Early Spas The World Over
As early as 500 BC, Greek socialites benefited from social baths, which included laconica (a hot air bath). Beginning with Emperor Agrippa, each emperor build a roman thermae (large spa), with each emperor outdoing his predecessor. As time passed, full scale spas were erected all across the Roman Empire from England to Africa, first starting as therapeutic havens and evolving into huge complexes with restaurants, entertainment and baths. Stemming from the Roman experience, distinct variations began to spring up all over the world. In Japan, the first onsen (hot spring) opening in 737 A.D in Izumo and several centuries’ later ryokens (Japanese Inns) dotted the Japanese landscape which offered high class cuisine and overnight accommodation as well as cypress ofuro (soaking tubs) and Zen gardens. As early as 1000 A.D, saunas could be found in Finland which began a long history of the Finnish love affair with the steam sauna and spa experience that includes sweating in a sauna and then plunging in an icy body of water. The Ottoman empire is renowned for their mosaic hammam, a magnificent example of steam rooms and therapeutic baths.

Europe Paves the Way
Spa lovers have always gravitated naturally towards the hot springs. In Western Europe in the middle ages, Aachen in Charlemagne and Poretta in Bonaventura became very popular healing places where travelers gathered around the thermal springs. Later in the Renaissance age, there were many places in Europe that became famous stops and vacation locations because of the healing springs including Paeffers, Switzerland; Spa, Belgium; Baden-Baden, Germany and Bath, England.

America Begins a Love Affair with Spa Therapy
Starting in the 1850’s when the Saratoga Springs in New York became a fashionable retreat for the rich and famous, the United States emerged as a leader in spa innovation. In 1910, famed cosmetic icon Elizabeth Arden introduced the first Spa Day at her Red Door Salon in Manhattan which offered manicures, facials and the ‘Arden Wax’. The Rancho La Puerta was the first destination spa in North America, opened in Baja, California by Deborah Szekely, who also opened the famous Golden Door Spa in California in 1958. From that point on, hundreds of unique spas became cropping up all over America and continue to do so today.

Spas Become Global Trend
In modern times, the affluent as well as the working class flock to spas in record numbers. Spa experiences now cover more than aesthetics; many spas over medical and wellness programs as well as outdoor adventures combined with travel to exotic destinations. The spas of today offer a vast array of techniques and treatments that range from ancient Chinese to modern science. To help understand what each spa offers, the International Spa Association (ISPA) has defined the “ten domains of SPA”:

1. The Waters
2. Food, Nourishment, Diet and Nutrition
3. Movement, Exercise and Fitness
4. Touch, Massage, and Bodywork
5. Mind/Body/Spirit
6. Aesthetics, Skin Care, Natural Beauty Agents
7. Physical Space, Climatology, Global Ecology
8. Social/Cultural Arts and Values, Spa Culture
9. Management, Marketing, and Operations
10. Time, Rhythm, and Cycles

Not every spa caters to every realm. Luckily, spas come in many different varieties and offer a myriad of specialties. From day spas to stay spas; medical to holistic and everything in between, there has never been a better time to be a spa aficionado.

Because they are edible – it’s that simple…

You get what you pay for
Lastly, I would just like to impress upon you that in any antique, collectible or quality piece of pottery you purchase for your home, you get what you pay for. Certainly, there are rare occasions when you happen upon a stunning piece of Majolica at an antique fair that is indeed authentic and you purchase it way below its value. However, we both know these lucky finds are few and far between. In every other case, you get what you pay for. If you want quality Italian pottery pieces for your growing collection, and you want to be sure that you are getting authentic items that are hand made to the highest specifications, and are of heirloom quality, you will need to pay more for these than mass produced pottery pieces. Put the two side by side and it will take you less than a minute to see the difference in beauty, luster, and detail. The real thing is always the best buy, even if it does cost a little more.

Get the finest accessories for cigar lovers who demand quality with an edge at www.cigarluxuries.com. The products emphasize a contemporary and traditional elegance, and bring a sophisticated design with a twist.

Our desire is to provide you the highest quality in Italian design and craftsmanship. We have great pride in our selection and in the exquisite design of the products we bring to you. Our online store is especially designed to offer you with a secure environment to browse product catalog. You will get the ultimate Cigar products at Cigar luxuries. We have specifically selected cigar luxuries of Italian designs. They are individually crafted by artisans in Italy, comprised of 24% lead crystal using mouth blown and hand cut workmanship.

The CONVERSAZIONE ASHTRAY is designed by influential Italian designer, Enzo Marti. It is exquisite and features considerable weight to prevent inadvertent spills. The rim is designed to softly incline inward ensuring that a lit cigar falls securely into the ashtray and not onto the carpet.

The HABANA CIGAR HOLDER is designed by Spanish architect and designer Oscar Tusquets Blanca. This elegant crystal holder prevents damage, seals in aroma and encloses up to two extinguished cigars for later enjoyment (because a premium cigar should never be wasted.)

The SMOKE GLASS was designed by Joe Colombo in the year 1963. He is a world-famous Italian industrial designer. Its striking and functional design lets users to hold a cigar and glass in one hand. Our smoke glass is perfectly designed and wonderfully carved. This smoke glass provides you ultimate smoking enjoyment. In the world of luxury, cigar and comfort goes hand in hand. They are often found together. It is known as the finest thing in life that enhances your smoking experience.

Make your smoking experience indeed great and a luxurious one with our cigar luxuries. Cigars have been widespread symbols of success and power for centuries.

Well try to think of it like any other accessory, your Rolex watch or Mont Blanc pen. What you need is a brand that speaks quality and exclusivity and when it comes to mobile phones there’s only one such brand, Vertu.

Vertu phones unique design is instantly recognisable and the quality is second to none. Each Vertu phone is hand made in England from the finest available materials like gold and sapphire for the screen and ruby’s for the hinges.

But you get something else too. On the side of every phone there’s a little button called the “Concierge key” this mini butler gives you access to many top restaurants which you would otherwise have to wait months for a table. Even if you find yourself unable to locate a room in Las Vegas on a busy convention weekend or need a last minute flight home for Thanksgiving, Vertu Concierge can help.

Each new Vertu phone comes with this service free for the fist year, after which you’ll have to pay a small subscription charge. But once you’ve tried it out for yourself there’ll be no going back.

This level of exclusivity comes at a price though, you’ll need to find $5000 for the entry level constellation model and you can spend up to $88000 for a diamond encrusted version. But hey quality doesn’t come cheap.

Well here’s a great way to add some much needed personality to your kitchen. Why not add some beautifully crafted Spanish pottery. Available in some amazing bright and dazzling colours, a nice collection of tapas plate on the wall creates a wonderful focal point.

You could also treat yourself to a Sangria Pitcher, of course you don’t have to use it for Sangria, you can use it for anything, they make great water or milk jugs, but they too are available in those beautifully vibrant Spanish colours.

 And if you’re a lover of Spanish or Mexican food there’s no better way to serve Tapas or Salsas than on Spanish Pottery, they were after all made for the job. 

So go on brighten up your Kitchen with the vibrant colours of Spain with some stunning Spanish Pottery.

Your dog will think he’s won the lottery when you see what I’ve got in store for him. Why shouldn’t your pet live like royalty, you love him like the rest of your family don’t you.

All cats and dogs love their beds, so why not treat them to a glorious regency style bed frame with a pillow to match. Raised a little off the floor like any good bed should, this wonderful design is sure to grace any traditional interior, not that your dog will notice, he will notice the lovely soft warm pillow though.

And if you really want to spoil him you can even get a food bowl stand to match. Your pets will soon be the envy of the neighbourhood, and they’ll love you even more than before.

His mix of eclectic design and classic shapes has defined a whole generation of shoe design. Shoes were so boring and staid before Jimmy Choo arrived. 

Started from a tiny workshop in London’s East End in 1986 with money he saved from working in restaurants and as a cleaner, he started to turn out his beautifully crafted designs. 

Just two years later his shoes were featured on a record eight pages in Vogue magazine. Patronage from Princess Diana soon followed and the rest as they say is history.

They of course don’t come cheap, great design never does, you’ll need to spend over a $1000 to get a pair, but get a pair you must. NO self respecting girl’s wardrobe is complete without a pair of Jimmy Choo’s

If I said to you what’s the most romantic city in the world? Paris would surely be top of the list and Venice would be there too, but there’s one city that should also be on your list, Florence.

Often overlooked by those looking for a romantic weekend, Florence is without a doubt one of the most romantic and fascinating cities on earth.

Set in the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany, Florence is the home of Renaissance. There is quite simply some of the most beautiful medieval and renaissance architecture seen anywhere in the world, along with some of the finest hotels and restaurants.

Take a tour around the historic centre; declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1982. The glorious facade of the Cathedral “il Duomo” will take your breath away, it’s quite unlike anything you’ll find in America or Europe for that matter.

If you like history and art then you’re going to be spoilt for choice in Florence, the place is simply dripping with art treasures and every building tells a story.

You can’t visit Florence without crossing the Ponte Vecchio meaning “little bridge”. This medieval bridge crosses the Arno River, but it’s unlike any other bridge in that it’s lined with glorious little jewellery and art shops. Once most major bridges in Europe were constructed this way, but Ponte Vecchio is one of the last remaining.

If foods your thing, then I have to recommend Enoteca Pinchiorri, this 3 star Michelin restaurant is one of the top five restaurants in the world. The food and the surroundings are quite simply exceptional, but beware its very expensive and you’d better book before you leave because it gets very busy.

Now I could go on listing the places to visit in Florence, but I could literally write a book on it. The best thing to do is go there and experience this wonderful and exciting city yourself. It’s quite simply one of the greatest cities in the world.