by Rebecca Taras | Feb 27, 2019 | Paris, Paris Life, Travel
How It All Began 
The travel bug bit me at a very young age — not because I was a child jet-setter, rather, my dad would occasionally hang a large white sheet against the wall so he could project his slides (yes, slides) from his days living abroad in the sixties. But it wasn’t just his photographs that drew me in, it was his stories. I didn’t even fully understand what pâté was, yet I could taste it,thanks to his vivid description. From the the sound of the olive trees rustling in the wind to the road trips across Europe in his ‘62 Renault to the copious occasions where he was able to share a meal with a local-turned-friend, I officially had wanderlust. Forget Disney World. I want to see the Acropolis, dip bread into a pot of Swiss fondue, and gaze up at the Eiffel Tower like Madeline.
The Big Move 
Flash forward several years later, a little over a year until my 40th birthday. A life change prompted me to offload unnecessary material possessions and spend some time in Paris. Why the City of Light? The answer is quite simple: I’m enamoured by it. The memories I’ve made over the past several years traveling there have become a part of my soul — and thanks to my career as a freelance journalist, this adventure was feasible.
First Impressions
In terms of living quarters, I settled into a small — actually tiny — studio in the Le Marais. For the cost, a larger pad could have been an option had I decided to venture out into other arrondissements, but being in an area that was comfortable to me was far more important than space. By making a life change, my priorities changed as well. As long as I could stroll around the corner to Place des Vosges to work, take a lunch break on the Seine with a three Euro baguette sandwich, and head to the open air market for my groceries, life was good.
As Good As It Gets
Even though I don’t speak the language (yet), I was surprised with how comfortable I felt. Actually, not just comfortable, downright giddy. It was the awakening that I was finally exactly where I should be after struggling to identify with that for many years. It wasn’t too long after being overseas that I met a fantastic French gentleman who is now my boyfriend. It’s been an exciting journey so far and our cultural differences have helped us form a strong bond — and make us laugh on occasion, too.
Forget About Those Stereotypes
What was supposed to be a brief hiatus in Paris turned into yet another complete lifestyle change. Of course, when I first told friends and family about this newfound relationship, I was plagued stereotypical questions like “Is he married?” “Is he a lot older than you?” Response: NO. I’m the only American in his social circle, but I’ve been welcomed with open arms. I want to touch more upon how we as Americans perceive the French and vice versa in future posts, but I can tell you that I’ve had several wine-infused conversations with them about this and not to worry — they don’t think we’re awful because of our president.
Reality Check
While this may sound like a perfect fairytale, there are also some harsh realities to living abroad. For example, being away from family, the visa process (a post in itself), identifying true friendships, and mastering the language so you convert from tourist to local. Not to mention, maintaining a US-based job from abroad if you aren’t on a work visa — though I CAN say being here finally gave me the clarity I needed to continue my business venture. Of course, there’s always the fact that you have to accept that you’ll likely always be the loudest person in the room. At a French fete or dinner party, I sometimes feel like a hybrid of Zelda Fitzgerald and the Unsinkable Molly Brown — but I’m okay with that.
Look for future posts about my life in France. Is there something particular you’d like to know? Email me at Rebecca@welltraveledbeauty.com.
by Rebecca Taras | Feb 27, 2019 | Beauty, Hamam, Istanbul, Rebecca's stories, Spa Resorts, Spa Retreats, Spa Treatments, Spas, Travel, Traveling with Style, Turkey
If you’ve ever been to a fancy hotel or destination spa, then you’ve probably experienced some sort of treatment incorporating traditions and ingredients from a faraway land. Whether it was a Thai massage, Chinese acupressure, or an Indian Shirodhara ritual, it probably wasn’t too hard to feel temporarily transported to another destination—even if just for an hour. While I’ll never stop my endless quest for finding the most authentic and results-driven global services that delight the senses as well as the mind, I was almost about to call off the dogs after my recent experience at an authentic Turkish hammam (a.k.a. hamam) in Istanbul.
Dating back to 1556, the Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam (located between the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque) is one of Istanbul’s most stunning representations of the time-honored Turkish bath culture. The historical structure was designed and built by Mimar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect, upon the requisition of Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana), the wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century (1556-1557 AD). Its location is particularly significant, as it was erected where the ancient public baths of Zeuxippus (100-200 AD) used to stand, which also happens to be where the Temple of Zeus once stood.
The Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam was built in the classical period Ottoman bath style, yet it was an innovation in Turkish bath architecture because it was designed to have the sections for men and women constructed on the same axis as mirror images of each other. My journey began on a beautiful fall evening in Istanbul—which was much needed considering I had just completed a two train, plane and cab journey from Lake Como, Italy, starting at the ripe hour of 4:30 a.m.
There are a variety of individual services and packages to choose from, but having never experienced a hammam, I went for one of the more robust options, which only set me back about $100 for 90-minutes of bliss. Despite being there in off-season, note that you still have to make advanced reservations—though I only made mine the day before and was granted my preferred time slot.
From the moment I walked into the hammam, I knew I was in for something special. My first impressions were: It was as clean as a whistle, the architecture was even more drop-dead gorgeous in person than on the photos I saw online, it smelled like an exotic Garden of Eden, and the traditional Turkish music that was playing softly in the background was the perfect catalyst for transporting visitors into another time and place—including yours truly.
I was escorted to a small changing area where I was given disposable panties and a very small towel (the traditional bath wrap called a pestamal) to cover myself with—let’s just say that it didn’t quite cover everything. I was then taken to the main room of the bath house where all the magic happens. My therapist instructed me to drop my towel, which was a new experience for an American who has worked in spas where proper draping was non-negotiable. I quickly scanned the room and noticed that women of all shapes and sizes were sporting their birthday suits without any inhibitions, so I let that terrycloth hit the floor and got ready to hammam like a pro.
The therapist left me on a heated marble step near a gold faucet/marble basin, where I was instructed to ladle warm water over my hair and body with the use of a beautiful, gold-plated ottoman bath bowl. Next, we moved to the nucleus of the room—a heated, octagonal slab of marble—where I laid on my back while my therapist gave me a traditional body scrub and relaxing bubble wash scented with essential oil of Melissa, which smells very similar to lemongrass. After I turned over and the process was repeated, I moved to yet another “station” where my hair was washed and conditioned with Judas tree essential oil-infused products.
The next step left my skin as smooth as silk for days—even after showering a few times. My therapist slipped a traditional olive oil bar of soap (again, scented with Melissa E.O.) into a dampened bath glove and vigorously rubbed every extremity of my body in an effort to give my skin a thorough exfoliation. Next, I was rinsed and wrapped in a large towel and escorted to the main relaxation area, where I was served water, Turkish Delight and a local beverage called Ottoman sharbat, a cold beverage made from fruits, spices and flower petals.
After a few moments of of becoming entranced by the hypnotic music in my relaxed state, I was escorted up three flights of stairs to a private room for a Judas tree essential oil aromatherapy massage. The top floor rooms aren’t covered, so I was able to take in the glow of the dreamy blue light that filled the beautiful domed ceiling of the hammam itself.
My hammam tips and takeaways:
- Get over being body conscious. Trust me when I say nobody is looking at you, and an experience like this is more about wellness than vanity. Refreshing, right?
- Take the time to really soak in your surroundings. Chills ran down my spine when I thought of how many people enjoyed this amazing ritual in the exact same spot over the past 400-plus years.
- Go for one of the larger packages of services. You can receive a full hammam experience in less than it costs for one service at a traditional spa or resort; it’s completely worth it!
- You’re going to love how you feel and smell when you leave, so take note of how silky smooth your hair and skin feels afterwards. As mentioned earlier, I still felt the results even after taking several showers. What won’t last, however, is the delectable aroma of essential oils that envelops your hair and skin from top-to-bottom.
- Each guest receives their own “hammam kit,” which includes everything you need for your entire journey, so it’s extremely sanitary. You even get to take home body lotion, olive oil soap, your bath mitt and sandals. A perfect souvenir until you can make it back to paradise.
by Rebecca Taras | Feb 17, 2019 | Home, Hotels, Luxury
For most of us, taking a vacation requires strategic planning, to include saving enough dough to make the whole experience worthwhile without having to come home empty-handed with your pockets turned inside out like the Monopoly Man.
After all, how many times have you tried to rationalize your lodging choice by saying something like, “but how much time are we really going to spend in the room, anyways?”
That’s all well and good, but if you had the opportunity (and the cash flow) to stay in one of the following plush pads, we have a feeling sightseeing might become a second-tier activity. From a property owned by a king to an entertainment area with 1,000-plus books to inhabitable art (yes, really), you’re going to wish you could check-in indefinitely. Suite dreams, dear reader.
Majestic Hotel: Sagrada Familia Penthouse
Photo courtesy of Majestic Hotel & Spa.
While you can explore an entire city and all of its historical monuments by foot, there’s something to be said for being able to take in the sights while lying in bed or sitting on the couch reading the morning paper. All is possible at the luxurious, five-star Majestic Hotel in Barcelona, which boasts a bevy of modern-day conveniences, within ancient environs, located on the Paseo de Gracia, one of the most celebrated avenues in in the city.
Photo courtesy of Majestic Hotel & Spa.
As one would guess, the Sagrada Familia Penthouse boasts spectacular views of the temple with the same namesake from the sprawling terrace, complete with pool. As if that wasn’t enough to bait you in, this ninth floor respite was named one of the best suites in Spain by the World Travel Awards. Rates start at approximately $2,639.
Majestic Hotel Barcelona, Passeig de Gràcia 68-70 (Barcelona, Spain); +34 93 488 17 17.
Park Hyatt Tokyo: Tokyo Suite
Photo courtesy of the Park Hyatt Tokyo.
The city may be bustling, but it’s nothing but serenity within the palatial environs of the Park Hyatt Tokyo, located on the top floors of a towering skyscraper in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. While the views are unparalleled from any vantage point in this sky-high paradise, it’s the scenery within the Tokyo Suite on the 50th floor that rivals anything on the other side of the glass.
Photo courtesy of the Park Hyatt Tokyo.
The impressive suite is a dream come true—particularly for anyone with a cultural bone in his or her body. Over 1,000 books and monographs beckon casual and hardcore readers alike, and the amount of impressive artwork on display rivals the galleries of some of the worlds’ greatest museums. Rates start at approximately $5,496.65.
Park Hyatt Tokyo, 3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku (Shinjuku-Ku Tokyo, Japan); +81 3 5322 1234.
Royal Mansour: Riads
Photo courtesy of Royal Mansour.
It’s no surprise that this Marrakech property has palace-like characteristics, as the current King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, owns it. In fact, a “riad” is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. The word stems from the Arabian term for garden, “ryad”—an architectural gem that was introduced during the rule of the Idrisid Dynasty.
Photo courtesy of Royal Mansour.
The riads—available with one-to-three bedrooms—each have their own rooftop plunge pool to cool off from the desert sun, traditional (read: stunning) Moroccan décor and enough mysterious nooks and crannies to feel like an Indiana Jones movie—even the staff travels by a series of tunnels through service entrances, thus keeping the experience private. The only thing missing? A magic carpet—but we haven’t given up hope yet. Rates start at $1,175 for a one-bedroom riad.
Royal Mansour Marrakech, Rue Abou Abbas El Sebti (Marrakech, Morocco); + 212 5 29 80 80 80.
The Beaumont: ROOM
Photo courtesy of The Beaumont.
This intimate Art-Deco-inspired boutique hotel is the brainchild of restaurateurs Corbin & King, responsible for The Wolseley, The Delanay and several other highly esteemed eateries in London. Among the 50 rooms, 13 studios and 10 suites, the pièce derésistance is ROOM, an inhabitable sculpture commissioned from Turner Prize-winning British artist Antony Gormley. Can’t afford to stay in ROOM? You can get a peek at what the structure looks like from the exterior, as it clings to the façade of the hotel.
Photo courtesy of The Beaumont.
Gormley’s version of “sculpting darkness” translated into a cave-like space that encourages guests to enter a different state of consciousness—in other words, to really chill out for a while. The rest of the one-bedroom suite is decorated in true Beaumont fashion, complete with vintage art and photography books and Art Deco nuances throughout. Rates start at approximately $3,370.
The Beaumont, 8 Balderton Street (London, United Kingdom);
+44 20 7499 1001.
Metropolitan by COMO Miami Beach: COMO Suite
Photo courtesy of Metropolitan by Como.
Location, location, location. You don’t need to travel to the ends of the earth to get a room with a view when Miami Beach is just a short plane ride away. This boutique Art Deco style hotel is in the heart of it all—shopping, dining and entertainment—but if you want to avoid the crowds, there’s a frosty libation waiting for you on the terrace of this posh pad.
Photo Courtesy of Metropolitan by Como.
The Como Penthouse Suite features sweeping views of the Atlantic from every room, so it feels as though you’re on the beach—but without having to worry about getting any sand in your shoes. Those traveling with multiple houseguests have the option to connect with two-to-three additional bedrooms, and the corridor can be secured to create a private “wing-like” feel. Rates start at approximately $1,415.
(CS 1 PIC)
Metropolitan by COMO Miami Beach, 2445 Collins Avenue (Miami Beach, Florida); 305-695-3600.
by Rebecca Taras | Feb 16, 2019 | Home, Spa Resorts, Spa Treatments, Spas
I worked in a five-star hotel spa for over four years, so I can tell you that the majority of my clients were there to receive a pampering experience. Don’t get me wrong, today’s savvy spa consumer wants results, too—but this type of guest is also willing to think outside the box and opt for a non-traditional service to further connect with their getaway destination of choice.
Of course, hotels and resorts all over the world are well aware of this, which is why service menus are tweaked to include indigenous ingredients and local area rituals and traditions to educate your mind and enlighten your spirit. Ahead, we present 10 spa treatments from around the world that will make you feel like a local in two hours or less.
Grand Garden Ritual: Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Destination: Italy
Photo courtesy of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo.
Between the crystal clear blue waters and villa-studded landscape, being in the Lake Como area is a treat in itself. But if you’re looking for a way to make your visit even more serene, the newly renovated T Spa at the stunning Grand Hotel Tremezzo hotel definitely caters to anyone seeking a little R&R—and a taste of the good life.
The Grand Garden Ritual ($270) is inspired by the fragrant flowers in the stunning Grand Hotel Tremezzo garden. The treatment begins with a welcome foot ritual and continues with a body exfoliation using natural sea salts and rosemary and lavender essential oils. Next, the guest receives a relaxing back massage and intensive facial treatment using the essence of neroli—talk about giving entirely new meaning to the term “garden fresh.”
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Via Provinciale Regina 8, 22019 Tremezzina CO, Italy; +39 0344 42491.
Borinquen Coffee Polish: St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort
Destination: Puerto Rico
Photo courtesy of the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort.
Located at the foot of the El Yunque National Rainforest is the resort’s 10,000 square foot Remède Spa, a luxurious retreat that beckons guests to become one with nature.
The Borinquen Coffee Polish ($170) treatment celebrates the fact that Puerto Rico is America’s leading coffee producer, harvesting 10-million pounds last year alone. The largest coffee and chocolate exhibition in the Caribbean takes place here in late September (26-27) to boot. Tying the two together, this indigenous polish awakens the skin and senses by incorporating coffee and cocoa butter to improve skin texture and increase circulation and skin firmness. The treatment is finished with a warm Vichy shower and an application of shea butter moisturizer to help repair cellular degeneration from time spent out on the beach.
St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, State Road 187 Kilometer 4.2 (Rio Grande, Puerto Rico); 787-809-8000.
White Clay Treatment: UXUA Casa Hotel and Spa
Destination: Brazil
Photo courtesy of UXUA Casa Hotel and Spa.
From the moment you step into the stunning spa on the UXUA grounds, you’ll immediately get what it’s all about: pure and utter serenity. But aside from the lush, natural landscape, the most impressive aspect is its commitment to offering services that celebrate the heritage of the Pataxó Indians, African slaves, Jesuit missionaries and 20th century hippies who’ve roamed the land. The area’s vast biodiversity is also a focal point, so ingredients like almescar resin—indigenous to only southern Bahia and the Amazon—are used for their restorative qualities.
The White Clay Treatment ($350) stems from rituals performed by local tribes. To make the experience as authentic as possible, guests travel off-site via horseback or car to the red-colored cliffs of Taipe Beach, where they’ll cover themselves in a mineral-rich clay body scrub that’s been used for centuries as a natural form of stress relief therapy. After basking in the sun with their body covered in white clay, a quick dip in the ocean washes it all away, leaving skin fresh and smooth to the touch.
UXUA Casa Hotel and Spa (Quadrado Trancoso, Bahia Brazil); +55 73 3668 2277.
Traditional Hammam Treatment: Royal Mansour Spa
Destination: Morocco
Photo courtesy of Royal Mansour.
If a picture says a thousand words, then you’re probably ready to book a ticket to Marrakesh by now. If your first thought was that the spa looks like a place fit for a king (or queen!), then you’re right on target—the Royal Mansour is actually owned by the King of Morocco.
The Traditional Hammam Treatment (approximately $121) is a Royal Mansour (and Moroccan) specialty, so it’s perfect for anyone looking to have both a pampering and cultural experience. The service begins with massaging a soap of olive resin to cleanse the skin and ease tension. Next, a detoxifying mask is applied, and the body is exfoliated with the traditional kessa massage glove. At this point, the body is warmed up, so it’s time to take a plunge in the cold room, resulting in a feeling of complete renewal.
Royal Mansour Marrakech, Rue Abou Abbas El Sebti (Marrakech, Morocco); + 212 5 29 80 80 80.
Zareeba Treatment: The Palms
Destination: Turks and Caicos
Photo courtesy of the Palms Turks and Caicos.
From holistic therapies to ancient remedies, this luxury resort on the famed Grace Bay Beach is home to an award-winning 25,000 square-foot spa that boasts all of the bells and whistles a beauty and wellness-enthusiast could ask for.
The Zareeba Treatment ($215) is one of many local-inspired services at The Palms—and it’s also a guest favorite. Zareeba literally means “protected enclosure,” so it’s no surprise that there’s a wrap involved. The experience begins with a full-body herbal cleansing and detoxification ritual using a Caribbean cure-all (dogwood, cerasee, rosemary, lemon, ginger, pimento, basil, eucalyptus, guaco bush, lemongrass, lignum vitae, pepper rod, and vervain) that’s been known to alleviate rashes, colds, fever, muscle pains, and nausea. Therapeutic herbs are inhaled with the help of steam before receiving a cooling wrap and a body massage to release toxins.
Try it at home:
- Draw a hot steamy bat
- Steep 4-6 of your favorite herbal tea bags in your bath and squeeze in 1 full lemon.
- Inhale the steam in deeply; as you lie there, try to focus on your own breath, and let your mind melt away…
The Palms Turks and Caicos, Grace Bay Beach, Princess Drive, Providenciales TKCA 1ZZ (Turks and Caicos Islands); 1-866-877-7256.
Ritual Xocoa Delicatessen: Majestic Hotel & Spa
Destination: Spain
Photo courtesy of the Majestic Hotel Barcelona.
This sleek spa is a favorite of the international jet set—and with good reason. It’s a five-star respite in the heart of bustling Barcelona, complete with a list of top-notch services to match.
The Ritual Xocoa Delicatessen (approximately $177) is one of those services. The detoxifying (and calorie-free) massage pays homage to Spain’s part in the culinary history of chocolate, which dates all the way back to the 16th century—long before it was in the clutches of the Italians or the French. Along with receiving an extreme hydration boost, added benefits include the reduction of tension, stress and fatigue.
Majestic Hotel Barcelona, Passeig de Gràcia 68-70 (Barcelona, Spain); +34 93 488 17 17.
Honey Bliss Treatment: Twin Farms
Destination: Vermont
Photo courtesy of Twin Farms.
Forget what you think about Old McDonald. This is literally a five-star luxury farm experience spread out over 300 acres of beautiful landscape. The only laboring you have to worry on this farm is figuring out which spa services to receive.
The Honey Bliss Treatment ($230-$270) starts with a full-body exfoliation using a results-driven sugar scrub made with citrus essential oils and local honey to soften and renew the skin. After relaxing with a warm hydrating body masque and wrap, the massage therapist will execute a relaxing massage with shea butter for an added hydration boost. Add a facial enhancement for an additional $30.
Twin Farms, 452 Royalton Turnpike (Barnard, Vermont); 802-234-9999.
Fuller Brook Wild Crafted Wellness Experience: The Lodge at Glendorn
Destination: Pennsylvania
Photo courtesy of The Lodge at Glendorn.
This opulent-yet-intimate hideaway—a Relais & Chateaux property—is situated on 1,500 beautiful acres of land in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The lodge was originally a family vacation home owned by the Dorn family from 1927 to 1995. It was up for auction in 2009, but a man by the name of Cliff Forrest stepped in and restored the property to its glorious state. While a bevvy of outdoor activities are within close reach, the lodge debuted an intimate spa in 2014 for those seeking a little indoor R&R.
The Fuller Brook Wild Crafted Wellness Experience ($135 to-go, $250 to have the product applied at the spa during your treatment) gives guests the unique opportunity to work with the “spa chef” to forage ingredients from throughout the property to create everything your very own product, such as a lavender scrub with lemon balm and rose water. The entire process, sans treatment, takes about an hour.
The Lodge at Glendorn, 1000 Glendorn Drive (Bradford, Pennsylvania); 814-362-6511.
Voodoo Massage: The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
Destination: Louisiana
Photo courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans.
It doesn’t have to be Mardi Gras for New Orleans to be pulsating with energy. And after a day of eating, sipping on hurricanes, and listening to jazz throughout the streets of the French Quarter, pop into this award-winning spa for a service with a unique take on the history of the Big Easy.
The Voodoo Massage ($150-$220) The soul of New Orleans is magical and mystical, and this massage — using oil with notes of absinthe, bourbon, cypress, moss, and vetiver — will put you under a spell of complete relaxation. Incense permeates the room, and voodoo chants set the ambiance like no other therapy you’ve ever experienced.
The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, 921 Canal Street (New Orleans, Louisiana); 504-524-1331.
RLP Herbal Wrap: Rancho La Puerta
Destination: Mexico
Photo courtesy of Rancho La Pureta.
When contemplating your next destination spa getaway, keep this in mind: Rancho La Puerta was named the number-one destination spa in the World by Travel + Leisure’s 2014 World’s Best Awards—and the three years before that. The 3,000-acre property is the original “fitness resort,” so guests can expect a wide array of activities to suit all interests and levels of athleticism. Of course, the resort isn’t all work and no play. The spa makes it a priority to guide guests through a series of cleansing, relaxing, energizing, and restorative treatments throughout their stay.
The RLP Herbal Wrap ($50) incorporates indigenous ingredients (California sagebrush, powis castle, rosemary, white sage, and eucalyptus) that were harvested right before treatment. The cocoon-like treatment warms, cleanses, moisturizes, and nourishes the skin, while steaming hot linens steeped in traditional, local Native American herbs wrap the body in aromatic bliss.
Rancho La Puerta, Carretera Tecate-Tijuana Kilometer 136.5 (Tecate, Mexico); 800-443-7565.
