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SPECIAL INTEREST SPOTLIGHT

 

BED & BREAKFAST INNS with SPA SERVICES

Rocky Gap Lodge, Maryland. Photo by Juliana Yang

Don't miss the affordable family Summer Spa Vacation starting at just $218 for three nights at Rocky Gap Lodge & Resort, Cumberland Valley, Maryland. Excellent array of outdoor activities and a full service spa, including a teen spa menu.

The Raj Ayurveda Spa Retreat Vedic City, Iowa, offers a specialized program to enliven your natural healing ability and manage stress. Bonus: Download the complimentary Balance Through Ayurveda Booklet

 

 

 

Also see Day Spas


Raising The Bar For Luxurious Puerto Rico Accommodations

Enjoy an entirely new standard of Puerto Rico accommodations when you stay at El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa. We blend an exquisitely designed décor, imaginative services, soothing private balconies, and a spectacular atmosphere for the perfect vacation. Choose from a host of outstanding Puerto Rico lodging options -- including tropically decorated guest rooms and suites, each with at least 500 square feet of space.

Path To Inner And Outer Peace at our world-class Golden Door® Spa.  

Come to El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa, and experience an incredible transformation of physical and mental strength. Arrive in our Welcome Area, and savor the Zen-like sanctuary - the whisper of flowing water, natural sunlight, and cascading fountains. Whether you desire a rejuvenating fitness class or a specially designed treatment, it's all here at our 26,000-square-foot luxury Caribbean spa. Wake up with an exhilarating walk at sunrise or a challenging Yo-Chi fitness class. Enjoy a pampering massage after a round of golf, or a botanical facial following a day at the beach. Relish the dramatic views of the rainforest and Caribbean Sea from any of our 25 private treatment rooms. Experience the wide array of features and services at the ultimate Puerto Rico spa.

At Golden Door Spa, we believe that wellness is wholeness. Achieve it with a treatment in one of our 25 private rooms - beginning with a Japanese bath under a waterfall shower. All of our spa services include specially designed treatments using locally grown herbs and plants and blended exclusively for us.

Private Tropical Paradise At Our Four-Diamond Caribbean Island Resort

Guests of the El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa also enjoy exclusive access to Palomino Island for the ultimate in seclusion.  It's our 100-acre private island and your unspoiled tropical oasis. Spend your days swimming, wave running, windsurfing, and horseback riding. Enjoy scuba diving and fishing excursions from our private marina. It all starts at our luxurious Caribbean island resort. A ferry will sweep you away to a paradise where hammocks are strung between palm trees, lounge chairs line the beach, and waiters come around to take your piña colada order. Spend the day snorkeling among rainbows of coral.

READER REVIEWS OF GOLDEN DOOR SPA

 

The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of three islands, St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. The capital city is Charlotte Amalie, which is on the island of St. Thomas. The primary language is English along with some Creole, Spanish and French. Virgin Islanders are very musical oriented and are very party conscious. The local fungi bands play scratch instruments as gourds and washboards. Their sounds are usually associated with social and political commentaries that are occurring on the islands or in the general area. Virgin Islanders are interested in calypso, reggae, raga-soca, hip-hip and the steel pan is back. The European heritage is also evident in quadrille dances with witty French emphasis, especially in St. Croix.  The majority of the islands' beauty can be found on the waters that surround it. It possesses some of the world's most popular and beautiful white sandy beaches bordering  crystalline waters.

Solé Day Spa
10, Mill Mall
Above 'Best of British' store
PO Box 2991
Road Town
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
284-494 5999
Our highly professional team looks forward to welcoming and taking care of you. All our therapists are internationally trained to the highest standards and take pride in working for the first-choice day spa in Tortola, dedicated to making you feel and look your very best.

Antigua is an island in the Leeward or Lesser Antilles called National Park which encompasses a great deal of their cultural heritage and  natural resources. Antigua was first inhabited by Meso-Indians called Siboney whose presence are still seen in the form of stone tools and well-crafted shells found at many different places on the island, however, the majority of Antiguans are of African lineage. They are descendents of slaves that were brought to the island to cut sugar cane. The national park has within it, museums, nightlife, shopping, beaches, dining and sporting activities. There is environmental preservations and conservation within the National Park. The eco-system is fragile and at the same time excitedly beautiful. Antigua's carnival festivities commemorate the earliest abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean.

 

A lush tropical playground, St. James’s Club sits on a private 100-acre estate boasting breathtaking ocean views and two white sand beaches. All the delights of English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights are just a few minutes’ drive away.   A sociable club-like ambience prevails throughout, the visiting yachts contributing a dash of glamour, the European-style casino adding a touch of elegance. At its heart lie the guest rooms, restaurants and recreational opportunities of The Club, whilst  The Village is an adjacent sanctuary of residential-style villas tumbling down a gentle hillside towards the bay.   St. James’s Club Beauty Salon & Spa is tucked away in a quiet corner of The Village. Treat yourself to one of its relaxing massages or beauty treatments whilst your children have fun in the kid’s club. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on public holidays. All treatments use Pevonia Botanica, ‘Nature’s most selected plant extracts.'

Aruba is one of the three ABC islands that comprise the Netherlands Antilles; the other two of them are Bonaire and Curacao. Aruba's first inhabitants were the Caiquetios Indians from the Arawak tribe. Fragments of the earliest known Indian settlements date back to about 1000 A.D. and there are some ancient painted symbols still visible on limestone caves found at Fortein and Ayo.  Aruba has become a great tourist attraction in recent years to Americans in particular but also to Canadians and Europeans. It now has a number of gaming casinos, some of which open twenty four hours a day. The seawater off Aruba is spectacularly beautiful and clear allowing divers to enjoy the coral formations, as well as being able to visit wreck sites, where visibility at some times can be good for 100 feet.

 

 

Experience the all-new Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino, where luxurious pampering and exquisite touches enhance every moment of your visit. Breathe in fresh tropical breezes bringing the captivating scents of our island retreat into each corner of our impeccably renewed Aruba hotel and resort. Delight in the beauty of our new design, from intimate gathering spaces to elegantly modern guestrooms. Discover inner peace as you relax on our silky white sand beach, or as you give in to the nourishing treatments in our serene spa. Revive your sense of adventure with sailing, diving or tempting Lady Luck in the casino of our Palm Beach, Aruba hotel. Select our luxury hotel in Aruba, and transform your island escape from expected to distinctly remarkable.

The Bahamas consist of over seven hundred small islands of coral formation. The Lucayan Indians occupied the Bahamas from as far back as 800 A.D. These people hunted for their foods on the land and the sea. Turtles, wild boar, shellfish such as Conch and countless other species of fish such as shark, grouper, crab, snapper, Cray fish and bonitos are among the foods found there. There are some Bahamians who believe that Conch is an aphrodisiac and is one of the favorite foods. The Spanish gave the islands "Baja Mar" which when translated means "Shallow Sea". The islands are actually derived from mountain plateaus that emerged from the Atlantic thousands of years ago. The geography of the islands attracted many well-known pirates, such as the infamous Blackbeard and Anne Bonney who were very dominant in the year known as "The Golden Age of Piracy."

Mandara Spa at Atlantis has one singular goal - to be positively pampering. Originating in Bali, the Mandara experience reflects the beautiful traditions of exotic cultures across the globe.   Ancient techniques from Asia, traditional European spa therapies, and natural spices, fruits and minerals indigenous to The Bahamas meld together to provide the most unique treatments and the ultimate rejuvenating experiences.  It is a divine sanctuary that escapes the limits of time. Sumptuous massages, rejuvenating facials, soothing wraps and exotic scrubs headline the roster of tried and true therapies.

Belize can be truly described as a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society. This society consists of Creole, Garifuna, Spanish, English, Mestizo, Lebanese, Chinese, Maya and East Indian. The largest group is made up of Mestizos, which account for over 40% of the population. The Mestizos are descendents of mixed blood Mexicans and Yacatec Mayans who fled from the Yucatan in the mid 1800's. The second largest of these groups are the Creole, which comprise about 30% of the population. Creoles are the descendants of the early British settlers cohabitating with African slaves from Jamaica. Two thirds of the Creole population lives in Bel  Britain formerly laid claim to Belize and declared it  British Honduras. European settlers began to marry freed slaves thereby creating the Creole majority that is still dominant in the population. The colony's name was changed from British Honduras to Belize in 1973, and on September 21, 1981, Belize was granted its Independence.

See Belize in our Latin America Spa Collection

 

Bermuda, like every island or country in the Western Hemisphere was first inhabited by the Indians. Geologists have concluded that Bermuda came into existence after a volcanic eruption over one hundred million years ago. Even though the soil is of volcanic formation, it is surrounded by coral reefs that protect it from natural erosion. There is a steep drop off beyond the coral reefs as the water is about three miles deep. The water within the coral reefs area is fairly calm, dreamily blue-green and transparent, and the beaches have a lovely pink cast. Tourism has replaced farming and the onion trade as the second most important industry in Bermuda.

 

Step out of your world and into ours: Cambridge Beaches, a timeless sanctuary of luxurious Bermuda cottages, sparkling azure waters, endless views and beautiful beaches.  Couples enjoy the romance of a Bermuda luxury resort. Friends and families find special ways to be together on their Bermuda vacation. Groups find clarity and inspiration. Our guests travel the world, but this is the place they come back to.   Choose our Bermuda resort and spa to hold your dream wedding and romantic honeymoon, celebrate an anniversary or rekindle a romance, enjoy a family gathering or a special reunion, hold a corporate retreat, a Board of Director meeting or a think-tank. Our Bermuda luxury resort will comfort and relax you.

 

Pink Beach Club and Cottages caters to your every need and modern-day comfort, in an atmosphere of elegant and old world Bermudian hospitality and is the perfect place to reconnect with yourself, spend quality time with your partner and bring families together.  If you feel the need to soothe those aching muscles or just be pampered, you can enjoy our exclusive In-Room spa services.  Pink Beach has a live-in masseur who is available to come to your room and offer you the following services: Massages—including Swedish, stress relief and sports massages. Body treatments--body masks and skin exfoliation, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, and Heliotherapy Treatments. These services are provided in the privacy of your own suite.

 

International Health Care Centre La Pradera
Calle 230
15A y 17 Rpto Siboney
Havana, Cuba
33-7467
Gym, Sauna, Hidromassage, Corporal and facial massage, Reductore creams massage, Mud Therapy, Cosmetology, Treatments with wax, Laser therapy, Electrotherapy, Magneto therapy, Ozonotherapy, Psychological treatments, Logopedy and Phoniatry, Hot treatments, Tractions, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Phonoaudiology Service, Apprenticeship disorder attention, Odontology treatment, Occupation therapy, Face clean, Anti-acne treatment.

Grenada in the Eastern Caribbean is nicknamed "The Spice Island" because of its heavy production of cinnamon, cocoa and nutmeg. A French expedition from Martinique succeeded in buying from the Caribs large areas of land in return for a few beads, knives and hatchets. Hostilities between the Caribs and the French broke out almost immediately as the French tried to take control over the whole island. The Caribs fought a succession of losing battles, and the last surviving Caribs jumped to their death off a precipice in the north of the island. The French named the spot "Le Morne de Sauteurs", or "Leapers' Hill". The Island was later ceded to the British under the Treaty of Versailles in 1783,  became a Crown Colony in 1877, and an associate with the British Commonwealth in 1967. Finally in 1974, it gained its independence from the British. The island's French heritage survives in its names, buildings and its strong Catholicism.  The island has a number of cultural attractions among which is Carnival, steel bands and Calypso music. It is a place to escape to for romantic getaway, water sports, diving and snorkeling. It also possesses one of the most beautiful beaches in the world in the form of Grande Anse.

LaSource
Due to Hurricane Ivan, which passed through the heart of Grenada on September 7, 2004, LaSource is currently closed.  The effects of Hurricane Ivan took an overwhelming toll on Grenada, but we are pleased to announce that we are currently accepting reservations for travel beginning February 1, 2008.    In keeping with our commitment to "The Amazing Holiday," we promise that the new LaSource will be truly amazing, and well worth the wait!    While the task of fully reconstructing LaSource and our beautiful island has taken time and a great deal of effort, we will reemerge even better than before.  As the rebuilding process continues to unfold, we pledge to keep you informed of our progress throughout the coming months.   For questions concerning U.S. reservations, please email  lasourcevacations@hotmail.com or call toll free 1-888-527-004

Jamaican culture can be traced back to the Arawak Indians who came to Jamaica around 700 A.D. They etched petroglyphs on ceilings and walls of caverns throughout the island. They gave the island the name "Xymaca" because of the woods and waters found throughout the island. The word actually means "Land of wood and water". Jamaica has about one hundred and twenty rivers, and it is a hilly and in some areas a mountainous terrain. Today, Jamaica is a cosmopolitan island consisting of Arawak Indian, Spanish, African, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Indian and British. It is therefore not surprising that its homegrown cuisine is a fusion of all the above-mentioned ethnic traditions. Jamaica, and in particular both Kingston and Ocho Rios are the center of Caribbean art. The wife of the first prime minister of Jamaica, Edna Marley, was instrumental in encouraging and promoting local artists, and she herself was an eminent sculptress.

With its white sandy beaches and lush mountainous terrain, Solis Palmyra Resort & Spa offers a truly unique setting for an unforgettable island escape. Here you can explore lush tropical gardens, spectacular waterfalls, and ancient ruins. Enjoy a round of golf at one of the three nearby championship courses, or slip away into Palmyra ESPA.  With its spectacular water gardens, charming terraces, and enchanting courtyards, Palmyra ESPA is one of the finest spas in Jamaica, and among the very best in the Caribbean.

This 30,000 ft spa offers over 20 treatment rooms on two levels. All overlook the stunning vistas of Rose Hall enclave. Treatments blend local ingredients and aromas with some of the finest products from around the world. With its fabulous array of natural facial and body treatments, the Solís Palmyra ESPA is wonderfully rejuvenating for both body and soul.

The culture of Puerto Rico is greatly influenced by the Caribbean, Spain and the United States. There is the old culture and the energy-filled new culture found on that island. There are beautiful picturesque views of waterfalls, underground river caves, forests, bays, reefs and offshore islands with white sandy beaches. The countryside is impressively beautiful with its highland villages and calm looking seaside towns. Sugar cane is one of the most prolific crops there along with coffee and fruit trees. Puerto Ricans are a proud, vivacious, outgoing and warm people who actively support their culture through museums, folklore, artwork, literature and music.

 

Come to El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa, and experience an incredible transformation of physical and mental strength. Arrive in our Welcome Area, and savor the Zen-like sanctuary - the whisper of flowing water, natural sunlight, and cascading fountains. Whether you desire a rejuvenating fitness class or a specially designed treatment, it's all here at our 26,000-square-foot luxury Caribbean spa. Wake up with an exhilarating walk at sunrise or a challenging Yo-Chi fitness class. Enjoy a pampering massage after a round of golf, or a botanical facial following a day at the beach. Relish the dramatic views of the rainforest and Caribbean Sea from any of our 25 private treatment rooms. Experience the wide array of features and services at the ultimate Puerto Rico spa.  At Golden Door Spa, we believe that wellness is wholeness. Achieve it with a treatment in one of our 25 private rooms - beginning with a Japanese bath under a waterfall shower. All of our spa services include specially designed treatments using locally grown herbs and plants and blended exclusively for us.

 

The first settlers in St. Lucia were the Arawak Indians who arrived around 200 A.D. through 800 A.D. They were peaceful, farming settlers, whose culture was superseded by the warrior-like Caribs. There were no Europeans settlers in St. Lucia until in the 1550's, when notorious buccaneer Francois le Clerc established his base on Pigeon Island. Many subsequent settlements failed. The first lasting settlements and towns were all French after the French West India Company "brought" the island approximately 1650's. In 1746 Soufriere was the main town and by 1780 there were 12 settlements and several sugar plantations. However, the British persevered in their efforts to possess St. Lucia, launching a failed invasion in 1778 called the "Battle of Cul de Sac". By 1814, the British had succeeded in taking possession of St. Lucia after a prolonged series of very destructive battles.

Welcome to the first lasting holiday – the first holiday in the world to combine the intense pleasure of personalized rejuvenation with the opportunity to acquire skills and insights that will enhance the rest of your life.  Much of what you take away from The BodyHoliday will help you achieve a better quality of life at home. You will not only enjoy a feeling of total relaxation while you are with us; you will receive the tools to better your life in general, from such things as an improvement in your golf swing to small wisdoms, useful practices and lasting knowledge that will help you lead a more fulfilling life.

Trinidad can be truly described as the birthplace of calypso, limbo, soca and, of course, the steelband. It is a richly cosmopolitan country, comprising of people whose ancestry were Africans, Indians, Creole who are a mixture of two different ethnicities - usually Black and Indian,  French, Spanish, Chinese, Lebanese, Syrians, Americans, Venezuelans, and some of the original settlers, the Amerindians. It is one of the most industrialized places in the Caribbean, and it is the fourth largest exporter of oil in the Western Hemisphere. It possesses lush forests especially in the northeast portion of the country and verdant hills where wealth of wild life and flora which accentuates the richness of the land. Trinidadians have made great contributions in sports, music, science, theatre and arts and crafts.

Tobago, the sister island of Trinidad is located at the northeast of Trinidad. It is called "the land of the humming bird". Tobago is cool, serene and green and it has its lush tropical rain forests. It has a beauty that is enthralling and some very beautiful beaches. It is known for its oranges, grapefruits, mango, cocoa, breadfruit and copra. It is also known for its bird sanctuary with birds like the Scarlet Ibis, one of its most prominent. It is a place where Trinidadians and others come to avoid the hustling and bustling. It is a quiet romantic place for weddings and honeymoons. The southern part of the island is mountainous which allows for a beautiful scenic background. Tobago's capital is called Scarborough, which has a number of shops where tourists as well as the locals do their shopping.

   

Contemporary design, ocean views and unequalled amenities combine gracefully at Hyatt Regency Trinidad. Our stunning new Port of Spain hotel offers unprecedented luxuries in the most desired location. Part of the dynamic new Waterfront Centre, guests enjoy our own world-class business facilities, as well as immediate access to the expansive new conference centre – the largest in the English-speaking Caribbean. Our unique setting as the only first-class oceanfront Trinidad hotel lets you admire the sparkling waters while savoring our delicious cuisine, or as you relax in your stylish guestroom. Even a business trip feels like a vacation when you visit our pampering spa, float in the rooftop pool, or sip a cocktail in the lobby bar.

Inspired by the beauty of Trinidad & Tobago’s colorful island environment, Spa Esencia is a natural reflection of the diverse heritage and celebratory culture that gives Trinidad & Tobago its unique character. Offering authentic spa treatments based on Trinidad & Tobago’s natural bounty and nonstop festival calendar—time to prepare, indulge, detox, and retreat—guests are invited to complement and extend the festivities, embrace the essence of Trinidad & Tobago, and achieve their desired results.

Utilizing elements indigenous to Trinidad & Tobago and results-oriented, international products, the expert staff at Spa Esencia promotes complete well-being and a quality experience for each guest by further customizing treatments to meet individual needs. Here, where the celebration of the many extends to a daily celebration of the self, share in the spirit of giving and receiving and experience the beauty, relaxation, and refreshment promised by Spa Esencia at Hyatt Regency Trinidad.  Spa prices include access to the rooftop infinity pool and state of the art Stay Fit fitness center, as well as valet parking for non-hotel guests.

   

Luxury, elegance, comfort and convenience make Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort an idyllic retreat. Spectacular beachfront accommodation a fabulous blend of local and international cuisine and many Spa treatments and sporting activities are among its many attractions. Your fully inclusive option includes a selection of spa treatments from a traditional menu of services. Guests receive one rejuvenating Spa treatment daily, except on the days of arrival and departure. All treatments for in-house guests are pre-scheduled prior to your arrival at the resort. Your schedule will include a randomly selected array of as many treatments from the inclusive menu as your stay allows. If you would like to receive any additional treatments from the inclusive menu or repeat a treatment, you may do so at a nominal charge.

The first inhabitants in the Turks & Caicos islands were Taino Indians. The Europeans through the following measures decimated these people: some were carried off into slavery and others died by imported European diseases. The Turks & Caicos Islands got their name on account of the great number of Turk's head cacti found there. The name is also a derivation from the Lucayan term "Cape hico" which means "a string of islands". The Lucayans were another group of Indians who replaced the Tainos but by the middle of the 16th century, they had disappeared. Americans, notably Teddy Roosevelt and the Duponts 'discovered' the islands and built a landing strip for their private planes and a deep-water harbour to anchor their boats. The Europeans again joined in and created Club Med. This has transformed the islands into a tourist resort.  The islands became a Crown Colony of Great Britain in 1973.

 

Experience the Caribbean as it was meant to be, at Nikki Beach Resort Turks & Caicos Islands. Overlooking a pristine ribbon of shoreline, on the secluded tip of the island of Providenciales, this extraordinary Turks & Caicos beach resort affords the ultimate in tropical indulgence. Savor complete exclusivity throughout this gated 432-acre playground – from the ultra-luxury one and two-bedroom suites, signature Nikki Beach Club, and an awe-inspiring mega- yacht marina, designed as the world’s first eco-friendly marina that protects and preserves the surrounding waters.  Discover an exhilarating new way to relax and have fun enjoying our unique entertainment not found at any other Turks & Caicos resorts, where discerning jet setters and yachters alike bask on the shores of extravagance.  

The resort offers on-site spa services where guests can enjoy any desired therapy with expert technicians. Rejuvenate your spirits with personalized treatments, designed to cure any sign of stress—or hangover. Reserve an in-suite appointment or pamper yourself with an outdoor massage either pool or beachside.  In 2010, the resort will debut a new, full service, 16,000 square foot spa and wellness center—designed to provide Nikki Beach guests access to the ultimate retreat for the mind, body, and soul. Stay tuned for more details as the project comes to fruition.

   

Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos is the northern Caribbean’s pre-eminent private island, wrapped in sweeps of sand and peaceful seas featuring the region’s best spa and haute cuisine. It combines nature – 1000 unspoilt acres, including a mile-long powdered beach – with understated style and cosseting service. The holistic spa "Shambhala" introduces body treatments, massages, yoga, and walks in a unique and spectacular setting. Available are Balinese, Thai, Tu'ina, Aromatherapy, Swedish, and Indian head massages. In a pavilion overlooking the island’s wetlands, practice yoga with the world’s leading teachers during dedicated retreat weeks, taking advantage of COMO Shambhala's extensive retreat facilities. As tall egrets pick noiselessly through the shallows, melt beneath the hands of specialised therapists who administer Asian-inspired holistic therapies, honed by international health consultants. Couple with our signature health-giving cuisine, and feel the benefits of a complete return to real well being.

 


ADDITIONAL LINKS OF INTEREST

The islands of the Caribbean Sea or West Indies are an extensive archipelago in the far west of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly strung between North and South America. They've long been known as a resort vacation destination for honeymooners and retirees, but a small movement toward eco-tourism and backpacking has started to open up the Caribbean to more independent travel. With year-round good weather (with the minor exception of hurricane season in the late summer and early fall), promotional air fares from Europe and North America, and hundreds of islands to explore, the Caribbean offers something for almost everyone.   Read More

 

With thanks to Caribbean Choice for Caribbean cultural background information, used as our introductory text, above.

Golden Wings Charter  
We offer executive aircraft charters throughout the Bahamas, Caribbean, and the United States.

Jamagination - one love, one art
A diverse and ever-growing catalogue of Jamaican art - that reflects the emotion, energy and rhythm of Jamaica's rich culture.

 

 



 

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