Tag: Travel

5 Spa Etiquette Tips for Beginners

Even if you’ve never been to a spa before, you probably have an image in your mind of what it’s like. You’ve seen characters like Carrie Bradshaw or one of the countless “Real Housewives” lounging around being treated like royalty. There’s usually a waterfall in the background and beautiful people walking everywhere. A real-life spa however is usually less fancy, but no less enjoyable. It’s a place you can go to relieve stress, get together with friends, or treat yourself to a special day away from work.

Despite all this luxury, going to a spa can be an intimidating experience for some people. While there are certain unwritten rules you’ll need to learn, a lot of it is based on common sense. Here are some tips to remember to make your first spa experience as enjoyable as possible.

Make an Appointment – a spa is definitely not a place where you simply show up like a drop-in clinic. Going to gather information or ask questions is fine, but you should always make an appointment if you want a service. Busy spas have to manage a lot of clientele and it’s good to make their job easier. Remember, a happy spa staff gives better service, and that means better relaxation for you. Showing up unannounced and demanding a service will achieve the exact opposite.

Take a tour – if you’re signing up for a comprehensive service or membership, a spa will usually offer a tour. You should definitely take advantage because it’s a great opportunity to get a general feeling for the place. You’re probably not going to use every service during your first session, but it’s nice to know what’s available when you come back. It’s also a great way to meet other spa members for the first time.

Communicate concerns – it’s absolutely vital that you feel as comfortable as possible with whatever service you’re getting. For example, you don’t have to get a massage if you don’t want to, and you certainly shouldn’t continue if you’re uncomfortable with your masseuse. Some spas have different rules regarding clothing or bathing, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you don’t feel like taking off your towel. Express your concerns clearly and you’ll likely come up with a compromise that works for you.

Tipping – it really depends on the service, but tipping is generally expected for most of them. And instead of thinking about it a long monetary lines, consider whether or not you enjoyed yourself. If you had a really good time and it’s been one of the best facials of your life, then you should definitely tip big. You’re paying for a specialty service which can’t be found everywhere so make sure to show your appreciation when someone does a good job.

Maintaining a Rapport – over time, a spa can be your private refuge for rest and relaxation. A big part of what makes the experience successful is the other people around you. Do your best to maintain a good rapport and you get the most out of every visit. It’s a great place to hang out with friends or to making new ones. Be friendly with the staff as well because when they’re on your side, it can elevate the spa experience to a whole new level.

Going to the spa is great, but it’s not something everyone can afford all the time. Luckily, you can still treat yourself to some private time at home with a relaxing foot massager you can use after a long day of work.

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How to Keep Fit When Traveling for Business

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It can be a struggle to keep fit when traveling for business. Traveling long distances usually requires you to spend most of your time sitting in a car or on a plane. In addition to the lack of physical movement, travelers are more likely to eat unhealthy foods since it can be tough to get a good healthy meal when you’re on the move. But don’t despair – not all business travelers are doomed to being unfit and unhealthy. By being conscientious and resourceful, you can stay fit anywhere! Here are some suggestions on how to keep fit when traveling for business.

When booking your hotel for a business trip, try to get a hotel that offers a gym or exercise room. That way, instead of lying in bed staring at the TV while suffering from jet lag into the wee hours of the night, get some exercise at the gym. If you don’t have a gym available to you but there’s a pool, try swimming some laps. Many hotels offer indoor pools that are available for use during the entire year no matter what the weather is like outside. Some hotels try to cater to fitness minded travelers with special exercise classes such as yoga or pilates.

If you’re stuck in a hotel without an exercise room, there are still plenty of things you can do to work out. Why not buy an exercise DVD, stick it in the DVD player and do the exercise routine alone in your room? If you’re just dying to get a breath of fresh air, put on running shoes and go for a jog around the block.

For people who are facing a long plane trip or a series of grueling meetings, little things can help you feel fit and get your circulation flowing. Sitting for hours and hours at a time is not only bad for fitness, but it can also raise the risk of developing clots in your legs. To combat this, make sure to get out of your chair and to stretch your legs every hour or so. If you’re on a plane, walk up and down the aisle every once in a while. If you’re stuck in a building, sneak out between meetings and walk down the hallway. If you can take the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator, do it.

In terms of diet, this may require a bit of planning ahead. Instead of just grabbing unhealthy yet easily accessible things like candy bars and chips, bring healthy snacks with you so you’re not tempted to stray due to hunger. It’s best to avoid fast food places and to head to real restaurants, but if you don’t have a lot of options and are stuck at a place like McDonald’s, have a salad or a grilled chicken sandwich – those are the best options on the menu.

Julie Rukavina is from the website CarRentalExpress.com. She writes about affordable travel options and her website is a great source for cheap car rentals.

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