Rejuvenate at the De Russie Wellness Zone, Rome

THE Hotel de Russie's Wellness Zone, which is open to guests and visitors alike, has devised a treatment to rejuvenate cobblestone-weary feet.

De Russie Wellness Zone

ROME is a great city for walking. In fact, if the weather is good you need never venture on to public transport or deal with taxis.

Pounding the streets and museums all day can, however, be murder on your feet. The Hotel de Russie's Wellness Zone, which is open to guests and visitors alike, has devised a treatment to rejuvenate cobblestone-weary feet. Called the Ancient Roman Ritual, it begins with a relaxing, warm footbath with volcanic stones, essential oils and flower petals from the hotel's garden. The feet are then exfoliated with a sea salt and essential oil scrub to prepare them for a relaxing "mask". The ritual continues with a foot massage and a moisturising balm. This is more than just a pedicure and not something you can rush - the treatment takes 75 minutes, which means the stresses of the day have plenty of time to melt away.

The ancient Romans were big on personal hygiene and body care and the De Russie Wellness Zone is one of the best spas in the city. The facility includes a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and Turkish bath as well as a fully equipped gym with views over the hotel's famous secret garden. This is not a huge spa - there are just six treatment rooms - so bookings are essential. The Wellness Zone uses products from a variety of lines from Carita, Skinceuticals and Cinque Mondes.

After getting your feet back in order you're ready to take on the "Art of Training Tour", which is basically a jog around the city with a personal trainer and cultural guide; or you could put your best shoes on and head to the Stravinskij Bar upstairs for some more stress relief.

More: [phone]; roccofortehotels.com.