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

February, 2008 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

March 2, 2008   Posted in: Spa Resorts