Without doubt, the most spectacular spa experience I have ever had was in Istanbul. Although it was many, many moons ago, I still remember the exquisite marble haman and the hours of pleasure spent luxuriating in the centuries-old building. It was a trip back in time to the days of the Ottoman Empire and an older way of being civilized that compared so well to the busy-ness of the modern world. Today’s spa experience can range from taking a long soak in a natural sulfuric hot spring born of volcanic activity (as described in this month’s article on  Japan’s Onsens) to luxurious destination resorts that pamper every inch of body, every nook of mind.

Spa Finder is the number-one source for destination spas. With its listing of more than 350 different locations around the world, this site is one-stop shopping for the spa enthusiast. Spa Finder also lists more than 400 day spas for those of us who can only grab a quick fix before the next deadline. For more information about Spa Finder, see this month’s Pick of the Month.

For a glimpse into the magical world of Turkish baths in everyday life, read Meli Sevals’ fantastic article which describes the history of Turkish baths during the Ottoman Empire. Meli, owner of Melitours, has been leading trips to Turkey for more than 30 years. In addition to her spa and shopping tours (what woman wouldn’t want to indulge those two passions with one trans-Atlantic crossing?), she leads her clients on a wonderful range of cultural and specialty tours throughout her native land.  

Rewind back a couple of empires to a land of volcanic hot springs that helped launch the Romans: Tuscany. In the heart of Tuscany’s Maremma, renowned for 3,000 years for its healing waters, is the medieval town of Saturnia and the deluxe resort named after those ancient springs. The Hotel Terme di Saturnia combines the healing properties of this mineral rich spring with the Institute of Thermal Medicine and Scientific Cosmetology.

Italian spas like Saturnia and Chianciano Terme, incorporate a medical component into their treatments, making them far different from the beauty spas normally visited by Americans. Not only do you soak in the waters for their curative effects, but the waters are prized for the benefits they provide when taken internally. Tuscan Way - La Via dei Sensi offers packages to Terme di Saturnia that combines the best of their culinary tours with a stay in the spa.

British Columbia is home to a unique Asian influenced spa at the Echo Valley Ranch. Baan Thai Spa is a special place utilizing typical Thai treatments in its herbal steams, body wraps and massage. The building is a traditional Thai structure whose flowing lines are in harmony with the “East meets West” theme of the spa.  Echo Valley Ranch combines the beauty of the Canadian wilderness, and activities like horseback ridding, river rafting and fly-fishing, with the luxury of a world-class spa.

Imagine massive white sails billowing in the breeze while you are buffed and polished to a high glow, just like the teakwood decks under your feet. Well maybe not quite, but Windjammer Barefoot Cruises Ltd. offers a Caribbean spa cruise that incorporates such Island-style therapies as sand scrubs and tropical fruit masks. The spa experience while sailing among the islands on one of these remarkable ships is not your grandmother’s cruise.

In grandma’s day, spa-going was called “taking the waters.” In Bath, England, people had been taking the waters for almost 2,000 years before the town closed down its last public bath in 1978. But starting in 2002 in a brand new complex, a whole new generation will be able to enjoy the benefits of therapeutic bathing in the town the Romans called Aquae Sulis (the waters of Sulis). In the meantime, The Bath Museum preserves some of the best Roman ruins in Britain and is worth a stop on your tour of this World Heritage City. 

This is really the hardest part of the job. All I want is to indulge myself. Hot tubs, saunas, massage and naps are my ideal spa experiences. Granted the sleep step is a bit difficult at a day spa; I hate to miss the massage by napping. But if you venture to a spa for a multi-day retreat, the benefits to mind and body are invaluable. Day spas are fantastic for a quick fix, but I find that they are just a tease for the full-blown nurturing most of us overachievers really need.

Relax and enjoy. We all need a bit of pampering at times.