Five spa treatments to try while you're travelling

Bliss out with a relaxing massage during your next holiday. Photo / Thinkstock

Do you know your Swedish from your Thai, your hot rocks from your wrap?

Spa treatments around the world are as different as the languages spoken in the destinations they hail from. Here are five popular ones to help you decide next time you're after a holiday treat.

Swedish

Typically a deep tissue massage and great for dealing with knots and stress, although you can have them use lighter strokes if you'd rather just be pampered. It's an all-over body massage with oils and long strokes to placate tense muscles. This is probably the most popular of all massage treatments and if you're a beginner, start here. Don't be afraid to let your therapist know to change the pressure either.

Hot rocks

My favourite of all treatments. Smooth basalt stones of all sizes (the Pullman in Auckland uses pounamu) are heated in water and your therapist uses them to massage weary muscles. You'll be moisturised or oiled and the stones placed along your spine, your tail bone, in your hands, and used by the therapist to relax the muscles. Expect a visit to heaven.

Reflexology

Quite possibly the most painful treatment I've ever had, but excellent for weary shopping feet - or those with plantar fasciitis. Deep massage strokes to the foot, ankle and calf might have you wincing, but it's all for a good cause! Some therapists claim parts of the foot affect other parts of the body and a foot treatment can cure all ills. Take that with a pinch, and enjoy the muscle rub.

Scrub and wrap

I'm not a fan of being sticky, but this body treatment is nourishing from neck to toes. You'll be scrubbed down with a sugar or salt scrub that has oils and minerals in it to slough off dead skin and invigorate your cells, before being slathered with a thick hydrating mask and wrapped in a plastic sheet, covered and left to marinate. Then you toddle to the in-room shower, wash the gloop off and return to the table for a massage.

Thai

This is done with your clothes on. Well not your clothes, you'll be given a pair of long pants and a loose top to lie on a mat or a massage table and be bent and stretched through various yoga-like positions. Things will click as the masseurs use their (incredibly strong) hands and forearms to apply pressure. Your back may be walked on and your fingers, toes and even your ears pulled with a rhythm the Thai people have been using for generations.

Read Megan's blog on spa etiquette ... and when to get your kit off..