For a real pampering on a German city break head to the country's premier spa town, Stuttgart.

A total of 19 springs pump 22 million litres of mineral water into the city every day, which is thought to possess curative properties when bathed in regularly.

Leuze Mineralbad offers one of the best venues to take advantage of the medicinal quality or to simply splash around and have fun in the large swimming pool with massaging water chutes.

The proper way to experience the public bath however, is to take a hot shower in the Kalts Bad Halle before jumping into the freezing waters - an exercise guaranteed to boost circulation.

Meanwhile, an array of steam rooms, saunas and even sun loungers allow for somewhat warmer R&R experiences at the complex.

Mineralbad Canstatt and Mineralbad Berg are both other excellent aquatic alternatives in the city.

Spoil kids rotten on a London break with a trip to child-only Tantrum on the prestigious King's Road.

The establishment opened as a hairdressers at the start of the year but has since extended its services to include manicures, pedicures and makeup sessions too.

It is divided into two sections: the first set in an enchanted forested with its own locomotive and the second - for older children - inspired by a pop star dressing room.

Bespoke party packages are also available on request, catering for newborns to 15-year-olds.

Throughout the pampering, young clients are kept entertained with magazines, personal DVDs or by playing the Wii. For the traditionalists, there is a good selection of old-fashioned dolls to dress up too.

For similar child treatments in the UK, head up to the Waterfall Spa in Leeds. The centre offers mother-and-daughter days called 'Me and My Princess' throughout the summer holidays.

Packing a swimsuit for a holiday to chilly Iceland may not seem an entirely obvious suggestion but a dip at the country's premier tourist attraction Blue Lagoon will be worth a few puzzled looks from friends at home.

Brave the biting cold outside to plunge into the lake's geothermal seawater, which reaches a cosy temperature of 39 degrees C.

The experience has earned the resort recognition from Conde Nast Traveller readers as the best medical spa in the world and it's easy to see why this centre continues to attract custom.

A typical itinerary includes much more than a quick dip in the mineral-enriched waters; the selection of indoor massages and treatments on offer should be explored, as well as the cascading waterfall, sauna and steam rooms.

With its close proximity to Keflavík International Airport (just a 20 minute drive) and the capital, Blue Lagoon is the perfect final stop on your Icelandic adventure to thoroughly unwind before heading home.

Reykjavik has earned somewhat of a reputation for thermal pools in recent years, self-styling itself 'spa city' and boasting almost 55 million tons of naturally-heated water pumped through it each year.