Aire de Barcelona - Spain's Best Luxury Spa and Roman Baths

For even more tips on visiting Barcelona, check out my full travel guide HERE. 

Whenever I travel, I make sure to plan a much needed trip to the spa for total relaxation and to rid myself of all of those kinks from a long flight (something that my husband reminds me is a want and definitely not a need, but I tend to ignore his opinion anyway).  So when I was planning my trip to Europe, this was top on my list of to do's in barcelona. After many hours of research, it was clear that Aire de Barcelona was the city's premiere luxury spa experience that I couldn't pass up. Here's all the Type A details that you should know to make the enjoy the best that Aire has to offer!

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The Aire Experience 

From the moment you step foot through the doors of Aire de Barcelona spa, you are soothed by the aroma of fresh cloves and cinnamon and it is evident that you've entered a world of serenity and leisure. Following check in, you are led behind a curtain where men and women are separated into their respective locker rooms to change. You are provided with a bath towel, slippers, bath robe and a combination locker to place all of your belongings. Once you change into your bathing suite, you can leave your robe in the locker and walk out in your slippers with a towel. You'll then be led down a flight of stairs (or you can take an elevator) where you'll be provided a tour of the baths and spa amenities.  You'll also be asked to step into a communal shower area where you'll rinse away any impurities from your body and hair that could taint the quality of the pools (don't worry, you keep your bathing suit on during the quick shower). It's important to note that all treatments are conducted in open areas, not a private room, so you always remain clothed when you are in the public areas of the spa. 

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In the dim candlelight of the brick laden spa cave (as I like to think of it), you'll discover pools of varied temperatures, a jacuzzi, salt pool, jacuzzi and steam room.  In the main corridor you'll find water and delicious hot mint tea, very much like the tea I had when visiting Morocco for the first time... I think I sat there drinking an entire pot all to myself it was so good!  Guests are let in in 2 hour waves, so you'll have this time to enjoy the various pools either until the 2 hours is up or until you are called for your scheduled treatment. Wristbands help therapists identify what treatment you will be receiving and will help them to find you when it's time, that way you don't have to watch the clock for any reason.  It's important to note that this is a peaceful environment so you are expected to remain relatively quiet, especially as people get massages around you. It is a place of reflection and you will be hushed if you are disruptive, so please respect the the customs and keep voices low. 

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I had the full Aire Experience scheduled, which included a hammam treatment (full body scrub) and 60 minute massage. My therapist, Susana, met me in the warm pool where she escorted me to the sauna to sit for about 5 minutes and then to an area with what looked like marble beds where the hammam is performed. I laid on the table face up and a light cover was placed over my eyes. Susana warned me that the scrubbing can be rough and uses very quick motions so if at any point I was uncomfortable to let her know.  However, once I closed my eyes I was completely relaxed. Soft, warm water is poured through a teapot and a high-end exfoliating scrub is used.  My skin felt silky smooth after the 20 minute scrub down and was a great precursor to a long massage. 

Following the hammam, I followed Susana to another area of the spa where the massages take place. Again, these are semi-public rooms, so you remain clothed during the massage and in no way feel exposed or uncomfortable. The massage was one of the best I've had in a very long time, I was so sad when it ended! Susana led me out to the hall where she served me tea and water. She was a wonderful therapist and you can tell that she truly loves her job. 

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The sound of a brass chime will signify that time is up and you will be escorted back to the locker rooms to freshen up and collect your things so that they can prepare for the next round of guests.  The locker rooms have everything you need, including showers, deodorant, plastic bags for your wet items, hair dryers and combs.  I've made a few recommendations for additional items you may want to consider bringing below.

Overall, I had an incredible experience at Aire de Barcelona. Everything from the Roman baths to the treatments were of the highest quality and truly provided a rich and peaceful spa visit. I would definitely be returning the next time I'm in Barcelona and will probably be dreaming of it until then! 

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Location

You can find Aire de Barcelona across the street from Parc de la Ciutadella and just a block from the Arc de Triumf, set under whitewashed arches in a historically rich building with deep roots in Barcelona's culture. It's less than a 10 minute walk from the Arc de Triomf metro station, so very easy to get to no matter where you are located.  

Booking

It is extremely important that you make an appointment as this is one of the most popular spas in the city, so it fills up fast - especially during summer months.  Bookings are scheduled in 2 hour blocks of time so you'll want to allow for 2 full hours no matter what spa options you choose, even if that is simply to partake in the ancient baths.

Treatments

You can check out the list of treatments here.  Prices vary from as low as 29 euro for the use of the baths to 100 + euros for massage treatments - very reasonable compared to luxury spa prices in the US. I highly suggest the Andalusian Ritual (hammam) and the massage treatments. Also keep in mind that prices are slightly higher on weekends.  Tipping is not expected, but if you would like to leave something extra, you may do so at the reception desk upon check out. 

Language 

Spanish or Catalan is the local language and English can be difficult at times; however, everyone was very kind and with effort practicing some of my terrible Spanish and exchanging limited English and hand signals here and there, I had no problems at all.  There are also a few very helpful staff members who speak great English who are more than willing to assist when needed. 

What to Bring:

• Bathing Suite
• Shampoo and Conditioner (there is soap in the showers that will work, but I prefer to use my own)
• Facial Moisturizer 
• Make-Up (if you plan on going out after)
• Hair Tie
• Cash for tipping

I hope this gives you all the Type A tips you need to plan the perfect spa visit to Aire de Barcelona! I'd love to hear your thoughts so please leave a comment or click the heart so that I know you like all the info I'm providing - it gives me motivation to continue writing <3

For even more tips on visiting barcelona, check out my full guide here. 

New Hampshire's Family Run, Local Farms

If you know what dirt roads to take, you can find everything you need to eat fresh, local and delicious in middle New Hampshire.  You can't find these places on a visitors map or a quick Google search, it was only through talking with New Hampshire locals that we found these hidden gems. Some of the nicest people we met were the local farmers who run the places that provide the incredible produce, maple and dairy to the people of New England and around the world. 

Riverview Farm

If you're looking for sprawling acres to pick fresh berries, apples and wildflowers, Riverview Farm is your spot! We were amazed to find that just 20 minutes from our lake house lay a fun family afternoon that we would never forget.  All you have to do is grab a basket or a bag and follow the signs for picking all of the farm fresh fruits you can get your fingers on. This 30 year-old family run farm provides you with everything you need to make memories with the ones you love - including a corn maze, carriage rides, a pumpkin patch and home-made doughnuts on the weekends.  As a family, we picked over 5 pounds of raspberries that we took home and made cobbler with - it was oh-so-good!

McNamara Dairy Farm

Just down the road from Riverview Farm is a family run creamery, its origins going back to 1950. Visiting here takes you back to a place mostly forgotten, where you can buy fresh milk in glass bottles and butter churned just the other day.  In their self serve shop at the front of the working farm - you grab what you want, leave money in the unmanned register, take your own change and go. There are few places left in the US where trust and community are strong enough that a business can establish an honor system storefront, and I'm so thankful that it is actually possible. I have to admit that I was a little unnerved seeing an open cash register in an empty store... we literally had to ask a delivery guy what to do before we figured it out!  And if you're wondering how the cows are treated, just take a walk behind the store and check it out for yourself - maybe you'll even get a glimpse of some of their newborn calves like we did.  

We took home as much as we could of their hormone and preservative free dairy products, including flying home with a cooler and a few pounds of butter!  And I'm not kidding when I tell you that it was the best chocolate milk we've ever had, EVER. I can't wait to go back, just so I can have a bowl of cereal and a slice of buttery toast!

Week old Baby Calves

My Father-In-Law with one of the Owners

Fresh Made Butter

Edgewater Farmstand

If you don't have time to visit each farm for all of your cooking needs, just stop by Edgewater Farmstand where they carry all of their own locally grown produce as well as local products from other neighboring farms. You can find jam, cheese, milk, pastries and plants all in one quaint shop so skip the major grocery stores and buy local! 

Valley View Maple Farm

Talk about local. The owner and maple-maker Ben Keger, along with his adorable little bug (beagle/pug mix), creates intoxicatingly good maple products right in his little shop just a few minutes drive off of the freeway.  His shop has been around since 1937, originally established by his father where he learned the art of maple as a child. I just fell in love with his hospitality and his story - he does not own a cell phone or a single credit card - how many people can say that!?! You can buy all things maple like maple butter, maple candies, syrup (obviously) and maple mustard and he even finds time to hand craft gift boxes out of wood found right on the farm. He ships his products all over the world, but you can buy everything directly from the farm at surprisingly cheap prices for such great quality. We were lucky because on the afternoon that we showed up, his wife had just finished making the maple candies and they had just bottled the dozen plus bottles of grade A syrup we took home. Yes, friends and family can expect to be getting maple gifts for Christmas this year!

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These are just a handful of places we visited during our time in New Hampshire. Check back for my full Travel Guide to New Hampshire that should be up in the coming weeks. If you have a favorite farm in the area that you'd like to share or you have a question about any of these awesome locations, leave a comment below!

Local Spotlight - Poway Farmers Market | Poway, CA

Every Saturday, in the place known as "the city in the country", the streets open up to a world that was intended for a time unknown or forgotten to most; a place where neighbors actually talk without electronic devices, where bright eyed children board a train conducted by kind volunteers and where locals come for everything from decadent French pastries to  vegetable smoothies and strawberry kambucha.  The Poway Farmers Market has become the best community event of the area and for good reason; worthy of regulars who live close by (like me) or visitors from afar looking for a rare glimpse into a safe spot filled with family centered fun. 

Open from 8am - 1pm every Saturday, rain or shine, there are 65 food and produce vendors offering a wide variety of options.  My husband and I walk over practically every Saturday morning to get breakfast and fill up on produce and goods for the week. Here is a highlight of some of our favorites...   

PRODUCE

Farmer Steve is a great guy who carries a variety of organic produce at very reasonable prices. He always has a story to tell or a word of advice, but most importantly is the only person in the area that sells passion fruit for way less than anyone else in town.  I call him my dealer, since passion fruit has become my drug of choice to help satisfy my sweet tooth!

GOODS

The Loose Leaf carries a collection of teas that range from weight loss to energy enhancing based on all natural ingredients. Meghan, the sweet girl at the booth always has samples to try and provides a detailed breakdown of each tea so you make the best choice (my favorites are the Detox and Organic Cacao & Mint).  There is also a booth that sells all natural, local honey; Asana Foods carries gluten free granola and chocolate; and Bernardo sells bunches of wild flowers so you can make your own bouquets - most 3 for $10. 

YUMMY BITES

We love the food here and find any excuse to grab a bite to eat.  Corbin's Q grills mouth watering bbq ribs and tri-tip right in front of you on their outdoor grill cart with their scrumptious homemade sauce, La Creperie crepes are juicy good - I like to get Porky's Favorite with an egg and Colin's go-to is the Mexican food booth with the shrimp ceviche and delicious fish burritos... you really can't go wrong with any of them!  I also suggest washing it all down with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice or a bottle of strawberry kambucha! 

The Midland Railroad

Finally, the crowning jewel is the Poway Midland Railroad, fully equipped with a small scale platform and ticket office, where for $.50, kids wave to onlookers as they ride around the park while the conductors and attendants run the show.  Operating every Saturday from 10am - 3:45pm and Sunday from 11am - 1:45pm, you can ride one of the fully restored trains (steam locomotive, speeder or SF trolley) depending on the week.  It's one of those rare occasions where you really feel like you've stepped back in time to a better, slower, safer place.