Good morning! As I mentioned on my last post, I’m devoting this week to feature a splendid spa break we experienced at the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria in Italy. We’ve woken up to the most brilliant day and are now enjoying the decadent spread they have for an exquisite, leisurely lunch outdoors specially prepared for those on full board. We are anticipating an appointment at their new White Spa – a lovely custom ritual for our 5 senses curated by the experts at the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria.
Right after our delightful brunch, we headed off to the hotel’s White Spa for a ritual called the 5 Senses, a custom rite that is exclusive to the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria featuring a light massage and a ceremonial routine containing their mineral-rich mud or “fango” in Italian which consisted of the waters from the thermal springs, mud or clay filled with vitamins, and algae.
It’s a nice preparatory ritual that guests could partake in to prepare them for a deeper cleanse or custom wellness spa service that the hotel further offers to its guests who experience discomforts in other areas of their health. On a lighter note, I also see this as the perfect gift to give to a blushing bride, a different kind of wellness break to prepare her for her upcoming wedding. Bridesmaids would also enjoy it of course as well as quite possibly the groom and his groomsmen!
As my husband and I entered the White Spa, which seems to illuminate with a gentle mildness, a prelude to a graceful ritual that we were quite looking forward to, we were pleasantly surprised that the spa further draws in a seductive type of character through its interior crimson lights with a subtle hint of delicacy. The room felt like it was glowing in a whimsical ambiance that seems to take us to a dream-like world filled with a promise of rejuvenation. At this point, our therapist slowly led us to sit across a table filled with bowls of dates and apricots as well as mild herbs and other oils and ingredients that will be used to massage our entire bodies with. As we sat, she asked us our oils of choice. Mine was rose, which she gently poured into the basin and massaged my feet with. My husband chose lavender which he also thoroughly enjoyed.
Next, we were ushered into two private rooms where we were going to experience a different kind of hydro-massage that was going to soothe and rejuvenate every inch of our bodies. It definitely felt like every inch! Different ambiance could be tailored depending on the lights used inside the room. Blue emanated coolness, red oozes warmth, while green was minty. I chose blue as the grounds of the thermal spa were a bit warm during the summer months. As our therapist closed my door in preparation for complete privacy and detoxification, she applied the mineral-rich “fango” or mud with the thermal spring waters and algae blend throughout my body in order to take off toxins, restoring my skin and reinvigorating my soul in the process. The brew consists of the clay which stays in thermal water for 3 months. In its maturation process, it grows algae whose properties have a positive effect towards health improvement.
The 5 Senses Ritual is about 45 minutes that features mud application, state-of-the-art hydro shower facilities that emit water in an ozone environment with a final bath. We were also allowed to relax in their brand new private Turkish bath amenity inside the White Spa. The ritual was Arabian-inspired but each step was carefully curated by the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria for their privileged guests to enjoy exclusively at the hotel with the main ingredient featuring their custom fusion of mineral-rich “fango” and the thermal waters of Abano Terme.
After the soothing 5 Sense Ritual, my husband and I luxuriated in one of the four thermal pools inside the hotel grounds. It is interesting to note that the waters where the mouth of the spring emanates a temperature of 85 degrees from the ground and hotel cools it at a comfortable 36 degrees for their guests to enjoy. The key to a proper thermal bath experience is to dip in and out every 15 minutes to avoid feeling dehydrated. You’d be happy to know that the thermal waters have anti-aging properties and I truly felt the difference in my skin after Day 1.
Thermal spas are an activity that is suitable from kids to adults. It is safe to say that it’s nice for kids to have an early relationship with water. Truly, Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria is a place for the whole family.
After an afternoon lounging around and going on routine dips, we found ourselves mesmerized with the hotel’s emotional showers with aroma and thermal therapy. They also have a good size sauna which was right next to the ice room and a lavish Roman steam room. All these feature thermal water which further rejuvenate and heals your bodies. We were literally surrounded by the mineral water throughout our entire spa experience, constantly detoxifying our skins and stimulating our vitalities.
At 4pm, the aqua gym starts in their outdoor pool. Those that don’t want to participate could try the hydro bikes in the pool at a more convenient time. Lunch is served indoors or by their large patio overlooking their beautifully manicured gardens and fascinating statues that adorn the grounds. Magnificent works of art and antiquity can be found all over the interior and exterior of the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria. The owners and founders of GB Abano Hotels are quite the collectors. The architecture of the hotel alone is enough to garner a visit and admire the impressive Belle Époque style surroundings.
Not too far away is also the Praglia Abbey founded in the 11th century by Benedictine monks. Whether you’re on a tour, a cruise, or simply going on a DIY road trip around the Italian countryside, check out Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria at the Abano Terme in Italy. Give yourself a break and bathe in the mineral-rich thermal waters to relax your muscles and awaken your senses. No trip to Italy is complete without a proper encounter in an authentic Italian bath after all. As a matter of fact, I think it’s best to start or end an arduous tour schedule – have a vacation from the vacation – by spending a couple of nights here, surrounded by wellness, comfort and food. If you’re all about the complete Italian experience then treat yourself to an enlivening ritual spa trip at Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria. Surely, you’ll be starting a much-earned wellness affair.
Thanks to Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria | Upscale Hotel 40 Minutes from Venice & 13 km from The Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua in Italy | Via P. d’Abano, 1, 35031 Abano Terme PD, Italy | +39 049 866 5100