Oana, my friend, I've known for 29 years. A close friendship, with a multitude of experiences, madness and moments spent together that have contributed to our evolution and formation perhaps more than anything else.
For the past 6 years, we've celebrated every year with a trip to the Spa. When in the mountains, when in Bucharest, depending on how it happened. But the idea was for the Spa to complement the state to the stories, so our outings happen in places where we can spend time with the hours, in peace. Away from the noise, the kids, the laptops and even the phones.
This year, we decided to go to Country SPA, in Snagov. Because for about 5 years since I've been going there, every time I had a very good time, it's close to Bucharest and, in addition, Oana had never been there before. It is a place where good taste dominates and I really wanted her to see it too.
When I went in the summer, I thought the multicolored flowers were the charm of the garden. When I went in the fall, on Harvest Day which they celebrate year after year, I changed my mind, and decided that this is the most beautiful season there. And so on, until I realized that the season doesn't matter, the garden is gorgeous.
And now that I have been standing in the rain, I can confirm that the smell of the rain combined with the flowers is dreamy.
As Oana also likes to splash in the pool, she would have been spoiled for choice, if the sun was shining. In the garden there are 2 pools with salt electrolysis filtered water.
Neither of us eat much, but that doesn't mean we're not picky eaters. I'd learned earlier, when I had a delicious salad that tasted clearly not from the dressing, that they grow their own vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and onions. This way, they cover 501TPTP3T of the ingredients used in the restaurant.
They also have a micro farm, where they raise 5 cows, 80 chickens, turkeys, ducks, pigs. From what they told me, thanks to the farm they get a wide variety of cheeses: from cheese with onions, leek, cumin, peppers and chili peppers, dill, olives - all made in their kitchen, so they can offer the most natural and tasty food. I find it admirable that, in addition to the restaurant, they send food to a school and a kindergarten every day, all fresh and healthy.
We spent 7 hours at the Country Spa, although they have a very varied menu, including all kinds of vegan, vegetarian or raw dishes, this time I preferred a salad made only from their home-grown vegetables and cheese prepared inhouse, because I love to savor their flavor and taste. In addition, we also served eggplant salad, and roasted peppers and garlic, which Oana praised me so much, I still couldn't help myself. And it was worth it, I put it in my short-list of culinary favorites.
The only thing I didn't taste was the salmon and corn bruschetta for the simple reason that I don't like corn. But since there were none left, I can see that Oana really liked these too.
For a drink, I chose a ginger infusion with turmeric and cinnamon that they make depending on how spicy you want it. It appealed to me a lot, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to order it because I can't stand the taste of spicy. She assured me it wouldn't be spicy at all and it really wasn't, so I ended up with a delicious cup of tea.
The restaurant is decorated in an elegant manner that reminded me of the bistros of the interwar period. They have great attention to detail and, perhaps more importantly, exceptional customer service.
Before going to the spa, we ordered a cappuccino with whipped cream, just to start the pampering - and an orange fresh. As much as I hate having to walk around with a spoon to get the ice cubes out, I don't know how I do it, but I always forget to tell them not to put ice in my glass. But this time I didn't need to, because as soon as we asked for the fresh ones, the waiter asked us if they should be with ice or without. Frankly, I was grateful.
As the sun smiled at us from the still clear sky, we savored them from one of the rustic gazebos in the barbeque area. It was so quiet, smelling so beautiful from the flowers and plants, that we didn't even realize time had flown and it was spa time.
At the Country Spa, they have 3 categories of treatments:
When I don't have a very precise objective, I prefer not to choose my therapy in advance. I just book the duration and talk to the spa staff so they can let me know what would be the most suitable option for me at that time.
That's how I discovered a special Ayurvedic ritual: 108 Marma Ritual, which offers a deep relaxation of the body and mind, supports the musculoskeletal system and helps to center the self in the present. Basically, a blend of 108 essential oils works to stimulate and balance 107 + 1 marma points in the body. After this journey through ayurvedic aromas, sounds of nature, massage with a combination of acupressure with stretching and joint mobilizations, all I could feel was detachment, calm, reconnection with myself, clarity - and that rare sensation of floating.
Another massage that I tried a long time ago and that I still turn to when I feel the need for a treat in addition to a therapeutic massage is Candle Massage. It's done with a candle that burns for the duration of the massage, resulting in a melted wax, very similar to oil, pleasant, full of flavor and nutrients for the skin. The effect is deep relaxation, a state free from stress and fatigue, and extremely soft skin.
On the menu they have many relaxation therapies, from classic relaxing massage - either simple or with essential oils - up to complex therapies. She works with three cosmetic brands: Yonka, Lakshmi and Elemis. All three are organic, an essential criterion when choosing to work with a brand.
We learned from Ileana, the head therapist, that some of the most sought-after relaxation therapies are the Yonka getaways, with a body peel followed by an aromatherapy massage. Thus, we're carried away to Polynesia by the scent of jasmine; to Provence, thanks to lavender; orange takes us to Corsica, and cedar makes us feel like we're taking a walk in the middle of the forest.
Among the top massages requested by their clients are volcanic rock massage and Herbal Thai massage. Both use heat as an adjunct in the relaxation. In volcanic rock massage, heat is maintained by stones that relax the muscles. In Herbal Thai massage, warm, herbal sachets are used, each with a specific role and effect.
Because I don't move enough, in general, I feel the need for a therapeutic deep massage that relaxes me quickly. Next to the spa, there's a clinic where they do such therapies:
I alternate Yumeiho with Royal Thai Massage, which I love. By the way, you also have the opportunity to do a FREE 30-minute Thai Royal mini-massage on Global Wellness Day, Saturday, June 12, at Country SPA, at 10:00. If you go, leave me a comment to let me know how you felt 🙂 - details and registration here.
Ce mai au, dar nu am incercat, este un ritual terapeutic adresat in intregime tulburarilor de statica vertebrala. Un alt masaj care este mai nou in meniul lor si mi-a atras atentia este tehnica ayurvedica Shirodara, care presupune un masaj delicat al capului precum si picurarea unui flux lent de ulei cald pe frunte, pe chakra anja.
Tot in clinica se pot face si sedinte de psihologie cu Emilie Hriscan, nutritie cu Simona Dumitrescu si sesiuni de yoga si fitness cu Tania Croitoru.
In Spa lucreaza 6 terapeuti, aceiasi de foarte multi ani. Studiaza contant, fac mai multe sesiuni de training pe an, iar asta se simte imediat in felul in care executa tratamentele.
Revenind la tratamentul meu Spa, de data aceasta stiam exact ce vreau: un tratament cu oxygen hyperbaric si un facial massage. Daca citesti articolele din despreSpa.ro, stii deja ca nu sunt de nici un fel adepta terapiilor cu aparate pentru ca nu au nimic natural si mai rau, au multe efecte adverse. Insa tratamentul cu oxygen hyperbaric nu are nici un fel de contraindicatie si ajuta mult la revitalizarea pielii.
Cat despre masajul facial, cu toate ca in ultimele luni mi-am facut acasa in fiecare zi si auto-masaj facial, si gimnastica faciala – in cadrul programului anti-aging despreSpa.ro – simteam nevoia sa ma las din nou pe mana unui specialist. De fapt, asteptam cu mare nerabdare acest moment.
Iar acum, masajul facial a fost primul la care mi-a zburat gandul. Am tot tanjit dupa el in serile in care eram rupta de oboseala si totusi imi faceam exercitiile pentru ca stiu cat de repede si cat de profund reusesc sa dorm dupa 20 de minute de auto-masaj. Am fost foarte fericita cu alegerea facuta pentru ca nu a avut nici o legatura cu mini-auto-masajele mele. Mainile terapeutei executa cu totul alte miscari. Initial ma gandeam sa retin si eu cate ceva, apoi am renuntat si m-am abandonat cu totul in savurarea lui, ascultand in fundal si acordurile de pian care imi rafatau auzul.
Oana si-a ales un ritual facial, Super Food Pro Radiance, si a iesit foarte incantata de acolo.
Si in spa, ca si in restaurant, atentia la detalii si confortul clientilor ies in evidenta. De cand intri, te intampina un miros de orhidee neagra, dupa cum am aflat de la receptie.
M-a surprins sa constat ca si gelul dezinfectant este tot Bio, de la Lakshmi, cu aloe, calendula si musetel. De curiozitate m-am dat pe maini si m-am surprins ca-mi tot apropii palmele de nas pentru ca nu ma mai saturam de aroma lui.
Predomina lemnul si piatra, este foarte multa lumina pentru ca peretii cladirii sunt de fapt niste geamuri imense, iar elementele de decor, asa cum spune si numele Spa-ului, sunt specific romanesti: vase din lut, paie, margarete, asternuturi si covoare in camerele de tratament. Spa-ul are 600 mp, cu 6 camere de tratament din care 5 individuale si una pentru cuplu.
Dupa tratament, in zona de relaxare, m-am afundat pur si simplu in fotoliu, croit parca special pentru corpul meu si am apreciat si paturica aflata la indemana, pentru orice eventualitate.
As fi inchis ochii, dar am preferat sa privesc ploaia, curtea verde, cele 3 salcii si lacul Snagov pe care mai trecea cand si cand cate o salupa.
Imi place faptul ca papadia, sigla lor, este peste tot prin spa. Am intrebat de ce si am aflat ca povestea Country SPA a inceput cu un camp plin de papadii. Indragostindu-se de frumusetea galbenului intens, proprietarii au cautat sa afle mai multe despre aceasta planta.
“Se spune ca intr-o zi Dumnezeu a trimis un inger la toate plantele sa le intrebe cum vor sa arate. Numai ca papadia nu stia cum vrea sa fie si ingerul i-a mai oferit o zi sa se mai gandeasca. In ziua aceea, papadia, rugandu-se, a dat cu ochii de soare si s-a hotarat sa arate ca el, sa fie galbena si frumoasa. Apoi a vazut luna si s-a razgandit. Isi dorea ca ea; sa fie rotunda, alba si frumoasa. Apoi a vazut stelele si i-au placut si acelea.
Cand a venit ingerul nu stia ce sa ii spuna: isi dorea sa fie ca soarele, ca luna si ca stelele. Insa Dumnezeu i-a inteles dorinta. De aceea, papadia este la inceput galbena ca soarele, apoi alba si rotunda ca luna si, daca sufli peste ea, se imprastie ca stelele.”
Au cercetat si mai mult si au aflat ca papadia este sursa unei varietati de nutrienti iar frunzele si radacina sa contin vitamine – cum ar fi A, C, K si B, cat si minerale – inclusiv magneziu, zinc, potasiu, fier, calciu. Beneficiile ei acopera o plaja intinsa, de la efecte anti-age, efect analgezic, la ingrijirea parului sau relaxarea profunda a tesutului mamar. Amelioreaza durerile osoase si musculare, elimina apa din tesut, trateaza si previne afectiunile pielii. I-au dedicat chiar si un ritual semnatura, Ritualul Papadiei.
In cazul in care vrei sa petreci mai multe zile la Country Spa, e bine sa stii ca pe tot parcursul anului organizeaza retreat-uri. Pe timpul verii, cele mai cautate sunt cele de tipul fit&slim, detox si beauty&anti-aging. Toate retreat-urile contin nopti de cazare la boutique hotelul lor care are 11 camere. Fiecare camera are un alt design, o alta poveste, dar toate arata foarte cosy.
Meniul este personalizat in functie de retreat-ul ales. Faci si activitati sportive pe terenul lor de sport acoperit cu tartan, unde poti juca si baschet, fotbal si tenis. Si, bineinteles, in retreat poti include si tratamente spa cat cuprinde 🙂
Si apropo de Spa, din iunie si pana spre octombrie, poti opta pentru terapii in aer liber langa lacul Snagov, pe ponton. Experienta este extrem de placuta, asa ca merita sa incerci macar o data. Intentia noastra asta fusese, dar cum in aceste zile vremea a fost mai rece si ploiasa n-am reusit. Ramane pentru data viitoare.
Founder despreSpa.ro
