Anirudh Koul / Foter / CC BY-NC

For most people, taking a vacation is all about relaxing and getting away from the hustle and obligations of everyday life. It takes no stretch of the imagination to understand why so many vacationers choose to spend their days away from home relaxing at a luxury spa. No matter where you hope to travel in Europe, there is likely a world-class spa nearby. If your idea of a perfect vacation is enjoying a world-renowned spa’s services, here are some of the top European cities to take a luxury spa break in:

London, United Kingdom – Known as one of the world’s most important financial centers, London has no shortage of money. That translates into a number of top-notch luxury spas for even the most demanding guest. Spend your mornings shopping on King’s Road or Savile row, your afternoons relaxing in a spa’s sauna or hydrotherapy pool, and spend your evenings dining at some of the world’s best restaurants.

Alicante, Spain – Alicante sits on the Mediterranean coast of Spain along the Costa Blanca. The area had been one of the fastest growing regions in Spain prior to the global economic recession, and is now beginning to see increased growth again. Visitors travel to Alicante for its sunshine-covered beached, high-quality Mediterranean food and luxurious, relaxing spas. Strolling through the city’s harbor will commonly put you face to face with a fleet of high-end private yachts all throughout the year.

Paris, France – The capital of France is commonly thought of as one of the trendiest cities in the world, but it is lesser known that they have some of the most exquisite luxury spas that you will find anywhere. Whether you aim to stay in a resort shadowed by the Eiffel Tower, along the busy Champs-Élysées, or nestled on the shores of the Seine, Paris has a plethora of world-class spas with staff ready to meet your every need.

Lausanne, Switzerland – A small town situated high in the mountains of Switzerland, Lausanne provides visitors with the upmost in luxury and relaxation. Located just across Lake Geneva from France, Lausanne is no strangers to famous visitors – the city is home to the International Olympic Committee any many well-known people have lived here. Notable residents of the area have include fashion designer Coco Chanel, IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad and actor James Mason.

Rome, Italy – A list of Europe’s best cities for a luxury spa break would be far from complete without mentioning Rome. For thousands of years, citizens and visitors in The Eternal City have been enjoying the healing properties of the cities Roman baths. Today, some of Europe’s best spas and resorts are scattered around the city – both in the bustling historical areas and in the relaxing surrounding hills.

If you spend your day at work, dreaming of getting away and being pampered in every way imaginable by the staff of a spa resort, these five cities are some of the best places you can travel too. These locales are not only home to some of the best-rated luxury spas in the world, but they also provide visitors with countless other things to do during their stay. If you enjoy lying by the beach, soaking up the sunshine, Alicante may be the luxury spa destination for you. For someone who would rather soak up history and culture, Rome has been a chioce spa destination for dozens of centuries. No matter where you go on vacation, the most important thing is to relax and enjoy your time away from home.

Article written by Tim Baker who writes for K West Hotel & Spa. Tim loves travelling around the world and even though he usually doesn’t stay in luxury hotels and spas, he really enjoys it when he does!