We go to yoga on a regular basis, enjoy the occasional massage, and try to get at least an hour of flake-out TV time at the end of a stressful day. But sometimes full relaxation requires a complete withdrawal from the real world.

Sensory-spa Ovarium boasts boatloads of fans for their muscle-soothing Epsom salt floatation baths ($60) and out-of-this-world Pulsar light and sound experience ($22). We combined both treatments with a 30-minute ride on their brand new Neuro-Masseur bed (starting at $29), which combined relaxing music and the sounds of waves crashing with a pleasant series of full-body vibrations, immersing all our senses into a delicious sense of relaxation.

We emerged ready to take on the world, jelly legs and all. —Jennifer Nachshen

Ovarium, 400 Beaubien St. E., Montreal, 514-271-7515, www.ovarium.com

We keep a pretty stacked schedule, so it’s not uncommon to find us slurping soup over our keyboard or driving with the steering wheel in one hand and a sandwich in the other.

The speed-eating will end at the Balnea Thermal reserve. The stunning spa is hosting the second annual Summer of Chefs, where you’re expected to dine and recline rather than eat and run. Every Sunday starting on July 3, one of ten renowned Québecois chefs, including Laurent Godbout, Eric Gonzalez and Marc André Jetté, will battle it out for culinary supremacy while you kick back and enjoy the view.

Taking care of your body has never been so delicious. —Jennifer Nachshen

Balnea Spa, 319 Lac Gale Rd., Bromont-sur-le-lac, 450-534-0604, www.balnea.ca

When an overdose on holiday parties has us feeling a little dinghy, we duck out from decking the halls to decompress on deck.

We’re dropping anchor at newly opened Bota Bota, a stunning spa set in a chicly renovated ship grounded in the Old Port of Montreal. We loved the water circuit ($45 for 2 hours), starting with a soothing sauna, followed by a refreshing dunk in a cold bath and finally, relaxing in a hammock or Jacuzzi with a view of the Old Port. For some added oomph, we invigorated with the Two Pepper Scrub ($60), using lychee, black pepper, Jamaican pepper and cardamom oil. A little mani-pedi ($70) flavoured either sweet (honey and sugar scrub/hot cocoa butter massage) or spicy (two pepper scrub/ginger and mango butter massage) left us in ship shape for our next shindig.

Anchors aweigh!

Bota Bota, 358 de la Commune St. W., Old Montreal, 514-496-7678, www.botabota.ca

We may be in denial about the last days of summer but our skin sure isn’t.

Irritated and angry (like our nerves after Labour Day) our face is a classic ‘over-reactor,’ so Dermalogica’s new UltraCalming line couldn’t come at a better time.  Geared to stressed-out skin, the fragrance-free Cleanser (from $43.50) and Serum Concentrate ($68) contain anti-inflammatory properties like ginger, oat and evening primrose oil that soothe redness while preventing loss of water.  We’ve been spritzing our face with UltraCalming Mist ($45.50) during bone-dry air travel and the Barrier Repair ($52.50) has guarded against future temper-tantrums.

At Rain Spa, 55 St. Jacques St. W., Montreal, 514-282-2727, www.rainspa.ca

Fine foodie heaven lies four hours west of Montreal in glorious Prince Edward County. Along its Taste Trail you’ll find high-tech vineyards, fine inns, artisanal cheese and fresh veggies fit for royalty.

sleep
Set in a yellow colonial mansion, the romantic Claramount Inn & Spa is filled with fine French antiques, cozy nooks and a 92-degree salt-water pool. Our lovely nautical-themed suite was massive with skylights, crisp sheets and pretty views of Picton Bay (rooms from $175). 97 Bridge St., Picton, 1-800-679-7756, www.claramountinn.com

eat
At the Claramount’s Clara’s dining room, chef Kelly Attwell creates seasonal fare with “whatever is fresh.”  We love the Asian twists like ghee seared chicken and Great Lakes perch with wasabi aioli, and how the beets in our creamy cumin soup were grown in the Inn’s garden. Do book a table on the wraparound porch.

spa
With aquatic massages in the pool and beer pedicures for boys, the Claramount Spa has an endless menu of forward thinking treatments. During our LomiLomi ($105) massage we listened to tribal tunes while a Hawaian-trained therapist worked us over with deep breathing and long sweeping movements. Aloha!

drink
One of the oldest wineries in PEC, Huff Estates produces great vintages using traditional French techniques in a high-tech facility (the barrel cellar is gravity-fed). We adored the 2008 Riesling Off-Dry ($18) with notes of caramel and peach. On your way out stop at the winery’s on-site Oeno Gallery for a peek at local contemporary art. Huff Estates Winery, 2274 County Rd. 1, Bloomfield, 613-393-5802, www.huffestates.com

do
You’ll find dairy delight at the wind-powered Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co. Over 26 varieties of cow, goat and sheep cheeses are handmade in a LEED rated building, then beautifully aged in subterranean caves. We mooed over the creamy Rose Haus with Chardonnay and baahed at the tangy Lemon Fetish with red fife flour rind. 4309 County Rd. #8, R.R. 4, Picton, 613-476-5755, www.fifthtown.ca

We’ve always relished spending the day in our bathrobe.

We did just that at the luscious Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texan Hill Country (glam girls Renee Z. and Sandra B. have lounged here). We followed up our mind-blowing Seven Centers Life Chakra Massage ($195) with laps in the pool barn and lunch made from herbs picked in the spa’s organic garden.

Overnighters can sign up for cooking classes with Food Network chefs, take a bird-watching cruise or do yoga on the dock. Book a lake-view room with private porch, or feel like a First Lady in the sumptuous Lady Bird Suite with fine antiques, hot tub and private wildflower garden.

We may never get dressed again.

Three-night packages from US$1555, Lake Austin Spa Resort, 1705 South Quinlan Park Road, Austin, Texas, 1-800-847-5637, www.lakeaustin.com

Longing for a furlough but no time for long-haul escape?

Just 20 minutes from downtown, a visit to the new Salon M Toi made us feel like we’d crossed an ocean. After chilling out in the Moroccan-inspired waiting area, we followed the fresh raspberry body scrub ($55) with a luxurious soak in a petal-strewn Japanese tub. Emerging from our west-island staycation we felt more out-of-this-world than out of town.

Next up? Faking an accent and finding a nice young man to show us around.

Salon M Toi, 95 Donegani Ave., Pointe-Claire, 514-505-0789.    

It’s only the best for our precious pooch.

The owners of Chien Zen take a refreshingly holistic approach with their pet spa. All treatments (from $50) start with a skin and hair assessment, followed by therapeutic touch therapy focusing on Poochie’s pressure points, and an aromatherapy massage using essential oils. Doggie’s nails are clipped and filed (so no scratched up floors) then treated with paw protection butter homemade from organic beeswax, coco butter and Vitamin E. We love that this animal oasis sells eco-friendly, locally-sourced toys and doesn’t smell one hair like dog.

Bow wow, indeed.

Chien Zen, 3805 Jean-Talon W., Montreal, 514-564-0222, www.chienzen.blogspot.com

We love a deep massage but some leave us feeling more pummeled than placid.

Less is more with Dr. Hauschka Spa’s new Holistic Body Treatment (from $75) designed to tone, energize and boost the immune system using gentle pressure. After a sage and rose-petal foot soak, the therapist applied mood-elevating St. John’s Wort oil to our upper body using circular movements choreographed to our breathing pattern.  After rose oil was rubbed into our legs and feet (followed by a ten-minute snooze), we floated out the door in a painless state of bliss.

Dr. Hauschka Spa, 1444 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, 514-286-1444, www.spadrhauschka.com

Trade winter’s chills for sunny thrills with our luxe (for less bucks) itinerary.

stay
With up to 1,900 square feet, a new private villa at The Hyatt Grand Champions may be bigger than your apartment—only it's got butler service, an outdoor Jaccuzzi, and mountain views. Two bedroom villa from $409, www.grandchampions.hyatt.com

eat
Explore the romantic grounds of La Quinta, a 1920s health ranch turned hotel (note the casita where Frank Capra wrote You Can’t Take It With You). Sit outside at the authentic Mexican Adobe Grill and sip one of their famous organic margaritas. It’s good for you, really. www.laquintaresort.com

spa
Plan to spend the whole day at the Spa at Desert Springs, with its own outdoor saltwater lap pool and loungers overlooking the golf course and mountains. Listen to classical music and order a light lunch from the spa restaurant between trips to the two steam rooms and spa treatments using local dates and cacti. www.spa.desertspringsresort.com

do
Grab the girls and attend one of the daily $20 golf clinics at the soothing and scenic Westin Mission Hills. The strapping pros have the patience of Job as you hit dead air or divot their green, but it’s amazing how quickly you can improve with their simple pointers. www.westinmissionhillsgolf.com

Looking for more luxe for less bucks? Check out our recent Palm Springs itinerary.