For escapists
For the simple life The Seychelles island of Praslin has been described as the Garden of Eden. And the elegant resort of Lémuria at its western tip, flanked by three secluded beaches (one of them, Anse Georgette, considered among the best in the world) could hardly be a more romantic destination.
The spa's thatched treatment pavilions, where hot-stone Swedish aromatherapy and ayurvedic massage, Guerlain Imperial body massage, and holistic hand and feet treatments are offered, are designed to blend in with their surroundings. Take time to also explore the Vallée de Mai nature reserve, full of birds and rare plant life, including the indigenous coco-de-mer palms.
For the simple life
More of a lifestyle than a spa, the Ulpotha community in the hills of Sri Lanka is an organic farming village that practises traditional rural methods but opens its doors to visitors for a few weeks each year.
Accommodation consists of a dozen thatched huts scattered around the main house and pavilion – they don’t have electricity, running hot water or en suite bathrooms as the aim is to get away from too many modern influences. Guests can feast on vegetarian cuisine from the village’s organic garden, float in a lotus-ringed mountain lake, visit the lost kingdoms of ancient Ceylon and indulge in massage, yoga and ayurvedic treatments under the splaying branches of a banyan tree.
Ulpotha warns you to be prepared for a culture shock and it’s definitely not for the bright-lights brigade. But if you’re seeking peace and inner harmony, plus a sense of getting totally back to nature, put it on your list.
REPORT: JILL CRAWSHAW
