AsiaSpa

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DESTINATION

162 asiaSpa India March-April 2016

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very evening, the blue-and-white

tinted island of Santorini puts

on a well-rehearsed show. The

sky changes from spotless blue

to fiery orange, with streaks of

purple, pink and mauve; the turquoise waters

of the Aegean Sea play along too, gleaming

tantalisingly if only for a few minutes, before

the sun goes down. Elsewhere, in the historical

capital of Athens, the cobbled lanes resonate

with the strains of music even as party revellers

spill out into the streets well into the morning.

Greece, then, caters to every kind of tourist –

beach bums, nature enthusiasts, nightlife lovers

and history buffs. Thanks to its serene environs

and soothing climate, it is a much sought-after

wellness tourism destination that draws visitors

from across the globe.

THERMAL SPRINGS

Apart from blushing sunsets, the islands of

Greece are famous for their natural minerals

and thermal springs. One such spot is the

stream of Saint Nicolas, also known as

Thermopotamos or the ‘hot river’. Here,

the temperature of the water is a warm

37°C, and a dip here is believed to relive you

of stress and body ache. The hot springs of

Pozar, located close to the scenic Kaimaktsalan

Mountains, are ideal for those suffering from

rheumatic, dermatological and respiratory

disorders. Indulge in hamams, Jacuzzis, spa

and thermal bath facilities at Pozar, or simply

drink the water, it’s pure and pristine. The

Kaiafas Lake, emerging from a cave at the foot

of the Lapithas Mountain in southwestern

Greece, is a veritable powerhouse of naturally

occurring minerals, such as sulfur compounds,

that are said to have healing properties. Legend

has it that this is where people in the area

would bathe, several millennia ago, to cure

themselves of leprosy and skin diseases. Today,

there’s a spa by the lake that offers a number

of treatments.

SPA THERAPIES

With its sun-kissed beaches and a stunning

coastline, this Mediterranean country is a

spa lover’s delight. Naturally, a lot of spa

treatments in the region revolve around its

sea water, with thalassotherapy being among

the most popular. Thalasso is Greek for sea,

and this treatment taps the rich minerals of

the sea – calcium, potassium, iodide, sodium,

and so on – including seaweed and algae to

help rejuvenate your skin. On the islands of

Santorini, you could indulge in a volcanic

ash spa treatment that blends the goodness

of locally-sourced volcanic ash with the rich

mineral content of the sea. The therapy has

several health benefits including disinfecting

the blood stream and aiding oxidation.

ISLANDS

Greece boasts some of the most jaw-droppingly

gorgeous islands in the world, the kind

you’d see on desktop wallpapers and picture

postcards. So island hopping is a key aspect

of the Greek experience. Get lost in the

labyrinthine lanes of Mykonos, teeming with

blue-and-white houses, colourful bougainvillea

and the iconic traditional windmills skirting

the sea; plan a day trip to the island of Delas,

a UNESCO World Heritage Site; get a taste

of farm-fresh Greek food at the rustic island

of Crete; sip on fantastic wine at picturesque

Kefalonia; go hiking on the rugged island of

Andros; treat yourself to the most splendid

sunsets at Santorini; gape in wonder at the

Shipwreck Beach, Zakynthos, that has the

bluest blue sea and the whitest sands.

CUISINE

The Greeks know the secret to a healthy life:

good olive oil and a sound siesta. With its focus

on fresh ingredients, the food here is packed

with flavour, and is best had with a glass of

wine. Dig into a hearty horiatiki (Greek salad)

loaded with fresh feta cheese, Kalamata olives,

cracked wheat, onions, fresh herbs and lemon

juice, among others; gorge on sumptuous

moussaka and spanakopita, and satisfy those

sugar cravings with melitinia cookies and

baklava. Sink peacefully into the inevitable

siesta that’s bound to follow, lulled by the

cool ocean breeze.

TOP 5 SPAS

IN GREECE

Six Senses
Spa at Porto
Elounda, Crete
Must try: Aegean
Breeze with salt
and olive

Divani Athens Spa
& Thalasso Center
at Divani Appollon
Palace & Thalasso,
Vouliagmeni
Must try:
Thalassotherapy
pool

Kontokali Bay
Resort & Spa, Corfu
Must try: body
wrap with algae

Notos Thermal Spa
at Notos Therme &
Spa, Santorini
Must try: Natural
spa treatments
with volcanic
mud, spring
water, honey and
hot stones