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Lose the Weight in Luxury
The grim specter of weight-loss camp has haunted generations of the metabolism-challenged. For years, the threat of a “fat farm” brought to mind images of pre-dawn calisthenics, camp counselors akin to drill sergeants and strict rations of incredibly bland food. Even the adult equivalents didn’t promise much in the way of comfort or style.
Fortunately, today's health-conscious traveler has a much more appealing range of potential destinations. At Thailand’s Chiva-Som Resort, for instance, the rooms have private Jacuzzis, balconies overlooking the gulf, and walls covered in traditional silk. And the private plunge pools of Italy’s Capri Palace are staffed with butlers at the ready because, let’s face it, losing weight is tough work.
See our slideshow of high-end health resorts.
Or is it? Rather than orienting their fitness programs around standard aerobic workouts, the majority of today’s health resorts take a more qualitative approach, focusing on a holistic trinity of mind, body and spirit. This translates into an array of Eastern-based fitness options like yoga, mediation and deep-breathing exercises offered in addition to traditional exercise regimens like running and biking. An emphasis on personal enjoyment (the spiritual side of the triangle, perhaps) has also produced a dizzying array of improvisational experiences.
Dancers can perfect their cabaret or South African healing dance skills at New York City’s New Age Health Spa, for example, or learn the principles of “funky” dance moves while staying at St. Lucia’s LeSport Resort. And if none of that works, you can always get liposuction at Geneva’s Clinique La Prairie, a five-star facility overlooking the mountain range made famous by Julie Andrews.
And since several of these resorts began as luxury destination spas, the range of treatments offered runs the gamut from thalassotherapy (marine-inspired treatments) and mud baths to Merlot wraps and electro-stimulation. In sum, there won’t be in any doubt in your mind that this is a full-out vacation. More...
See our slideshow of high-end health resorts.
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