There are several spa resorts and health and wellness centres in Åland. Choose for yourself whether you want to be pampered for a whole weekend or just to look in one afternoon for a massage or a facial. Or why not give Chinese medicine a try? It is a method of treatment that is about 3,000 years old.
Relax with alternative Chinese medicine
Katarina Johansson runs the Kuan Yin clinic, a health and wellness centre based on Chinese medicine. The Kuan Yin provides acupuncture, tactile massage and hot stone therapy to cure both physical and psychological complaints.
"Often people come here because they have pain in their shoulders or neck. In such cases massage or acupuncture is usually appropriate. The treatments are given in a room with soft lighting, soothing music and lighted candles. The whole focus is on relaxation," explains Katarina.
Some people want to go further with treatments that are more meant to deal with psychological issues. You can try Xinping therapy, a Chinese form of psychotherapy.
"When you work with Xinping it's about "rewriting your history" and neutralising old traumas so that they no longer affect the body or the mind."
Katarina points out that these methods of treatment are no "quick fix". It can take time for the energy flows to come into balance.
Ready for summer in two hours
If you just have an hour or two to devote to your well-being, the mjuk & len spa centre has several shorter treatments to offer. Kristina Holmström is a skin therapist and branch manager.
"At the moment we have two packages to get customers ready for summer. The first package, which focuses on the body, includes an energising salt scrub, a massage with moisturising products and a pedicure. If you like, you can also combine it with an airbrush tanning session to give the body a little extra colour," suggests Kristina.
mjuk & len also has a relaxation area with a steam sauna, whirlpool and dry sauna. As mjuk & len is located in the same building as Mariebad, there is also an adventure pool next door.
"Large groups of friends often come here at the weekend to relax, have a sauna, eat exotic fruits and simply hang out in the whirlpool. Often they will want to have some sort of massage or a facial as well," explains Kristina.
Complete spa package
There are several companies that will help you to book complete spa packages that include travel, hotel and treatments. Some of these are: Ålandhotels, Ålands turist & konferens, Eckerö Linjen and Viking Line.
If you can't wait till you get to Åland for your relaxation, you can already make a start on the ferry. Both TallinkSilja and Viking Line have excellent relaxation areas with a wide selection of facial and body treatments.
Tips: Combine your visit to a spa with the BodyBalance form of exercise at Träningsverket for the ultimate in well-being.
Read more about spas, health and wellness, and saunas at www.visitaland.com.
Read more about the Kyan Yin clinic at www.kuanyinkliniken.ax, mjuk & len at www.mjukolen.ax and Träningsverket at www.traningsverket.fi.