A Spa Day German Style

davefysh — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:01:35 +0000

Originally posted on Travel Asia - Travel Europe| Bangkok to Krakow.com

Photo from Flickr by Space Hotels

I’m a big fan of relaxing, especially when it includes a massage and Jacuzzi. The trouble with enjoying this and living in Britain is you have to pay a lot of money if you want to do it. So, when I moved to Germany, I was astounded by the price and quality of Spas across the country.

The wellness industry is big in Germany. Regular visits to the Spa are a common antidote to the strong work ethic Germans have and the physical toll it can take. I went to Bad Schlema in the heart of the Saxon Mountains and was surprised by what I found.

Clean

To say that you could have eaten your dinner off the floor wouldn’t be an understatement. Coming from a country where a trip to the swimming pool has been followed by a trip to the doctors with a foot infection more than, um, a few times, the sight of genuinely clean facilities really was a sight for sore eyes.

Cleanliness is helped by everyone having to wear flip-flops and shower thoroughly before, during and after their ventures into different areas of the spa.

Radon

Radon is a radioactive salt found in the water flowing deep mines of the Ore Mountains in Saxony. It is good for chronic pain and inflammation, as well as muscular-skeletal conditions and stimulating the respiratory system. The pool containing the Radon water is indoors and guests are advised because of its radioactive nature that they only spend 15 minutes per visit in the Radon Pool.

Steam and Sauna

There are a variety of steam and sauna rooms in Bad Schlema. If you’re an international visitor to a German spa, be warned, the rules dictate that you must sauna naked and no they won’t let you keep your bikini on just because you’re British. As I discovered.

Salt Water Pool

Bad Schlema has an outdoor salt water pool with water jets and a whirlpool, which is a lot of fun. Stand at a moveable jet and have your muscles massaged, or wizz around the whirlpool as fast as you can. The water temperature is about 42 degrees and in winter it’s a beautiful experience, especially if there is snow on the surrounding hills.

Raining Inside

Cold water is excellent for your circulation and embedded in the roof of the indoor pool are two rain showers. Twice a day they pour cold water on to whoever is standing under them, stimulating their blood flow.

Relax Room

If you’re tired of relaxing and need a little sleep, there is a designated room with heat lamps and reclining chairs for you to snooze in.

There is also a restaurant with an excellent salad bar and a variety of therapeutic massages on offer.

The Cost

The average cost of a Spa Day in the UK begins at £60 and often you may have to pay extra to access certain facilities, or enjoy certain parts of the lunch menu. In Germany, it’s typical that you pay a set price for the first three hours and then by the hour for the remainder of your stay. Most spas will charge extra for massage and other therapies. I spent six hours at Bad Schelma and enjoyed a two course meal. The whole day costs us 48€.

Guest post contributed by Sally Shaws, a freelance writer in the travel industry. She enjoys experiencing the varying cultures of Europe and she also writes about the volunteering for paid clinical trials process alongside her travel and fitness interests.

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Don’t be scared to get a little crazy in this country….it’s made to be mad!

A lot of adventurous types can still get put off by a very un-adventurous travel factor….money. This often means that getting to far-flung destinations such as Asia and Australia are a pipe-dream rather than anything else.

However, there are plenty of opportunities to find a cheap flight online, especially if you are willing to risk waiting to the last minute. Otherwise, try flight specialists such as DialAFlight who can source a cheap flight to Thailand for only £369 (to Bangkok including taxes).

But what can you do once you get there to make the most of this buzzing country? Full moon parties and tuk-tuks around Bangkok all sounding a bit…tame? Too many elephant treks and cocktails by the beach?

Well do not fear. There is still adventure galore to be found in the rich Thai landscape – and plenty of adrenaline-raising ways to experience the views and heritage of the country.

One activity which comes highly recommended is the Tree Top Adventure Park in the forest of Koh Chang and Pattaya. Located amdist the forest but with tree-line views of the ocean, the course has over 30 paths to choose from (…and extremely reliable instructors to trust with your safety….).

I had been tree-swinging before in Guatemala, but there were only two courses and it became pretty limiting. This tree top park is fantastic for real adventurer who want to experiment – or who have been before.

As well as beginner’s ropes and instructions, there are harder tree-line routes for more experienced participants – and once you start whizzing through the forest at top speed, you’ll only want more and more, so expect to get addicted.

For a different kind of rush, if you’re looking for a new thrill in Bangkok, then why not let someone else take the hits for you. I got sick and tired of the endless bars, partying and peddling hawkers – and found the Thai Boxing nights at Lumphini Stadium.

There’s huge atmosphere, pumping music and incredible physical feats – the colour and the taste of Thai culture is a real hit compared to the tourist-trap stuff you get in the city centre.

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Photo from Flickr by: Thomas.L

Travelling can be expensive, especially if it is long-haul. However, if you know how to search for cheap travel insurance quotes and airline tickets, as well as save up some extra cash, and learn how to attract bargains, travelling is less likely to leave a hole in your back pocket. Here are some tips to help you find cheap flights and save for your next trip.

Have you ever considered how much you spend on that Saturday afternoon Starbucks coffee or eating out at restaurants, smoking or nights out for a few pints? Did it ever cross your mind that by cutting some of these things out, or reducing the number of times you go out a week or even the number of cigarettes you smoke, could save you a fortune? Perhaps you could even swap a Starbucks coffee for one from a local coffee shop, which is most likely to be half the price. Try it! This will be your extra holiday cash in your pocket and ready to spend on flights.

Finding cheap flights depends a lot on your patience. All you need is time, the internet, a calendar and your credit card. I always manage to find cheap flights because I am flexible with the travel dates. I do various searches on different days and even different months until I find the most attractive deal. If you can, you should travel during the low season as this is when airlines are keen to sell off seats cheaply. I also recommend booking return flights if you are travelling long-haul. You will pay almost the same airfare for a single or a return when flying long-haul.

If you plan on travelling within Europe, you must book flights with low cost airlines, such as easyJet and Ryanair. Most non-Europeans have probably never heard of these companies….but they have made flying as cheap as travelling by train or bus. All of these tips are things to consider.

Cheap flights to Australia

The main gateway to Australia is Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, which is not far from one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, Sydney. Purchasing flights to Sydney is cheaper than other destinations in Australia, because there are

Photo from Flickr by Voxtheory

normally stopovers in this city before connecting flights to another one. Qantas, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are just some of the main airlines which offer flights to Sydney.

Cheap flights to Thailand

Just 16 miles from Bangkok city centre is Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is the main gateway to Thailand. This airport is served by Thai International Airways. Likewise, nearly all international flights to Thailand will have a stopover at this hub before connecting to another part of the country if it is not the final destination.

Cheap flights to Poland

International flights to Poland usually land at Warsaw Chopin Airport, which is the main point of arrival to the country and the capital city. It is served by British Airways and LOT Polish Airlines.

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Photo from Flickr by Ruth L

Malaga has a wealth of restaurants serving a delicious variety of Spanish and Mediterranean style foods. As it lies on the coast and has a large port, the seafood is exceptionally fresh and very hard to beat. So, once you’ve booked your flights to Malaga and are getting ready for your trip, be sure to make time to visit at least one of these top 5 restaurants, you won’ be disappointed.

1. El Rescoldo

Serving very traditional Spanish food this is a lovely restaurant, with hard wooden floors and old oak chairs giving the place a very rustic style. With plates of tapas ranging from freshly caught, coal grilled sardines to fresh juicy tomatoes and basil slathered in olive oil, you can’t go wrong.

2. Los Mellizos

Large yet with an intimate atmosphere this restaurant is famous for its signature dish of fried fish, which doesn’t sound delicious, but is cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and melts like butter when you get underneath the skin. The restaurant also boasts fine paellas and tapas.

3. EL Yamal

This restaurant serves a delicious range of Moroccan style food, so if you fancy a break from the tapas it is the place to come to. With dishes such as lamb tagine or spiced fish with ginger, the food is big on flavors and absolutely delicious. This place doesn’t disappoint.

4. Mariano

If you fancy splashing out this is the place to come to. With picturesque outdoor seating and a lavish modern interior this restaurant is definitely fancy. While its prices are high it serves some of the most delicately cooked seafood around.

5. La Rebana

Serving Iberian style food (showing Spain’s Moorish past) with adventurous dishes and flavors this makes for a real dining experience. With dishes ranging from Iberian black pudding with hot apple sauce to bean stew with breast of quail.

Spain is famous for its love of good food, with fresh produce, big flavors and a unique style. While I have highlighted a few certain restaurants above, walk into any back street tapas bar in Malaga and you are sure to find some of the most divine food you will have tasted in a long time.

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Photo from Flickr by greenfaerietree

Unless you’ve fallen in love with a VW Camper and the lure of the open road, most backpacking trips will involve some flying. It will nearly always be a budget airline carrier who operates awkward routes such as Malaga to Morocco, or Bangkok to Phuket flights.

Short-haul budget flights mean no legroom, a prison-issue foam square pillow and a few noisy kids. It ain’t pretty, but when you’re travelling on a shoestring, it’s usually a case of cost over comfort. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make things a bit more bearable.

1) Wear flip flops, whatever the weather. When your feet puff up like soufflés, you won’t have to wedge them painfully back into shoes.

2) Every time you lick your lips on the flight, they get a little bit drier and sorer. Lip balm is your saviour.

3) Don’t wear jeans unless they’re baggy. Even slightly tight-fitting trousers are merciless. Nobody likes to witness to subtle groin/jean readjustment dance.

4) Bring your own headphones. You’ll probably pack an ipod or something anyway, but if you’ve got an in-flight entertainment system, standard airline headphones are rubbish, like two jaffa cakes stuck to either ear. Most planes now have standard single-hole plug for you to use your own headphones.

5) Pack a pair of socks. Even if the flight is only two hours or so, it’s so much comfier when your feet are snug and happy.

6) Take an eye mask. Just a throwaway cheapie will do. You might look a bit ridiculous but it means you can have the option of sleeping if you want to. The lights are only dimmed for takeoff and are otherwise too bright for sleeping.

7) Ear plugs. Screaming kids, in-flight announcements… you can pretend none of them exist.

8) Never pre-purchase the terrible in-flight meals when you book your flight. You’re allowed to take your own food on the flight, so grab a fancy sandwich before you board.

9) Take a hoodie or jumper with you, even if you don’t tend to get cold. It doubles up as an extra pillow that you can mould around your head and neck.

10) Last but not least: sleeping pills. Somewhat controversial, but if you’re hopping around Southeast Asia or South America, sensible use of certain pharmaceuticals can make the whole experience seem a breeze…

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photo from Flickr by: Dana Riza

From the bright lights and seedy underground of Bangkok to the lush rainforests and unspoiled islands of the South, it’s easy to see why so many people each year decide to book flights to Thailand. It’s a difficult country not to have an adventure in.

Let’s start with Bangkok. They say that “one night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble” and after spending some time there you’ll understand why. If you want to have an adventure in Bangkok, you don’t have to look far.

Some companies offer cycling tours: this is a great way to see the city, and also a good way to offset the carbon from your flights to Bangkok. It’s not simply a case of a gentle jaunt around the city, however. Bangkok is a very busy place, so you will have to keep your wits about you.

If you’re feeling very adventurous, you might want to step into Muay Thai ring and learn Thai boxing. Although there are professional companies that offer this as part of your holiday, there are some bars that will let you fight another amateur in exchange for a bucket of booze. You may end up with a few cuts and bruises here and there, but isn’t that what adventuring is all about?

Thai food is a culinary adventure too. Searingly hot, fragrant, and full of flavour; it’s probably best to order your food “mai pet” unless you’re the kind of person who orders vindaloo at home and thinks nothing of it. Bangkok has some excellent restaurants, but true adventurers order their food from street-side stalls. To find the best stalls, look at where the locals are eating and take your chances by pointing at whatever looks good.

An hour outside of Bangkok you’ll find the ‘Flight of the Gibbon’ zipline through the jungle canopy, where you get to spend three hours ziplining and abseiling through the rainforest.

Once you leave Bangkok, the temptation may be to visit Kho Phi Phi where “The Beach” was filmed. This is a bad idea, as the island is over-run with tourists. The good news is that Thailand’s coast is teeming with islands and wildlife: you can escape the beach goers by taking to the water and either renting a boat, or going snorkelling. The waters around Thailand are teeming with fish.

There is plenty to do in Thailand’s jungles: from trekking to rafting to kayaking to simply sightseeing. The adventure of a lifetime awaits.

James writes for Skyscanner.net, a Scottish flight comparison company. Skyscanner compare cheap flights to hundreds of destinations worldwide. You can now search for flights on Facebook, using the Skyscanner Flight Search app.

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: Photo from Flickr by LaurenC.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to be jolly than to get away for the holidays and relax with your nearest and dearest. The Christmas period is a perfect opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and with the New Year holiday following just a week later, you can be flexible with choice of location. So despite the notion that there’s no place like home at Christmas, we have combined a list of five destinations that we think are worthy enough places to visit and rival your traditional festivities.

New York, USA

Always a popular choice for Americans and tourists alike, and it’s easy to see why. The Big Apple offers an abundant array of shops for last-minute spending sprees, including Macys and Bloomingdales, as well as offering tourists the opportunity to see the illuminated lights in Times Square, and the world famous tree that stands tall in the Rockefeller Centre Plaza. This city, for many, does Christmas spirit like no other.

Yorkshire, England

Thousands of tourists flock to the largest county in England in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The historical architecture of York is a wonderful backdrop to the carol singers, first-class street performers and markets that fill the busy streets, and once the shopping is done you can visit world-renowned museums or the Winter Wonderland attraction. To make your stay even more magical there are plenty of cottages to rent in Yorkshire – choose one with an open fire so you can warm your toes and roast marshmallows.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague plays host to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. The quaint wooden huts that line the cobbled streets, selling Czech goodies and traditional foods and wines, create a Winter Wonderland setting and a festive atmosphere for all who visit. Furthermore, choirs and dancers take to central stage in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and children can pet nativity scene animals in the Old Town Square stables.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

This is the only one on the list where a white Christmas is improbable. However, it’s well worth a visit, even for those who crave the snow, because a Puerto Rican Christmas is unique. Daily celebrations start on the first day of December, with locals participating in ‘parrandas’ where they surprise friends late in the evening with music and songs, and continue well into January. Just be ready to shake off traditions here – spit roast pig is the meat of choice and Los Reyes Magos delivers the gifts, not Santa Clause. Real tradition remains prominent in this Caribbean paradise.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Forget queuing up to see Santa in your local shopping centre, in this Finnish town you can’t get any closer to the man himself. Impressive mountain ranges make up the backdrop to Santa’s home and blankets of snow run for as far as the eye can see. And with reindeer and huskies to pull your sleigh, and log cabins to sleep in, you couldn’t ask for anything more. This really is a dream come true, for adults and children alike. Plus, you may be lucky to see the Northern Lights fill the sky, which will be a Christmas treat like no other.

This article was supplied by Sykes Cottages.

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Photo from Flickr by Salvatore Freni

Call me stupid, but until a few days ago I believed Aruba was in Mexico. To my surprise — and subsequent embarrassment — it turns out holidays to Aruba actually involve a hop, skip and a jump from Venezuela. Or Colombia. It’s a little island adrift in the Caribbean just 30km from mainland South America. It’s quite shameful when you make yourself look like a geographical idiot front of other people. Especially when you consider yourself a reasonably seasoned traveller.

Anyway, after digging a little deeper, I found out some pretty quirky facts about this little Caribbean island that I reckon are worth sharing.

1. Aruba is one of the four constituent countries that form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. That’s right, this little island adrift in the Caribbean Sea forms 25% of the Netherlands. Which are technically in Europe… if you think about it.

2. Subsequently, if you live on Aruba, you are a Dutch citizen.

3. The 2001 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Dave Benton, was Aruban. That’s not all. He actually represented Estonia in the contest.

4. The temperature on Aruba rarely deviates from 28 degrees centigrade all year round. If you forget about deserts and polar regions for a minute, this is actually pretty impressive.

Even as a seasoned traveller, it always surprises me when I mistakenly think that a country is in one place whereas it’s actually somewhere completely different. At least it’s not as bad as my own mum who believed that Cairo was in India until very recently. (True story.)

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Photo from Flickr by yungke22

Don’t we all go on holiday to relax and get away from the stresses of everyday life? Yes, and there is often a hotel spa available to use for a treatment or two at an additional cost but how often have you ever considered using it because of those added costs? There is now another way! The rise of the weekend spa break!

Weekend spa breaks are available across the UK and Europe and are now becoming a popular alternative to the city break and why not? Who doesn’t want to indulge in two days of pure relaxation?

When booking your spa break, treatments, accommodation and sometimes even afternoon tea is included, so no scary additional added costs! Each spa will have a range of advance or group deals available and you should look into these to ensure you are getting the best possible deal. The packages tend to include a certain amount of minutes worth of treatments of your choice or a range of fixed treatment packages.

If you have a particular area you would like to focus on, you can tailor a package to suit your needs! There will be a range of massages, facials and body wraps or if you prefer to focus on the beauty treatments you could always go with waxing, tanning, pedicures and manicures?

There will also be a range of facilities available to you during your break which you should take advantage of. These tend to include Jacuzzis, saunas, swimming pools and fitness centres all of which should help you end your break feeling invigorated.

With spas across Europe what is stopping you flying to your destination, hiring a car and then having the most relaxing weekend imaginable?

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Photo from Flickr by {Salt of the Earth}

The city of Orlando in central Florida is a popular tourist destination, attracting more than 50 million tourists a year, and understandably so. Orlando is home to more theme parks than you can count and a plethora of other exciting and fun places to take your family on a vacation.

Orlando is intimately tied to its most popular attraction: Walt Disney World. The sprawling resort features four different theme parks that are sure to bring out the child in all of us: The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Have a blast at a water park, either at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (both located at Walt Disney World) or at the nearby Wet ‘N Wild park.

Disney World is far from the only attraction in Orlando. For grown-ups or families that have outgrown Disney, Universal Studios and the Islands of Adventure provide a great alternative. Watch a show featuring Shamu the orca whale at SeaWorld Orlando, a theme park that features marine and zoological life. Stop by Aquatica or Discovery Cove for more water fun. If you’re daring, you can be surrounded by alligators and reptiles at Gatorland.

There’s plenty to do in Orlando if theme parks aren’t your thing. There are quite a few gardens and parks in the Orlando area, which can be a nice break from the intensity of roller coasters and massive crowds. Roam 80 acres of cultivated gardens containing more than 600 plant species at the University of Central Florida Arboretum, or visit Florida’s largest rose garden at the Harry P. Leu Gardens. Play along with wood ducks and other wild birds at the Historic Bok Sanctuary. Plunge yourself into an enclosed tropical rain forest and pretend you’re the lion of the jungle at the World of Orchids.

Orlando also has a great selection of family-friend museums to complement your visit. Fans of oddities and bizarre phenomena will have a blast at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, which is housed in a building that looks like it is collapsing. Explore weird art and hobbies, peculiar collections, and strange artifacts, including a model of a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost automobile made of matchsticks glued together. Take in impressive contemporary collections of art at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, or the Orlando Museum of Art. Bring youngsters to the hands-on Orlando Science Center or play with toy trains at the International Trolley and Train Museum.

There’s something for everyone in Orlando. Sport fans can take in an Orlando Magic basketball game at Amway Arena or a University of Central Florida football game. Take advantage of Florida’s sun with one of dozens of options for golf, including the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, home of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Go shopping at the spacious Florida Mall, which boasts more than 200 shops, or at its upscale alternative, The Mall at Millenia. You won’t have to go far to experience ethnic food from around the world. Ethnic enclaves include Little Saigon, Little India, and Little Brazil.

Orlando truly is an action packed place, make sure you get there for a visit!

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