WHAT DO WOMEN WANT? THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS- EUROPEAN SPAS COMBINED WITH CULTURAL CITY EXPERIENCES

When its time to celebrate special birthdays, reunions or get-togethers with old friends, girls just want to have fun. And more and more, that fun involves spa experiences, preferably in a foreign country, which adds a touch of the exotic to the standard massage fare.

For many, a special celebration is all the incentive thats needed for
friends to plan a group trip that incorporates spa and culture. Spa
reunions are getting more popular because busy, middle-aged women want
to relax and they enjoy doing this with their girlfriends, says
Susanne Servin, owner of Herzerl Tours, a tour operator that
specializes in travel to Austria and Italy.

That girls get-away trend was noted in a recent poll of American
Express travel agents. In that survey, two thirds of the agents report
an increase in vacations with girlfriends or female relatives. The
majority of women polled say they want to re-connect with friends and
relax and recharge, highlighting the advantage of not having to take
care of anyone else or dress away while away. The poll also noted that
women traveling together are seeking more active and luxurious
vacations, looking for culinary and city sightseeing in addition to
embellish their trips involving spas, beach and shopping.

This week, Herzerl Tours introduced three European spa experiences to
its tour packages, as a response to the increased interest. The
itineraries include two days in a city followed by five days at a spa.
Promoted as culture/wellness packages, the tours feature Vienna /
Baden and Salzburg / Bad Gastein in Austria and Venice /Abano in
northern Italy. (See www.herzerltours.com for more details.)

Balance and rejuvenation are the themes of the new Herzerl Tour
packages. Not only do the itineraries include spa and city visits, the
spas selected near Vienna, Salzburg and Venice are all located in
little towns that offer their own distinctive charm.

American women recognize that the spa experience is different in
Europe and they value that distinction, says Servin. There the focus
is on promoting general well-being and health, not just superficial
beauty treatments. Mud treatments (called fango in Italy) and heated
pools of varying temperatures figure prominently in the relaxation
regimen.

The Europeans also do not believe in starvation: Delicious cuisine is
part of the holistic experience, and Herzerl Tours trips include wine
tastings, cooking classes and fine dining.

Susanne Servin expects her new Spa Experiences to be particularly
popular. Women want enrichment when they travel, and what could be
better than a day soaking at the spa, shopping in town, having wine
and dinner at an charming gourmet restaurant and listening to music at
night. This is a travel fantasy for many women and having a group of
friends with you just heightens the fun.

Herzerl Tours European Spa packages (land only, four-star
accommodations) start at $2,675.00 per person. For more details please
visit www.herzerltours.com or contact Herzerl Tours at 1-800-684 8488
or e-mail to sms@herzerltours.com

February 26, 2008   Posted in: Spa Resorts