If you’re a fan of Jane Austen or 19th century English literature in general, then you are probably already familiar with the phrase “taking the waters.” However, to the uninitiated, the meaning of the phrase may seem somewhat dubious, so allow me to illuminate. Essentially, “taking the waters” refers to drinking or bathing in the famed, mineral-rich waters of Bath, which have been enjoyed by everyone from the Celts and Romans over 2,000 years ago to the Elizabethans in the 16th century to modern day revelers like myself. While the medicinal qualities of the waters—which contain some 42 minerals and trace elements—are subject to dispute, I can assure you that the pleasure of relaxing in them is not.

But before I get to the waters, a little historical note…

Committed Anglophile that I am, I arrived in Bath with grand expectations of the town that featured so prominently in books like Jane Austen’s Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Almost immediately I found those expectations met and exceeded, particularly given the architecture of the city, which brought to life images of the world inhabited by the fashionable set that first brought popularity to Bath centuries ago. One look at the Royal Crescent, the Pulteney Bridge and the Circus, and I felt overcome by the sense that my common jeans and boots were somehow inadequate in the face of such grandeur.

The feeling was only reinforced when I set off on a walking tour arranged by Experience Bath and found myself face-to-face with Thomas, my exceedingly knowledgeable tour guide who was dressed head-to-toe in period costume (top hat included). However, a little bit further into the tour, thanks to Thomas’ vivid description of life in Bath during the 18th and 19th century—which even managed to bring the smells of the period into perspective—I began to feel quite comfortable with the idea of visiting Bath in the here and now rather than its earlier heyday. Which is not to say that visiting the Jane Austen Centre and Number One Royal Crescent, among other sights, with Thomas did not offer amazing insight into 18th century life in Bath, because it most certainly did. I only mean to suggest that the glamour hinted at in most of our Hollywood-tinted images of the period, courtesy of films like the Kiera Knightley vehicle The Duchess, sometimes stand in stark contrast to the reality of the times, fascinating though they may be.

Having spent the morning exploring the history of Bath, I opted to spend the afternoon literally diving into it at theThermae Bath Spa (after all, Bath is all about ‘the waters’—hence the name). The Thermae Bath Spa, Britain’s original and only natural thermal spa, is a spectacular blend of old and new. In the ultra-modern New Royal Bath, I made my way up to the open-air rooftop pool, where I splashed around with my compatriots in the naturally warm waters from Bath’s renowned springs while taking in breathtaking views of the city of Bath and surrounding hills. Then it was off to the Aroma Steam Rooms, where the steam is infused with the essence of lotus flower and eucalyptus among other soothing aromatic scents. The final leg of my visit involved a dip in the Minerva Bath, the largest of the thermal baths, and a moisturizing candle massage in the spa. Now this was the Bath I had envisioned. From that particular vantage point, it wasn’t hard to imagine why British nobility favored packing up and settling into this place for long stretches of time to luxuriate in the waters daily.

I wound down the day with an evening visit to the Roman Baths, where I toured the extensive ruins and temple constructed by the Romans around the springs. Talk about living history. To this day, excavation continues around the ruins where new treasures are still being unearthed. There’s no denying the wonder in walking on stones that date back thousands of years.

As it’s only about a 90-minute train ride from London, Bath is a great, quick side trip, and well worth it. Visit the Thermae Bath Spa and dive into that wonderful rooftop pool, explore the world of Jane Austen, take a cruise down the canal on a narrow boat or just walk around the city or spend a day or two soaking up all that grand architecture. It truly is a bit like living in a novel for a spell, and nowadays who couldn’t do with a little escape like that?

Find out more about Bath at visitbath.co.uk.

Stay

The Francis Hotel, Queen Square | BA1 2HH, Bath, United Kingdom |T: +44 (0) 1173 199 006

Recently refurbished, the hotel offers classic elegance mixed with a modern, eclectic edge that reflects the vibrancy of the regency period from which it takes its inspiration.

Eat

Circus | 34 Brock Street, Bath BA1 2LN

Circus, a popular family-run restaurant in Bath serving seasonal, locally sourced food with a British bias, and favored by locals, including Nicholas Cage, who owned a townhouse steps away from the restaurant for years.

Play

Mandalyn’s Bar | 13 Lansdown Road, City Centre, Bath BA1 5DX |T: +44 (0) 1225 425 403

If you’re so inclined to get current after all that history, Bath does have a gay bar, and it has regular theme nights and karaoke.

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Nothing makes traveling more bearable than indulging yourself regularly when you’re on the road and that’s what The Painted Nail in Sherman Oaks, CA offers anyone who happens to find themselves in Los Angeles and in search of a little TLC.

When The Nail Files debuted on the TV Guide Channel a couple weeks back, all of America was introduced to a luxe experience that had already become a hit among in-the-know Angelenos and a klatch of Hollywood celebs that includes everyone from Real Housewives to Desperate Housewives. The show itself goes behind-the-scenes of the Hollywood nail bar run by the hilariously funny actress/host/comic/fabulista cum reality TV star Katie Cazorla and like its star, it is a mile-a-minute, whirlwind of an experience that can leave you a little breathless. That said, the experience of visiting The Painted Nail is a decidedly calmer, wholly different lacquered shade of brilliant.

Katie is a girlfriend of mine and we’ve known each other for a while, so when she opened her new nail bar, she invited me out to give the treatments a test run. Never one to pass up an opportunity to luxuriate in opulence, I accepted the invite immediately.

When I arrived on that first visit, the first thing I noticed (and indeed liked) about The Painted Nail was that there were plush arm chairs in lieu of those weird massage chairs, which are meant to be comfortable but are mostly annoying I find. The second thing I noticed (and loved) was the complimentary mini-bar where wine was being served on that particular afternoon (on subsequent visits Champagne and mixed cocktails have been on offer…and occasionally on a weekend a sexy bartender to serve them…yum all around).

The third thing that caught my attention was the vibe of the place. The Painted Nail feels more friendly than functional like so many nail salons, hence the reason it is a nail bar. In fact, between the music and the other patrons at the Painted Nail, it’s a bit like a party sans the scene…even on a mid-week afternoon. But then again, that’s Katie’s personality which is reflected in everything throughout the salon and the neighboring clothing and accessories boutique where she hand picks every product on the racks.

Most important of all, behind the glamazing exterior, it is the treatments themselves that make the experience of visiting The Painted Nail so delicious. My personal favorite  is the Ice Cream Sundae mani/pedi combo, which, if I’m honest, I was a little skeptical of at first. I mean…I’m gay but initially the idea of Chocoholic, Vanilla Purity and Kiwi-Strawberry scents combined with an exfoliating sugar scrub, ice cream sandwich callous treatment, foot masque topping and body icing massage, sounded a little too over the top, saccharine sweet and girly for even me. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. By the time my adorable technician got to the buffing stage and I got halfway through my second glass of wine, I was well on my way to memorializing the sweetest, most relaxing mani/pedi I’d had in ages.

And here’s a little tip — if you want to get a few of your friends together for a treat, Katie’s got a great private party lounge above the salon with its own private bar, and space for a gaggle of gal pals of any sex to get simultaneous mani/pedis along with other treatments. There’s even a photo booth with props, a full stage, four wireless mics, a professional sound system with Karaoke, and a disco ball If you feel like getting “On The Floor” Jennifer Lopez-style after your sexy treatments and a few shots. On the flip side, there’s a private VIP Cabana if you want to be real Hollywood and enjoy your treatments in utter and complete privacy. No matter what you choose, you’ll leave The Painted Nail feeling sexy and sweet…now when is the last time a mani/pedi or a scrub did that for you?

The Nail Files airs Tuesdays at 10PM on the TV Guide Channel. Find out more or book an appointment at The Painted Nail: www.thepaintednail.com.

MoxieQ Rating: Sweet as Sin

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