Like any good traveller, I always have an idea of what I want to do and see before I leave for a place; the restaurants that sound fabulous, the off the path sites, the great hotels to stay in. But also like any good traveller, I leave my itinerary and mind open to doing new things, which came in particularly handy during non-stop travel month of February.
Whilst staying at the Four Seasons Henri V in Paris (just off the Champs-Elysees) I discovered their elegant and well equipped spa, open only to guests. By the time I arrived at this hotel, I had already been on 4 planes, 1 train and done a weeks worth of driving. I was stiff, a bit tired and congested and in need of some desperate pampering. At first I thought perhaps doing the spa would be a waste of time; there’s walking to do, cafe’s to sit in, French to be spoken! But I (my body really) gave in, and an early evening appointment was made for one of the best massages of my life.
The soothing experience lasted an hour but I lingered in the spa a half hour more, to sip tea, eat fruit, enjoy the relaxation room and basically just rest. I realised that I often forget to rest on trips, instead sometimes feeling like I must do, do, do to get the most out of a trip.
But that massage was exactly what I needed. I needed a break to regain my energy and most importantly, to enjoy the experience of travel. It encouraged me to slow down and really take things in, and with all the knots in my neck gone, this was much easier to do!
A week later I was in Dallas, at the Hotel Crescent Court and was treated to a Vichy Rain Massage Therapy and a specially designed Yon-ka Aromatherapy Facial. For two hours I was pampered and I came out glowing like a baby with my limbs as relaxed as one. That spa time helped remove 9 plane trips, stress, bad skin from recycled air and a cold. The stress of travelling was removed and I was sold on getting pampered while vacationing.
Shortly I’ll be leaving on another trip; the hotel is booked as is the massage and afternoon tea. Now instead of reminding myself to relax, I’ll have to remind myself to sightsee!
