In Tuscany, in the hill-town of San Casciano dei Bagni, about 150km from Florence.

What does it offer?

It's a 'wellbeing' spa hotel (a former Medici villa) with thermal waters that are full of therapeutic properties and it offers a range of medical, body and facial treatments. Steam rooms, Etruscan baths and an innovative 'Liquid Sound Pool' (float in oilsprinkled thermal waters and watch stars twinkle and change colour above you) are all part of the package. There's also a hydromassage pool and two large outdoor pools.

They have just introduced a new range of olive oil and honey based Mediterranean treatments.

How much?

Three days, on a half-board basis, with three days of treatments costs from 810 per person sharing.

Contact details?

www. fonteverdespa. com;0039 0578 57241

APHRODITE HILLS RETREAT In Cyprus, set back from the coast a few miles east of Paphos.

What does it offer?

Part of the longestablished Aphrodite Hills Resort Hotel, the Retreat opened last year and features Pevonia products which are chemical-free. A host of treatments are available, with 18 treatment rooms, two outdoor massage pavilions, a heated outdoor pool and a 'thermae' area where mineral-based therapies are the order of the day.

How much?

Double rooms from 180 with treatments individually priced . . . their 'caviar & pearl facial', for example, costs 200 and lasts for 75 minutes.

Contact details?

www. aphroditehills. com;

00357 26828100 ELOUNDA P ENINSULA HOTEL Where is it?

In Elounda, the upmarket resort in north-east Crete.

What does it offer?

A beautiful setting for its Six Senses Spa which is built into a cliff and comes with a gym, a sauna, treatment rooms, a marble swimming pool and a hammam. With open-air massage treatments, the emphasis is on the holistic.

And the hotel itself is beautiful, the newest property of this type in this lovely corner of Crete.

How much?

There are no standard rooms here . . . it's an allsuites hotel . . . and prices start from 475 a night.

Treatments range from 25 to 120.

Contact details?

www. eloundapeninsula. com;

0030 28 41068250

VILA SOLRESORT

Where is it?

Close to Vilamoura on Portugal's Algarve.

What does it offer?

An east-meets-west experience with a great range of treatments . . . the emphasis is on restoring harmony and, as they say themselves, "balancing mind, body and spirit."

With special individuallytailored programmes available, you can opt for the aquamedic indoor pool, chill out in the spa's relaxation area or soothe your soul (and body) in the tranquil hammam.

How much?

Five nights accommodation from 900 for two people sharing.

There's a vast range of treatments . . . 35 for the aquamedic pool, 30 for 25 minutes in the hammam, 120 for a hot-stone massage (85 minutes).

Contact details?

www. vilasol. pt ; 0035 1 289 320320

LARESIDENCIA SPA

Where is it?

In Mallorca, located in the village of Deia, known for its associations with the poet Robert Graves who lived there and is buried in the local graveyard. About 40 minutes from Palma.

What does it offer?

A range of treatments in the tranquil and sumptuous surroundings of the famous hotel . . .

Princess Diana was a regular guest . . . which comprises two beautifully restored manor houses in the heart of the village.

With an indoor pool (the hotel itself has two outdoor pools, one of which is a child-free zone), a gym, six treatment rooms and a private outdoor massage area you can opt for tried and tested treatments or try out some of the newer ones available such as the top-of-the-range Thalgosculpt which includes a hot cocoa and cool stimulating ginger wrap. All treatments use either Guinot, Thalgo, Opi, Aromatherapy Associates or Earth Oxygen products.

How much?

A double room at La Residencia (including breakfast) is priced from 395 per night from April until mid May. Examples of treatments include a twohour Stone Therapy at 178, a 30-minute face and scalp massage at 46.75 and a one-hour full body massage at 84.

Contact details?

www. orient-express. com;

0034 971 636046