Spa special
From wild swimming and world-class classical music to your very own relaxation room, the best spa breaks come with extra benefits
FOR A CHIC DETOX
There are detox retreats that require endless chewing on a dry bread roll, but this isn’t one of those. You don’t even have to be on a detox to be here, but it’s fun to know that the spa is one of only five destinations in the world that follow the teachings of wellness pioneer Henri Chenot, blending traditional Chinese medicine with medical screening tests and deceptively delicious plates of plant-based cuisine. You don’t have to be detoxing to try the detox treatments, either; GH was blown away by a warm, mineral-rich mud wrap, then happily trotted off to the in-house pizzeria for fried calzone and a delicious glass of local sparkling wine. This fusion of serious health and gentle hedonism comes together on the lawn by the outdoor pool, where dedicated detoxers (some coming year after year) rub shoulders with dozing foodies and chic Italians fresh from the gym. And in that no-nonsense European way, holistic treatments such as acupuncture and reflexology sit alongside wrinkle-relaxing injections, laser facials, body sculpting treatments and very good pedicures in the spa. The hotel itself is magical. Terraces are hung with ivy and vines, and there are alfresco hidey-holes and rolling vineyard views. The grounds twinkle after dark and everywhere smells vaguely of Parma violets. It’s a very special place indeed.
GOOD TO KNOW Follow the charming old fitness trail hidden among the vines; you might not fancy the exercises themselves (gymnastics rings, anyone?) but tracking down the numbered stops is a great way to explore the grounds.
• Accommodation, from around £300; treatments, from around £68; Phyto-Mud Treatment, around £80 (albereta.it)
FOR WOODLAND WANDERING
There’s an Englishness about The Tawny that will capture your heart from the second you roll into its beech-lined drive. Perhaps it’s the six lakes that sprawl the 70-acre site (complete with a sweetly plodding goose family), or maybe it’s the shepherd huts, boathouses and treehouse accommodation, each with outdoor bathtub. Or even the rows of Wellington boots in reception, ready for your amble through the wildflowers and greenery. For GH it was all of these things and more that lowered our shoulders on arrival and kept them there. A stroll around the grounds, or a cycle on a loaned bike, finds quaint little follies, perfectly positioned to show off the prettiest views of the estate (though GH found the views equally pleasing from the outdoor heated pool, where staff deliver drinks at the click of a button). Wonderful Gaia t
