Luxury

One year today and only 366 days to go until the London Olympics 2012! Be inspired by the Olympic Games, a legacy that compels a majestic dive into a journey to transform into a quicker and healthier contender for any challenge. Escaping on a fitness holiday has never been so important for upcoming sporting champions, where fitness packages are tailored for enjoyment as well as supportive training. If you desire activities such as football, kayaking, cycling or even acrobatics, then choose one of the many energetic breaks to get you passionate about shaping up, just in time to be part of British competition history.

Stephanie Rault

Wellness Consultant at Absolute Sanctuary, Stephanie originally became a therapist to fulfill a passion in empowering others to improve their health and happiness  and inspire them to lead healthy lifestyles. With over 10 years of experience, she is able to work with her clients in a flexible, fun and caring way, creating a safe and supportive environment while exploring what really works for them. Stephanie not only conducts wellness consultations but also private sessions in clinical hypnotherapy, intuitive life coaching and smoking cessation programmes. 

Medical spas or “medi spas” as they have become known, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Offering a one-stop destination for health and cosmetic treatments, medical spas help target any number of specific health issues on a rejuvenating spa holiday. Medical doctors oversee the spa, whilst other health professionals, such as physiotherapists and osteopaths, carry out daily treatments and therapies to help you on your wellness journey. Medical spas focus on aesthetic enhancement and wellness, and address issues ranging from specific skin issues and healthy ageing to permanent hair removal and help quitting smoking, all in a professional and safe environment.

There is undoubtedly an art to packing a short stay bag. Get it right and you have everything you need, neatly packed up in a handy, easily transportable case. Get it wrong, however, and you either have outfits that don’t work and missing toiletries, or find yourself over-encumbered with unnecessary items.

Changing lives with a trip so one-of-a-kind that it has never been attempted before, we are thrilled to introduce our ultimate luxury around the world wellness trip. With the expert guidance of professional wellness teams, become the master of your health and fitness on this one year trip of a lifetime with multiple stops in 20 countries, from Australia to Brazil. Ideal for burnt out 30+ executives feeling the stress of the rat race, it is no wonder why healthy sabbaticals are tempting more professionals, with 4 million people in the UK recently taking a career break. Learning a healthier lifestyle through educational health consultations, inspiring fitness training, healing spa therapies and healthy nutrition, this life changing trip is the long-term answer to Sunday evening meltdowns.

Changing lives with a trip so one-of-a-kind that it has never been attempted before, we are thrilled to introduce our ultimate luxury around the world wellness trip. With the expert guidance of professional wellness teams, become the master of your health and fitness on this one year trip of a lifetime with multiple stops in 20 countries, from Australia to Brazil. Ideal for burnt out 30+ executives feeling the stress of the rat race, it is no wonder why healthy sabbaticals are tempting more professionals, with 4 million people in the UK recently taking a career break. Learning a healthier lifestyle through educational health consultations, inspiring fitness training, healing spa therapies and healthy nutrition, this life changing trip is the long-term answer to Sunday evening meltdowns.

Kamalaya in Koh Samui, Thailand was honoured with the award for Destination Spa of the Year: Asia & Australasia at the World Spa awards hosted in London last night.

With research repeating year after year that many of us fail to stick to fitness goals set in the New Year, LaSource Grenada, the Caribbean's "holistic all-inclusive" resort has unveiled a bespoke fitness programme designed to address why we fall off the fitness wagon and break the cycle. Aimed at anyone who has tried and failed to keep the promises made to their favourite pair of jeans, the MindBodyReformer programme, offers the missing elements in traditional boot camps that focus predominantly on the physical aspects of fitness and weight loss.

Have a go at island life with these top 5 spas in the Caribbean. There is no better place to unwind than a stunning island and with these such a wide range of luxury spa treatments at your disposal, a relaxing moment of wellness is never far away. Indulge in a comprehensive selection of soothing daily spa treatments that cater to the diverse needs of all guests. Whether it be shiatsu in Turks & Caicos, a shoulder massage in Antigua or a seaweed body wrap in Jamaica, our island spa holidays have something for everyone’s wellness needs.  Be sure to have fun and improve your personal fitness with professionally led daily classes such as beach volleyball in St Lucia and nature hiking in Antigua. Island life is sure to leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed and beaming for more wellness heaven.

World Renowned Teacher in Portugal from 5 - 10 September

Health expert and Fitness TV Presenter Angie Newson, is launching an exclusive Yoga and Pilates retreat at Longevity Wellness Resort in Portugal from 5-10th September 2012. Internationally renowned yoga and Pilates expert, Angie Newson will be taking her talents to the luxurious 5 star health and wellness resort twice a year. This exclusive five night tailor-made retreat is available through Health and Fitness Travel, experts in tailor-made active and wellness holidays worldwide for a special price of just £595 per person.

Marco Baoia

Marco Baoia is the lead organiser and trainer of the Epic Sana Sayanna Reshape in Portugal and has a wealth of knowledge in bootcamp training, having been a part of the fitness industry since 1988. During this time he has covered many different training methods and has successfully trained in England, Ireland, Germany and Portugal. Marco works with a truly holistic approach and is always results orientated; aiming to get the best out of each and every individual he works with. His overriding wish is to provide his clients with the information they need to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Say thanks to Mum by giving her the gift she deserves this Mother's Day. Allow her to relax, unwind and be pampered with one of our luxurious healthy spa breaks, she can choose from a range of spa treatments with unlimited access to state of the art spa facilities and group exercise classes. Choose from various healthy holiday destinations from the UK to Spain, with tranquil rejuvenating breaks in the English countryside to a mountain active spa break in Portugal. Our Mother's Day gift ideas are the perfect way to show Mum how much you really care.

Chocolates, flowers and breakfast in bed are the standard Mother’s day presents, but why not do something different to show your appreciation and spoil Mum with one of our luxury spa breaks. We share with you our top 5 choices for a relaxing wellness break at one of our many destinations, all of which include luxurious spa treatments sure to please. From the heart of Tuscany to the coasts of Dubrovnik, our suggestions are sure to inspire you; the hardest part will be choosing which one you should go on.

I've had quite a few spa experiences in my life but nothing quite so extraordinary as my visit to the famous Gastein Healing Caves in Austria. It was whilst I was on a wellness holiday at leading luxury spa, Grand Park.  One of their top physicians, Dr Liane Weber is one of the visiting consultants at the caves and consequently, Grand Park has the most fantastic Gastein Healing Cave Treatment Programme.

Welcome to Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun, a stunning and beautifully spacious all-inclusive resort situated on the golden coastline on the east of Mexico. From the moment you arrive, you're greeted with a cool drink, refreshing towel and glass of champagne, check-in is effortless and you're instantly made to feel at home.

Reflexology is a harmonising therapy that involves the application of pressure to specific points, known as reflexes, to encourage the body to heal from within. The practice is based on the belief that the feet and hands mirror the body and that every organ in the body can be mapped onto areas of the feet called reflex points. By using these 'mini-maps', therapists are trained to stimulate reflex points on the map by using their thumbs and fingers and therefore bring about a positive effect on the corresponding parts of the body. Reflexology aims to facilitate a free flow of energy in the body so that we are balanced and healthy, any obstructions to this may result in illness. With ever increasing levels of stress in everyday life, it is important that people take responsibility for their well-being. Reflexology may mitigate stress, help you sleep better and improve your mood.

With Valentine's Day approaching, it's not too late to book a break away for a truly romantic and healthy getaway. We recommend our top five romantic and healthy holidays for couples this year.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it’s not too late to book a couples healthy holiday for a romantic wellness getaway. From Lake Garda and New Zealand, to Thailand and the Maldives, we recommend our top five romantic wellness retreats for Valentine’s Day.

A modern twist on the traditional Balinese hotels, COMO Uma Ubud is a tranquil haven on the edge of the bustling village, just an hour away from Denpasar International airport and 5 minutes from the city centre you will find the 46 contemporary rooms, suites and villas, poised on the side of the lush green Tjampuhan Valley, the Uma Pool Villas offer mesmerising views to the river below. All rooms are elegantly decorated and infused with the signature scent of eucalyptus and peppermint complemented by the softness of lavender and geranium. It’s perfect for a solo spa retreat or an indulgent healthy honeymoon.

I was very excited about visiting SHA Wellness Clinic to rejuvenate and energise for a few days in Spain. It's making quite a name for itself and with regular visits from the likes of Kylie Minogue, Simon Cowell and Naomi Campbell, it seems everybody wants to reap the rewards from coming here.