Darwin Escapes are proud partners of Aromatherapy Associates, with all of our luxury spa locations using and stocking their outstanding products!

In honour of Aromatherapy Awareness Week and our recent partnership with the best in the field, Aromatherapy Associates, we wanted to show you, our lovely and loyal, readers what they are actually all about!

who are they?

Aromatherapy Associates offer a wide range of award winning and utterly luxurious bath, body and skincare products, that will show your natural beauty and radiance by working on a deeper level. Recognised as leaders in their field, the company has always kept the founders, Geraldine Howard and Sue Beechey, beliefs that an enriching aromatherapy experience nurtures the body and boosts the spirits, since 1987! (that was the year I was born…)

what does it all mean?

Aromatherapy is more than just a treatment that smells divine (although that’s pretty amazing in itself), the products are made up of small molecules that bring a unique healing property to every cell of your body (impressive right?). Our sense of smell is deep rooted in a part of our brains that is governed by instinct, that’s why smells can trigger deep and lost memories so easily, so it makes sense that essential oils can have an impact on our emotional state. The oils can help to transform moods and move us from one state to another, creating a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.

what are the benefits?

Aromatherapy Associates is unique in that they focus on Mindful Beauty, this philosophy gives you time to stop and helps you find balance in your life. There are many benefits to using aromatherapy products, they have been proven to help your immune system, ease indigestion, bloating and speed up digestions! Many oils are also known to increase circulation and raise your energy levels, helping to generally stimulate your body and mind during an indulgent and sensory journey while enhancing your overall wellbeing. All this basically results in a healthy and relaxed mind, with glowing and beautiful skin that is free from harsh, and sometimes damaging, chemicals.

Aromatherapy Associates specialised artisans understand the importance of essential oils and the therapeutic benefits they have on the body and mind. At Darwin Escapes we currently use, and stock for you to take home, Aromatherapy Associates products at all our luxury spa locations, so the next time you’re visiting us why not spoil yourself with a treatment and indulge in your favourite product?

Happy Aromatherapy Awareness Week Ladies & Gents!

Darwin Escapes are delighted to be the official sponsor of the brand new attraction at Chester Zoo – Dinosaurs! The Next Adventure. Chester Zoo is one of the largest Zoos in the UK with over 5,000 different species of animal, and now you can add dinosaurs to the list as well. Today Chester Zoo is opening its brand new attraction ‘Dinosaurs! The Next Adventure’; a fascinating adventure back in time where you can learn more about these varied and fascinating creatures which roamed our planet millions of years ago.

Darwin Escapes is delighted to be the main sponsor of the attraction which will be running throughout the 2016 summer from the 28th May – 4th September. Head down to this world famous zoo and walk amongst these animals of the past in a glorious setting which is sure to delight both adults and children. You won’t know what’s around the next corner as you learn more about the huge variety of species which made up the dinosaur population ranging from the feathery Utahraptor to the intimidating Gigantosaurus.

We were delighted to be invited down for a sneak peak of the Dinosaurs attraction on the day prior to its official opening to the public and we can guarantee that you will not be disappointed. No stone has been left unturned, with the Chester Zoo team even going as far as to ensure that the plant life throughout this attraction is made up of the actual greenery which was present on our planet throughout the Mesozoic Era.

download the app

If you are planning on heading down to the attraction, we would recommend that you download the ‘Dinosaurs! The Next Adventure’ App which is available from iTunes prior to your visit. With this app, you can scan the various signposts which are scattered throughout the attraction and provide you with information about the various species that inhabited this very different world.

Adding theatre and dance to the North Wales coastline at the seafront Rhyl Pavilion, read about two of their up coming shows below…

The current pavilion is actually the third construction, with the first opening in 1891 and the current building opening 100 years later in 1991! Steeped in local history the Rhyl Pavilion is one of the favourite spots to catch a show for locals and holiday makers alike. Over the decades Rhyl has hosted international artists and a huge number of productions; it also plays a big role in community events. Generating more than £4 million each year for the local economy, holding recent shows like Mrs Browns Boys, Little Mix and John Bishop to get the crowds in. But they also facilitate many local amateur acting groups, as well as being accessible for school productions and local bands, creating a place for theatre and dance on the North Wales coastline.

Two of these nationally acclaimed shows that will be gracing the Rhyl stage are Welsh Wrestling and Dirty Dancing: The Tribute Show, read below for more information…

Welsh wrestling

When: 27th May / Cost: £12 for adults, £9 for children and £35 for a family of four

Grab a seat and enjoy the glitz, glamour and body-slamming mayhem in this American Wrestling extravaganza invading Rhyl for one night only! The brilliant and over the top Welsh Wrestling brings the crazy wrestling world and combines it with a fun entertainments show that the whole family can enjoy, screaming along with the thrills and spills of live American Wrestling. Including stars who have appeared, and are about to appear, on the world renowned, WWE! The sensational Stevie Starr, the all action muscle man John Titan (seriously, what a name!) and the masked Mexican flyer Magico! With fantastic stars from the UK, USA, Mexico and Japan, grab a ticket and enjoy the ride. So let’s get ready to rumble! (I bet you shouted that in your head…)

dirty dancing: the tribute show

When: 14th May / Cost: £21 per ticket

This fantastic feel good concert will be touring the UK extensively, but grab it at Rhyl Pavilion in May and enjoy the music, dance and nostalgia! Lead actor Julian Essex-Spurrier has starred in productions like Rocky Horror Picture Show, as Rocky (ultimate dream to see this live) and played Tony in Saturday Night Live. And the beautiful Amanda Coutts has recently joined the cast after completing a stint on the West End in the smash hit We Will Rock You (I loved that movie!). This production is not the movie, so don’t expect a retelling of the movie, this fun show is driven by the soundtrack of the movie. Paying homage to one of the best soundtracks a movie ever had, this high energy, emotional roller coaster has breath taking choreography and buckets of nostalgia, and is currently entering its recording breaking 6th year of touring! Book a ticket and enjoy the electric atmosphere, where the crowd are encouraged to jump up, dance and sing the night away with the actors, and immerse themselves in the nostalgia of Dirty Dancing, a completely unique experience! Definitely a show not to miss!

So folks I think Rhyl Pavilion is the place to be in May! Looking for a place to rest your head after dancing the night away? We have two beautiful North Wales parks close to the Rhyl Pavilion in the form of Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park and New Pines who both offer holiday stays and holiday home ownership, giving you the chance to visit all the shows at the Pavilion, with no booking, no packing, just get up and go!