Excess baggage

(urbanatomy.com)
Updated: 2008-03-06 11:01

Spring is a season when people easily feel fatigue. Why not go and take a holiday to throw all the fatigue away?

**Olympic spirit

As the Chinese capital hits fever pitch, Shangri-La is offering five-day pre-Olympic vacation packages at its four Beijing properties (China World, Kerry Center, Shangri-La Beijing and Traders Hotel) until June 30. Choose from specialized itineraries: 'History and Architecture', 'Wine and Dine', 'Sight and Shop' and our favorite, 'Art and Sport', which includes a tour of the 798 Art District and a Peking Opera school, dinner at the late Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang's private mansion and a peek at China's future Olympic medalists in training at the Beijing Sport School. All four packages also feature visits to Olympic sites such as the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, four nights' executive floor accommodation, airport transfers, touring fees, daily breakfast, lunch and one dinner at a hotel's fine dining restaurant.

www.shangri-la.com

**Mountain High

The misty mountain vistas, cool bamboo forests and sleepy villages of Moganshan have been luring Shanghai dwellers for decades. Now there is another great reason to head to this historic hilltop three hours from Shanghai. Newly launched Naked Retreats offers three rustic lodges in tiny Sanjiuwu Village – population 20. Sleeping from two to 20 guests, each villa comes with a kitchen, open fireplace and comfy bedding. Opening rates start at just RMB 900 until the end of March, including a breakfast basket and ayi service for the day. Naked Retreats can also help arrange private transportation or train tickets. Look out for our full review in an upcoming Last Resort.

www.nakedretreats.cn

**Take Sanctuary

Asia's latest luxury detox camp opens this month on the island of Naka Yai, a 10-minute boat-ride from Phuket. The Six Senses Erawan features cutting-edge treatments inspired by traditional Chinese, Indian, Indonesian and Thai therapies. Treatments include Jin Shin Jyutsu, colonic therapy, Ayurveda, and a Thai massage school, along with trendy contemporary regimens like kinesis training, postural enhancement and oxygen fitness therapy. Guests reside in the 61 pool villas or suites located on white-sand beachfront, and dine on spa cuisine at the interactive earth kitchen or fine-dining raw food restaurant.