Henna’s tip: “I got hooked on this retreat!”
Text Timo Raussi Photo Henna Mikkilä
Henna is a curious experimenter. Here she is “sauna-bathing” in Toila Spa’s cryo-barrel at -159 C.
Henna Mikkilä, the energetic and ever-moving host of the popular Facebook travel groups Tallinnatärpit and Viro-tärpit, loves sauna as much as a Finn possibly can. Last winter, she tried a retreat holiday in Estonia, and fell in love with it! Henna withdrew for a week to a health spa where, in addition to meals and spa visits included in the price, each day came pre-packaged with a set of treatments. The selection included individual therapies, for example, for those dealing with stress or weight issues.
“Especially compared to Finnish prices, the week-long package was incredibly affordable and effective, and a great way to pause and focus on your inner well-being, for instance as a kick-start to weight loss! My days were filled with treatments, which helped keep my mindset tuned to what mattered: relaxation. The occasional language barrier didn’t bother me, because the spa staff managed to create a lovely ‘far away from the bad world’ bubble for their guests,” Henna says.
“The smoothies and meals included were lighter than what you’d get in a buffet, which often tempts you to overeat, but oh, they were so beautiful and varied! In the beginning I felt a bit hungry, but my body adapted incredibly quickly. My nights also became noticeably longer than usual,” Henna continues, adding a tip: “Pack soft, simple lounge clothes. The hotel provides a bathrobe, of course, but between treatments it’s lovely to pamper your body in your room with comfortable outfits and perhaps some creams.”
So how do you find a spa holiday that’s just right for you?
“In Estonia there are so many different types of spa hotels that you can choose based on exactly the features and environment you value. If you want Scandinavian style and high-quality accommodation, choose a place based on the photos. A food-loving traveller can skip the buffet included in the package once or twice if there are well-known restaurants nearby. I’ve found good saunas in every Estonian spa I’ve visited, but the saunas at Wagenküll’s manor spa stood out as particularly high-quality on my recent trips. In the end, your attitude is what matters: when you approach the whole experience positively, you learn to appreciate and enjoy even the ordinary moments of your holiday.”
To learn more about this and similar topicsHoliday holiday in Estonia Hotel massage relaxation Spa Spa Hotel spa package
