Autumn is always the cheery commiseration prize at the end of the summer months. You’ve got beautiful oranges, browns and reds as the trees shed their leaves, you’ve got Halloween and Bonfire night, and you’ve got the slow approach to Christmas finally underway.
Sadly you’ve also got rain, mud and you just can’t go outside as much as you can in the summer months. Not to fret though, that’s why the autumnal season is the perfect time for city spa breaks. Whether that’s York, Bath, London or one of the other spectacular and varied cities the UK boasts, you’ll find an amazing getaway somewhere.
City spas are great because you’ve got the best of both worlds. You’ve got the hectic, happening city, replete with bars, culture, restaurants and a thousand other things to do, and you’ve got your peaceful, relaxing and tranquil spa retreat. That combination of two absolute opposites can make the perfect autumnal break.
Cities are great in autumn. It’s not too cold to head shopping in your favourite light jacket or coat, but it’s also not got that unpleasant trapped heat feeling you sometimes get in cities, especially in the warmer south.
Plus you’ve got all the fun Halloween and bonfire night decorations and celebrations. If you plan your spa break in advance you could be in a beautiful and classic city like Edinburgh, full of gorgeous architecture, ancient history and tons of amazing spa options in time to see the bonfire night fireworks, or check out the Halloween festivities.
The trouble with rural spa breaks is that you’re never more exposed to the mud and rain than when you’re out in the rural countryside. Idyllic spa retreats which look beyond postcard perfect in summer become muddy treks to reach, and once you’re there, there’s no going for local hikes, not with the forbidding rain and muddy paths.
The issue with rural spas is that you make your own outdoor fun, which can be great in summer. Hiking, swimming, exploring the surrounding area and picnics, all in a beautiful place can be so relaxing but not when the elements are against you.
Of course, if you’re purely interested in relaxation and spa treatments, and intend on staying indoors the whole time anyway, or if you’re only going for a day or two, rural countryside spa breaks can be absolutely fine.
A spa break heading into winter is always going to be a good idea anyway. The colder months are darker, more depressing and infinitely rougher on your skin and face. A quality spa retreat with tons of fun, anti-aging and restorative treatments will definitely have you feeling up to par.
Too often we neglect our own needs, especially when it comes to stress, and winter is a bad time for that kind of thing. A couple days spent in a gorgeous city, experiencing autumnal culture, while enjoying fabulous spa treatments, beautification and getting healthier and fitter could be just what you need if you’re feeling less than amazing.
A spa break to a local city doesn’t have to be expensive either. While you can very much spend an amount way up into the late hundreds, you can also spend way, way under £100 a night, if you find the right deals, vouchers and spa centres online. You want to set a budget and stick to it, no one wants to gut their wallet right at the start of winter.
The only real trouble with a spa city break is deciding what to do, and budgeting it into your overall retreat. There’s so many different things to do in a city, from restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes to cinemas, art galleries, concert halls and music venues. That’s not even mentioning the night life. If you’re not careful, you can spend a lot of money in a couple days in a city, but that’s a part of their charm. All that fun, enjoyable stuff really close together.
You should look up what’s on in the city a few months ahead of your going, as lots of cities have festivals and exhibitions that are seasonal, which you might want to attend. The Edinburgh Fringe comedy festival is a great example, or the spectacular Manchester Christmas Markets. Obviously, we’re both too late and too early for those options, but do your research properly and you’ll be sure to find some really amazing experiences to complement total relaxation at the spa.