Sintra has long revelled in a reputation as an idyllic love-bird retreat, just a 40-minute drive from Lisbon and edged by beautiful, sheltered rocky coves. Stroll charming narrow streets, enjoy an enchanting journey through the town’s historic centre in a horse-drawn carriage or picnic in the sweet-smelling gardens of Monserrate and the stunning park of Palácio da Pena. Described by Lord Byron as “Glorious Eden”, Sintra’s charms have been praised by writers ever since. Portugal’s national poet, Luís Vaz de Camões, proclaimed Sintra’s glory in his epic works Os Lusíadas (The Lusiads), drawing nobility and aristocrats to its historic architecture and lush flowers. Today, visitors keen to treat their loved ones like royalty should consider a romantic weekend in Sintra’s handsome Tivoli Palácio de Seteais (Palace of the Seven Sighs), a distinguished late 18th-century castle built by the then Dutch Consul. If your idea of romance is to be joyously cocooned in cosseted luxury, then the Palacio de Seteais is your Shangri-la. Named in honour of a 12th century love story centred on an Arabian princess, the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais enjoys seductive seclusion in a quintessentially romantic niche amidst Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance art.
Expect opulent grandeur, tasteful dignity and every modern comfort in this perfect place for couples where romantic period elegance reigns. As befits its true neo-classical glamour, the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais is beautifully refined with lots of special touches for the romantic at heart. An impressive triumphal arch commemorates a royal visit while striking interiors are sumptuously appointed with fine antiques, tapestry, chandeliers and art. Marvel at fresco paintings, flowing drapes, polished woods, dazzling crystal, pewter, gilded motifs and towering floral displays. Lush, green gardens tumble down to a beautiful pool in a blissful romantic scene shielded by an exotic array of colourful pink and purple bougainvillea over garden trelliswork, red geraniums, eucalyptus, lemon trees and sweet mimosa. Choose from one of 30 rooms, each individually furnished in Baroque style with Champagne, heart-shaped pastries and hand-tied posies of romantic camellias on request.
The perfectly manicured grounds of the Palácio de Seteais, Sintra.
002 ALGARVE
HOW TO GET THERE The resort is a 20 minute transfer from Faro International Airport by taxi or hire car
CONTACT Royal Spa Tel: +351 289 353 480 Fax: +351 289 353 476 Email: [email protected] www.valedolobo.com
Since early times, fables and folktales have referenced salt in their fairytales. Salt has also been used in pottery production, was a source of medieval currency and, 4,700 years ago, was a pharmacological power. Salt has also played a vital role in religious ritual across many cultures, symbolizing immutable, incorruptible purity. There are more than 30 references to salt in the Bible, using expressions like “salt of the earth”. A salt tax was a significant cause of the French Revolution; it also motivated American pioneers and is essential for the maintenance of human life. Since time immemorial, salt has been honoured for its health-giving properties and is used to treat asthma, eliminate toxins, boost metabolism, enhance circulation, soften skin and improve well-being – and more. Little wonder that the Algarve’s prestigious Royal Spa pays homage to Portugal’s 2,700-metre rock-salt caverns at Loulé. Formed by the geological separation of Europe and Africa before the Jurassic era, the salt vein stretches as far as Barcelona and is one of Europe’s richest natural therapeutic salt sources.
Sitting within the Vale do Lobo resort, the Royal Spa applies ‘healing through water’ (Latin: sanus per aquum) from which the SPA acronym derives. Based on the principle that water is the very origin of life and possesses special healing powers, the sanctum of water is honoured in the prevailing influences of Vale do Lobo´s environment: the Atlantic Ocean and the lagoon-system and dunes of the Natural Reserve of the Ria Formosa. From the sandy beaches of Ancão to the charming village of Cacela Velha, the natural inlets of the Ria Formosa offer wildlife-rich wetlands, peaceful waters and deserted isles. Gushing fountains, trickling waterfalls and stunning cascades are evident in the spa’s design and play an important role in mind, body and soul therapies, from hydrotherapy showers and hydro-massage treatments to steam therapies – many using health-giving salt. Treatments focus on organic plant extracts, sea algae and natural essence oils. Generous use of stone, wood and plants throughout provide a mirror on the surrounding natural world.
The palatial Royal Spa may be ultramodern in construction but this 4,000 sq metre (43,000 sq ft) purpose-built wellness sanctuary draws inspiration from ancient health philosophies. Oriental and western techniques run side-by-side with traditional Chinese medicine complemented by aqua-therapies. Nutritional advice and minor cosmetic surgery are also available, in conjunction with Dr Thomas Kaiser, Director of the Vale do Lobo Medical Centre. The mood is mellow, the setting upmarket but not stuffy, and free from boot-camp deprivation. Physiological assessments help to identify individual health objectives using a holistic approach, from mud baths, hot stones, Reiki and ice therapies to weight loss and stress management. Ten therapy suites each bear the names of flowers indigenous to the local area together with two wooden spa pavilions set in quiet Oriental-style gardens around a white pebble waterfall and lily pond. Choose from saunas, a Turkish bath and steam rooms infused with local essential oils. Gentle water jets sooth fatigued limbs while salt peels soften, and deep, iced curative pools rejuvenate. Age-old touch therapies rid stressed joints of gnarls and knots while muscles are eased and vitality is restored.
In keeping with the royal theme, the Royal Spa menu is fit for a king, with specially created dishes by Chef Maurice Belhaj in collaboration with British diet and fitness expert Rosemary Conley. A mouth-watering array of dishes centres on simple fresh local produce and organic salads and vegetables together with a menu of health-giving juice drinks using energy-boosting ingredients blended to help brighten skin, heighten mood and enhance libido. Choose a refreshing pineapple, mint and ginger melange for a tasty mid-morning pick-me-up to experience an uplifting zingy surge that lasts well into the afternoon.
Long, uninterrupted sleep is a common theme of folkloric culture in Portugal with myths centring on the therapeutic powers of local nuts, fruits and berries. In the Royal Spa, undisturbed restfulness is aided by soothing massages that help to nurture quality sleep. Gentle pressure applied to the head, neck, shoulders and spine can ease areas of tension that lead to the build-up of stress. Sweet-smelling blends of warmed essential oils induce a deep state of relaxation and calm with the Royal Spa’s soothing thyme herbal tea infusion – the perfect aid to restful slumber.
From the moment you enter the Royal Spa, you can immerse yourself in a haven far from the stresses of daily life.
003 MADEIRA
CONTACTS Madeira Botanical Gardens Tel: + 351 291 211 200 Fax: + 351 291 211 206 Email: [email protected] www.madeirabotanicalgarden.com
Madeira’s treasured 80,000-sq metre (861,120 sq ft) botanical amphitheatre not only contains a dazzling array of over 2,500 plant species but also offers spectacular panoramic views across mountains, bay waters and the city below. Look out across glorious, ramshackle rooftops to dramatic peaks and the deep blue Atlantic from Madeira’s cool leafy enclave where Japanese pagodas and romantic follies lie tucked amidst soaring ferns. Stroll along pebble-dotted pathways past ponds straddled by delicate wooden bridges. Discover handkerchief-sized plazas, boulder-strewn rockeries and crashing waterfall cascades fanned by giant creeper-clad palms. Or hike the orchid-rich leafy trails amongst a kaleidoscope