I’ve written before about why men should not be ashamed about getting pampered at health spas and my latest trip to one in Italy has not changed my mind.

Despite what popular culture may have you believe, health retreats are not just for women and you can have a brilliant time there if you’re a man – whether you’re by yourself, with a mate or with a partner.

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I visited the Capovaticano Resort Thalasso and Spa in Costa degli Dei, on the south-west coast of Italy, and came up with a few reasons why you need to go there as well.

The location is perfect and it has brilliant views

Grotticelle beach, Ricadi. Calabria. Italy. (Photo by: Marka/UIG via Getty Images)
Grotticelle beach, Ricadi (Picture: Marka/UIG via Getty Images)

The one hour ride from Lamezia Terme Airport to the health spa in the heart of Calabria is probably worth the money alone, considering the views you get to see along the way.

Passing through the region, we were able to observe the beautiful clear blue sea and picturesque mountains.

But the best views were still waiting for us when we reached the resort itself, which is located on the Tyrrhenian coast.

From the private beach we were able to view the Stromboli volcano and the Aeolian Islands.

You can’t beat a good spa

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You can relax outside near one of the pools (Picture: Max Zambelli)

Once you get to the spa you will probably never want to leave.

It has a great pool, which is located by the outside restaurant, and if you fancy taking a dip in the crystalline sea water, you can step out on to the private beach.

The rooms are spacious and have spectacular views of the sea. The fresh bowl of fruit on arrival is also a nice touch.

It’s also a Thalasso sea and spa, which means it has natural sea water flowing through it.

Treatments on offer at the spa:

the pool
(Picture: Max Zambelli)

Calabria is known for its citrus groves – bergamot, lemon, grapefruit – which are all used to enhance the treatments at the spa.

I tested out several of the ones on offer at Capovaticano.

The first was the citrus earth garden, which involved getting a massage, being wrapped up in plastic and then having another massage.

I also experienced a Mediterranean perfume peel that saw me get scrubbed down, which at first felt uncomfortable – but once I got used to it, it was OK.

The holistic massage was more of a straightforward treatment.

There were a few other massages on offer that also sounded really cool, like the Aromasoul volcanic scrub and relaxing facial massage with rose quartz stones.

The Aromasoul involves a scrub made using a ‘precious powder, rhyolite, which is obtained from lava rock rich in silica originating from the Strombolian volcanoes’.

It is apparently an ideal mineral for skin regeneration.

While the second treatment is a ‘soothing facial massage practiced using small rose quartz stones to benefit from the calming and congestion relieving power of these semi-precious stones’.

You’re next to a stunning beach

Grotticelle Beach. Ricadi. Calabria. Italy (Picture: Getty Images)
Grotticelle Beach (Picture: Getty Images)

If you get tired of the indoor pool, you can take a dip in the ocean instead.

The resort has a private beach where you can spend your days lying on a deck chair.

It will only take you a couple of minutes to get there and is located near the outside restaurant and bar area.

There’s also an outdoor pool there as well.

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Another shot outside (Picture: Max Zambelli)

There are two great restaurants at the spa

There’s a choice of meat, chicken and fish on the menu, but seeing as you’re in Calabria, you should probably try the local food.

The on-site restaurant offers a range of dishes from the area that it refers to as the Culinary Arts of Calabria.

This includes charcuterie and cheeses from Calabria, local Fresa, regional caprese salad and cured ham from Sila.

If that doesn’t float your boat, you could always venture out to one of the local restaurants, which are a short car journey away.

You could try Quei Bravi Ragazzi in Tropea, or Le Chicche di Calabria in Pizzo, which come highly recommended.

There are other things to do

Fortress. Pizzo Calabro. Calabria. Italy (Picture: Getty Images)
View from a fortress (Picture: Getty Images)

It’s not just about spas and relaxation, you can also get active at the retreat.

If you like sports, there’s an on-site tennis court, water skiing, wind surfing and snorkelling or scuba diving available.

The spa has a tennis coach so you can brush up on your court skills as well.

There’s also the fitness centre, which includes everything you’d expect from a top class gym.

Tropea. Calabria. Italy (Picture: Getty Images)
Street of Tropea (Picture: Getty Images)

You can explore the rest of Calabria too

You can take a quick 30 minute car ride into the town Tropea, where you will get to mingle with friendly locals and see even more brilliant views.

If you want to get a better look at the surrounding area, there is a sailboat you can catch.

On this, you can explore the coastal resort of Tropea and on to the Aeolian Islands and Sicily.

Tropea. Calabria. Italy (Picture: Getty Images)
The waters look incredible (Picture: Getty Images)

How to get there:

Capovaticano is easily accessible from London via Ryanair.

You’ll have to catch a Ryanair flight from Stansted to Lamezia airport, which takes three hours. Fares start from around £46 return.

It will then take another hour to get to the resort itself from the airport.

Rooms at Capovaticano Resort Thalasso and Spa start from £66 per night.

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