TRADITIONAL HEALING IN SARDINIA

WHERE? Forte Village resort, Sardinia WHY? To remedy aches, pains and skin issues before kicking back with a cocktail HOW MUCH? Seven nights from £1,333 per person based on two people sharing a room in Hotel Bouganville on a halfboard basis; fortevillageresort.com WHO? Florence Mitchell, Junior Writer

I can spa close to home – why travel?

The golden sands, Mediterranean sun and cocktail bar with sea view are pretty big pulls, no? But the real star of the show is Forte Village’s Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa, where all facilities and treatments are rooted in the healing properties of seawater. Besides the usual fare – pool, sauna, steam room – there are six dedicated thalassotherapy pools of different temperatures and concentrations of seawater, which combine to offer a full wellness experience. DOMS from your session with one of the resident PTS? Head to the 10°C pool for a nippy dip that boosts circulation and eases muscle pain. Skin conditions? The much more pleasant 38°C pool with added aloe and mint will help soothe redness and itching. All the pools are outside, so you can soak up those rays. Pro tip: don’t shave anywhere the day before stepping into the brine pool (more appealing than it sounds), the salt will make you sting. And when I’m done with the pools?

Reap the benefits of the therapists on hand. I recommend the aromatherapy massage for uber relaxation. And the village itself is vast – and not too far from the actual sea, so grab one of the many bikes scattered around and set off to drink in the local scenery and sea air while you pedal. Come bedtime, there’s plentiful accommodation, from fullscale hotels to stand-alone private villas. Should I expect an ocean-based menu?

You’ll have nothing less than delicious traditional Italian cuisine from any one of the resort’s 21 restaurants (told you it was vast). The pizzeria serves up massive salads full of ingredients grown on Forte’s allotment, as well as phenomenal pizzas, which still taste great sans cheese for vegans like me. There are also fine-dining options and even healthy cleansing menus, so your body gains needn’t suffer while you’re away. Just make sure you finish your day with a glass of Cannonau – the local red wine that Sardinia’s centenarians swear by.