Guest Author - Janet Collins

I don't know about you, but when I take a vacation, I make a real effort to have a relaxing experience. Sometimes, I need a bit of help in that regard. Life is often so stressful, I get caught up in the whirl of it all. My neck muscules might be too tight after too many long days at the computer. Going for a walk in the woods is one alternative, but nothing beats a good massage to help me loosen up.

There are as many different types of spas and spa treatments as there are spas and people who go to them. One of the great things about traveling is that I can find as many new things in spas away from home as I can in other aspects of visiting foreign destinations.

Whenever I visit a new spa, I like to try out the signature treatments, especially if they are somewhat out of the ordinary. In some cases, local natural ingredients might be the order of the day (get some ginseng in your treatment if you're at the ginseng spa in Kamloops, BC), or traditional native techniques might be used (try a Lomi Lomi if you're in Hawaii). I've often thought a massage with lots of pressure is the best ingredient for a relaxing full-body treatment, but then I tried a reiki treatment and was surprised to find that I received as much benefit from a spa technician who used no pressure at all.

Wellness is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors. In many cases, this type of travel destination includes a spa or is a spa that is a destination in itself. While some might argue the spa experience is the privilege of the young and rich, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, many spas are less expensive than you might think, and several welcome guests over 65 by meeting their special needs in various ways such as offering special medical programs or meeting dietary restrictions.

Spa Finder, the global spa resource, lists several senior-friendly spas. Here are some of the spas making the list:

Canyon Ranch, Tuscon, AZ
Canyon Ranch, Lexon, MA
Golden Door, Escondido, CA
The Greenhouse, Arlington, TX
Adler Thermae Spa and Wellness Resort, Siena, Italy
Ste. Annes Spa, Grafton, Ontario

There are several other spas on the Spa Finder list. In addition, several spas not mentioned in the listing offer senior discounts on certain days, or are willing to make special arrangements to meeting customers' individual needs. So don't be afraid to give the spa experience a try.