 324 5500