My Spa Day at La Perla in San Sebastian, Spain
A Spa Day in Spain
For months I've meant to share the story of my spa day in Spain. With over two weeks of travel, through Portugal and Spain, under our belts, spa time was needed to work out the kinks, and soften the edges. The La Perla Spa was located just a few steps down the promenade from our Hotel Niza, in San Sebastian. I had seen the glowing locals leave the spa, as they paraded down the promenade, and thought that would be the perfect way to spend my birthday. When we stopped in to make our reservation, Scott and I looked over the menu with assistance from two beautiful, Spanish women, in stylish black uniforms. They were professional, enthusiastic, and glowing. It was one of those "I'll have what she's having" kind of moments. After some consideration, we selected the seaweed scrub and mud wrap special, based on their recommendations.
I've had a number of massages, many while traveling abroad, but I've never booked a scrub and a mud wrap. Somehow the process seemed a little too intimate, with all the scrubbing and wrapping. Do they scrub and wrap ALL the parts? In the luxurious comfort of the La Perla Spa spa concierge desk, I threw caution to the wind. In my mind, I had the impression that these two lovely, professional women would be performing my treatments. THAT was where my logic went wrong!
Following a light birthday breakfast at Hotel Niza, Scott and I made the short walk down the boardwalk to the spa. I love those moments of feeling like a local, and we were feeling it. Following our check-in, changes into comfy terry robes, we waited in the spa lounge sipping on citrus-cucumber water. This is the life! Suddenly, two young men entered the lounge. They were dressed in tight white t-shirts, tight white jeans (leggings?) and...get this...they were wearing plastic gloves. One was snapping the wristband, "Ready??"...snap, snap....I looked at my husband, in horror, and whispered, "Oh Sugar (or something like that)! I forgot to say I didn't want a man"...Snap, snap! Scott later describes these young gentlemen as the "lumberjack and the waiter". I considered my two options: running up those spa stairs to safety or putting on (taking off) my 'big girl' pants. In the end, the birthday girl decided to grin and bare it. After all, it was already paid for!
As the "waiter" stepped closer and said my name, I nodded. My cheeks were already burning. He led me to a private spa room where I noticed a shower, table, hoses, a vat of 'mud' but, unfortunately, a surprising lack of any sheets or towels. In America, and luxury resorts abroad, towels and sheets, are abundant. I especially appreciate those privacy sheets, designed to protect the eyes of your spa therapist, and your dignity. You know the ones? I didn't spot a single one. As my "waiter" handed me the teeniest, tiniest, paper string bikini bottom, I would have paid big money for a privacy towel about then. He pantomimed that I should take off all my clothes and get on the table on my stomach. I realized his English was sparse and wondered if that was a good or bad thing. The inner dialogue in my head was deafening, "He's young enough to be my son," "Poor kid, I hope this doesn't burn his eyes!" "Did I shave under my arms?" and "Maybe it's a scrub for the backside only, not the front?". I was wracking my brain to remember how much of the body they actually cover with a scrub and mud wrap. Clearly, he had given me no top to wear.
As I changed into my dental floss bikini bottom and laid face first on the table I felt very vulnerable. The European idea of nudity seems to be completely different than in the United States. I wondered why I felt so vulnerable, while some of the Europeans paraded confidently, and openly, around the pools, locker room, and beaches.
La Concha Beach San Sebastian Spain
I am no prude. I had my dalliances with tiny bikinis back in the day, skinny dipping, a French clothing optional beach on St. Martin, what have you. The idea of almost complete nudity, alone with a young Spanish man, covering my body with seaweed scrub and mud, was not on my radar for my birthday. Now that I think of it, what a decadent gift from my husband, right? LOL! My burning question, and pardon me but it's the truth, do they put mud on your boobs? There, I said it!
Back to that table, and the naked truth of my spa day in Spain. Turns out my "waiter" was adept at applying scrub all over my backside. The toughest moment was when he pantomimed for me to roll over on my back....ugh!! If I could have communicated in Spanish I might have said, "Just the backside is fine." Why was this so hard? If I had been 30 how would I have felt? It's a good thing he didn't speak English, because the stream of quips and jokes coming from my mouth, to break the tension, would have been endless. Instead, I steeled myself, and kept quiet, as I rolled over. Hello, glory! All the scrubbing, and eventually mud application, continued on the front side. In the end, I was relieved when he directed me to rinse my body off in the shower, alone. I'm happy to report that the boobs were left untouched...
Still, poor guy!
I remembered a moment, during our trip to St. Martin, when I saw this difference firsthand. Scott and I took a day trip to the island of St. Barth's on the ferry. We chatted it up with several German and American couples on the way. As we neared the island, the German women, still chatting, pulled their tops off and stowed them in their bags. The American men, including my husband, were suddenly speechless..... imagine! The topless women just kept on chatting. It was comical! I admired their confidence and non-nonchalance. They are just boobs after all. Maybe we treat them a bit too 'preciously', with all the nip-slips and such, here in America. It's definitely a cultural difference that intrigues me when traveling.
Men on the beach in San Sebastian Spain
These gentlemen at the beach, next door to La Perla Spa, have no problem letting it all hang out.
Guard my life in San Sebastian
A final "I'll have what she's having" moment.
Wait, is that my "waiter" moonlighting as a lifeguard?
My spa day in Spain....revealing!
Is it just me? How would you feel about all that 'naked truth' at the spa?
To my European friends, any advice for getting through those revealing moments?
Curated Hotel: The Chic H-10 Port Vell in Barcelona
Our getaway to Barcelona was the last stop on our three-week vacation to Portugal and Spain. This was our second time visiting Barcelona, and though our time was short, Scott and I were looking forward to getting better acquainted with this culturally vibrant, sexy city.
Our getaway to Barcelona was the last stop on our three-week vacation to Portugal and Spain. This was our second time visiting Barcelona, and though our time was short, Scott and I were looking forward to getting better acquainted with this culturally vibrant, sexy city.
We were off to a good start as we arrived at the H10 Port Vell. We were warmly welcomed, with huge smiles and a glass of bubbly, by the handsome staff. Upon arriving at our suite we were happy to see a beautiful view of the harbor, and all the amenities weary travelers could hope for. A hip, modern suite with plush robes, luxury linens, an espresso machine, chocolates, a welcome note and a bottle of champagne.
We selected the H10 Port Vell, for several reasons. One is that I am a sucker for a rooftop lounge, especially one with a refreshing pool, like this one. I also love clean, modern furnishings and sleek design. The H10 brand has all the details in place to provide creature comforts to travelers with a fresh twist.
With a perfectly appointed suite, a bottle of bubbly and this view from the rooftop lounge, we considered staying 'in' for the rest of our holiday, but our adventurous spirit prevailed.
Another reason we chose the H10 Port Vell is that it's located right next door to the Gothic Quarter, Barri Gotic. On our previous visit to Barcelona, in 2006, we discovered Barri Gotic on our last evening. We were enamoured with the seductive labyrinth of walkways, ancient gothic architecture and quintessential tapas bars spilling out into the alley ways.
This is the perfect place to meander away from the boulevards and lose yourself. Brimming with boutiques, galleries, cafes and tapas bars around every turn, you are certain to find a hidden gem, or several.
We enjoyed Casa Pascual for cafe style tapas and friendly service. The bites and sangria were authentic and it was only steps from our hotel. The location is good for exploring both the harbor and Barri Gotic. On our previous visit we enjoyed an exquisite meal at Comerc 24 where we dined on gold dust, the first, and only, time in our lives (It's delicious!;).
Viewing the whimsical, organic architecture of Antoni Gaudi is a must in Barcelona. His use of natural forms, like stone and shades of color, with mosaic tiles, is legendary. A Gaudi walking tour from Trip Advisor, a definite must for our next visit to Barcelona here.
Another must see while in Spain is the Flamenco Dance.
Never before, or since, have we witnessed dance that exuded this much fiery passion: sexy, sultry and fluid. It will make you want to get up and dance, I promise. Not a bad way to spend a colorful night on the town in Barcelona.
If afternoons spent lollygagging around on the rooftop lounge, and nights at Flamenco, start to look too 'glamorous', I have the flip side of that perspective. Just moments after this photo of Scott and I was taken, at an outdoor tapas restaurant, I adjusted my chair backwards. The chair leg went into the flowerbed and I ended up falling backwards in the chair, flat on my back, with my legs in the air and my skirt over my head! That was way too much 'information' for the fellow diners to digest during lunch, and then, I couldn't stop laughing. Enough said. Travel isn't always as glamorous as it may appear, but it's always an adventure!
And more proof of why a rooftop lounge, with a pool, is one of the best inventions ever. These 'lounge lizard' images, taken at the B Hotel during our first stay in Barcelona, July of 2006. This was an unforgettable afternoon of relaxation during another busy travel itinerary.
Our three weeks of European travel came to a close and we were ready to be home.
Earlier posts on our trip to Portugal & Spain:
Getaway to San Sebastian, Spain
and How to Dress European Chic
Some of my favorite roof top terraces here.
Writing travel posts is one of my favorite themes of my Style*Mind*Chic Life.
I feel like I'm reliving our travels as I create each post.
Thank you for following along on this 'sunny escape' to one of my favorite places.
Have you ever visited beautiful Spain?
Traveling soon? Find hotel deals & read millions of traveler reviews on TripAdvisor!
*H10 Port Vell graciously provided an upgraded suite and bottle of champagne to sweeten our stay.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Sunny Getaway to San Sebastian, Spain
In direct contrast to the colorful alleys and sun drenched landscapes of southern Spain is the green, Tyrolean flavor of Basque Country of Northern Spain. Scott and I arrived in Bilbao by plane from Sevilla, and were amazed at the verdant green of the hills. We rented a car and headed to San Sebastian, by the sea. I vacillated on whether to select a hotel more on the outskirts of town, or beach side, on the promenade. In the end we were delighted with our choice of the Hotel Niza, and it’s perfect location, right above the promenade, La Concha Beach and the sea.
A suite with a view in San Sebastian, Spain
In direct contrast to the colorful alleys and sun drenched landscapes of southern Spain is the green, Tyrolean flavor of Basque Country of Northern Spain. Scott and I arrived in Bilbao by plane from Sevilla, and were amazed at the verdant green of the hills. We rented a car and headed to San Sebastian, by the sea. I vacillated on whether to select a hotel more on the outskirts of town, or beach side, on the promenade. In the end we were delighted with our choice of the Hotel Niza, and it's perfect location, right above the promenade, La Concha Beach and the sea.
When we opened the door to our suite our mouths were ajar. Our sun-filled suite, with light and airy furnishings, had two large french windows that opened to a balcony with stone columns, and views of the promenade and the sea.
The Hotel Niza staff, and handsome Harri (above), welcomed us warmly and did everything to make our stay memorable.
It's impossible to choose between favorite spots on a trip, but if forced to decide, I would choose San Sebastian on this summer trip to Portugal and Spain. The seaside beauty, healthy lifestyles, stylish residents and family vibe all appealed to me.
San Sebastian is a chameleon beauty by day.....
and a scintillating temptress by night.
On our first night we ventured down the promenade, towards the old-town center, and discovered a tapas restaurant, Garagar. The charming Eneko treated us to tapas and conversation, as he shared the rich history of the area with us.
Cafe de la Concha
We dined at Cafe De La Concha, on the promenade near Hotel Niza, a record two days in a row. I enjoyed the tomato, arugula, goat cheese baguette so thoroughly that we returned the next day for my birthday lunch. We both enjoyed the refreshing sangria and the entertaining people watching on the beach.
For more on
A glimpse of the promenade and beach
I enjoyed celebrating my birthday, July 15th, while visiting San Sebastian. I love a little pampering on a special occasion, and Scott treated me to a morning at the La Perla Centro Talaso Spa, a relaxing break from our travels. If you want more from San Sebastian, check out How to Dress European Chic. For more on our summer vacation to Portugal and Spain see Lisbon Getaway, Sunny Beaches of Algarve, Sevilla, Barcelona, a little walk down memory lane in Barcelona and my 'revealing day spa day in Spain.
For more romantic travel ideas here.
Signature Style: How to Dress European Chic Inspired by San Sebastian, Spain
We were enjoying lunch at the café outside our hotel, beside the promenade in San Sebastián, Spain, when the European chic styles strolling by caught my eye. I grabbed my camera and snapped away with the beauty of this seaside scene as the backdrop. I want to thank this couple for walking by at this exact moment, looking as though they stepped out of a French film noir. I noted the flowing maxi dress embellished with lace. Simply chic, whether in Europe or anywhere this season, maxis and lace are on-trend.
How to Dress European Chic
We were enjoying lunch at the café outside our hotel, beside the promenade in San Sebastián, Spain, when the European chic styles strolling by caught my eye. I grabbed my camera and snapped away with the beauty of this seaside scene as the backdrop. I want to thank this couple for walking by at this exact moment, looking as though they stepped out of a French film noir. I noted the flowing maxi dress embellished with lace. Simply chic, whether in Europe or anywhere this season, maxis and lace are on-trend.
Many of the women wore flowy pants and heels. Notice the pace is usually brisk!
Family life is a central part of the Spanish culture. We enjoyed seeing generations of families gather, strolling by together. Love the color of this maxi skirt!
Another colorful strapless sundress with wedges. I also spotted the ruffled lace mini made more casual by a black t-shirt and flats to the right.
More color!
This family looks like they stepped out of an Italian summer catalog, entitled "La Dolce Vita", with their brights, stripes and sneaker chic, strolling the promenade on a picture-perfect summer day.
The shoes are fierce!
More colorful skirts. This one is paired with a beautiful scarf.
Some of the heels were sky-high! Such a great looking couple headed somewhere fun!
Elegant and chic, at every age.
Bright color is big and I noticed that all generations in Europe seem to embrace color. Be it pops of color in a bag, skirt or even as the crowning glory, color is everywhere. I did my part wearing lots of coral, bold prints and this colorful halter number by Trina Turk. The gold skirt, lower right, had me swooning. I loved the way this woman styled the chiffon maxi with a casual shirt and distressed denim jacket.
I also spotted many neutral and pastel hues, pistachio, lavender, rose and baby blue. Maxis and flowing pants are big in Europe right now, just as they are in the U.S. European men were rocking the pastel shades too.
Note the second photo on the right. This man is wearing three pastel shades at once. I wonder why the woman with him is smiling (maybe he just told her a funny joke...or something? ;).
Essential Accessories
Panama hats were everywhere. As we know, they are the perfect go-to for a bad hair day, especially when traveling. I wore mine almost daily on our 18-day vacation through Portugal and Spain. This woman looked casually elegant sitting in a café. Note the bright shade of lipstick and lace cut-out details in her crop top blouse. There is a poise and confidence that seems essential to European chic.
Perhaps the second best accessory to your confidence and your Panama hat this season, to be truly European chic, is your pooch. It seems all shades of color are "in" for pooches this season.
I also spotted all heel heights, from stilettos to flats, on the women with their confident strides. Europeans wear chic shoes, no matter what the heel height. I think shoes are the perfect souvenir to bring home as a memory of travels, especially to Europe. In 2003, I scored a pair of black stiletto mules, in Rome, with the pointiest toes. Comfortable-NO! Chic-Most definitely! I felt like a million bucks when I slipped those beauties on.
On an earlier trip to Italy, I fell in love with a pair of nude ankle-wrap heels, with a zipper up the back, in Lucca. They remain one of my favorite pairs to this day and they always remind me of that trip.
On this trip, I purchased an ivory lace jacket, floral print dress, and a watercolor print blouse. It seems I hit most of the euro chic trends in this one shopping excursion.
There is nothing more Euro-chic than throwing on a colorful scarf to make an outfit pop.
Euro Chic Men
As for the men, I noticed European men have a range of styles--from ready to board a yacht in Saint-Tropez, to the pastels I pointed out above, to black on black, to sneaker chic with open cuffs as seen here.
.....on a daddy-daughter ice cream date!
What is the secret to dressing European chic?
It seems to start with the attention to detail and then the self-forgetfulness of it all. A healthy lifestyle, with regular trips to the spa, creates that glowing skin which needs minimal makeup. Dressing well, with a quality wardrobe of pieces that create a signature style, is essential. It is better to overdress well, than "underdress" poorly. Finally, having confidence and carrying yourself with poise is at the heart of dressing European chic.
--Heather's observations from San Sebastián, Spain.
How about you?
What do you think is the key to European chic?
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Getaway to Seville, Spain
In Seville we caught a taxi, and experienced an ultra wild ride, through the extremely narrow streets of the city center. I'm sure we could have reached out and touched the buildings on either side if we had only dared open the windows.
From the moment we entered the Fontecruz Sevilla we knew we had made the perfect choice with this sleek, modern hotel in the midst of Bario Santa Cruz. It's located within a couple of winding blocks to cafe-lined streets, the Sevilla Cathedral, the Alcazar, the Plaza de Espana, and the river front. From this 'wagon wheel' of a city center we could pick a direction, head down a tiny street to explore, and it would take us to a new hidden gem.
Along with the excellent location, I liked the vibe of the Fontecruz Sevilla. Our suite was sleek, well-appointed and spacious. The common spaces, were luxurious and comfortable. There is even an outdoor pool for a dip on hot summer days.
When I was making reservations for the trip the photos of this hotel had me at "roof-top terrace overlooking the city". The Fontecruz Sevilla is the perfect perch for capturing a brilliant sunset from the rooftop lounge.
We walked by this friendly fellow (with cap (center) who encouraged us to see the city, escorted by himself and his steed, in this colorful carriage. We politely declined, but a minute later changed our minds. Why not? We found the carriage to be a charming way to see the sights in Sevilla. We recommend a carriage ride in the mid-to-late morning, during the summer months, before the heat sets in.
I captured a moment during our carriage ride on this video:
The Seville Cathedral, also called 'Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See', is the third largest church in the world and adorns the ancient city center of Seville like an ornate stone wedding cake. We viewed the burial site of Christopher Columbus and the scope of that slice of history is awe-inspiring. This gothic cathedral is definitely worth a visit and we appreciated it's ability to transport us to another place in time, even for just an hour, on a sunny Spanish afternoon.
One a completely different cultural note, one of our favorite aspects of travel is meeting fellow travelers and locals along our path. Just across the cobbled street from our hotel we spotted 'Abbatia', an authentic tapas restaurant. We thought it would be an excellent first stop for our evening out. Little did we know that the warm, friendly owners, Pedro and Blanco, and their chef Andres, would capture our hearts. Our evening started with tasty tapas, lovely wines and lively conversation. We eventually made our way out on the town to discover more of Sevilla. As we ventured back to our hotel, late at night, our new friends waved us back in for a nightcap, an after-hours flamenco show/dance lesson and the hilarity ensued. We certainly felt the 3:30 am bedtime the next morning, but our adventure was more than worth it! In travel there are those memorable times, when a language barrier simply does not exist, and this was one of them. Thank you to our new friends in Sevilla!
A few more views of Sevilla (the street view taken from our tiny balcony).
We fell in love with the charms of Sevilla. Scott and I agreed that three days was not enough and next time we will plan to stay longer. Our plane reservation was already scheduled so we reluctantly boarded the plane to Bilbao, Spain. Join me on the next leg of our 'Summer Travel to Portugal and Spain' series for a glimpse of the sparkling seaside city of San Sebastián.
Lisbon Getaway
Our summer travel to Portugal and Spain had been in the works for over a year, so when we touched down in Lisbon, after 30 hours of travel, Scott and I were beyond excited. Portugal has always been on our bucket list. We were enamored with visions of colorful tile roofs, pastel buildings, old school trams, and vibrant bougainvillea brightening the neighborhoods, all enhanced by city and sea views.
Our summer travel to Portugal and Spain had been in the works for over a year, so when we touched down in Lisbon, after 30 hours of travel, Scott and I were beyond excited. Portugal has always been on our bucket list. We were enamored with visions of colorful tile roofs, pastel buildings, old school trams, and vibrant bougainvillea brightening the neighborhoods, all enhanced by city and sea views.
As the taxi pulled up in front of our hotel, the CS Vintage Lisboa, I knew we had landed in the right place. We were warmly welcomed by Ines and the team at this sleek, hip hotel in the center of Lisbon. Despite Scott's crash course in Portuguese on the plane (while I was glued to 'Orange is the New Black'), we found English speakers to be very common in Portugal. From our first trip to the Veranda Do Castello at the rooftop terrace of our hotel, Nuno treated us to a refreshing variety of sangrias, tapas, expansive city views and great laughs.
After a good night's sleep, day two found us eager to start exploring this picturesque city. We strolled through charming neighborhoods near our hotel, filled with cafes, boutiques, flower shops and charming parks where locals gathered.
On the advice from our concierge we made our way to a hilltop park, Jardim Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, with incredible city views. We settled in at the cafe for lunch and enjoyed the people watching, city views, fresh fare and more sangria.
Next stop, we chose to take the iconic, graffiti-covered tram down the hillside to Avenida da Liberdade, with luxury shopping and wide, tree-lined streets. Graffiti is everywhere in Lisbon.
With luxury boutiques and pop-up markets, we found a variety of shopping options in Lisbon. Boutiques generally take credit cards but for other vendors and most taxis you will need cash.
Here's where our tale takes a brief but costly turn. Scott picked up cash so that I could do some shopping and we could take a taxi back to the hotel. We bought some sweet gelato from this darling girl, and boarded the 'now we know' notorious Tram 28, to take in scenes of the old town. Read my account of what happened next on Tripadvisor here. In the end, Scott discovered that within 25 minutes of his wallet being lifted over $2000.00 had been charged to his visa/debit cards at perfume stores in the area. I'm not suggesting not to ever take a Tram, but we wish we had been more aware of the theft issue. In all big cities and tourist areas pick pocketing happens so simply be prepared. Thankfully, Visa graciously refunded all of the charges and shipped us new cards within two days.
Scott's advice: Carry minimal cash, carry only 1 credit card at a time, keep your wallet in your front pocket with your hand on it.
My advice: consider a waist belt that you wear under your clothes for cash, credit and passports.
Despite the inconvenience, and lost time making a police report, we got back on track in time to enjoy dinner at Povo on the famous 'Pink Street' in Cais do Sodre, a former red light district turned trendy night spot.
We enjoyed delicious dishes, plentiful wines, and Paula took excellent care of us. Povo is also a perfect place to listen to the local Fado music in a non-touristy environment.
We were up bright and early, fueled with cafe com leite, said goodbye to the wonderful staff at CS Vintage Lisboa, and headed to Sintra, the famed summer vacation palaces of royalty, only 20 minutes away.
We felt as though we were transported to another place in time in Sintra. Even the climate was dramatically different with undulating clouds, verdant pinnacles and lush foliage. There are number of medieval and Moorish palaces in this magical hilltop enclave. In these photos we were at the Seteais Palace viewing the Pena Palace on the pinnacles. Despite the weekend crowds this is a fascinating place to visit.
For the next leg of our trip we headed about 4 hours south to our next destination, the beachy Albufeira in Algarve, Portugal. I will explore our time there in an upcoming post. Thank you for joining my series 'Summer Travel to Portugal and Spain'. Please click title of the post to leave a comment.
Bon voyage!
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