Travel Insurance Quote: Select And Buy The Right Policy

Author: Russell Marlow
Source: ezinearticles.com

Having a holiday or a short break doesn’t necessarily have to involve getting on a plane and going somewhere. The UK has many great destinations that can be reached by car, and staying within the UK can often save you money on travelling costs as well as valuable time too. Remember, if taking your car on a long trip it could be wise to have a general maintenance check and make sure you have adequate car insurance in place.

Atrip to a spa can be a great break, whether helping someone to deal with the stress of work, or can be the perfect choice for a one off trip or journey. With a fantastic selection of spa destinations in the UK, they are also a great way of having an enjoyable holiday without travelling abroad. A spa is typically a water-based leisure and relaxation centre – some actually get their water from a natural resource, and you can expect steam and sauna treatments, plus specialist therapeutic facilities using the likes of muds, salts, and other natural sources. A spa often also means eating well, with healthy, low in fat food being a common theme. Some spas are standalone, while others are attached to hotels, health clubs or leisure centres.

Healthy food and waterfalls

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa, Leicestershire, won Best Spa in Europe 2007 (Professional Beauty) and has one of the best records in Britain when it comes to consistently winning awards. Based in a Victorian style hall, it features a thermal spa and a wide range of beauty treatments. There are also exercise facilities and a top healthy food menu. You also have five pools to choose from, including an indoor and outdoor waterfall pool. Residential stays and day packages are available.

Further north, close to York is Middlethorpe Hall, a William III country house with 20 acres of gardens and parkland. It has individually decorated bedrooms in the house itself and in a restored 18th century courtyard next to it. You can choose from several different types of room while taking advantage of health, beauty, and fitness facilities. There is a steam room, whirlpool spa bath, sauna and reclining chairs to take time out in beside the pool. Qualified therapists staff three beauty salons and there’s also a club room with drinks and refreshments available.

Champneys Health Resorts have four locations called Henlow Grange, Forest Mere, Springs and Tring. Henlow has recently been renovated and includes a herbal steam chamber, and two fitness studios. There’s also a Rasul mud chamber and thalassotherapy pool. At Forest Mere you can experience an alternative health clinic where guests can take part in a healing circle, and Springs has a recently extended gym and a recently-revamped restaurant. At Tring, a stately home is the setting for a state-of-the-art cardio fitness theatre alongside architectural charm from the 1920s.

Not just for women

Spas are no longer a destination only for women, and couples are now taking advantage of the relaxing atmosphere to get away from it all. Some places even offer joint treatments where couples can enjoy services and chat together in the same room. In many ways spas have redefined the hotel and health club genre, and have become destinations in their own right.

Many also offer specialist rates during weekdays and on certain weekends in the year. January to February can be a good time to take advantage of temporary discounts and residential and day packages will normally be available, meaning healthy luxury need not break the bank.

Russell Marlow is a London based freelance writer who writes about financial products including car insurance.

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