Bagni di Pisa, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa

This destination spa combines the best in mod-cons with the luxurious background of its Italian heritage. Based in the centre of San Giuliano Terme, just 20 minutes from Pisa airport, it makes for a luxurious haven yet is just a short walk from the town’s many shops, bars and restaurants.

Water with beneficial effects, naturally rich in vital curative elements, gushes out at the foot of Mount San Giuliano out of different springs and gathers in the East and West Baths. The different types of mud formed by the waters are famous throughout Italy. The mud and the baths at San Giuliano are particularly prescribed for rheumatic illnesses and the after-effects of injury and sprains.

Alternatively you can use the Granducas’ Hammam, the hammam of the Grand Dukes, a steam bath in a small but stunning thermal grotto which can be reached through a short tunnel built in the 18th century but only recently re-discovered.

And if you want to stay in, the Dei Lorena Restaurant with a view of the Square of the Miracles and its Leaning Tower, have a menu with low-calorie, vegetarian and Tuscan specialties based on the recipes once cooked for the Grand Duke of Tuscany, during his summer visits.

Overnight half board breaks start at €135pppn, including access to the open air thermal therapeutic pool with hydromassages, the Turkish bath and a morning hike if you are feeling energetic.

www.bagnidipisa.com  

Alladale Wilderness Lodge & Reserve, Scotland

Alladale is a vast and remote estate set amid unparalleled natural beauty in the Highlands of Scotland which places as much emphasis on providing a luxury break for guests as it does on creating the perfect conditions to re-wild the natural landscape and re-introduce native Scottish species. Set amid 23,000 acres, guests can explore the reserve’s five glens, three rivers and 10 lochs.

Accessible only by a two mile drive on a private road, Alladale’s fully serviced lodge has all the modern comforts and provides the ultimate getaway for up to 16 people seeking privacy and a ‘house party’ ambience.

Weekend breaks start from £125 pppn with activities including deer stalking and fly-fishing (in season), guided walks, 4x4 safaris, use of mountain bikes, gymnasium and sauna.
Additional activities such as pony trekking, spa treatments, clay pigeon/target shooting, golf, sightseeing tours and dolphin watching are also available.

www.alladale.com

Grayshott Spa, Surrey

Once the country seat of Poet Laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Grayshott Spa in Surrey, with its 47 acres of sweeping lawns and adjoining 700 acres of National Trust land, is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. A luxury spa, Grayshott is renowned for its natural therapies, highly trained therapists, extensive facilities and delicious, nutritionally balanced spa cuisine and has been recently voted ‘UK Best Spa’ by both Tatler and Conde Nast Johansens.

Two-night breaks start from £435pp and include 3 spa treatments, and all meals from dinner on day of arrival until lunch on the day of departure. This month Grayshott is also offering 30 Coutts Woman readers a free room upgrade (worth in the region of £100) and a complimentary gift box of luxurious Aromatherapy Associates spa products, worth £45. Click here for more information.

www.grayshottspa.com

Italian Hideaways Villa, Bergamo, Northern Italy

Italian Hideaways specialises in weekend and weeklong cookery and activity holidays in Bergamo, Northern Italy. The villa is ideally located, just an hour from the shopping Mecca of Milan and within easy reach of scenic areas including Lake Como.

The four-bedroom villa can be hired room by room or in its entirety and breaks can be tailor made to suit the requests of any group. For example the owner can organise a beautician to visit the villa so that guests can enjoy relaxing treatments before an afternoon of cooking. Other excursions offered by the company include wine tasting at a local vineyard or hiking or horse-riding to make the most of the stunning Italian landscape.

Weekend breaks cost from £849 per person sharing a double or twin room. This price includes cookery lessons, airport limo transfers, excursions, visits to local producers, breakfasts, dinners and drinks.

www.italianhideaways.co.uk