• 13 spas worth traveling in the world

    July 15, 2012

    Usually relaxing involves sitting back with your eyes closed. But you might not want to even blink in these spas, where the view out the window (or from the hot tub, or even your private bungalow) will get your heart racing.

    From the desert of Arizona to a jungle in Belize to the 116th floor of a Hong Kong tower, these 13 spas are worth traveling to for the view alone. Some even encourage you to come early and sit back in the lounge, taking in views of the city, the ocean or even the jungle.

    Best of all, basic treatments like waxing and manicures at these spas are priced as low as $11. We highlighted some of the best values, like a $67 tension-releasing massage at the Dead Sea or an $80 mud treatment in Belize to help soothe your skin after a day under the Caribbean sun. Combine that with a spectacular view, and there will be a lot to say ahhhh about.

    BERMUDA

    Limestone cliffs against the sea. Ocean views are one of the top reasons to travel to Bermuda, and the La Serena spa at The Reefs Hotel & Club delivers. The view of the soft pink sand and transparent water are pure Bermuda. Spa guests are even asked to come 30 minutes early to sip herbal tea or fruit-infused water while soaking in the dramatic views of the Atlantic from the floor to ceiling windows of the relaxation room.

    ALASKA

    Dramatic peaks and glaciers in the Last Frontier. It’s hard to find landscape more impressive than Alaska’s, and The Spa at Alyeska sits in a valley surrounded by glaciers and the jagged peaks of the Chugach Mountains. Start your trip to the spa (about 45 minutes southeast of Anchorage) by taking it all in from the saltwater hot tub. Then retire to a treatment room, where you can choose services that include some of the areas natural resources like arctic mud and geo-thermal waters.

    Best Deal: The 50-minute Alaska Glacial Facial uses the arctic mud—said to have anti-aging properties—to exfoliate and detoxify skin ($129). 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood, Alaska, 907/754-2550 , alyeskaresort.com. Treatments from $29.

    CROATIA

    The sparkling blue waters of the Dalmatian Coast. The Adriatic Sea is on full display on the southern shore of Croatia. Guests at the Spa by Occo at the Radisson Blue Resort & Spa at Dubrovnik Sun Gardens can turn in all directions to see the different angles of the unspoiled Elafiti islands and the stunning blues of the sea. Take advantage of the panorama from the lagoon pool and the spa garden before exploring the spa’s other highlights, including a traditional coal sauna, a hammam and an aromatherapy steam room.

    SCOTLAND

    Watch a rolling mist and swaying heather. Framed by the heather and woods surrounding Loch Lomond, the Carrick Spa at the Cameron House has spectacular views across the loch to Ben Lomond, especially from the rooftop terrace and infinity pool. Don’t worry if there is a very Scottish misty rain falling: you can heat up in the infrared sauna, the Roman-inspired tepidarium, or the aromatherapy steam room.

    CHICAGO

    The Windy City’s icons on display. The highrises of Chicago have some amazing views: bridges over the Chicago River, the Loop, or Lake Michigan. The Spa at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago overlooks it all. Guests are encouraged to arrive 45 minutes before their appointment to take in that view (and spend time in the sauna). This is a Trump property, so expect some seriously over-the-top touches like treatments using gemstone-infused oils (including the $300 Revitalizing Rubies Massage, said to stimulate creativity).

    BELIZE

    See what’s under the Mayan rainforest canopy. In the midst of the verdant rainforest of Belize, the Maruba Resort Jungle Spa puts you in treatment rooms as natural as the surrounding jungle. Massages, mud wraps, facials, and even manicures are done in thatched roof bungalows, where you can relax amid the scent of the jungle and the views of towering palms and blooming orchids. There is a whole menu of treatments that use the spa’s Mood Mud, made from local natural ingredients with potent mineral properties said to do everything from stimulate healing to encourage confidence.

    SCOTTSDALE

    Desert vistas in Paradise Valley. Spa-goers at the Joya Spa at the Montelucia Resort & Spa in Scottsdale have the best views of the dramatically carved and layered Camelback Mountain from the spa’s rooftop pool. Lounge and take in the view before or after your treatment. If you want to harness the spiritual traditions of the area, sign up for hypnotherapy, meditation, or Tarot reading. Their list of massages is pretty comprehensive too—choose from cranial-sacral to lymphatic treatments.

    HONG KONG

    Fantastical heights over the vertical city. Retreat 1,624 feet above the streets to the 116th floor of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong’s Spa by ESPA. The spa claims to be the highest in the world, and the floor-to-ceiling windows showcase amazing city and harbor views. Treatments include Asian-influenced techniques, like using cooling jade stone rollers to soothe eyes.

    SOUTH AFRICA

    The sea greets the mountains just outside Cape Town. It’s hard to choose which view is better: the rolling ocean or the majestic mountains that give The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa its name. The spa itself is surrounded by the wilderness of Table Mountain National Park, and the ocean sounds usually piped in at spas are actually the waves lapping against the golden sand here. Take your treatment in the shaded open-air mountain gazebos or try Arabic cleansing in the steam of the Rasul Chamber or a Hydrotherapy Capsule Bath.

    ISRAEL

    Floating on the edge of the Judean Desert. Tall cliffs and the Dead Sea come together to make up an unforgettable view at the Sea of Spa at Ein Gedi Hotel. This is the lowest point on the planet — 1,388 feet below sea level — and the spa attracts both locals and tourists who come to float in the water (you can’t sink because of the high salt content). Slather the black mineral mud all over your body, relax for twenty minutes, and wash off in a shower on the shore. Afterward, take a swim in a fresh water swimming pool surrounded by palm trees. All this, and then a massage.

    ITALY

    A landmark view from across the canal. Venice’s most famous landmarks are St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace—and that’s exactly what you will see from the Bauers Palladio Hotel & Spa. The hotel is located on the island of Giudecca (a quick vaporetto ride from the main section of Venice) and the three windows in the spa’s lounge look out on the signature view.

    TEXAS

    The serene landscape of Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. The ancient oaks and rolling hills in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve seem to go on forever, at least when you are looking out from The Spa at Travaasa Austin in Texas. The peaceful location also means you will hear the chirping of the endangered songbirds that call the preserve home, including the adorably named Golden Cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo. The spa is located on 210 acres of serene country landscape, and treatments use natural ingredients like avocado body butter blended with essential oils of lavender, pine, orange, and lemon.

    HAWAII

    A blue ocean peaking between towering evergreens. Aromatherapy oils aren’t really required at the northern tip of Hawaii Island’s Kohala Coast, thanks to the refreshing scent of the surrounding evergreen trees. Beyond the trees is the tropical valley and the crashing ocean. It’s no wonder that the Maluhia Spa at Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Ho’omaluhia has glass walls. Enjoy a Reiki or deep tissue massage in one of the bungalows, or try an hour-long Kukui Experience where the body is exfoliated with kukui nut scrub, then massaged with kukui oil. Source: CNN

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      CHINA- Beyond your imagination

      China – Lunar New Year 2025 

      This Lunar New Year (LNY) is shaping up to be a festive season of exploration and connection as celebrating families and friends worldwide embrace the holiday spirit.

      This year marks the year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and transformation — themes that reflect the everchanging travel landscape. While some choose to celebrate at home, others have taken the opportunity to create memories in destinations far and near. With travel back in full swing, Trip.com Group has unveiled its latest LNY trends for 2025, showcasing how travellers are prioritising longer stays, meaningful experiences and unconventional destinations this year.

      Data reveals strong year-on-year growth for cross-border travel, with travellers combining public holidays and annual leave to increase their length of stay.

      Notably, in the Chinese mainland, a key source of LNY travel, New Year’s Eve is officially recognised as a holiday in 2025. This allows travellers to take just two days of leave for an eleven-day holiday. Korean travellers need to take one day for a nine-day break, while Singaporeans can create a five-day holiday with a single day off. As such, extended stays are a hallmark of this year’s LNY. On average, Asia-Pacific travellers will stay up to 10% longer this festive period.

      Popular destinations frequented by travellers who celebrate LNY include Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Chinese mainland. -PRNewswire Jan. 20, 2025 /

      FITUR tourism exhibition

      opens as sector fully recovers

      The 2025 FITUR international tourism exhibition opened  in Madrid, showcasing a robust recovery in the global tourism sector. Over 9,000 companies from 156 countries are participating in the event, which marks the 45th edition of the exhibition. Running until Jan. 26, FITUR is hosting 153,000 industry professionals, highlighting its significance as a key gathering for the global travel industry.

      The United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism) announced Tuesday that 2024 saw international tourism fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1.4 billion international travelers recorded. The organization forecasts further growth of 3-5 percent for 2025.

      Spain, a leading global tourism destination, recently reported a record-breaking 94 million visitors in 2024, underscoring the sector’s resilience and strength.

      Brazil takes center stage as the invited nation at this year’s FITUR. The exhibition also features 10 specialist areas, including cruises, sports tourism, film tourism, and language-learning tourism, reflecting the growing diversity of travel trends.

      The Asia-Pacific region has reached 87 percent of its pre-pandemic tourist numbers, according to the UN Tourism. China has a strong presence at FITUR, with companies such as Enjoy China, Fantastica China, The Chinese Office of Tourism in Spain, and Focus China showcasing their offerings over the coming days. – Xinhua ,Jan. 22 ,2025

      France holds off Spain

      as world’s tourist favourite

      Olympic host France retained its spot as the world’s top tourist destination in 2024 with 100 million visitors, holding off stiff competition from countries including Spain.

      As world tourism returned to pre-pandemic levels with 1.4 billion people taking a trip abroad, according to the UN, both France and Spain announced record visitor numbers.

      Spain said last week that a record 94 million foreign tourists flocked to the Iberian nation in 2024, a 10 percent increase from the previous year.

      France, which hosted the Olympic Games in July – September 2024, welcomed two more million visitors in 2024, an increase of two percent compared with 2023.

      But although France had more visitors, they spent less than those in Spain — 71 billion euros ($74-billion) compared with 126 billion euros in Spain.

      France’s takings from international tourists rose by a total of 12 percent year-on-year, driven largely by Belgian, English, German, Swiss and US citizens, the tourism ministry said in a statement.

      Despite the return of customers from Asia, the number of Chinese visitors to France remained 60 percent lower than before the pandemic.Thirty percent fewer Japanese visited the country than in 2019.

      Good snowfall in late 2024 meanwhile drove a rebound for the end-of-year holidays as snow sports lovers flocked to the French ski slopes.

      “The outlook for the first quarter of 2025 is very good, with visitor numbers on the rise,” the ministry statement added.- enca.com ,22 January 2025

      Nepal hikes Everest climbing fee

      KATHMANDU – Nepal has sharply increased Everest climbing permit fees and introduced a slew of measures aimed at controlling garbage pollution and preventing accidents on the planet’s tallest peak.

      Under the revised rules, every two climbers must hire a guide to climb any mountain over 8,000 metres, including Everest.Under the revised mountaineering regulations, the royalty fee for foreigners climbing Everest from the normal south route in the spring season (March-May) has been raised to $15,000 from the current $11,000 per person.

      The autumn season (September-November) climbing fee has increased from $5,500 to $7,500. At the same time, the permit cost per individual for the winter (December-February) and monsoon (June-August) seasons has risen from $2,750 to $3,750.The new rates will take effect on September 1, 2025.

      The last royalty fee revision was made on January 1, 2015, when the government switched from a group-based system to a uniform fee of $11,000 per climber for the spring season from the normal route.

      For Nepali climbers, the royalty fee for the normal route during the spring climbing season has doubled from Rs75,000 to Rs150,000.Climbing permits, previously valid for 75 days, will now be limited to 55 days. The reduced validity is aimed at streamlining climbing activities.

      As per the amended rules, from the upcoming spring season, Everest climbers will be required to bring their poop back to base camp for proper disposal. Climbers must carry biodegradable bags to collect waste in the upper reaches.

      Base camps typically have designated toilet tents with barrels to collect human waste during expeditions. However, in higher camps, only a few agencies provide similar facilities, while others rely on pits. Very few climbers use biodegradable bags to transport waste from the summit.

      The government has also hiked the insurance coverage for high-altitude workers.Insurance coverage for high-altitude guides has gone up to Rs2 million ($14,400) from Rs1.5 million ($10,800), and for base camp workers, it has been raised to Rs1.5 million ($10,800) from Rs800,000 ($5,760).

      According to the Himalayan Database, which records all expeditions and deaths in the Himalayas, more than 200 people died on the Nepal side of Everest between 1953, when Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first scaled the peak, and 2022.

      Nearly 8,900 people have summited the world’s highest peak from Nepal’s side since 1953.- Kathmandu Post , January 22, 2025

      Bangkok named the world’s

      second-best city by Time Out

      The ranking, based on surveys of city dwellers worldwide, highlights culture, food, affordability and overall happiness as key factors in making a city truly great.

      Climbing from 24th place last year to an impressive second place, Bangkok is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, dynamic food scene, and vibrant lifestyle.

      The city’s affordability is a major plus, with 84% of residents agreeing that dining out, grabbing a coffee, or catching a movie is accessible to all. Additionally, 86% of locals rated Bangkok’s food as “good” or “excellent”.

      One urban expert described Bangkok as “a city of contrasts”, where the scent of sizzling street food fills the air, Michelin-starred restaurants thrive, and the majestic Chao Phraya River flows past luxury hotels.

      The city’s temples such as Wat Arun and the Grand Palace stand as timeless cultural icons, while modern parks like Benjakitti Park provide much-needed green spaces.

      Beyond affordability, the city exudes happiness and warmth. The famous Thai hospitality, vibrant night markets, and world-class nightlife districts like Thonglor and Ekkamai offer endless excitement.

      Time Out has previously recognised Bangkok’s nightlife, listing it among the coolest neighbourhoods in the world. The growing BTS and MRT public transport networks have also made exploring the city more convenient than ever.

      Bangkok’s diverse culinary scene is another highlight, from the bustling Chatuchak Market to the legendary street food in Yaowarat (Chinatown).

      Whether it’s a bowl of boat noodles or an extravagant fine-dining experience, food is an undeniable part of Bangkok’s appeal.

      The No 1 city this year is Cape Town, South Africa, known for its breathtaking landscapes and cultural vibrancy. Following Bangkok in third place is New York City, while Melbourne, London and New Orleans round out the top six. Mexico City, Porto, Shanghai and Copenhagen complete the top 10.

      Thailand’s rising global status is further reflected in Chiang Mai, which secured the 28th spot, adding to the country’s reputation as a must-visit destination.

      With its blend of tradition and modernity, Bangkok is more than just a tourist hotspot – it’s a city where people genuinely love to live. Whether you’re exploring hidden street-food gems, temple-hopping, or dancing the night away, Bangkok remains a city of endless possibilities. -The Nation ,January 20, 2025

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

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      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

      World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
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      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
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