After ending final 12 months on busy observe – a flurry of pre-Christmas events, overindulging on mince pies and dealing over the festive interval itself – I wished to begin 2014 on a more healthy observe.
It was positively time for a detox.
Wellbeing Escapes provides a Booster bundle, described as ‘a perfect pause in hectic life’.
Balancing act: Lucy steadies herself as she will get to grips together with her yoga break
It appeared like the proper antidote – the promise of stress-free therapeutic spa remedies and ‘energising’ actions together with laughter yoga (of which extra later) unfold over two-and-a-half days.
With no time to waste, I rounded up a gal pal and headed to Portugal within the hope of discovering some winter sunshine.
The Penha Longa Lodge, which is only a 30-minute drive from Lisbon airport, is ready amongst rolling inexperienced hills.
In addition to containing a spa, the resort boasts a golf course – cue numerous males sporting crazily colored trousers and jumpers.
Secluded location: The Penha Longa spa in Portugal is miles away from the hustle and bustle of metropolis life
After a tour of the Six Senses spa, my pal and I went straight to the sauna to see who may stand the warmth the longest, earlier than popping on fluffy white towelling robes and slippers and heading to the Thai natural therapeutic massage space.
The scent of the oil and incense was wonderful, and afterwards we felt completely floppy and relaxed.
Within the afternoon, as an alternative of undoing all our good work and going to the bar for a glass of wine, we determined to exit exploring on bikes. We had been taking this detox critically.
The hills supplied a strenuous exercise for my thighs, and I struggled to maintain up with my pal, who has competed in half-triathlons.
Grassy hill-tops: The area provides loads of areas which can be nice for strolling and biking
Our first full day at Penha Longa began with a yoga session within the spa to stretch our limbs and check our steadiness.
Subsequent on the agenda was a holistic therapeutic massage – it felt so blissfully stress-free that I virtually nodded off. Therapist Sandra then demonstrated a detox therapeutic massage with seaweed.
It was a wierd sensation, however I used to be keen to attempt something to do away with these mince pies…
Within the afternoon it was time for a meditation session. This was all new to me, but it surely definitely helps for those who normally discover it tough to decelerate and clear your thoughts.
On yer bike: Lucy Verasamy, pictured on vacation within the Maldives, tried yoga in Portugal
Decided to maintain up our good work, we caught to wholesome menu decisions equivalent to sushi within the restaurant that night.
Our last day began with a tai chi session – it was a lot more durable than I assumed it could be and I struggled with among the trickier strikes.
After lunch we tried out laughter yoga. Sure, I am not joking.
It is true that laughing is infectious – and it had the additional benefit of releasing endorphins whereas working our abdomen muscle groups on the identical time. Now that is an train I can handle!
Journey Information: Plan your individual detox break in sunny Portugal
Wellbeing Escapes (www.wellbeingescapes.com, 020 7644 6111) provides three nights at Penha Longa from £867 per individual. This consists of return flights to Lisbon, transfers, lodging on a B&B foundation, admission to the Six Senses spa, massages and yoga courses.
