Unwind in Bath

"During a massage, the active ingredients of essential oils penetrate through the skin. And their smells, titillating our senses, contribute to placing us in an emotional state that is conducive to letting go, "explains Melissa Mettler, Spa Manager at Gainsborough Hotel Bath (150km from London). Mélissa has created an aromatic bar, where she combines personalized cocktails, made with the organic oils of the British brand Neal's Yard.

"To facilitate the relaxation of physical and nervous tension and to ensure serene nights, I use the Relaxing base composed of balancing ylan-ylang and antistress neroli. Then I add, according to your olfactory choices, for example of the small grain which promotes relaxation, patchouli to reactivate the root chakra and calming and sedative orange. I impregnate a small sachet of salt of this learned dosage and I recommend to humor it following the Bath House Circuit (3 basins of hot thermal water sip of minerals and 2 saunas) ".

A relaxing preamble before enjoying the massage with selected essential oils. Long maneuvers sometimes smoothed, sometimes resting on the energetic points and the meridians. Laying a warm lavender potion first on the kidneys, then on the face under the nape of the neck and on the belly to encourage the absorption of the oils during the continuation of the modeling. Plantar reflexology especially on the adrenal area to complete unblocking tensions. Kneading of the palms of hands and ultimate massage of the trapezius. A very complete ritual where the synergy between the different oils accentuates their benefits and reinforces the feeling of fullness.

• In practice

Getting there: Eurostar Paris-Londres from 39 € per way with free wifi on board. www.eurostar.com

Accommodation: from 308 € the double room in the Gainsborough Hotel

Care Aromatherapy Massage: 60mn 140 €.

Re-energize in Venice

A little raplapla in this early autumn? Destination Island of Roses, 15 minutes by vaporetto from St. Mark's Square, where the Marriott's Goco Spa also offers a holistic view of well-being around aromatherapy, along with Italian organic products Brand Vitalis Dr Joseph. To cure those who lack energy, the care is mainly centered on the face.

"We work with an orange-based blend that tones the skin and promotes optimism, and lemon, which affects the lack of self-confidence and seasonal depression," says Claudia Errico, spa manager, which adds: "It also incorporates Mediterranean herbs that revitalize the skin, such as rosemary, seed oils with antioxidant properties and peptides of vegetable origin that reduce the effects of skin aging."

The therapist stimulates Marma points of the face: forehead lines, eyebrows, cheek bones, upper lip and jaw. This provides physical and mental relaxation and releases the flow of energy. To reinforce the energizing effect, follows a body modeling, carried out with the same essential oils, which also activates the immune system.

• In practice

Y Accommodation: Marriott Venice Resort

Care Aromatherapy Massage: 50mn 124 €.

Relieving muscle tensions in Lisbon

Back pain, stressed joints. And if you headed for The Retreat Spa at the Inspira Hotel in Lisbon. In partnership with the British brand Elemis, the Musclease Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap treatment promises to make you forget all your autumn pains, especially those caused by the hours spent in front of the computer.

After a Thai foot cleaning ritual, place a warm detoxifying wrap with algae and pine, rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme oils. During the laying of this mask, the therapist first performs a facial stimulus, which alleviates the pain present on other parts of the body, then a scalp massage with frangipani oil, which accentuates the feeling of well- be.

Lastly, to reduce muscle contractures, a massage with Musclease Active relaxing oil combines pine, sea buckthorn, sea crist and rosemary. The alternation of sliding maneuvers, frictions and effleurages with warm oil signals the letting go and the flight of tensions.

• In practice

Accommodation: Inspira Santa Marta in Lisbon

Elemis Musclease Treatment Aroma Ocean Wrap Spa: 75mn 90 €.