We Travel Around the World

5 Top music festivals to travel to summer 2013

June 6, 2013 Alex tips, travel No comments

Wondering how to make the summer of 2013 absolutely spectacular? Start making plans now to experience these annual international music and art festivals that consistently supply splendid entertainment!

Here are a few summer parties to get excited about:

Sónar – Barcelona, Spain – June 13-16

The exciting new facilities for the 20^th Barcelona International Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art are as exciting as the 2013 extensive lineup including a 3D show by Kraftwerk and a special Richie Hawkin presentation called ENTER.

Outdoor stages at the SonarVillage in the Plaza del Univers are flanked by the new SonarComplex featuring the SonarDôme with two huge levels of space affording fantastic views of the plaza. Next door, the Fira pavilions are full of food and drink concessions around SonarHall, a large capacity auditorium with comfortable seats and excellent acoustics.

Full day tickets include admission to the Museu Nacional exhibit called “Matter” and the SonarCinema’s cutting edge movies and documentaries.

Sonar

*photo credit

Soundwave – Zadar, Croatia – July 18-22

In a tiny fishing village south of Zadar, this relatively new 3-day event has become known as the “summer’s most beautiful festival” because of its idyllic setting on a wooded peninsula between the Dalmatian Coast and the Adriatic Sea. So far, the 2013 lineup includes reggae favorites Channel One Sound System and innovative musicians like Bonobo and MF Doom.

The Main Stage sits on majestic a tree-lined seafront while the smaller Beach Stage offers a more intimate tone. Other merrymaking venues include the Boat Party that sets out for surrounding islands and Barbarella’s Discotheque, a rocking open-air late-night club.

Onsite accommodations range from fully furnished apartments to “luxury camping” villages with cute plywood structures offering built-in beds, storage space and electrical outlets. Camper van hooks-ups are also provided (no fires or cooking permitted) and you’ll find restaurants and bars all around the festival site.

Splendor in the Grass – Byron Bay, Australia – July 26-28

Located on rolling green hills just 20 minutes north of Byron Bay, this 18^th annual Arts and Music Festival continues to offer a full-immersion event with an impressive 3-day musical lineup.

At the Tipi Forest, top notch DJs blend tunes with interactive art works to encourage patrons to dance together or hold private parties in cozy tipis. In the Global Village, cultural music provides the background for art workshops, healing venues, yoga classes, ritual dances, circus performances and, of course, great ethnic food and drinks.

The Splendour Forum is a popular live discussion program featuring creative thinkers including filmmakers, writers, comedians and tech geeks tackling topics from sustainability to the impact of the Internet. The Smirnoff Cocktail Bar caters to the cosmopolitan crowd while the Red Bull Music Academy encourages musicians to meet and collaborate in workshops, info swapping and jam sessions.

Wireless – London, England- July 12-14

Ogle celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Jay Z and other name-brand performers at this 3-day London event presented on four stages.

Note that tented venues have a set capacity by law, so you should plan to arrive early and stake out a comfy spot since there is no admittance after the show starts, even for ticket holders. The open-air main stage does accommodate large crowds.

Wine, champagne, beer and great nibbles are plentiful and you can only bring in unopened soft drinks and private food. This event is not recommended for children so there’s no admittance for under school-aged kids and anyone under 16 must always be accompanied by parent or guardian. Since this is not a camping festival, you’ll need to find accommodations at nearby London establishments.

Where to eat in Costa Brava

April 11, 2013 Alex Europe, food, photo, Spain No comments

I will reveal one of my biggest secrets here.

I am in love!

I am in love with Costa Brava and also with its food. I usually don’t like the Mediterranean food that much, especially because I don’t eat seafood but the cuisine in Costa Brava got the best out of me.

My last time when staying in luxury villas in Costa Brava, we tried different kind of options when it comes to food – from healthy, to interesting flower meals, to traditional Catalan meals

Check out my favorite places where to eat in Costa Brava:

1. La Calendula

La Calendula in Girona with the owner and the main cook Iolanda who is very good on social media, expecially on Twitter and encourages the guests to tweet. She even has her own hashtag #gastroflors. Iolanda studied biology and all her meals are influenced by the nature. She uses flowers and herbs in all the meals and even picks them up herself in the forest.

The absolutely amazing menu I had there and will never forget:

Marigold tempura appetizer

cold tomato and strawberry soup with fresh cheese and flower petals starter

mint risotto with fresh broad beans with ecologic rice from Pals

Elderflower sorbet

forest herbs infusion tea

Gala de Flors – homemade beer of flowers ( I didn’t try it as I don’t drink alcohol but the oh-my-god faces my friends were making said it all)

cold tomato and strawberry soup in La Calendula restaurant

mint risotto with beans in La Calendula

dessert in La Calendula

2. Emporium

Emporium hotel and restaurant – run by 2 twins, one cooks and the other one serves, is a very special place. Situated in Castello d’Empuries so if you are visiting here, you just gotta have lunch/dinner at this restaurant. One of the best desserts I’ve ever tried (and I am a real dessert freak).

Our menu in Emporium hotel consisted of:

chocolate tender pinenuts

tomato biscuit with olive oil and romanin

beetroot cornet with anchovies and mustard – the smallest ”ice cream” I have ever had in my life

mackerel with vegetables and partridge

cod with Santa Pau beans

catalan custard with red fruit, cinnamon and moscovado – dessert

grue cacao truffle

beetroot cornet with anchovies and mustard in Emporium restaurant

catalan custard with red fruit, cinnamon and moscovado dessert in Emporium restaurant

3. private chef Jordi from I cook It

The great thing about Jordi and his wife Ana is that Jordi does cooking workshops and when cooking, he explains what he does and let you cook with him. Jordi is based in Figueres but he cooked for us in the third Charming Villas house.

Lola, Jordi and Leah cooking

We could taste typical Catalan dishes. We started with the simplest dish which sometimes is the best one – pan con tomate. Believe it or not, but it was there where I learned how to make it. Just make a toast, cut a tomato in half and rub the pulp it into the bread until only the tomato skin is left and then use a bit of olive oil and salt on top. Delicious! We accompanied the bread with anchovies and guys also with pork and sausages.

Why tomato bread is so famous in Catalunya? Tomato got to Spain only in the 15^th century from the American continent but it is said that the Catalan cuisine started using tomatoes during the Spanish Civil War when people had not much more than tomatoes to go with bread.

Then Jordi showed us how to make cold Spanish gazpacho soup but not only with tomatoes but also strawberries. Gazpacho is a summer dish to cool down your body, that’s why it is made cold and not hot.

tomato and strawberry gazpacho Jordi from I cook it prepared for us

Jordi also showed us quickly how to make suquet juicy seafood stew but as I don’t eat seafood, he prepared a special one for me with just fish. Liked the combination with the potatoes.

The funniest thing was to learn how to make a very traditional Spanish dessert Crema Catalana (Catalan Cream) that is widely offered in the restaurants all over Costa Brava and also other parts of Spain.

I never realized you have to burn the sugar on top of the cream to caramelize it. Jordi used a heated iron with a spiral shape. You learn something new every day, right?

burning the sugar on top of the crema catalana

4. Compartir

This new restaurant situated in the old tow of Cadaques was my favorite one when it comes to starters and then all the different cheese used in most of the dishes. Founded by three friends who initially worked together in the famous elBulli restaurant, now put all the magic together to create Compartir meals. Very young and friendly atmosphere, together with modern design and lovely staff is all you can find here. And then all the delicious meals, OMG!

I fell in love with this place already when we were served beetroot appetizer with cream. I swear to God this was the best appetizer I have ever had in my life and even containing one of my favorite ingredients ever – beetroot. I could eat this every day, true story! Fish, other pica-pica and the desserts (e.g. the cinnamon-berry ice cream) were of high quality and taste too.

beetroot specialty in Compartir restaurant in Cadaques

anchovies in Compartir restaurant

delicious ice cream in Compartir Cadaques

with the Mayor of Cadaques and the Compartir restaurant crew

5. MOS restaurant

Located just at the waterfront of Cadaques in a beautiful historic building with pretty ceiling, can be a great place to dine out if you are staying in Cadaques and would like something close by. I had fish, vegetables and tasty dessert – a home-made cake.

a cheese plate in MOS restaurant

fish I had in MOS restaurant in Cadaques

6. private chef Lee Pennington

Lee cooked dinner for us when we stayed in Sa Costa luxury villa in Cadaques the first night. I was pretty tired after all the traveling that day so I couldn’t enjoy the dinner as much as I would love to. But the spinach with chickpeas, potatoes and then apple pie with strawberries? I am sold!

Having dinner Lee Pennington cooked for us in Sa Cista luxury villa

spinach with chickpeas

7. El Celler de Can Roca

You won’t believe me but we did visit the second best restaurant in the world – El Celler de Can Roca! It was founded by three brothers, Jordi, Joan and Josep Roca and the restaurant was awarded the third star by the Michelin Guide. We had a little tour of it to see the behind the scenes, how busy everyone there is to make every experience there the best ever! We were also lucky enough to enter their wine cellar. OMG, so many wine bottles!

in El Celler de Can Roca

truffle balls in El Celler de Can Roca

8. La Barretina d’Orfes

This restaurant situated in the little village of Orfes. This restaurant doesn’t have a website and is pretty non-existent on social media too but if you find your way there, you should definitely pull over to get the most traditional Catalan food here. Very rustic, but so delicious. It is not the best place for the vegetarians though. But meat was pretty tasty (I had chicken and fish as I don’t eat red meat)!

one of the meat dishes in La Barretina d’Orfes in Orfes village

PS: If you want to taste the most delicious vegetarian paella ever, ask Joan 🙂 It was as finger-licking as big it was!

the biggest vegetarian paella we had in Sant Mori castle

PS 2: If you are staying in Cadaques, or anywhere close by, and would love to meet up with the most handsome guy of the whole town, go to Can Rafa and ask for Rafel 😀 He can really cook as he did cook for us in their wineyard Celler Martin Faixo. Loved the white beans and the tomato bread with anchovies, my favorite there (I mean after Rafel’s pretty face :)) And the whole family of Martin Faixo are sweethearts!

traditional Catalan dishes we had for lunch at wineyard Celler Martin Faixo

Places to visit in India

March 16, 2013 Alex India No comments

The land of curiosity, passion, cultural amalgamations, the land where languages change dialects every few kilometers, the land offering topographical landscapes seen nowhere else and the land that is rightfully called the Incredible India! It does not matter where you come from, how old you are or what your travel preferences are, India is one country that quenches every trotter’s thirst! Its where mythology, technology and natural beauty join hands to make that travel experience for you, one of the most memorable one amongst others, of your life! So open your mind to colours, to warmth, to a discovery that is in itself, a very unique endeavor you have ever undertaken. Come, let’s visit India!

The Himalayas have always intrigued foreign and local travelers alike not just for housing some of the most picturesque hill stations in her valleys but also for the spectacular views of the mountain ranges themselves. Trekkers and adventure travelers often can indulge in mountaineering and other adventure activities as also water sports for India is jeweled with some of the oldest and thriving river systems of the world.

Travel a little down south to the capital of the land and you will be amazed to see the mechanical lifestyle that completely contrasts the surreal natural beauty that took your breath away just a few hours ago! However as they say, never let the first impressions muddle you and let the travel spirit stay on! All the big metropolises like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata amongst others, offer you a vibrant cultural melting pot with people coming from all corners of the county, sharing the same space, the same infrastructure and the same unparallel zeal for life, each city fiercely guarding its individual identity and ethnicity at the same time! Marvelous ain’t it?

Himalayas of India

If you are a first-time or a solo traveler and especially a woman, do a good research on how to stay connected with your folks back home as India is one place where you could easily get lost, in time and in space alike! International calling with tons of operators at your doorstep has become easy and travel in India is anyway not an expensive affair.

Unless to want to make it one, which is also easily possible as India houses some of the biggest riches of the world and has a cream class that calls for a lifestyle seen nowhere else in the world. Up to you to pick. But honestly speaking, exploring India with and being of the masses is an experience that one must not miss. If your friends and family get too paranoid about the fact that you might get lonely, making calls to India too is an easy option available. Go for a local number and a prepaid connection that will make your life much easier. Besides, you need connectivity in times of emergencies anyway!

Being a multi religious country, India will offer you a wide plethora of religious and historic monuments that indeed are of monumental importance for archeologists and anthropologist alike. Every corner of the country is rich with sites that enunciate civilizations and long-lost empires that ruled this majestic land and attracted foreign invaders throughout her history. These very invasions right from the Turks and the Mughals until the British have all left their legacy behind in the architecture, food and culture of the local people giving a spicy tinge to her culture!

Aside of the beautiful valleys and the hustle-bustle of her cities, India has a very long coastline that has given a characteristic culture to its inhabitants. Stretching from the Gulf of Gujarat, the whole of the Western and the Eastern coast houses some of the fantastic species of flora and fauna that will capture your heart. This is the absolute place to be in, for an amateur photographer. Several tribes inhabit the north eastern region of the country and have a very unique culture that’s certainly worth exploring. Careful when you travel though as you need permits to visit these remote regions of the country. The warmth amongst the people however, is as always, appalling!

Hope this article gave you a glimpse into what a cocktail you are in for, if you are planning to visit this magical land with such astonishing a diversity that will leave a lasting impression on your mind for years to come!

The Best Mediterranean Cruise Destinations

March 15, 2013 Alex beach, Europe No comments

If you’re investing a decent sum of money in a Mediterranean cruise, you’re going to want to make the most of it. You’ll want to sprawl on the sandiest beaches, take in the most awe-inspiring sights and feast on the tastiest food. It’s not quite as simple as that though; all of the major Mediterranean ports have something unique to offer, so how do you decide where to go? Your luxury cruise will necessarily be constrained by your various commitments; time, money, children, when you’re travelling etc. Assuming you have just enough time to visit one city per country here is a list of destinations to prefer on your itinerary.

Barcelona – Spain

There are more picaresque locations but no other city encapsulates everything you could possibly want from a European city better than Barcelona in Spain. A huge, glorious sandy beach that neighbours a fascinating and lively city full of intriguing architecture, delicious cuisines and friendly people all within walking distance or connected neatly by metro. Gaudi’s design is the focal point, having constructed an entire section of the city in the 19th century and designed and partially built the breath-taking Sagrada Familia. This behemoth of a Basilica is still under construction nearly 200 years later and isn’t expected to be finished for another 20. Yet, even in a state of partial completion its ornate, needle-thin towers and intricate carved details are a wonder to behold.

Rome – Italy

The birthplace of an ancient civilisation and the home of the Catholic Church make Rome an essential destination. You almost certainly won’t have time to get round all of the city’s majestic landmarks. The Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are all within walking distance of each other but the beauty of each will have you so fixated you won’t want to move onto the next. The Vatican is a must-see for everyone but especially devoted Catholics and those fascinated by the papal elections. The food in Italy is as good as you’ve been led to believe and gorging on cheeses, cured meats and wine is thoroughly recommended when in Italy.

Athens – Greece

Greece’s capital narrowly beats its smaller coastal counterpart, Olympia. The birthplace of modern democracy winning over the birthplace of the Olympics. Athens is 2,500 years old and created Western civilisation as we know it now. It produced some of history’s greatest thinkers and in the Ancient Agoria you can visit the ruins of Athens’ political centre where Socrates and Plato held council. Above, the Acropolis looms. High upon the hill, this collection of iconic, alabaster structures necessitate a pleasant stroll up quaint, tree-lined streets. The Parthenon’s instantly recognizable 46 columned façade is impressive both in stature and history, stretching up nearly 14 metres and back over 438 years before the Christian calendar began. Despite not being immediately accessible from the port of Piraeus (you’ll require a taxi, bus or subway), it’s still an essential destination.

Dubrovnik – Croatia

Croatia might be a surprising inclusion into the best cruise destinations in the Mediterranean. Nestling on the eastern European coastline left when Italy’s ‘boot’ broke away from the mainland, it’s an idyllic but oft overlooked port of call. The city hasn’t escaped UNESCO’s attention, the international organisation added Dubrovnik to their World Heritage List in 1979. Having largely survived earthquakes and conflicts as recently as the early 90s, the ‘Pearl Of The Adriatic’ is a well-preserved, walled city from the late medieval era. The sensibly named ‘Old Town’ features ancient architecture worth your investigation, preferably on foot through charming cobbled streets. Buildings here date back as far as the 1300s. One such is the Franciscan Monastery and should be on any visitor’s ‘to do’ list. Other historic attractions range from the Dubrovnik Cathedral, Dominican Church, Sponza Palace and Church Of St. Blaise to the Rector’s Palace.

Every destination in The Mediterranean is worth a visit and will yield delightful and unique experiences. No cruise would be complete without the inclusion of these four ports though.

Interview with MSC Spa Supervisor and Corporate Trainer Roberto Ladisi

March 14, 2013 Alex Europe, interview, spa, tips No comments

As you might know, I am going onboard my first cruise ever on the 24th March. It will be the first MSC Preziosa cruise around the Mediterranean and I am lucky enough to be able to be part of it. As I am doing Adventure and Spa project this year, I interviewed Roberto Ladisi – the MSC Spa Supervisor and Corporate Trainer to get a sneak peak of the Aurea spa onboard the MSC Preziosa cruise.

1. How long have you been working as a Spa Supervisor? Have you worked on board a cruise before?

Since I was a child, I’ve had a growing sense of the aesthetic and have been blessed with what some describe as ‘explosive creativity’.

Way back in 1988, when I graduated from Polimoda, the International Fashion University of Florence, I had the honor of being selected in the very first class with a closed number of 25 students.

After that, I immediately started to work in the fashion industry as a designer. Ten years into a growing career in fashion, I was able to take an intensive course in massage, meditation and aesthetics thanks to a relative in Rome who owns an aesthetic and holistic school. You could say it was love at first sight!

As soon as I finished that course, I decided to leave the fashion industry and put my new experience to good use in the world of wellness and relaxation.

I was lucky and immediately found a job as a body therapist on a cruise ship. That was in 1998 and, after my first 6 months, I was then promoted to spa manager and never looked back!

I then joined the start-up of the 5 star Tombolo Resort Thalassotherapy Hotel as spa manager and, after 2 years, I was given the same opportunity for the internationally renowned Hotel Cipriani in Venice, for the start up of its Casanova Spa.

Following those experiences, which gave me a real taste of the luxury world, as well as an insight into the lives of movie stars and high class guests, Ocean View Monaco asked me to take care of the start up of the brand new cruise ship MSC Musica and I became MSC Aurea Spa supervisor for the whole MSC fleet.

Roberto Ladisi

2. Why did you choose spa as your work place? Why MSC Preziosa?

I am incredibly lucky in that my job is my passion, my hobby and my lifestyle rolled into one.

At home and in my private life in general, I follow the same wellness rules that I recommend to our guests. Of course, being relaxed at all times is hard to achieve, but I certainly do my best.

MSC Preziosa’s spa is only the latest MSC Aura Spa – there is one on board each and every ship in the fleet – and I am currently very busy taking care of training all the therapists on board on our new signature treatments, created exclusively for this new flagship. Right now, my priority is to ensure that everything spa related for the very first cruise after MSC Preziosa’s christening in Genoa runs smoothly.

3. Is it very stressful to be in charge of the whole spa onboard a cruise or is it more of a relaxing job? (spas is usually a very quiet place with relaxing music and many people working there are happy). What is your daily schedule?

I actually change ship almost every week – I don’t know if the word “stressful” is the correct term to identify my condition! Of course, you get used to it after a while, and it’s very important to be able to separate yourself from the job, which I think I manage well.

The place I work helps keep me relaxed: soothing music, sweet fragrances in the air, and the beautiful smiles and the warmth of each spa team certainly makes it easier.

It is very important for a big company like MSC Cruises to make sure that all of our staff receive regular technical training so, as part of my daily schedule, I usually have a training session to carry out, teaching therapists a new signature treatment or massage, or giving them a refresher course. Every training is then followed by a test.

I usually start at 8:00 and work until early evening, where, after a short briefing with the whole staff, I make sure to dedicate some time only to myself!

4. Why should cruisers try MSC Aurea Spa? What makes it different?

To give you an idea of the ambience inside the spa itself- the MSC Aurea Spa is a 1,700 square metre oriental paradise with an exotic modern decor of natural stones, wood and rich mosaics. Teamed with the scent of essential oils and soft candlelight, and its superb sea views, every traveler who steps inside feels as though they’re being invited to create a personal path to health, wellness and beauty.

As I said before, we focus very much on the technical training and professionalism of our staff, as well as the creation and implementation of new treatments, which I usually create according to a careful observation of the market and the needs and requests of travelers across the MSC fleet. All these efforts are focused on making sure that the spa experience on board an MSC ship is second to none.

We never stop moving forward, just like a cruise ship! Our repeaters, for example, have the opportunity to come back and try something different every time.

The experience of a proper massage, in expert hands, is like a sunset: utterly amazing every time, but always bringing new sensations.

MSC spa relax

5. What special spa packages do you offer onboard MSC Preziosa?

There are no particular packages unique to MSC Preziosa, but she does boast some exclusive new features as well as a special range of facial and body treatments inspired by precious minerals, with “precious” ingredients like hematite, rhodocrostite and malachite with gold!

Specially tailored for couples, we have also installed a stunning Harmony Suite on board MSC Preziosa, designed to enhance the overall spa experience by providing a luxurious private space in which guests can experience harmonious, personalized wellness treatments with their loved ones. Four different rituals can be enjoyed in the Harmony Suite: the Thermal Ritual, Thalasso Ritual, Body & Mind Relax Ritual and the Ultimate Deluxe Thermal Ritual.

On board MSC Preziosa, the traditional thermal area with saunas, steam rooms and a relaxation room has been redesigned to include an exclusive frigidarium ( for an unforgettable cooling experience) and tepidarium (where guests complete the thermal path and relax tired muscles and melt away tension) offering guests a comprehensive thermal experience to eliminate toxins, boost blood circulation and improve the appearance of skin and hair.

An “Enjoy the color” menu in the spa bar will also make its debut on board MSC Preziosa: a menu of delicious juices and smoothies based on the nutritional properties of different coloured fruits and vegetables, each drink designed to enhance the benefits of certain treatments.

6. What makes MSC Aurea Spa and its treatments different from other cruises?

The MSC Aurea Spa offers the largest choice of massages of all the spas on the sea, and a true 360° wellness and spa experience.

We boast a large number of exclusive creations, like the Himalayan Dream massage using Himalayan fossil salts, the Aurea del Mare massage using warmed sea shells, the candle massage involving moisturizing cosmetic candles, the holistic massage, the bamboo massage and so on!

We have a Bali concept spa so, of course, part of our menu is made up of ‘evergreen’ treatments, like the Balinese massage, reflexology massage, shiatsu massage, aromatherapy massage, and hot stone massage.

We have a beauty parlour, with highly trained hairdressers, and on board MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa we have several features exclusive to the cruise world, including a Shu Uemura Art of Hair cabin, where guests can indulge in six sought-after rituals developed by the Japanese master of beauty; all sure to leave hair as soft as Shusu satin.

We have a dedicated nail cabin for various manicure and pedicure treatments, a wonderful fitness centre placed at the prow of the ship (with amazing views), and a spa doctor on board for various ‘deep’ treatments, such as Mya Advance, a real alternative to body sculpting, Q-Frequency radio frequency treatments, and electroporation, a non-invasive, anti-aging medical treatment that allows active substances to get directly into the deep inner ‘derma’ layer of the skin without the use of needles.

Thanks to our close relationship with the food and beverage department, as already said, we have developed the ‘ enjoy the colour’ menu – a new format using the 5 colors of the wellness, so that a guests who would like to spend a cruise ‘floating’ in the wellness, relaxation, and healthy food and drinks, can do just that.

7. How many people work in the MSC Aurea Spa? Are you in charge of all of them?

We have 200 employees and, yes, I take care of all of them!

8. What are the most special spa treatments a cruiser can get in the MSC Aurea Spa? Something no one should miss.

Of course I love all of our treatments, just as a father loves all his children! The special thing about the MSC Aurea Spa is that we are proud to personalize packages to every single guest, so the choice of a treatment is very personal: just as some people likes sweet flavors and some others like savory.

Personally, I love the Himalayan line massage and body treatments, for the great effect they have on the skin, and on the mind as well. These treatments take place on a healing Himalayan salt crystal bed for deep relaxation and detox . When introduced on board MSC Divina last year, this bed was the first of its kind on a cruise ship, and MSC Preziosa’s MSC Aurea Spa also boasts this innovative feature.

The amazing Thermal Area on board MSC Preziosa is also not to be missed. The new, stylish frigidarium offers an unforgettable cooling experience, particularly beneficial after the sauna or steam room. First stop is the ice corner, where guests can use some of the 200kg of ice grains produced a day as a cooling scrub before rinsing off in the multi-function shower. Complete with LED for chromotherapy, and with colours changing depending on the cycle, guests can enjoy three revitalizing 60-second cycles: cold menthol flavoured mist, citrus flavoured rain fall, and the bracing eucalyptus flavoured country air, before relaxing on the dedicated bench. The regenerative tepidarium, a new addition to the relaxation room, completes the thermal path and includes four warming chairs where guests can relax tired muscles and melt away tension.

9. In your opinion, what does the MSC Aurea Spa focuses the most on? What would be its motto?

All of our efforts go into surprising travellers across the fleet with an experience they cannot find in any other floating spa. Research, training and the travelers themselves are our main inspiration.

As I told you about sunset, each spa experience is unique, it is always special, so if I should give you a motto, it would be our “Enjoy something special every day, because life should be measured in moments not minutes.”

Thank you Roberto for such a great insight

« Older Entries Recent Entries »