A spa junkie’s bucket list

Here's a list of 10 iconic spa treatments from around the world that you should not miss:

HAMAM

This public bath, traditionally done with black olive oil soap, was popularised by Turkey. Shed your inhibitions and subject yourself to a vigorous (and very thorough) scrubbing—you will not regret it. Turkey – Çemberlita? Hamami, Istanbul : Built in 1584, Çemberlita? is one of the oldest bath houses in Istanbul. The hamam here begins in the ‘hot room', where you rest on a heated marble platform as steam opens up your pores. An attendant will then bathe and scrub you in warm, sudsy water and massage your body for 15 minutes. You can also bathe yourself. Çemberlita? provides bathing equipment, but you are free to bring your own as well. (TL60 or Rs1,690) India – The Royal Mughal Hamam at Kaya Kalp The Royal Spa, ITC Mughal, Agra : It stands to reason that this hamam, India's first and largest, is in Agra, a former Mughal capital. The bath begins with a marigold and sugar scrub, followed by an application of Argan oil and a mung bean soap wash. Then comes the shampoo and conditioning, and a heavenly scalp massage. You can also enjoy a selection of teas and refreshments after the bath. (Rs6,750 for 70 minutes)

MUD WRAP

A layer of mud is applied all over your body and left on for a while. Different types of mud achieve different effects, such as toning, firming, cellulite reduction and pain relief. Jordan – Dead Sea Natural Mud Wrap at Le Meridien Amman : You'll be induced into a deep slumber as mud from the Dead Sea, with unique, relaxing minerals, expels impurities and toxins and nourishes the skin. (JOD40 or Rs3,340 for 50 minutes) India – Classic Hungarian Body Wrap at Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas—An Oberoi Resort : An exfoliation using mineral-rich Hungarian thermal mud and sea salt is followed by the application of a mud mask all over your body. While it takes effect, you'll be given a scalp massage. Once the wrap is removed, a toning moisturiser will be massaged into your body. (Rs7,200 for 90 minutes)

OBSCENELY DECADENT FACIAL

Facial at The Imperial Spa and Salon New Delhi.

Give your face the most lavish ingredients known to humankind. US – Grand Luxe Facial at Spa Radiance, San Francisco : This mother of all facials is a three-hour pampering session that includes a diamond peel, lymphatic drainage and a non-surgical facelift using microcurrents to boost collagen, ending with a luxurious caviar mask and eye treatment as well as LED light therapy that prevents ageing and corrects pigmentation and acne. As if that wasn't enough, you'll also be given a full body massage, including therapy for your hands and feet. (US$750 or Rs44,420 for 180 minutes) India – Diamond Magnetic Body facial at The Imperial Spa and Salon, New Delhi : Crushed diamond dust and diamond cream from Natura Bissé form the base of this magnet therapy, along with semi-precious gemstones and a specially formulated mud pack. The divine aroma of lavender adds to the feeling that you're in a different place altogether. (Rs8,500 for 90 minutes)

THE ROYAL TREATMENT

Welcome ritual at Jiva Spa Taj Falaknuma Palace Hyderabad.

Feel like a queen, literally, because these rituals are based on the beauty secrets of legendary rulers. Egypt – Cleopatra Treatment at Four Seasons Hotel at Cairo Nile Plaza : Inspired by the bathing rituals of Cleopatra, one of ancient Egypt's most influential and enigmatic leaders, this treatment begins with an enriching milk bath, into which are added honey, rose essence and fresh rose petals. After you emerge from the water with silken skin, you'll be treated to a super-relaxing, toning massage with a delicious blend of essential oils. (US$208 or Rs12,520 for 90 minutes) India – Nawab-e-Khaas Signature Treatment at Jiva Spa, Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad : This ritual takes its cue from the centuries-old beauty tricks of the erstwhile princely state's royal classes. You'll be welcomed with a foot wash and taken for a body scrub of almonds, rose petals, vetiver, saffron and herbs. A herbal facial scrub and a massage, using an exclusive, hand-blended oil, follow. (Rs11,910 for 150 minutes)

CHAMPI

This quick, efficient head massage is quintessentially Indian—even Bollywood has paid homage to it. (Remember Johnny Walker's hilarious role in the 1957 classic Pyaasa?) India – Quan Spa at JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai: A strong, vigorous massage focuses on the trigger points of the head. The staff at Quan uses only Ksheerabala oil, which is known to induce relaxation. (Rs2,950 for 30 minutes) Indonesia – Anantara Seminyak Resort & Spa, Bali : Relax with a floral foot ritual and a cup of cold, fresh ginger tea. Then proceed for a head, neck and shoulder massage in which warm coconut oil is used, with emphasis on your pressure points. This is known to work against insomnia and chronic headaches. (IDR3.9 lakh or Rs1,960 for 30 minutes)

HOT SPRINGS BATH

Blue Lagoon geothermal bath resort in Iceland

Combine the freedom of bathing in the outdoors with an in-water spa therapy for the ultimate luxury. Iceland – Authentic Silica Salt Glow at Blue Lagoon : As you float on the healing water, a therapist polishes your skin with a special concoction of Blue Lagoon mineral salts and oils to remove dead skin cells and stimulate blood circulation. (€80 or Rs6,480 for 30 minutes) UK – Watsu at Thermae Bath Spa, Bath : This historic bathing experience had its earliest patrons in the Celts and Romans, close to 2,000 years ago. Britain's only natural thermal spa is privately run, but the buildings are owned by the local Council and the pools are accessible to everyone over the age of 16. The signature treatment, Watsu, is an in-water shiatsu massage that focuses on stretching and strengthening body movement, and is particularly good for treating spinal injuries, as the support of the water takes the weight off the vertebrae. (£64 or Rs6,480 for 50 minutes)

HOT STONE MASSAGE

The heat from the stones helps warm up tight muscles and thus relax the body.

Literally a massage in which hot stones are placed strategically on your body, it can melt your tensions away. US – Pu'u Keka'a Hot Stone Massage at The Spa at Black Rock, The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Hawaii : Guests can select from a range of signature organic massage oils, including mango, pomegranate and kukui nut. Local rocks from Maui's Haleakal Volcano, which are said to contain powerful properties that help ground and balance energy, are combined with the traditional Hawaiian lomi lomi massage technique. (US$140 or Rs8,350 for 50 minutes) India – Re-energizing Sun Stones Treatment at THE KHYBER SPA by L'OCCITANE at The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg : If the fact of being in Kashmir isn't relaxation enough, getting a massage while surrounded by those heart-stoppingly beautiful views will certainly do the trick. Combining the use of hot basalt stones on the body's seven chakras (energy points) with Swedish and Shiatsu massage techniques, this treatment improves the flow of energies. The special blend of pure essential oils by L'OCCITANE includes mint, pine and rosemary. (Rs5,000 for 90 minutes)

SHIRODHARA

A hugely popular ayurvedic therapy, this involves liquids being poured on the forehead (the Sanskrit word for ‘head' is shiro, while dhara means ‘flow'). These could be oils, milk, or even water. It's been known to treat a number of conditions, such as vertigo, sinusitis and memory loss. India – Divya Spa at The Leela Kovalam : Medicated oils are streamed onto the forehead and the entire scalp, while a therapeutic head massage is administered. Shirodhara's cooling effect is especially welcome in the searing heat of an Indian summer and the experience at this beautiful Kerala hotel gives a whole new meaning to ‘God's own country'. (Rs3,760 for 45 minutes) Maldives – One&Only Spa by ESPA at One&Only Reethi Rah : The personalised Ama Releasing Abhyanga is an ayurvedic therapy that combines a sesame oil Shirodhara massage with a complete pampering session that uses different herbal oils according to your body type: it includes a body exfoliation and warm-oil massage, a facial cleanse and finally, a foot therapy and consultation on specific problem areas. (MVR4626 or Rs18,060 for 120 minutes)

CUP THERAPY

Cupping or Ho Guan at Chuan Spa Hong Kong Langham Place Hotel.

This ancient Asian practice involves the application of a heated cup to the skin. Said to be excellent for treating deep scar tissue and swelling, it's also a rage among Hollywood A-listers. Hong Kong – Chuan Spa Hong Kong, Langham Place Hotel : Combining acupressure with a focus on sore spots, this massage impacts the body's deepest layers. (HK$860 or Rs6,620 for 60 minutes) India – Vietnamese Cupping Massage at Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, Greater Noida : An oil massage using pressure point techniques and invigorating movements warms and relaxes muscle tissue. Small, heated suction cups aid in muscle relaxation and improve circulation, with special attention paid to the back, neck, shoulders and thighs. Post massage, you'll be given a cup of home-made ginger tea. (Rs6,180 for 80 minutes)

SINFULLY DELICIOUS BODY SCRUB

You will look and smell, literally, good enough to eat after these gourmet therapies. Mexico – Coffee and Cocoa Experience at Grand Velas Riviera Maya Spa : Surrounded by seemingly endless Yucatan jungle, the 89,305sq-ft spa is a world of its own. In this scrub, your body is exfoliated and purified by fine coffee grounds, followed by a rich chocolate oil massage, leaving you with an improved skin tone. (US$206 or Rs12,360 for 50 minutes) India – Chocolate and Coconut Scrub at Asian Roots, New Delhi : A giant Buddha statue gazes watchfully at you as you enter this oasis of calm. The super-luxe scrub here consists of fine chocolate grains and coconut powder, which remove dead skin cells and superficial blackheads and whiteheads while cleansing the pores, without losing vital hydration. You'll also be offered tea and sandwiches (though you'll probably want to eat the body scrub instead). (Rs2,200 for 30 minutes)