When you visit a new country it’s important to learn a bit about the culture and traditions – try the local food, visit the sights and attempt to speak some of the language. Sometimes a spa treatment is part of sampling a foreign culture, such as an invigorating Thai or Turkish massage. There are, however, some more unusual options out there for the adventurous traveller. Whatever your choice of location, having access to your own transport gives you more freedom to explore the areas off the beaten track.

Noodle Spa, Japan

Ever been enjoying a pot noodle and thought, ‘I wish I was having a bath in this’? Me neither actually, but if you’re visiting Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, Japan, this is one of the options available to you. The venue, around three hours’ drive south of Toyko, is a mixture of a hot springs spa resort and a water amusement park. You can choose to bathe in sake, green tea, wine or coffee as well as ramen noodle soup, for around $44 for an adult day ticket. Driving from Tokyo takes about 1 hour once you reach Atsugi IC after the Tomei Expressway.

The Geisha Facial, New York

Japanese geishas have been using nightingale droppings as a cleanser for centuries, and now several spas in New York and Hawaii have caught on too. The treatment, known as ‘the geisha facial’, involves applying powdered and sterilised nightingale excrement to the skin, which is said to contain enzymes which break down dead skin cells in the same way as a light acid peel. Victoria Beckham is a fan, and you can try out this yourself at Shizuka New York Day Spa for $180. Bargain. There’s a choice of parking near the Rockefeller Center that’s only a short walk away.

Snake Massage, Israel

The Carnivorous Plant Farm is not the most immediately comforting name for a spa, but when the treatments inside involve live snakes writhing around your body, it is perhaps fitting. Ada Barak, who runs the spa in Talmei Elazar, Israel, uses big non-venomous snakes for deep massage and little ones for light massage. Ada says she realised the therapeutic effects of snakes after hearing people felt relaxed after handling them. I’ll take her word for it. The spa is about an hour’s drive from Tel Aviv.

Bull Sperm Hair Conditioning, London

This 45-minute intense conditioning treatment uses organic Aberdeen Angus bull sperm to revitalise tired hair. Mixed with Iranian plant root, the sperm is rich in protein, which is what hair lacks when it’s dry. Pioneer Hari Salem, of Hari’s Salon in Knightsbridge, discovered the magic ingredient after a process of trial and error and testing other products including avocados and truffle oil. Chelsea Cloisters Car park is under 5 minutes walk away.

 Cactus Massage, Mexico

Cacti: the next best thing to a sponge, right? At the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico you can opt for a cactus massage, where the prickly spines of cacti are removed and the paddles then used to apply a mixture of cactus blossom and agave pulque (similar to tequila) to the skin in order to remove toxins. $250 for 80 minutes. Puerto Vallarta International Airport is 25 miles (40 km) away.

Author: John has enjoyed traveling since he was a boy when his parents first took him to visit family overseas. Since leaving home, John has tracked down family all over the world and regularly jets off to faraway lands to see distant relatives.