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From The Sunday Times

March 26, 2008

10 spas for the super-serious

Want to shape up? Sunday Times Travel Magazine travel experts pick global spas that mean business

From The Sunday Times Travel Magazine

RAGDALE HALL, LEICESTERSHIRE

Newlyweds take note: men are a rare species at Ragdale. And shrinking violets, look away now: parading publicly in a bathrobe is as good as compulsory at this old-school health farm. The headswimming menu of treatments includes a fire and ice massage (hot and cold stones), and a milk and honey body float. Bathers can wallow their stay away in the Roman-inspired pool complex, and a new thermal spa offers ‘experiences’ from around the world.

l TRY the Beyond Bliss Calming Ritual, a two-hour medley of warm-stone body massage, Thai foot massage

and a Visible Brilliance Facial (£114).

Ragdale Hall Health Hydro (01664 434831, www.ragdalehall.co.uk) has doubles for two nights from £498.

RONACHER SPA RESORT, AUSTRIA

If razor-sharp designer decor brings you out in a rash, try this Austrian resort, with log-stacked fires and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Simone Ronacher, who runs the show, is a great ad for her spa. Slim, bright-eyed and wrinkle-free, she swears by the thermal waters that bubble to the surface in this Alpine region of Austria. So do the rosy-cheeked guests, here to soak in the hotel’s five thermal pools. (Some are alfresco: they’re the most fun, with steam rising before arresting mountain views.)

Inside are saunas, steam rooms, a saltwater grotto, and treatment rooms for every conceivable type of massage, scrub or wrap. Be prepared to bare all: Austrian spas have a tradition of mixed nudity (although nobody will mind if you’d rather preserve your modesty with a towel).

l TRY a 20-minute Hay body pack (£18), followed by a 75-minute Thai massage (£67).

Ronacher Thermal Spa Resort (00 43 424 0282, www.ronacher.com) is a member of Austria’s Finest Spa Hotels & Resorts (0845 101 1818, www.spa.austria.info). Doubles from £210, half board. Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) flies from Stansted to Klagenfurt from £20.

GROTTA GIUSTI, TUSCANY