Planning a wedding is stressful work, and after vows have been exchanged, some truly heavy duty R&R is in order – one you’ll have to hop on a plane to get to. Europe is full of gorgeous luxury spas, from ones where the focus is on pure enjoyment, to ones where you’ll come our looking and feeling better than ever. Here are eight of the most alluring ones, just waiting to welcome a newlywed pair.
1. The Body Camp, Ibiza
Ibiza is more commonly associated with parties than pampering, but The Body Camp, with its lush, Balearic surroundings, are as far as you can get from it all. At this holistic retreat, fitness sessions such as trekking and boxing are combined with life coaching, guided meditation and yoga.
2. Walliser Alpentherme, Switzerland
At the Leukerbad Walliser Alpentherme Spa, guests can enjoy a sauna ‘village’, steam baths with hydro pool, Jacuzzi and four steam rooms, and an indoor/outdoor thermal pool with views. The treatment menu includes Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, massage and facials. Sign us up!
3. Andronis Concept Wellness Resort, Santorini
Santorini's gorgeous Andronis Concept Wellness Resort is situated just outside the picturesque village of Imerovigli. Besides the resort’s sizeable main pool, the spacious, light-filled rooms all have private plunge pools. There are complimentary morning yoga sessions on the terrace, and what could be a better way to enjoy a massage than at sunset, overlooking the sea?
4. Schloss Elmau, Germany
Bookworm alert – Schloss Elmau is a Bavarian hideaway in Oberbayern with four spas (including one for families), two libraries, one concert hall, six restaurants – one with a Michelin star – and the largest hotel bookshop in the world. There are three-and four-night breaks, as well as a five-night anti-burnout package. When can we move in?
5. Six Senses, Portugal
Portugal’s Six Senses spa is located in a restored farmhouse in the hills of the Douro Valley, and features therapies offering a holistic focus, including body indexing. Beyond the spa are woods where you can embark on a hiking trail, zone out in a meditation pod, and explore the decadent wine library. Sounds like bliss to us.
6. VivaMayr Resort Altaussee, Austria
VivaMayr offers guests a full-body detox within the idyllic setting of the Austrian alps. With a fully-staffed medical team on hand to design your bespoke seven-day programme, and oversee the strictly-regimented ‘Mayr cure’, you’ll leave here feeling like a new person.
7. Château Saint-Martin And Spa, France
Set in 34 acres of immaculately manicured Provencal land with unrivalled views of the coast, treatments here are provided by legendary skincare gurus La Prairie and focus on leaving guests restored, pampered and rejuvenated.
8. Gleneagles, Scotland
One of the grandest golf resorts on the planet, Gleneagles is also home to the glamorous Espa Spa, with more than 60 therapies to choose from. On the Espa Life wellness menu, you’ll find a range of healing treatments including naturopathy, physiotherapy, fitness assessment, nutrition and acupuncture.