Travelling to Bad Ragaz from Zurich airport couldn’t have been easier. Despite a slightly temperamental Tom Tom sat-nav – the man in the box having some difficulty connecting to his friends in the sky – it was down the main road from Zurich, take the Bad Ragaz exit, then look for the hotel on the [...]

In geographical terms, Switzerland is about the same size as Wales or West Virginia; while in terms of population (around 8 million), it’s no bigger than London or New York City.  It is a land of contrasts and surprises – lakes and mountains, skiing and walking, banking and engineering, watches and clocks, cheeses and wines. [...]

Would I like a spa treatment for Father’s Day? You Bet!
Do I remember the first time I went to a spa? Hmm…. yes I do. I was unprepared and apprehensive – I simply had no idea what to expect!
But  don’t be a sissy and forgo what could be a life changing experience (honest!) – here’s [...]

The next step on the GSS journey was a post summit trip from Interlaken to Lausanne for a visit to the Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne. This is like no other university you have ever experienced! Walk into the main building – half the students are suited and booted reflecting the ‘front of house’ part [...]

The Summit is like no other conference! Modeled loosely on the annual World Economic Forum at Davos – participation mandatory; movers & shakers only; by invitation only; everybody pays – this is a true global strategy session, not a talking heads get-together. Kicking off with 25 – that’s 25 – individual country reports on the [...]

Travelling from Zurich to Interlaken, the venue for the Global Spa Summit, we are subjected the pleasure of the Swiss rail system – part of an integrated approach to transport that is a joy to behold! Zurich – change at Bern by exiting train, walking 3 metres and joining the connection almost immediately – then [...]

2009 marks the 3rd year of the Global Spa Summit – an annual conference for the great and the good of the global spa industry who have accepted the daunting challenge of providing leadership and insight into the future direction of the spa sector. As spa irresistibly moves from niche to mainstream this is an [...]

Continuing my English spa journey I visited Harrogate in North Yorkshire, another traditional spa town alongside Bath, Buxton, Leamington Spa, Tunbridge Wells and Cheltenham. Many of these towns are seeing renewed interest in their spa facilities although many have been lost during the 20th century as dilapidation and re-development have taken over.
Harrogate is another architectural [...]

Kevin writes…
“Recently I was invited to speak at the Buxton College, part of the University of Derby and specializing in spa and beauty therapy and management. I’ve been to Buxton before and it’s simply an awe-inspiring place. If you like living history this is a ‘must do’ visit – and all set in the beautiful [...]

Mark Rothko Mural for End Wall (Untitled) [Seagram Mural] 1959 National Gallery of Art, Washington Gift of the Mark Rothko Foundation Inc.

Kevin writes…
The spirituality of spa is a complex issue, embracing thoughts and beliefs that are embodied in centuries’ old physical disciplines and treatments. Many spas today embrace these traditions and they can connect [...]