Q: I’ve had it with winter and am impatient with spring’s slow arrival. Can you suggest a few spas where I can get an intense dose of springtime?
—C.N., MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
Masses of magnolia in full bloom are just one of the treats that await any spring-starved soul in Charleston, South Carolina. Step into the opulent Spa at Charleston Place (800/455-2427, www.charlestonplace.com), located in the center of the restored historic district, where innovative treatments are as much pleasure as therapy. Celebrate the season with spa signatures such as Magnolia Moments or the Magnolia Body Scrub, which leave skin and spirit renewed. San Diego is known for its perpetual springlike weather. At the Lodge at Torrey Pines in nearby La Jolla (888/826-0224, ), you’ll also have Pacific beaches, a championship golf course, and a 2,000-acre state reserve of indigenous Torrey pine to explore between spa treatments. For sun-exposed skin, indulge in the soothing Apres Soleil wrap with aloe, algae, and Royal Jelly.
Q: Gardening is a passion of mine, one I’d like to incorporate into a spa vacation. Any ideas?
—S.B., MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
As has been its custom for many years, Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico (800/443-7565, www.rancholapuerta. com), offers hands-on organic gardening classes each week at its prolific Rancho Tres Estrellas farm, touching on subjects as varied as composting, cultivation, and tools of the trade. Garden bounty is used in spa treatments like the Herbal and Aromatherapy Wraps, as well as in the spa’s delicious cuisine. In the heart of Pennsylvania’s Blue Mountains, Felicita Resort (888/321-3713, ) is a surprising, 650-acre configuration of beautiful gardens ranging in style from classical Italian and Japanese to the more lyrical ideals of a Monet water garden. Private tours are conducted weekly. In addition to miles of nature trails and garden paths, theme-based spa treatments include a Balm Mint or Sunflower Bath. The Garden Spa at MacArthur Place in Sonoma, California (800/722-1866, ), sits amid fragrant gardens. Full-body and facial treatments are organized under the headings of Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, and Earth, and ingredients are often freshly harvested. Try a signature Healing Stones & Garden Mud Wrap.
Q: I believe in holistic healthcare and would like to spend a week at a spa that can provide a complete medical exam as well as a strong follow-up program.
—B.A., DETROIT, MICHIGAN
At The Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas (800/444-5192, ), guests can opt for a comprehensive medical examination before receiving individual guidance toward a specific regimen for optimal fitness, diet, and stress management. Health specialists design the programs and follow up in 3-, 6-, and 12-month increments. The WellMax Center for Preventive Medicine in La Quinta, California (800/621-5263, ), offers rigorous medical tests in a relaxing environment—the legendary La Quinta Resort & Club outside Palm Springs. Services range from bone and cardiovascular health to hormone replacement therapy; six weeks of follow-up are included. Weight loss and fitness may be the focus at Hilton Head Health Institute in South Carolina (800/292-2440, ), but complete blood work, including cholesterol level assessment, is included. Lifestyle counselors provide individual support after the weeklong program is completed.
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