The ancient art of therapeuticmassage was first developed in India some 2,500 years ago and brought to Thailand by Buddhist monks about 1,800 years back. Well known for itshealing properties, Thai traditional massage is developing into a global brand.
More and more westerners come here to be trained in this kneading art, with Wat Pho in Bangkok probably the most well-known place for receiving instruction. Chiang Mai in the north also offers a wealth of more or less accredited schools, teaching a softer northern style massage technique. There are courses however in Phuket, Pattaya and Samui.
Tourists and visitors to Thailand soon observe that the practice of mutual rubdowns is an everyday custom practiced openly and without embarrassment. Mothers kneading babies, teens their grandparents, vendors and motorcycle taxi drivers their colleagues’ tired shoulders or even easy chairs on the pavement offering instant foot massages for weary pedestrians.Thailand travel and tourist information
Then there is in-flight massage service on the national carrier and the mechanical massage chairs in airports or shopping malls. Put in a 10 baht coin and get three minutes of shaky back massage – just make sure you don’t fall asleep mid-massage.
But possibly the oddest place for a foreigner to be offered a massage is while standing in front of the urinal at an upmarket nightclub or restaurant. The toilet attendant will sneakily approach you from behind to place a hot towel on your neck and then start rubbing your shoulders.
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Situated in the centre of Lloret de Mar, this Egyptian-themed hotel is 500 metres from the beach. Cleopatra Spa Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, spa and rooms with balconies. The hotel offers bright décor and each of its rooms is spacious and simply decorated. All air-conditioned rooms have satellite TV and a fully equipped bathroom. The hotel restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and Mediterranean dishes for dinner. There is also a selection of bars, cafés and restaurants 5 minutes’ walk from the Cleopatra. The onsite spa features Turkish baths, a Finnish sauna and a jacuzzi. There is also a terrace and sensation showers. Lloret de Mar is a lively and popular destination, set along 7 km of coastline with 5 main beaches. Barcelona and Girona can be reached in approximately 1 hour, by car.
