The Blue Lagoon is just one of many wild spas in Iceland - a country that bubbles with waters naturally warmed by underground geothermal activity. The steaming lagoon is the product of seawater and groundwater meeting hot magma 2,000m underground. The heated water captures the earth's minerals as it percolates through the earth's porous layers, before seeping out into the rocky landscape of Iceland's highlands. While the Blue Lagoon exudes a somewhat commercial feel with its own spa and waitresses serving skyr, a thick Icelandic yogurt at a poolside cafe, you can find more solitude as you soak at nearby Landmannalaugar. It's a favourite camping spot, near a group of hot springs. Locals say these offer a more wild experience, and you can hike off the beaten path to find your own private natural spa. Alternatively, you can decide to spend the night at the Blue Lagoon Clinic (www.bluelagoon.com; 00354 420 8800) where a double room costs from US$186 (Dh683) per night, including breakfast and entry to the lagoon. Return flights from Dubai to London Heathrow with Emirates cost from US$635 (Dh2,300) , while connecting flights to Reykyavik with Iceland Air (www.icelandair.com) cost from $343 (Dh1,258) return. Prices for both flights include taxes.
Introducing one of the world's new "eco" spas, built by locals within the Bazaruto Marine National Park. The resort's 14 villas sit on the beachfront of an island in the middle of the national park, against a backdrop of kingfishers, turtles, and crocodiles. Thankfully, you'll be safely off-limits from any predators since they rarely venture very far inland. There are two treatment rooms under a thatched roof open to sea breezes as the therapists work. Treatments on offer include a diamond body scrub which costs $170 (Dh624). There's also a so-called tribal massage, where masseurs thump out African rhythms on your back from $120 (Dh440). Villas cost from $675 (Dh2,479) per person, per night, all-inclusive of meals, drinks and some activities (www.azura-retreats.com; 00 27 767 050599). Return flights from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg cost from $864 (Dh3,175) including taxes with Etihad Airways (www.etihadairways.com). Connecting flights to Vilanculos on LAM Mozambique Airlines (www.lam.co.mz) cost from $440 (Dh1,616) return including taxes.
Few spas can boast that they have no entry fee, no changing rooms and have previously been mentioned in Dante's Inferno. Even popes are reputed to have been cured by the healing effects of this destination, where hot springs offer the effects of a natural jacuzzi. Pope Nicholas V had a palace built nearby so he could go for a dip. After one sniff of the sulphuric waters that bubble among the rock pools, however, the last thing you'll feel is a sense of purity. The aroma is like rotten eggs, but health lovers have been coming here since Roman times. Among its reputed benefits are the waters' ability to tone the skin and cure back pain. As much a spectacle are the ruins that dot the landscape, adding some culture to your spa jaunt. The only thing you'll need to get there and enjoy yourself is a car, a map and your own towel. A double room at the Terme dei Papi (www.termedeipapi.it) hotel in nearby Viterbo costs from $174 (Dh640), including breakfast and taxes. Return flights to Rome from Dubai with Emirates (www.emirates.com) cost from $860 (Dh3,155), including taxes.
It's not just the surrounding scenery that's wild at Karkloof spa. The wildlife is so close you can hear it breathe as you settle into your massage in the remote 3,500-hectare private game reserve, surrounded by tumbling rivers, waterfalls and grassy plains. The spa has an eco-friendly "living roof", which doubles as a grazing spot for warthogs, giraffes, and nyalas. Listening to them munch on the overhanging vegetation has an eerily meditative effect on the soul. A one-hour massage is included in the room rate, or try an aromatic moor mud wrap for $90 (Dh330). A double room costs from $530 (Dh1,950), all-inclusive (www.karkloofspa.com; 00 27 33 569 1321). Return flights from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg with Etihad Airways (www.etihadairways.com) cost from $864 (Dh3,175), including taxes.
The name of the Seychelles' most relaxing spa has nothing to do with loud music. Instead it has everything to do with the ruggedness of its location where it is nestled on a cliff top overlooking jungle with views of the Indian Ocean in the distance. Reaching the spa is an adventure in itself. As you tread through the jungle of Frégate Island (www.fregate.com), a private resort, you'll wind through canyon walls of tangled banyan trees and arrive at a rock archway flanked by freshwater pools and waterfalls. Spa treatments incorporate the island's medicinal plants. Try the therapeutic effects of periwrinkle to boost the immune system, or yam weed to soothe joint pain. A one-bedroom villa sleeping two adults and two children costs from $3,718 (Dh13,590), per night full board including non-alcoholic drinks for a minimum three-night stay. Return flights on Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dubai to the Seychelles cost from $1,088 (Dh3,995), including taxes.
It's one adventure going on safari and another finding a treatment in one. Sasaab Lodge, which opened at the end of last month, offers both in the depths of the Kenyan bush. The area is ripe for adventures such as wildlife hikes and excursions to view the wildebeest migration that starts in October. Therapists come directly to your bedside to offer treatments, such as the "Post Safari Pick-Me-Up" for $60 (Dh220) - or try one at the poolside terrace that overlooks the bush. The tent-style rooms offer an outback-like night's sleep overlooking the deep ravines of the Ewaso Nyiro river that winds through the arid valleys of the Samburu, the Laikipia plateau and the awe-inspiring Mount Kenya. A double room costs from $1,340 (Dh4,920) per night, all-inclusive (www.sasaab.com; 00 254 20 892 234). Return flights to Nairobi from Dubai with Emirates (www.emirates.com) cost from $620 (Dh2,200), including taxes.
The Anantara Golden Triangle Resort is a spa perched where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand collide. Anantara is set amongst tropical Thai jungle, with some of the most stunning views you'll find in this part of Asia. The best time to absorb the atmosphere is dawn, when the mists shroud the landscape in a wistful haze. Or soak in a hot tub overlooking the Mekong River, before kicking back in a glass-fronted steam room with views of the Laotian valley. The spot is also a centre for some exhilarating wild adventures, including bamboo rafting, elephant rides, and jungle treks to reach tribal settlements in remote hills. Head further south to Chiang Mai and you can find natural hot springs, 23km outside the city's centre. A double room costs from $280 (Dh1,060), per night, including taxes (www.anantara.com; 00 66 5378 4084). Return flights from Dubai to Chiang Mai, via Bangkok, with Thai Airways (www.thaiair.com) cost from $668 (Dh2,455) return, including taxes.
This is one place extreme enough to turn Indiana Jones into a spa fiend. To find this spot, you head over a suspended footbridge and an overhanging walkway, which weaves through the forest canopy, and lands you in an island spa in the middle of one of Africa's most famous rivers, the Zambezi. These are the Islands of Siankaba sandwiched between the so-called seventh wonder of the natural world - Victoria Falls - and the renowned Chobe National Park. The stimulating treatments on offer including the anthill mud facial from $40 (Dh150). Masks are formed from earth that the ants retrieve from deep underground and that is said to have special exfoliating properties. Or sample wasp-nest mud drizzled with coconut oil to enhance the skin's elasticity, which costs $35 (Dh130). Doubles rooms cost from $3,300 (Dh12,100) for seven nights, including transfers and taxes, with Aardvark Safaris (www.aardvarksafaris.co.uk; 00 44 1980 849160). Return flights from Dubai to Lusaka, via Johannesburg, cost from $1261 (Dh4,630) return including taxes, through Expedia (www.expedia.com).
This part of India has long been associated with wellbeing. The Beatles came to Rishikesh in the Himalayan Foothills for spiritual enlightenment, and to purge themselves from the excesses of a rock 'n' roll lifestyle. This revered 18th-century spa is one of the most respected in the world and offers crystal-clear views of the Himalayan mountains from its hallowed grounds. If you're in up to it, request the Pehlwan Malish Warrior Massage for $140 (Dh515), inspired by the fierce mustard-oil rubdowns traditionally given to battered Indian wrestlers. You can ask to undergo the experience from the distinctive old verandahs that look down on the Ganges below. Doubles at Ananda cost from $363 (Dh1,333) per night, including taxes (www.anandaspa.com; 00 91 11 2656 8888). A return flight from Dubai to Delhi on Emirates (www.emirates.com) costs from $325 (Dh1,195), including taxes.
Go rugged at Boulders Camp which is tucked away in a remote corner of Namibia, suitably set amidst large granite rocks, and a parched African landscape. Wolwedans has fine views over the famous scarlet-hued Namibian sands. The rugged mountain terrain doubles as a backdrop to invigorating treatments. An hour-long Swedish massage with marula oil costs $53 (Dh195). This outback-style massage is a Namibian speciality and can also be found in spas such as GocheGanas Lodge (www.gocheganas.com), where a hot-stone massage costs $65 (Dh240). The value is unbeatable when experienced while the sun sets over the horizon and bleeds into the landscape in magical red tones. A double tent at Boulders Camp costs $1,248 (Dh4,582) per night, full-board including activities and taxes (www.wolwedans-namibia.com; 00 264 61 230 616). From September 30, return flights to Cape Town from Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways (www.etihadairways.com) cost from $946 (Dh3,475) return, including taxes. Connecting flights to Windhoek on Air Namibia (www.airnamibia.com) cost from $400 (Dh1,472) return, including taxes.