My'
llighland Spa l'or an alternoon ol'
pampering. The Vital Beauty centre is set apart from the main leisure area. where there is plenty of handy Inn to he had with the llume. waye machine. steam room and sauna. 'l'hankl'ully. the treatment rooms haye a more hushed atmosphere. with soil lighting and quiet music playing in the background. Some people might lind the low ceilings and isolation a little unnerying. but once you sink into the padded table. any apprehension quickly l‘ades away. The facial session combines the best hits of aromatherapy and massage in one short therapy. ()ne deliciously liragranced Decleor product alter another is smoothed into the lace and neck. while a tirm massage technique is used to ease tension in the shoulders. In contrast. the upper body massage involves a much more gentle touch. helped along by the subtle smell of almond
oil that lulls you into a kind ol'
trance. We emerged an hour or so later. wrapped in our llull‘y white dressing gowns and lloating on a cloud ol‘ indulgence. It was as much
as we could manage to navigate our
way back to the room and lie down for a much needed nap.
But it would have been a crime to keep our cleansed and massaged selves hidden away from Aviemore's bright lights on a Saturday night. so off we went
down the high street in search of
thrills and not too many chills. First port ol~ call was Cate Mambo. like the one in Ibiza btit with far less 110 THE LIST 17—31 Mar 2035
TRAVEL
There are plenty of things for snow-phobes in the Cairngorms, including mountain biking, pony trekking and hill walking. And don‘t forget those lovely dogs.
beach. It‘s a good looking joint and was heaying with tourists and locals so it's an ideal place to start hel'ore journeying on to a wee nightclub called the Vault. They close the doors at l l.45pm. hut partying continued in the company ol a friendly crowd until 3am. when we wandered through the snowdril'ts hack to the hotel and our cosy beds to dream ol‘ liuskies and heautil'ul. wild landscapes.
FACTFILE
Where to stay MacDonald A\.l(3ltl()lt: Highland Reson. Avremore. 08/0 12/1 4124 (general enquiriesi: 08-15% 2:35) 455 (reservationsi. www.aViemorehigihlandresortcorn. Prices start at EQOpp for two tllglllté dinner. bed and breakfast based on two Sharing.
New to get there Scotrari and GM“ provrdes direct sen/ices from Glasgos. and Edinburgh. Call 081157 225 22:3 to book tickets or log on to \NVA‘JgflQlICOtlls’
Car hire If you’re looking to hire a (far. try MacDonald's Self Dll‘.’C. t3 lvluinon. Ay'iemOre. 01479 81 14.1.1. It's a ltleliill‘, busmess and vehicles can he delivered Within a if) mile radius of the town. Dog sledding To meet Ara.” Stewart's dogs. head to the Cairngorm Sreddog Adventure Centre. Moormore Cottage. Rothiemurohus Estate. Aweniore. 07767 270526 rvanatsletl«2098.30.ukr, The One hOur kennel tour costs 8753 r4350 and sled-dog trips are ar’at::e from October-April rweathe' Der'rriftz"g. althoogh Show Is not necessar‘,» Cf'CEtl
at 9.3 4200 for a two-teatime hour .' r;
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Booking .i; ('Tififfilliltli.
Rothiemurchus information Hotliierriiirr;".it; l9f;t;rt<': fil‘tfl‘r .i" (i774, activities. l'ltj‘LlHlllt} <:i.i, (wit: r' sliriotiriri. -1x-1olt iorirlci'i‘.':ri:;.irr : lull tiikiriri ll ,rru meter to Lift 2*. .i" :"w. ‘f‘»:~u are also Tltllflftx'l .'.'ili'~_:; .irivi ‘..l'l' ll",
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Excess Baggage
Here. there art) e. t"‘.‘.‘. “we
I London is the world‘s best place to eat, according to international magazine Gourmet. For some inspiration in choosing between the 6000 restaurants. 3000 cafes and bars and 5000 pubs, check out www.visitlondon.com/fr for options that range from top end restaurants, such as Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, to the array 0! value cafe-style options such as Masala Zone or Carluccio's.
I A chain 0 to l‘liltl the Mt] one llllf‘. lOrtnigiht as {ltl‘.ifll’.tltt‘ “ii N‘tilillltil lrt~k America prepares for its next ts-t :lay ‘Trailhlazor' across the l J8 and Canada. Tours through 35» status and provinces. from Lost, Angelot; to No York, kltik oil at the end of this month and run right through until the beginning of August. Hitihlitihts raritie- eriii Canada's Northwest Rockies, the colonial east and Dmp South, tr.- the Wild West and northern l)l[lllll?f. With visrts; to ghost towns and explorations of the continent's awesome National Parks throWii in. 880 V»’\‘/‘.’.’.lrekalllelkJél.(2( )lll.
I Prepare to be razzle dazzled as Chicago announces that it is to serve a feast for the senses. Stirring Things Up in Chicago, a delicious, exotic, eclectic mixture of the culinary, visual, performing and literary arts, includes tours, poetry slams, theatre perlormances, music concerts, cooking classes, unique dining experiences, exhibitions, the 25th anniversary of Taste of Chicago and much more from 1 May to 31 October, along with special hotel rates and offers and weekend packages. Check out www.chicago.il.org.
I And finally, forget the mile high club this fortnight as the Flight Centre reveals the most unusual items given out by airlines. These include Nicotine patches & Christian Lacrov. pyjamas (both Air France first ClaSSl. a collector's item porcelain house tilled wrth gin lKLM busineSSl and 29 different dietan/ meal options tincluding raw vegetarian/seafood moo-lactose/low purine (Emirates). In reSponse. the imaginative boos at FC sent out a questionnaire looking for the top items we normal economy class folks would like to be given. Responses included Marrnite and salt and Vinegar crisps. Bless. if they coughed up some diet Irri-Bru. they'd be on to a real winner there.