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Published: 12:00am, 7 Jan 2003

More action: The publisher of Action Asia magazine is tapping into the ever-expanding spa market with its new quarterly sister publication, asiaSpa. Although the opening release appears a little discriminatory, claiming to aim at 'wealthy professional women aged between 30 and 50' (we know plenty of men who enjoy indulging too), the glossy mag appears to offer everything you need to know about the spa experience. Accompanied by myriad wish-you-were-here pictures, it features the latest trends in city spas, resort and destination spas from Thailand to the Maldives, as well as a regular section on creating your own home spa experience. Available at all newsstands, the first two issues are free with Action Asia ($30), after which the standalone cover price will be $30.

The Pen-ultimate gift: To mark its 75th-anniversary celebrations, The Peninsula hotel is offering a range of packages that are bound to sweep prospective beaux or belles off their feet. In conjunction with Metrojet, you and your partner can fly in a Gulfstream IV private jet to The Peninsula's sister hotels in Bangkok, Beijing or Manila, where champagne and canapes will greet you on arrival to the presidential suite - your base for three days of activities and pampering, from golf to spa treatments. Available until March 31, the packages start from an eye-watering US$50,888 (about HK$397,000) for Bangkok or Beijing, or US$42,888 for Manila.

Closer to home, for HK$110,000, you and your partner can arrive by helicopter (from Chek Lap Kok airport for visitors, from the Admiralty helipad for residents) to a VIP welcome, and check into the spectacular 4,111-sq-ft Peninsula Suite, which has two living/dining rooms, master bedroom, kitchen, boardroom, exercise room, study, balcony and three bathrooms. A one-hour massage at the Clarins Spa is followed by a candlelit dinner in the suite, accompanied by a string quartet or jazz trio. Day two is an orgy of indulgence with breakfast in the suite, followed by a tour of the kitchen with the executive chef, lunch at Gaddi's, afternoon tea in the Lobby and dinner at Spring Moon. Finally, day three commences with a Rolls-Royce tour wherever you desire after breakfast, followed by a Chinese tea-tasting session, dim sum at Spring Moon, late check-out with a gift and a helicopter departure. Available until June 30, call Vindy Lui on 2315 3150 for details (www.peninsula.com).

See the lights: GlobalRes is offering an eight-day/five-night package to Finland with ample opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring aurora borealis (above), which is usually prominent in Arctic skies at this time of year. Leaving on the night of January 28 only, the tour heads straight to Lapland and includes a visit to Santa Claus' village (crossing the Arctic Circle) and a reindeer farm; a husky safari, during which you'll learn to drive sledges; an overnight stay in a genuine igloo without heating; tobogganing and cross-country skiing at the Ounasvaara Ski Centre; and tours of Helsinki and historical Turku. The package costs $15,999 on a twin-share basis and includes economy flights on Finnair and all accommodation, meals (such as a Scandinavian buffet breakfast, lunch in a log farm and a traditional Lappish dinner) and activities. A stopover in certain European countries, including London and Paris, is available for free. Call 3105 0600 for more information.

Take a break: Until the end of February, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is running another Rate Break promotion, with up to 40 per cent off all 38 of its Shangri-La and Traders hotels and eight resorts throughout the Asia Pacific. Typical discounted rates are US$86 (HK$671) at the Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur; M$288 (HK$591) at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort, Kota Kinabalu; and S$165 (HK$741) at the Traders Hotel, Singapore. Double air miles with participating airline partners are also available. Call 2331 6688 or visit www.shangri-la.com for more details.

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