in association with Travel Live Directory
- in association with World-online.net - in association with World Hotel Directory
- in association with Earthline Directory - in association with World Travel Directory
"It's an exciting time to be alive. Health
breakthroughs occur around the world daily and "Lifestyle" (Business Travel & Healthcare Tourism magazine) committed to bringing the best of them to you. Stay tuned as we report on these findings from all over the world and new products in upcoming issues".
Francais: Bienvenue
Spa, Ville moderne à l'avenir prometteur vous invite à découvrir
sur ce site quelques-unes de ses multiples facettes qui en font toujours un pôle
d'attraction très prisé des touristes, mais aussi une Ville où il y fait bon
vivre.
Welcome
Today, Spa continues to grow its rich potential by beautifully mixing historic charm with modern conveniences. This makes Spa a perfect travel destination, either of its own merit or in conjunction as a base for further exploring in the Ardennes region, or even to neighboring Holland, Germany, Luxembourg or France.
From
the Editors' Desk: 
The wonder of water, the source of all Spas, has attracted the afflicted and curious for centuries, in fact ever since the third millennium visitors to Spas have enjoyed reviving the body as well as the spirit.
Balneotherapy (treatment with Spa water) and Thalassotherapy (treatment with seawater) have proved to be a safe and effective therapy, and a clear alternative to drug medication. As we fast approach a new millennium, modern medicine is complemented by the old fashioned method of treatment of curative water. When contemplating a visit to a Health Spa there are so many factors to take into consideration, not only the matters of expense and precisely the category of Spa, but it is worthwhile researching the various curative benefits and composition of water.
According to Hippocrates, the father of medical science, cures effected by water are one of the bases of medicine. Hydrotherapy, the medical use of water in the treatment of disease, was used by the ancient Greek physicians. And Vincenz Priessnitz, a German, popularised the use of Health Spas in Germany and throughout Europe with his belief in the curative properties of water. Spa, the generic term for a watering place or mineral baths comes from the Belgium town of Spa, near Liège, which remains a popular resort known for its baths and mineral springs having first attracted visitors from Roman times.
However, it was the early Christian Church, considering physical cleanliness less important than spiritual purity, did not encourage private bathing to such an extent that it censured the licentiousness of Roman Public Baths. In north-eastern Europe it was Finland and Russia who developed Steam Baths, modelled on the Steam Baths of the Ancient Scythian nomads on the Eurasian steppe. Finnish and Russian families built Saunas - small wooden rooms/huts with benches around the walls - in which the bathers perspired.
Islamic societies - in Southern Europe and the Middle East - cultivated civilised bathing facilities with Public Baths built in each town that possessed a mosque. Some large cities, such as Córdoba in Spain, had hundreds of baths, which men and women visited separately.In Turkish cities, including the capital city of Constantinople (now known as Istanbul), Public Baths served the same functions as Roman Baths to became Turkish Baths.
In Japan, almost every house had a bath - an indoor wooden tub or a garden pool - with whole families immersing in a hot tub. Numerous large public baths were cultivated at natural Hot Springs as a meeting place for friends and family, a custom that continues in modern Japan. Mineral Springs are scattered around the USA with New York a natural leader with the Springs at Saratoga, New York, boasting an international eminence. One of the best known Springs in America, French Lick Springs at Indiana, produces the Pluto waters, which rival the famous Hunyadi Janos waters of Hungary for its a curative properties.
Noteworthy European mineral waters include Aix-les-Bains, France (sulfurated), Bath, (arsenical), Hunyadi Janos, Hungary (saline waters rich in sulfate), Tunbridge Wells, England (chalybeate) and Vichy, France (alkaline).
Hawaiian Spas offer traditional lomi lomi massages, Papaya enzyme baths as well as traditional seaweed wraps, whereas in South-West USA there are such diverse treatments as desert sand painting classes, hot rock massages and native American drum ceremonies.
Asian countries are increasing their awareness for the need for pampering at their Health Spas which include China (specialists in herbal medicine & acupuncture), Indonesia (herbal body treatments), Japan (Hot Springs/bathing), Korea (deep exfoliation), Malaysia (hydrotherapy) and Thailand (massages).
Spas, generally speaking :- La Costa, Cal-a-Vie, the Golden Door Resorts:
Go
ahead, say the names: La Costa, Cal-a-Vie, the Golden Door. It's impossible to
do so without a sigh. These resorts are known here and throughout the world as
part of what draws travelers to the region.
In San Diego, some hotels
are called resorts and some resorts have fitness and beauty spas on the grounds.
We will be highlighting those spas and resorts that have special health, beauty,
recreation or relaxation programs and whose main thrust is to nurture the mind
and body. These are not places to leave your belongings while you go out
sightseeing; they're destinations in themselves. They're places where time
slows, relaxation begins, tensions melt, and you leave your worries behind.
And they are the cream of
the crop. There are the places we'd like to revisit or would suggest to a best
friend. In fact, there are some of the most prestigious spas and resorts in the
world. So if you're looking to relax, rethink fitness goals, revitalize your
spirit and play some sports, read on. The spas and resorts in the coming issues
will give you plenty of opportunities.
The first thing you may
notice is that they're all different. Some, like the Golden Door, cater to women
(although they do have a few weeks a year when men are invited). Others have
incomparable spa and beauty facilities, but do not offer separate healthful or
calorie-conscious meals. Some of the spas and resorts will be included (in this
Online magazine} have day-spa packages where you can have all the fitness
classes and pampering you want and then go back home or to your hotel at day's
end.
Some
spas charge by the week, others by the day; some include spa services in
their prices and some do not; and because many offer a multitude of
"packages," each different and difficult to compare. Nevertheless
we've included the charges for typical, popular packages or lodging options, so
you can decide which ones are likely to fall within your budget. For even more
detailed information, you may want to call the spas to get their brochures and
to be put on their mailing lists for upcoming spa-related events. (You might
even receive a discount coupon that could make your spa visit even more
delicious.)
Be aware that sometimes spas
offer two-for-one specials and group discounts (in case everyone in your office
or investment club wants to come too). A few of the spas have seasonal packages
and there are discounts available. However, here in San Diego it's resort time
365 days a year so don't expect to save a lot by visiting in an off season.
email:mlifestyle@informak.com
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