Anyone who knows me knows that one of my highest priorities in life is to spend time in spas. Not the type of spa with a handful of therapists offering massages, but the type of spa from which the word originated…a selection of pools and hot/cold treatments which cleanse and rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. Of course these usually come with the therapists and massage options, but the central feature of a therapeutic spa is the water-based therapies.
The tradition of visiting a spa for wellbeing is one found all over the planet. From Bathhouses (onsen) in Japan, to Turkish Baths all over the Middle East, saunas in Scandinavia and Thermal Waters across Europe. Thailand is known for steam rooms plus Thai Massage. And what is seen across all of these countries is a delightful discovery: that going to a thermal spa is normal regular activity for normal people.
Sadly, the UK my native country is lacking behind in this worldwide phenomenon. Of course we have Bath Spa and a handful of Victorian bathhouses, but somehow it is not the norm in the UK to visit a spa for wellbeing. Not for your joe public. It has become renegaded to the uber-posh (who often pay over £100 for a day at a spa) or reduced to a small sauna/steam in the corner of a sports pool. Hardly a relaxing environment.
I was stunned when I went to spas in Hungary, known for its abundance of natural hot springs, reeking of sulphur and hurling your body into deep detox at the first contact of this powerful water. Here you find whole families at the spa. They even have chessboards in the water for the old men to play and special pools for the children. One huge hot spring lake I visited had a medical clinic adjoined and it was understood that the elderly could stave off a host of potential health problems by using the thermal pools. Why have we forgotten about this in the UK?
In my early 20s, I trained in Watsu, a therapy in which you float someone in warm water until they have melted into complete bliss. I then worked at Nirvana Spa for a short while, one of the UK’s top day spas, and was delighted to train in hydrotherapy a bit deeper. Though I no longer work in a spa, they have become a big passion of mine and I have visited different spas all over the world.
This blog is intended as a blog to share this passion and make a useful guide for anyone else wishing to pursue this wonderful habit! I will post reviews on different spas I have been to, and also a few facts about spa therapy from time to time. If you are not a spa fan…it is never too late to develop one of the healthiest and enjoyable habits you could have!! Enjoy and Spa On!
Spa Tripper 
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