Wahanda loves The Thermal Suite – an ancient ritual of bathing where your body will be treated to a series of hot and cooling experiences that will guide you on a sensory journey towards complete relaxation. What’s in it for you? Fire and Ice Thermal Suite Experience Choose one 30 min treatment from the selection: Deep Tissue Massage OR Mum To Be Massage OR Scentao of Asia Massage OR Manicure OR Pedicure Plus full use of spa facilities – including fitness suite, swimming pool and jacuzzi Robe and slippers provided Location: Imagine Spa at The Dower House Hotel, Knaresborough. Nearest rail station is Knaresborough Rail Available Tuesday – Sunday Strict voucher limit of 1 per person. May buy multiples as gifts You will receive an eVoucher valid for one person to print out and take with you to your spa day Voucher valid for 6 months Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability. No cash alternative The time has come to close the door on your busy and stressful lifestyle and embrace a day of blissful pampering at the Imagine Spa at The Dower House Hotel – the perfect place to treat yourself to some well deserved me-time. During your luxurious Spa Day you’ll enjoy the fabulous facilities to help you unwind, as well as submerging yourself in the opulent Thermal Suite Fire and Ice Experience, guiding you on a sensory journey towards complete relaxation. Ahh, bliss. Want to buy this as a gift? If you’re feeling generous and want to buy this as a gift for someone, don’t worry – the voucher won’t show the price or discount of the MobDeal if you add a gift message, making it perfect for giving as a gift. All you need to do is choose how many vouchers you’d like to buy at checkout so you can enter each recipient’s name on the coupon, then add your message for the lucky recipient.

Price: $ 60.00
Sold by Wahanda (UK)

Enjoy a holistic approach to well-being through a deeply relaxing and re-energising whole body treatment based on traditional African methods. Enjoy the mystical African ritual using maracas, marula oil and crystals to revitalise the body and restore balance. The wonderful sweet, exotic aroma of the Marula Massage oil will provide intensive moisture to the skin.

Price: $ 30.00
Sold by Wahanda (UK)

Wahanda customers get an exclusive 2 for 1 deal so you can take a friend along for free You will both enjoy: One of the following 30 minute Massage treatments each: Khanya of Africa – Enjoy a holistic approach to well-being through a deeply relaxing and re-energising whole body treatment based on traditional African methods. Enjoy the mystical African ritual using maracas, marula oil and crystals to revitalise the body and restore balance. The wonderful sweet, exotic aroma of the Marula massage oil will provide intensive moisture to the skin. Scentao of Asia – Experience a unique face and body treatment using hot stones and Shiatsu massage techniques. Based on a holistic approach the main emphasis is on relaxing the skin and the senses. After enveloping the body in warm, therapeutic oil of Ginkgo Biloba, Green Tea and Ginseng, the heated lava stones work their magic on tired muscles promoting a sense of calm and deep down muscle relaxation. This deeply relaxing treatment will bring the body, mind and soul into harmony. Shadiva of India – This Ayurvedic treatment uses precious massage oils specially selected for your individual needs to bring harmony and balance. Following a relaxing scalp massage, enjoy a body massage with warm oil which floods your skin with moisture, rids the body of toxins and revives your senses. Designed to achieve a natural equilibrium this ayurvedic treatment will promote health, vital energy and radiance. Deep Tissue Back Massage – A massage that is ideal for relieving muscular aches and pains, the therapist will apply pressure that ensures you will achieve physical and psychological equilibrium. Using essential oils to suit your particular requirements this massage will be tailored to your desired outcome – leaving you relaxed, revitalised or restored. Mum to Be Massage – A relaxing and pampering massage which is safe and suitable pre and post pregnancy. The unique complexes in the Advanced Biogen Intensive Repair will help reduce and

Price: $ 60.00
Sold by Wahanda (UK)

Experience the best of this old-world region on a journey through enchanting Central Europe. Immerse yourself in Austria’s superb musical heritage and step through time in the castles of the Czech Republic. Wander Krakow’s romantic Old Town and get active in Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains. Conclude this classical adventure by taking the road less travelled to Budapest.

Price: $ 0.00
Sold by Intrepid Travel

Retrace the steps of one of the most fascinating civilisations in the Americas. Follow Inca traditions and history from Cuzco, through the fertile sacred valley and then hike to the ultimate Peruvian icon, magnificent Machu Picchu. Get a taste for colonial Spain in Lima and discover colourful traditions that still remain during this action filled active adventure.

Price: $ 0.00
Sold by Intrepid Travel

If this is now your choice then independent travel is the only option. There are several ways to do this. You can rent a villa for a week or a month… or make hotel reservations for every day. You can just arrive and find accommodations as you go… or you can make reservations for the first night or two then start finding your accommodations for the rest of the trip.

It takes less advance trip planning if you decide to find accommodations as you go, but some people don’t like the stress of finding a hotel every night. Part of the process is deciding what works best for you.

As an independent traveller, you can stay in small economical places that groups won’t fit into. It may cost more to stay in larger hotels… group tour operators tend to get good breaks on those rooms. But you’ll probably rub elbows with more locals in that small local place than you would in that big hotel. (Though sometimes that big hotel isolation can give you a little respite if you’re travelling in a rugged or third world area).

You can use the internet to make reservations at museums and popular spots before you leave on your trip. This means you’ll be sure to get into those museums or other venues, but it also locks you in to a timetable. If you’re feeling a bit more independent, consider making phone calls or using the internet to make those reservations on the road.

You’ll get English speakers on the phone; you’ll probably still get the reservations you want and still have the flexibility of changing your timetable as you travel. (Getting those reservations can help you avoid lines just like the tour groups do.)

Independent travel allows for more adventure and spontaneity. If you end up in a village that looked charming in the pictures… but there really isn’t anything there for you… you can just move on. On the other hand, if you stumble on a great local festival, you can linger and enjoy it. You’ll miss what a tour guide might teach you, but if you feel you need it, you can always hire a local guide… or talk to a friendly local…. You never know what you might find out, and you could end up with a new friend!

If you decide you’d like to rent a car, it will be expensive if you’re traveling all by yourself…. It’s easier for a couple and better still if you travel with friends to share the expense. But travelling with friends and family takes some planning of it’s own!

So weigh you options, tour group or independent travel. Make all your reservations ahead or wing it? A large part of the joy of travel is the trip planning and anticipation.

The tendency is to book flights to get you to the ship, or the tour, or the wedding just exactly when you need to be there. That’s really not the best option. In order to be sure you get there, it’s a better idea to plan on flights that will get you there early.

Why? Because if you plan it that way, you won’t have to worry if problems arise…. you’ll still get there on time.

What if your flight is delayed or cancelled? With fewer flights, it’ll be harder to get on the next plane out if this happens to you. Delays and cancellations are risks in snow-and-sleet season, but there can be problems in summer too… think thunderstorms on the East Coast of the U.S. or Europe. They delay flights every summer. You can check on-time performance records of flights you’re considering, but this won’t help with weather problems.

If you’re travelling abroad, you have to worry about monsoons, transiting foreign airports or customs delays if you need to exit to connect to another airline for a longer trip.

The first flight of the day is generally your best travel tip for avoiding delays. Those delays have a domino effect and get worse throughout the day.

If you have a choice of connecting cities, pick the one with the warmest climate. Try to avoid airports with lots of delayed flights… though many times these will be hubs, and you won’t be able to avoid them. It’s because they are hubs that they have more delayed flights than other airports. It’s sort of the nature of hubs.

Delays may also be because of frequent weather problems as in the case of Chicago – ORD, or because of runway alignment as in the case of San Francisco – SFO.

Prepare for reality… This gets back to the “get there early” idea. Fly at least 24 hours before you need to be there (or back home). If you’re connecting, be sure your layover is at least two hours. Sure layovers are a drag, but if you have a tight connection, and that first flight is delayed an hour… your connection is BUSTED!!! Now what?

If you can’t avoid a tight connection, have a “plan B” ahead of time. If you’re delayed, knowing the alternatives will be valuable when you’re trying to rebook.

To avoid missing your flight in the first place, be sure you get to the airport in plenty of time. Most airlines now cut off check in for domestic flights 30 minutes to flight time. Show up 29 minutes to flight time… with bags to check… and you won’t be going when you thought you would. Even getting there 30 minutes ahead is dicey if there is any possibility of long lines at security. And face it, that’s always a possibility.

So to get there on time, get to the airport early… for an early morning flight… Avoid tight connections, and get there a day ahead. You can get over your jet lag, get a good night’s sleep, and be ready for the start of your travel. Now that’s what I call good advice.

Some of these things will be running in the background of your head when you’re choosing your destination, but just so you don’t make any mistakes, let’s list some of the major concerns.

You have some vacation time. Is that a set time of year that you can’t change? The time of year will play a role in choosing your destination. Do you want to go some place where it’s hot so you can sit on the beach? ….Or cold so you can ski? Are you planning it around a festival or trying to avoid crowds? Do you want to take a cruise?

Do you want to be active… skiing or hiking? …Or do you just want to sit and relax? Go sightseeing, explore museums or shop? Or do you want to have the options to go either way. Do you have kids or other family members to consider? It’s always good to make this a family decision.

And speaking of others… do you want to travel on your own or join a tour group where everything is planned for you?

How long is the vacation time? If you only have a week, that will limit what you can do. If you have two or three weeks or even more, you have far more options when choosing your destination. You can go further, plan for more activities… or more relaxing time. Some people say it takes a week to unwind… so even if you just want to relax for a few days, you may need more than a week to get into that relaxed zone.

Choosing a destination that offers a relaxing venue will help… a beach, a spa, a cabin on a nice quiet lake. For some people, shopping is relaxing… it wouldn’t be for me.

Another factor we all have to take into account now is money. If you’re rolling in it, the sky is the limit when choosing your destination… you can go to Europe and stay in castles; go to Africa and fly from safari camp to safari camp; go to Asia or Australia or Antarctica! You can go to all of those places on a budget too, but it takes more planning and legwork on your part.

You can economize and go camping… or even (if they’ll invite you) stay with friends or relatives. Do you want to go by car, train or plane? I have a friend that will not fly and will not float… that definitely limits your options.

So where will it be? I know I haven’t given you any destinations to choose from. That would take some of the fun out of it. Where would you like to go? What would you like to do?

Part of the fun of any vacation adventure is dreaming about your options, so give all these factors some thought, and get closer to choosing your destination. This is the dreaming part of travel planning… next we’ll get to know how you find information to flesh out these dreams. The best time to do this is right now.

Travel with only a couple of charge cards in addition to your ATM card. You don’t want to have a whole pocket full of cards at risk, but you do want to have more than one type of card. It’s a good idea because if something happens and one card can’t be used, you’ll have a backup.

Some places only take Visa; some only take MasterCard. Pick one or two of each and leave the rest at home. American Express may say “Don’t leave home without it,” but there are many places that won’t take their card. It’s a good card to have, but it’s also good to know the limitations.

If two of you are travelling as a couple, consider carrying different credit cards. This will give you even more options.

If you rent a car, sometimes car rental companies will put a large charge on your card at the beginning as a deposit, leaving you less on your credit line. Your back up cards will make sure you always can use a card. You do want to charge the car on a card that will cover collision damage waiver… that’ll save you money.

Credit card companies have started adding international transaction fees. Visa and MasterCard have charged a 1 percent fee for years, but now some banks that issue the card also tack on a 1-2 percent foreign transaction fee in addition to that. Quiz your bank or card company. There are a handful of cards which don’t charge any fees at all. As of this writing, Capital One Card charges no fees, so you might want to carry one of those.

Don’t let foreign vendors charge that bill for you in dollars. It seems nice, but you’ll probably end up paying more. The dollar amount you’re charged may be at a crummy exchange rate (way worse than you’d get with your credit card or ATM), and you’re card company will still likely charge you a foreign transaction fee.

Credit cards are accepted in more places all the time…. most now in fact. But there are still many little B&Bs that take only cash, some small restaurants too. And in some less developed countries you may find you need to pay in cash. If you want to pay with your card, they may add 3-5 percent onto your bill to make up for the fees that they’re charged. So take those credit cards when you travel, but change plenty of money and be prepared to pay cash in many places too.

You will need to empty your pockets of loose change. Your wallets and cell phones will need to be put into one of those little bins they provide. You should remember take off heavy watches, bracelets, and belt buckles as these can set the alarms. Take those off at the head of the line can waste time so by stowing them in your carry-on bag before you get to the front of the line will help.

Other items such as books and snacks will need to be consolidated in your travel bag so as to avoid having to many things to gather back together once you’ve been screened.

At US and UK airports, you may have to take off your shoes. Wearing slip-on shoes will help save time. Not having to undo and do your shoes laces up will give you more time to relax in the seating and shopping areas before being called for embarkation. If you do have laces or zippers in fact, have them untied or unzipped before you get to the front of the line.

The new rules now in force, dictate that all liquids should be no more than 3 ounces or 100 ml. Your one quart/one litre plastic bag should be at the ready. Put these liquids in the bag and then into the bin provided to enable visibility to the security workers. Remember there shouldn’t be any loose liquids in your travel bags. If you have “medically necessary” liquids or baby food, these can usually be outside of your plastic bag allowance, but you must notify a screening officer first.

The sequence of doing what is required will also save time. First put your shoes, coat and smaller bag in the bin. They will come through the x-ray first, and you can be putting them back on while you’re waiting for your other items to be screened.

If you’re carrying a computer, put your carry-on bag for your laptop in the bin ahead of your computer, then when your computer comes through, you’ll have the laptop bag ready to slip in the computer.

If you think it will take you a long time to put your shoes back on, collect all of your belongings first and then move to the side so the line so it doesn’t get jammed up. There are usually a few chairs against a wall nearby whereby you can sit down and do this.

Airports report that almost half of all security checkpoint bottlenecks are caused by people putting themselves together after screening without moving to the side… don’t let this be you!

Using some of these tips now will save you time and definitely make you into an expert traveller.