Putri Bali Spa located in Ubud Bali has by far the best hands out there. (that I’ve tried thus far)
The Ayuryoga Therapy Massage is to die for! They use pressure point massage and bend and pull you like a rubber band until you reach Nirvana bliss. It’s 90 minutes long and runs you about $20 us/cnd.
If you ever get a chance to go to Ubud,this is one stop you need to make. Its down a narrow corridor, so pay close attention to the sign outside or you’ll never find it.
New skin cells are created in the skin’s lower layer, the dermis. It takes aprox 30 days for this “new” skin to reach the surface. During those 30 days the skin becomes more acidic and becomes saturated with Keratin. Keratin is important because it protects the skin from outside elements. Through the natural ageing process, and after menopause for women, the natural process of skin shedding itself slows down and becomes uneven, which gives skin a dry and rough character. Exfoliation removes the outer layer to reveal the newer skin beneath. This shedding of the outer layer unclogs pores, keeps skin clean, and helps reduce acne outbreaks. It is possible to over exfoliate, which dries and irritates the skin. The face is the part of the body most sensitive to exfoliation. Hence, provided that exfoliating causes the skin to dry out, it is very important to moisturize it, because dry skin can lead to wrinkles! Pick your products wisely and don’t overdo it!
My three favorite picks for exfoliation are…
1. YSL Top Secret Gommage ($44) which uses sugar and oils
2. Proactive Glycolic Toner ($25) uses glycolic acid that acts as pac man eating dead skin cells
3. St. Ives Apricot Scrub (5$) Salicydic acid and granular particles
Watch this video to see how you can make your own natural organic body scrub
I decided recently to go straight to the source of seaweed farming and see for myself the entire process from sea to beauty giants.
I 
With a handful of beaches to choose from in Monaco, La Plage de Mala, is the crème de la crème of Riviera beach chic. Nestled in a cove and hidden by trees, its a short stroll down the cliff’s stone steps. All the way down your eyes feast upon the beautiful view, sandy shores and turquoise marine. Yachts drift in the distance, there are no more sounds of bustling cars; just pure oceanic paradise.
You can either pick your own spot on the beach or rent a chair or two at one of plage de la malas beach clubs (pretty sure there’s only 2or 3)
This has to be one of my favorite places on the planet. Complete tranquility. Top it all off with a little sunscreen and a bottle of rosé and you’re a true Parisian.
The city is called Nice la Belle, which means Nice the Beautiful. Located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, Nice is the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast after Marseille.
Nice gained its popularity when English upper class aristocratic families in the second half of the 18th century, took to spending their winters there. The city’s main seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais (‘the Walkway of the English’) owes its name to these visitors.
Nice experiences a Mediterranean climate. The summer/holiday season lasts for 6 months, from May to October, although in April and November sometimes there are temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F). Winters are mild, with average temperatures of13.4 °C (56.1 °F) during the day and 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) at night in the period from December to February.
The best time to go is September. Thats when the majority of tourist have left. I would also recommend either staying on the promenade des anglais or finding a cozy hotel in the old section of nice. The old section is loaded with outdoor terraces, buskers, markets, restaurants and nightlife. I chose to stay at the Hotel West Minister located on the promenade. Most of the “ocean view” hotels are across the street from the hotel. It was only a five minute walk to Old town, and I had the most spectacular view of the mediterranean. This is one place that I would have loved to have spent more time discovering.
The best way to get in touch with good old english tradition is to stay at The Ritz downtown London. Their afternoon tea is famous! Opened by renowned hotelier Cesar Ritz in 1906, The Ritz still today retains all the excitement and glamour synonymous with this legendary hotel. The 133 guestrooms combine Louis XV1 style interiors and sort of feels like your at grandmas house.
If you are planning to experience the afternoon tea (which I highly recommend) make sure to make reservations way in advance!
Park Guell is one of the most impressive public parks in the entire world. I was blown away with every turn and step I took. Pictures just don’t do it justice. This place is Huge! It’s located in Barcelona and was designed by the famous architect Antonio Gaudi. That name might sound familiar because it’s the same architect that created that famous church in Barcelona, the Sagrada Família. And I’m now up to speed on where the term “Gaudi” comes from.
It’s a playground for the mind: visual jokes, like columns that simulate palm-trees, rubble-surfaced arches that grow out of the ground, quilts of ceramic tiles and warped passage ways.
Park Guell is one of the most important sights in Barcelona and one of Gaudi’s masterpieces. A sight not to be missed if planning a trip to Barcelona.
Do you remember way back in the day when you saw a photo of two tennis players playing tennis atop a heli pad on the top of an outrageous hotel? And you thought, yeah right that’s not real. Well, it is. I’ve been there in the flesh. It’s called the Burj Al Arab hotel and its in Dubai. It’s modern architecture meets Donald Trump godliness interior.
Their Skybar located on the 27th floor holds the Guinness World Records for the most expensive drink (altho i think its been beaten now)
The cocktail is made from Macallan 55-year-old single malt natural colour whisky, exclusively produced dried fruit bitters and homemade passion fruit sugar.
The resulting cocktail is then served over ice cubes made of water from the Macallan distillery in Scotland, along with an oak stirrer made from a Macallan Cask. The cocktail is presented in a Baccarat 18-karat gold glass, which the buyer gets to take home.
The food, cocktails, ambience are all as breathtaking as the views. Definatly a place to go to if you’re seeking out the extravagant lifestyle.
One of my favorite places to shop when I visit London aside from the obvious carnaby street is Harrods. It’s the U.k version of Bergdorfs on steroids. It’s pure shopping heaven on earth. All the latest designers, brands, makeup and skin care in one luxurious place. There’s also places to have tea inside (that means something to eat in England) as well as and upscale urban retreat salon.
This is where you’ll find the worlds most expensive blow dry. A 1 HR that will run you £275(Including takeaway complimentary shampoo and conditioner)Using the exclusive Truffle by Fuente Shampoo and Conditioner which is infused with the skin of white truffles, pure diamond dust and meteorite extracts, The World’s Most Expensive Blowdry will inject you with a little radiance and feed your hair with the rarest natural ingredients available on Earth. A cranial massage followed by a glossy blowdry – this treatment will leave you with shiny silken locks and a spring in your step! Take home the fullsize bottles of Truffle formula afterwards too, so the luxury endures long after you’ve left the salon.. Amazing!
Balnea spa Montreal Wow! What a spa! This is how I like em. Secluded, tranquil and far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located in Bromont-sur-le-lac, roughly an hour drive from downtown Montreal is where you'll find this gem. It's amenities include.. Saunas with panoramic views, Turkish baths, outdoor hot tubs resembling wooden barrels, beach club, Forrest pool, thermal waterfall, sweat lodge, solarium, spa cinema, cafe, walking trails and a private lake. Now that's a whole lot-a stuff! While I was there, I decided to try out their Swedish massage. My masseuse was 'Melanie' and her magical moves and pressure put me into a relaxing state of mind right away. I was in need of some neck relief after feeling really sore for the last couple of days. Turns out a few days later i came down with strep throat; so even Melanie wasn't able to fix that. I highly recommend this place for your own getaway, a couples retreat or even a girls get-together. (Just keep in mind to keep the noise down) A days visit to the spa will cost you $60 on weekends & public holidays $50 on weekdays $35 after 5pm When combined with a treatment: $30 on weekdays $40 on weekends & holidays I can hardly wait to go back and try something else!
Sarah Scotford 