Here's where to relax and let your cares float away this summer
From holistic wellness rituals to serene spas with sea views: Here’s where to relax, unwind and let your cares float away this summer
Ad Feature by British Airways Holidays
You know it’s a perfect summer holiday when that feeling of complete relaxation washes over you.
With yoga sessions at sunrise and soothing massages by the sea, luxury beach breaks are at their most blissful when matched with elevated spa and wellness offerings.
Whether you’re planning a romantic couple’s spa break, a wellness-focused getaway with friends or an active holiday that gets the whole family outdoors, British Airways Holidays has the perfect trip for you.
And we’ve picked out a selection of wellness-oriented hotels across some of Europe’s most glorious summer sun destinations, from the laid-back Canaries to the chic coast of Crete.
Making your holiday as smooth sailing as possible, each hotel can be reached with one easy direct British Airways flight from London.
Luxury beach breaks are at their most blissful when matched with elevated spa and wellness offerings. Above is the stunning Villa Igiea hotel in Sicily
On top of that, you will enjoy the superb value and the peace and mind that’s guaranteed when you book your entire trip with British Airways Holidays – every trip you book is ATOL protected, the holiday helpline is open 24 hours a day, just in case you need it, and 23kg baggage allowance per person is included.
The only challenge will be in deciding which serene spa hotel fits the bill for your dream summer getaway…
PARADISE IN PORTUGAL
There are so many sides to Portugal, from the beautifully tiled architecture of cosmopolitan Lisbon and the golden beaches of the Algarve to the subtropical isle of Madeira, known as ‘The Land of Eternal Spring’.
If island life appeals to you the most, British Airways is flying to Madeira’s colourful capital, Funchal, up to six times a week from London throughout the summer.
A swift taxi ride will whisk you straight to the five-star Pestana Carlton Madeira, a hotel that offers serenity in abundance.
Take a dip in the outdoor saltwater swimming pools or try out one of the revitalising Magic Spa treatments at the Pestana Carlton Madeira
The hotel’s clifftop perch means rooms have rolling sea views, and with direct access to the sea, you can swim laps in the sapphire-blue Atlantic Ocean before breakfast.
Take a dip in the outdoor saltwater swimming pools or try out one of the hotel’s Magic Spa treatments, from a revitalising aroma facial to a hydrating body wrap. Post-pampering, get a chilled drink from the Atlantico Pool Bar and watch the waves lap against the shore. By night, settle in for dinner at Taverna Grill, picking a bottle of local wine from the expansive wine cellar to pair with local dishes.
Craving a city break instead? British Airways offers up to five flights daily from London to Lisbon during the warmer months. When you arrive in the ‘City of Light’, make the short drive to the neighbouring haven of Cascais, where you can check in to Pestana Cidadela Cascais, a luxury hotel that’s housed within a grand 17th-century fortress.
Stay at Pestana Cidadela Cascais hotel, a luxury hotel close to Lisbon
Art lovers take note – Pestana Cidadela Cascais is the first in Europe to boast an Art District on site
It has a prime position, overlooking both the sea and the imposing Citadel of Cascais. Inside, it’s sophisticated and stylish, with statement artwork at every turn.
Dine on Portuguese fare and local wines under the curved ceiling of the library-inspired Taberna Da Praca, or opt for a light and zingy salad from The Chapter.
There’s a state-of-the-art gym for an early morning workout and a wellness centre for pampering massages and bespoke MagicSpa treatments. Post spa session, take a dip in the heated indoor pool, which looks out over the glittering lights of Cascais marina, or the gorgeous outdoor lagoon, set by verdant gardens.
If you travel further south to the Algarve, stay at the Pestana Alvor Praia, a five-star hotel set right beside the landmark Praia dos Três Irmãos – a beach that’s famous for towering rock formations, secret caves and spellbinding sunsets. Every room at this clifftop retreat has a balcony, so astounding sea vistas come as standard.
Above is the Pestana Alvor Praia, a five-star hotel set right beside the Algarve’s landmark Tres Irmaos beach
Suites at Pestana Alvor Praia feature clever pops of tangerine orange and cornflower blue dotted throughout
Take the lift down to the beach, or swim laps in the outdoor pool that peers out over the beach. Stop for lunch, taking in more knockout views in the hotel’s panoramic The Almofariz restaurant.
Next, pad over to the wellness centre to detox in the sauna and Turkish bath. Leave time for a restorative treatment, with the spa offering everything from hydrating body exfoliations to cellulite-fighting massages.
Making your trip all the more seamless, getting to the Algarve is simple – there are plenty of flights to choose from, with British Airways offering up to six flights a day from London to Faro during the summer.
All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and come with a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your 2023 summer holiday now with a low deposit at ba.com/pestanaalvor, ba.com/pestanacidadela and ba.com/pestanacarlton.
A CRETAN DREAM
The pace of life on the island of Crete is luxuriously laid-back, whether you’re strolling through a pine-laced trail or diving into the crystal-clear waters along the coast.
Set in the island’s north, the recently redesigned Daios Cove hotel is an oasis within this island paradise, offering privacy and seclusion in a dreamy seaside setting.
Handily, Heraklion Airport is just a short drive away and British Airways will be flying there up to four times a day from London throughout the summer.
Crete’s Daios Cove offers privacy and seclusion in a dreamy seaside setting
Spend leisurely days lounging on the beach at Daios Cove
A sustainably-minded haven, your wellness journey begins in the hotel’s award-winning Kepos by Goco spa, which recently underwent a sensational transformation, offering a rounded and high-tech, approach to health and wellbeing. And from Ultimate Rejuvenation to Holistic Detox and Active Movement to Renewed Living, choose from a carefully curated range of personalised wellness programmes to suit your needs.
Wander around the hotel’s peaceful gardens, or hop aboard the hotel’s private speedboat for a zippy tour around Mirabello Bay, marvelling at the views as you cut through the water.
If you plump for the all-inclusive Residents’ Club service, you can enjoy complimentary meals, 24-hour room service, and expertly crafted cocktails on the house, among other perks. Catering to all ages, kids can also enjoy unlimited ice cream – and healthier options – at the hotel’s bars as part of the package.
Hop aboard Daios Cove’s private speedboat for a zippy tour around Mirabello Bay
Make sure to stop by the oh-so-elegant new RHO restaurant for dinner (for over 14s only). There, you’ll experience an elevated take on mouthwatering raw dishes and Mediterranean fare. Or dine by the sea at the Ocean Restaurant, where the menu is inspired by the Greek land and sea.
All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and come with a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your 2023 summer holiday now with a low deposit at ba.com/daioscove.
FALL FOR THE CANARIES
There’s no archipelago quite like the Canary Islands. Adorned with towering volcanic peaks, sugared sands and fragrant nature reserves, these islands offer beauty and peace in abundance.
You’ll get a taste of all of the archipelago’s best qualities when you check into Spanish hotel group Melia’s elegant resorts on Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. These hotels offer an all-inclusive concept that treats guests to one-of-a-kind cultural experiences, both at the hotel and around the islands.
First, make your way to glorious Gran Canaria and its stunning new Paradisus Gran Canaria resort. Steeped in luxury, the resort is set by the golden sands of San Agustin beach and getting there couldn’t be easier as British Airways is flying to Gran Canaria up to two times a week from London this summer.
Stay at Gran Canaria’s stunning new Paradisus Gran Canaria resort
Paradisus Gran Canaria is family-friendly, but there are also adult-only areas for those seeking total peace and quiet
The resort is family-friendly, but there are also adult-only areas for those seeking total peace and quiet. Drop the kids off at The Kidsdom kids’ club, while you enjoy a revitalising treatment at the spa.
When you’ve worked up an appetite, dine on nutritious raw dishes at Sante, or light and refreshing Asian cuisine at Tokimeku. Adults can also upgrade to The Reserve collection for luxurious perks such as a personalised concierge service and access to an exclusive adults-only pool and lounge.
The same swish perks of the Reserve Collection apply in the hotel’s sister resort, Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote, an adult-only retreat that’s set right on the Atlantic.
In the Reserve Lounge, guests can learn about the local delicacies and artistry of the island, or they can head to the Reserve pool, which has its own exclusive bar.
Designed by the legendary Spanish architect Fernando Higueras, the hotel is one of Lanzarote’s most creative buildings.
Check into Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote, an adults-only retreat that’s set right on the Atlantic
Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote was designed by the legendary Spanish architect Fernando Higueras
This artistic sensibility applies to the airy guest rooms, where sand tones and tasteful furnishings complement stunning sea views. When it comes to dining, feast on La Graciosa Restaurant’s flavourful Spanish dishes and try a glass of dry white wine from the island’s treasured La Geria wine region.
When the sun rises, work up a sweat at the Destination Fitness Beach Studio or a trip to the Wellness and Beauty Centre is a must, where you can pick from a list of holistic therapies and personalised treatments.
You can take your pick of dates to travel, too, as British Airways has up to 7 flights a week from London to Lanzarote this summer.
All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and come with a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your 2023 summer holiday now with a low deposit at ba.com/paradisussalina and ba.com/paradisusgc.
LA DOLCE VITA IN ITALY
You can have it all in Italy, from the Renaissance romance of Florence, baking under the Tuscan sun, to the Mediterranean idyll that is Sicily, studded with classical ruins and unspoiled beaches.
To visit Sicily, you can fly with British Airways to the island’s vibrant capital, Palermo – there’ll be up to four flights a week from London this summer.
One of Palermo’s hidden gems is Rocco Forte’s five-star Villa Igiea, a 19th-century palazzo that will charm you with its Art Nouveau interior and dedication to unparalleled luxury.
In Palermo, head to Rocco Forte’s Villa Igiea , a five star hotel in a turn-of-the-century palazzo
Discover the true meaning of aperitivo hour in the elegant Igiea Terrazza Bar that connects to an exclusive outdoor terrace overlooking the sparkling Gulf of Palermo
From your guest room to the decadent lounge areas, expect magical sea views all around.
The Irene Forte Spa – a Rocco Forte staple that’s beloved by Royals and Hollywood elite alike – is a must-visit. With a wide array of VIP treatments to choose from, melt into a state of bliss as expert therapists massage your skin with lotions made from Sicilian botanicals.
Sign up for an outdoor yoga session in the fragrant gardens, where the scent of orange blossom fills the air, feeling the sea breeze on your skin as you stretch. Next, enjoy a private training session with a tennis coach or dip your toes in the panoramic pool.
Spend your evening dining on Sicilian delicacies in the hotel’s restaurant, or devote a night to exploring Palermo, weaving through stalls of the city’s night markets.
To the west of the island, sprawled across 230 sun-kissed hectares by the coast, you’ll find Verdura Resort – Rocco Forte’s only resort.
Here, a visit to the Irene Forte Spa is extra special. Revive your mind and body in the 4,000 square metre pavilioned Sicilian spa set around an open-air courtyard, amongst the palms, orange groves and olive trees, where a team of skilled therapists are on hand to pamper you into a state of relaxation. Features include Thalassotherapy pools, a lap pool and a revitalising sauna and hammam.
To the west of Sicily, sprawled across 230 sun-kissed hectares by the coast, you’ll find Verdura Resort – Rocco Forte’s only resort
There are 20 new private villas to choose from at Verdura Resort
As Italy’s No.1 golf resort, there are two championship golf courses on which you can perfect your swing, or simply hit the hotel’s private beach for a day of sunbathing. Little ones will have the time of their life at Verdùland, a kids’ club complete with a gymnastics corner, arts and crafts and a heated kids’ pool.
For an added touch of seclusion, there are also 20 new private villas to choose from on the expansive estate, boasting private gardens, infinity pools and endless sea views.
You’re immersed in the rich tapestry of Florence’s history at the elegant Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte hotel.
The hotel’s fifth-floor spa suite has been curated in collaboration with Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, the world’s oldest apothecary, founded in 1221, to be the ultimate wellness retreat. After unwinding in the relaxation space, which offers views over the Florentine hills and across the city below, feel your mind clear as you enjoy a back and neck massage or an expert exfoliating massage with natural Iris powder.
You’re immersed in the rich tapestry of Florence’s history at the elegant Hotel Savoy , a Rocco Forte hotel
Hotel Savoy is a haven of chic, with interiors styled by Olga Polizzi, Director of Design
There’s also a gym with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, and regular yoga classes to help you perfect your breath work and meditation.
The hotel itself is a haven of chic, with interiors styled by Director of Design, Olga Polizzi and Laudomia Pucci, blending a mix of Renaissance antiques, signature prints and contemporary furniture.
What’s more, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to flights – British Airways is flying to the historic city up to five times a day throughout this summer.
All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and come with a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your 2023 summer holiday now with a low deposit at ba.com/villaigiea, ba.com/verdura and ba.com/savoyflorence.
BOOK YOUR SUMMER SPA BREAK WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS HOLIDAYS
For a selection of holidays with spa and wellness experiences to suit every kind of traveller, look no further than British Airways Holidays.
Book now to enjoy low deposits from £60pp*, a baggage allowance of 23kg per person as standard and ATOL (5985) protection.
For added luxury, upgrade to Club Europe and you can access private lounges and dedicated check-in desks, priority boarding, more personal space on board to relax, complimentary food and drinks and an increased baggage allowance.
Visit ba.com/holidays to book now.
*T&C’s apply. Deposit balance due 28 days in advance for short haul. Travel restrictions may apply.
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