by Leonore Dicker
Imagine an idyllic place. Is it beautiful, luxurious and sunny? Are massages involved? How about the food: is it divine yet calorie-free? I think I might have found your paradise on earth.
As I sat at the airport waiting for my flight to Alicante, I felt tense, exhausted and impatient to get to SHA Wellness Clinic: Europe’s most coveted spa. Located in Albir, Spain –at the same latitude as Ibiza– SHA isn’t your run-off-the-mill spa. While it is indeed white, pure and the absolute personification of relaxation, it’s also lavishly luxurious and oozes trendiness. You could almost imagine being at some celebrity’s multimillion mansion –right until you’d notice how incredibly peaceful it was.
Founded by Alfredo Bataller Parietti, SHA was built as a result of his digestive issues that negatively impacted his life for thirty years. After countless analyses and studies, Parietti fortunately met an expert in natural therapies, who is now part of the medical team at SHA. Through proper nutrition, Parietti made a full recovery. He consequently decided to start this project, which combines natural therapies and a healthy diet, to guide others to a wholesome life.
The retreat –which happens to be one of John Galliano’s favorites– offers a number of programs of a week or longer. Guests can either choose to detox, sleep better or stop smoking, only to name a few. I opted for “SHA Discovery”, which is a four-day program that introduces you to some of SHA’s specialties.
Before treatments begin, visitors are requested to get a consultation with the nurse and the nutritionist to examine their weight, fat percentage, blood pressure and diet– as to better plan their stay and understand their goals. I was asked to choose between three delicious gastro-macrobiotic diets (which literally translates as ‘long life’ and excludes dairy, meat and sugar): Kushi, Biolight, and SHA. I picked the latter as I was only looking for a detox – but those who intend to lose weight should pick Kushi, which restricts calorie intake to 800 per day and, according to those who’ve tried it, miraculously doesn’t leave you hungry. Losing weight is also an option with the SHA diet though, which is only 1500 calories per day. One of the chefs revealed to me that professional sportsmen tend to request that they double the portions of the SHA régime to satisfy their appetite.
To start off your day, you may choose to lounge by the pool - which could mean bumping into Kylie Minogue walking by in her bathrobe - begin your treatments, explore the hydrotherapy circuit or start with a workout. Since I meant business, I went straight to the workout, which had me trekking a hill to the lighthouse to ingurgitate the gorgeous view of Albir and hit the gym with a personal trainer. While SHA helps you unwind thanks to its beauty, treatments and diet –it somehow also rejuvenates you. Though available at breakfast, I decided to give up coffee during my stay and found myself feeling more energetic than ever.
From facials and deep tissue massages to acupuncture and hydro-energetic detox cures, guests can indulge in numerous treatments. Reflexology masters, naturopaths and experts in the healing arts are all on call for your pleasure and relaxation. Entertainment is also an option thanks to seminars, cooking lessons, yoga classes and movie screenings –among others activities.
The most incredible treatment I experienced was “Aqua relax”. Designed to remind us of our pre-birth days lazing in our mothers’ stomachs, this intriguing massage took place inside a basin-pool where the masseurs gently stretched and massaged me under water while moving me around. I fell into a trance and did not see the 50 minutes go by. Having tried –and failed– meditation many times, this was the very first time in my life that my mind went absolutely blank. I was under SHA’s spell and never wanted to leave. No wonder one special guest moved in for a whopping 126-days stay. But unfortunately, my 4-days were up and it was time to get back to reality.
For more information or bookings, please visit: www.shawellnessclinic.com/en/
