The
epiphany led her to travel to various countries to learn
how they connected on a spiritual level with their approach
to health and beauty. Florian's odyssey inspired the
product lines and treatments offered by Kerstin Florian
International at spas across the world. I was ready
to begin my own journey around the globe with several
signature treatments.
After
hearing about Florian's adventure of being helicoptered
into a remote area in Sweden to learn about the Samer
culture, I was eager to experience the “Sami
Zen” treatment that evolved from that moment
in her life. Though there was no teepee like the one
in which Florian originally received the treatment,
Marriott's Revive Spa created an atmosphere that transported
me straight to Sweden with Sami jojk music playing
in the background and artifacts that evoked the natives'
spirit.
The treatment began with a body scrub of chamomile
and pumice. Lulled into nap mode, I was led to a warm
herbal bath containing chamomile and melissa. I sank
into the foamy water with visions of being surrounded
by snow-covered mountains. Too soon I was beckoned
back to the massage table. With able hands, my therapist
applied birch-bud extract, something Florian uses
in her own daily regimen for benefits such as detoxifying
the skin and stimulating circulation. Even the folk
singers on the DVD seemed pleased with the aromatherapy's
uplifting scent.
A face treatment followed with a soothing mask and
hot stone massage. As if hearing muscles tight from
hours at the computer crying out for attention, the
therapist proceeded with a hot stone body massage.
Unlike basalt rocks used in most hot stone massages,
smooth crystal stones from the Samer region of Sweden
glided over my body. A whisper from the therapist
brought me back to the present. Sadly, the treatment
had reached its conclusion. But not to worry, I still
had day two of pampering ahead in…
France. Florian has harnessed the intoxication of
Provence and its lavender fields with her “Lavender
Dreams Ultimate Experience.” In this indulgence,
there's no fuss, just a state of bliss, heightened
by the scent of lavender. Prepared for the shock of
cold water hitting my warm skin, I was further surprised
when the body scrub was dry. No mess. No need for
disrupting the treatment's flow to hop in a shower.
A body wrap followed, during which both my scalp and
feet received acupressure massages with warm lavender
oil. I wondered, is it possible to purr in French?
The body massage elicited a “Merci!” from
me.
Next stop, Morocco, aka Revive's Spa Bistro. Here
Casablanca native Chef Smail Yaakoubi pours guests
a verbena brew and serves dishes influenced by his
country. A favorite salad of mine - the baked pear,
rocket, fennel and wedged blue cheese with aged fig
balsamic. Delish! Oh, the salad was good, too.
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