It may be age, it may be the hustle and bustle of the city and the multitude of social networks, the tight deadlines and the obsession to make the most of every minute, or maybe all of them put together - the fact is that in all this whirl, I need more and more peace.
If until a few years ago we appreciated it and felt its benefits, now it has become vital. Like air.
The other day I returned to the Country Spa Retreat, a place dear to my heart, as I've already told you here , here yes here.
Every time I came for a few hours of relaxation, but only now I realized that this is the place where I find absolutely everything I need: an oasis of greenery, lake, chirping birds, and above all, peace.
With a Spa that is constantly reinventing itself, 3 swimming pools, a very chic boutique hotel, a brand new Eco Village - which I'll tell you about in a moment - and a restaurant where they cook with ingredients from their own orchard and farm - just like in any other Farm Spa that until a while ago I only read about in international Spa magazines.
Today I no longer need to imagine what a Farm Spa looks like, it's just a few kilometers from Bucharest. And when I'm on my way home, I can also buy natural fruit and vegetables from their market, as well as zacuscă, jam and cheese - all prepared by their specialists.
They have proven to us every year that they meet their customers with all kinds of innovations, all carefully built around the Farm Spa concept.
Guided by the motto " Only put on your skin what you put in your mouth " Florica Chitaru - General Director of Country Spa Retreat and Ileana Maiovschi - Spa Manager, together with Daniela Dumitru - International Spa Trainer, have created the 120-minute "Bliss" body ritual, the "Velvety Hands and Feet Ritual" and the "Happy Scalp and Hair" ritual.
And as a complement to these rituals, they also included in the menu the "Back massage in the saline" - which I clicked on the first second, because the saline saved my life many years ago - as I wrote here. As for back massage... I think I could do with the hours.
All the new rituals have only natural ingredients, which means they can be done by Country Spa clients at home as well, in addition to those at the spa. Depending on the season and the herbs needed, some of the ingredients are brought from their own lush garden and others are bought from local producers.
The ingredients in the rituals are customized according to the client's skin type, as well as according to the desired effect. They are suitable for mature people as well as for those with sensitive, even couperose skin, or those who need an intensive detox.
All in all, in less than 50 minutes I was ready 🙂
I started with the scalp massage which immediately helped me detach from all my thoughts. In addition, it helps to stimulate circulation to the scalp skin, which favors deep penetration of the ingredients in the hair mask.
For my mask, Ileana combined honey, walnut oil - all the minerals that walnut contains nourish the hair - but also Helicrysum essential oil (heals and balances energetically and emotionally, regenerates the nervous system, soothes irritation and redness) and Acceptance essential oil. Why Acceptance, I had just had a discussion with her on the subject, but never thought for a moment that she would use it in personalizing my ritual 🙂
The ritual helps to restore balance because the intense work on the scalp activates all the sense organs, intensifies the sensory plane and opens the extrasensory zone. On the physical level, there is a deep cleansing of the scalp skin, dandruff, seborrhea, scalp flakes are removed, and the hair, even mine, was easily manageable, and when it returned to its natural shape, it looked completely revitalized.
Although it is 100% natural, the ritual also has a few contraindications: it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women (in fact, you can perform this technique, but using only odor-free products).
It is also not recommended if there are strict contraindications from a dermatologist, for people suffering from epilepsy or severe mental illness.
The hair mask can also be made with shea butter, which can be mixed with honey and applied to the scalp and hair.
Generally, only essential oils are customized to the customer.
In the excitement of that moment, my first thought had been to leave with the mask on my head, and sleep with it on at night. Ileana had confirmed that this was the ideal option, but then I remembered that I had a very busy morning ahead of me, so I chose to wash it off with water, without shampoo - with the idea of not losing the properties of the ingredients, leaving as much of them as possible and keeping my scalp nourished.
What's more, if washed with water only, the honey and oil will also stay in the hair for a while and act as a conditioner.
In the end, I spent about 30 minutes with the mask on my head, and in the meantime, he did a hand ritual.
Ileana used a combination of honey and ginger powder.
Depending on each customer's needs, the ingredients change. Other scrub options include sugar, salt, olive oil, avocado oil, citrus essential oil or peppermint.
Without removing the scrub, apply the mask.
The mask is made fine cane or coconut sugar, olive oil, avocado oil or various butters, honey, pollen and essential oils.
Country spa therapists prefer to work with avocado oil because it is high in protein, which, in combination with its varied amino acid content, makes it excellent for tissue regeneration and cell renewal.
Avocado oil improves the body's rate of collagen production because Vitamins A and D, which are found in avocado oil, can promote collagen production and binding.
Consumption or topical application of avocado oil can slow down the skin's ageing process. The Omega 3 and vitamin E found in avocado oil also make it an excellent choice for treating skin irritations such as eczema, psoriasis, cracked heels, dandruff, and insect bites and stings.
After applying the mask, he put a plastic sheet over it and I stayed like that for about 10-15 minutes.
I didn't have time for a foot ritual, but I understand that it helps to remove the keratosis layer on the soles, repair aging or cracked skin. It removes the sensation given by edema, decontractualizes and oxygenates at tissue level. Improves peripheral circulation of hands and feet. It is a cleansing ritual in a way as relaxing as possible, and 100% natural.
And these two rituals have some contraindications that are good to know about: allergies, some dermatologic conditions (especially exfoliation), cancer. Pregnant women should refrain from using essential oils.
Eco Life Village is the new development of villas built in a sustainable way, based on circularity and zero waste principles, through which Florica Chitaru, general director Country Spa Retreat aims to offer a very special experience for guests who want to rediscover a life in tune with the rhythms of nature.
They used 67% less concrete, construction techniques were used to reduce electricity and water wastage - for example: grinding stone with traditional methods saved 80% less electricity, wall thicknesses of 50-52 cm provide extra energy efficiency.
The stone houses regulate their temperatures (retaining or emitting heat or cooling depending on the indoor/outdoor climate), and being powered by solar panels for green energy, electricity consumption is minimal.
Eco Life Village is set in the same 2-hectare green oasis. There are 6 villas, and each of them can accommodate 2 to 6 people.
The buildings were made with natural, sustainable materials that preserve the authentic beauty of the place.
Rough stone is an essential element used in both exterior construction and interior decoration. It not only provides a rustic and authentic look, but also contributes to natural thermal insulation, maintaining a pleasant climate in all seasons.
Solid woodThe wood, sustainably sourced, has been used for floors, windows, exposed beams and furniture, bringing a natural warmth that complements the feeling of comfort. It is handcrafted, highlighted by carved details that reflect the craftsmanship of local artisans.
The other natural materials were chosen to minimize environmental impact while creating a space of simple yet profound elegance.
The furniture in natural stone is a unique signature - the sturdy beds and wardrobes offer a sense of stability and durability - and seem to become focal points of the decor.
Each space is complemented by solid wood elements, soft textiles and colors inspired by the natural landscape:
Fascinated by what I saw, I asked How it was received Eco Life Village by loyal Country Spa Retreat customers and what they appreciated most.
As I expected, Eco Life Village immediately won them over, the unique concept, based on sustainability and connection with nature, was extremely well received:
"Six years after the launch on the market of Country Spa Retreat, a place where we proved that relaxation, harmony between mind, body and spirit are possible, we have created, for the sake of nature and our guests, a concept that harmoniously combines hospitality services with circular lifestyle and ZERO WASTE principles. The Eco Life Village is a space that invites its guests to create, with their own resources, a rhythm suited to each individual, inspired by nature. It is a mini universe, a little "village" like in the old days, with smiling people, based on healthy principles, with ingredients from their own farm and local producers, with food cooked with care like at "mom's home". This is how Eco Life Village by Country Spa was born, your nest of well-being and harmony close to Bucharest!"he said Florica ChitaruCountry Spa Retreat general manager at the launch of Eco Life Village.
Also then, Ciprian Sipoș, the architect, an active promoter of the principles of circularity and zero waste, tells us that " we intended that in this place people would be embraced by life closer to Nature and live more consciously, in tune with its rhythms. It is a project to bring people closer to themselves, an invitation to discover that they can live simply and naturally.
We've used reclaimed materials, a minimalist decor to walk around barefoot, a space that inspires those who will inhabit it to discover new ways of living sustainably for themselves and the planet".
I found the feeling I had in the houses in Eco Life Village extraordinary - I didn't see them as a place to stay, but as a destination for the soul, combining tradition, modern comfort and respect for nature in a unique experience.
But what's new at the Country Spa in 2024 is more than just nature-inspired spa treatments and the eco village!
During the summer, the Country Spa organized a special retreat every month.
Guests are invited to lie on mattresses in the pool. They're covered with soft blankets, and to keep their attention focused on the sounds of the bowls, they're given night goggles to cover their eyes.
I asked Ileana what would be the minimum amount of time a client would need to spend in Eco Village in order to leave completely refreshed, revitalized and energized.
He told me three nights.
In the meantime, a mini-retreat can be organized for him, with spa therapies, personalized menu, activities in nature (such as forest baths, aerobics sessions, mindfulness).
To preserve the effects of the mini retreat for as long as possible, she recommends:
Every time I've come to Country Spa Retreat I've always seemed to get more than I expected, and if you've read my articles before, you know I'm pretty picky.
But now, with all the new things over the last few months, I've actually been fascinated. And the ones that I haven't tried yet, just seen, I can't wait to get back to them so I can experience the new version of Farm Spa by Country Spa Retreat!
Thanks to Andrei Păduraru for the photos and videos!
Founder despreSpa.ro
