The Virtual Woman: A Woman's
Weekly Guide To Cyberspace
Take Me Away: Best Sites for Finding Spas and Relaxation
Truth in advertising be damned. Calgon never really did take me away. But locate a gorgeous spa up in the mountains and thoughts of a few bubbles in my shoebox of a bathtub fade about as quickly as the popularity of the Women's World Cup. So with summer more than on its way, I'm dedicating this week's column to spas and relaxation. It's a good topic for a few good reasons: 1. Contrary to popular belief you can do it sans a seven figure income and 2. You can do a weekend and feel like you've done a week.Before we move on, a bit of spa-speak. You must be clear that when you're talking spa you're generally talking two general kinds of spas. You've got your "destination" spa where you actually stay overnight. And there is also a "day" spa where you book only a couple treatments at a time and then go home. Either can help you unwind, improve your eating habits, help you lose weight, manage stress and ease unrest in warring countries. And heck, you'll have fun while you're doing it!
Before you plan your spa vacation, relax your eyeballs with a visit to Spa Magazine at http://www.spamagazine.com/ to read some basic spa information. Their Spa Directory can help you find a spa that suits your needs and interests, and it's easily searchable by season, price and reservation information from more than 250 spas around the world. To learn about recent spa openings, renovations, special programs and packages, check out the Spa News department. For instance, I was able to locate a nice ditty for me in Gleneagles, Scotland at the Perthshire Paradise where along with spa-ing to my heart and bod's content I can play golf, hone my markswomanship, and receive hands-on training in falconry (I've been desperately needing a refresher).
Next, point your browsers to The Global Spa Guide at http://www.globalspaguide.com. This comprehensive site will fill you in on everything you need to know about spas, including a listing of spa programs and treatments, retreats offering spa activities, plus companies that specialize in spa products. If glyco-peeling, balneotherapy, orthion and kneipp baths mean about as much to you as they did to moi, not to worry. The Global Spa Guide has a helpful Spa Glossary and Spa Reading Room where you can become well-versed in spa-speak and get a better feel for the spa experience.
If you only have time for a little bit of pampering here and there, check out the Day Spa Association's website at http://www.clubspausa.com. Here you will find a directory searchable by state or country, a listing of accredited day spas, and a useful guide on spa etiquette (including how much to tip and how much to undress when visiting the spa). The Spa Finders website located at http://www.spafinders.com also offers a myriad of helpful information to the potential spa-goer. And while I'm about as likely to hit the kitchen as your average dead person, I still recommend that you follow the Spa Cuisine link for some killer looking low-fat recipes like Crab Cakes with Lemon Sauce and Red Lentil Chili. These recipes looked great!!
And for those of you who simply do not have any time-not one minute to spend relaxing in a sauna while you have a pedicure-no sweat. Spa products are also available to you even if you can't find the time to visit a real spa. Blissworld lives up to its heavenly name by offering wonderful products to pamper yourself with at home. Their website, located at http://www.Blissworld.com offers a hand-picked bevy of beauty items by top-of-the-line companies like Bloom, Bobbi Brown, La Mer and Stila. All of their products are available through their online or if you wish hard copy catalog, BlissOut.
If you don't know exactly what you're looking for, you can find complete spa packages at BASU (which means "soothing of the spirit"). Located at http://www.basu.com/basuhome.htm, BASU can help you create the luxury of a complete spa experience whenever you feel the desire to restore, revitalize, and relax, all without leaving the comfort of your own home. Choose from the Dead Sea, Herbal, or Seaweed Therapy kits, or join the Spa of the Month Club and have a revitalizing package delivered right to your door each month! And don't despair...even if you don't have the time or money to visit a luxurious spa or buy expensive spa products, there's still something you can do. The Healthy Ideas website offers a Virtual Spa (which, naturally, is near and dear to this Virtual Woman). At http://www.healthyideas.com/newyou/spa.html you can choose from three virtual spa packages (cleverly named "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," "Why, You Look 20 Years Younger!" and "I Could Get Used to This New Age Stuff").
Well, I'm off for a glyco-peeling and a watsu massage. Happy spa-ing!
Happy Surfing!
Find these links and more at WWWomen.Com (http://www.wwwomen.com) the web's largest search directory of topics for women online. Email the Virtual Woman with your Internet questions or send snailmail to: WWWomen.Com, Attn: Virtual Woman, 3701 Geary Blvd., #325, S.F., CA 94118. Copyright, 1998. WWWomen, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Contributing Editor: Mary Bergner
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