I’m a spa virgin - will I have to go naked? Louisa McConnell, Newcastle

Times Online spa expert, Miranda Allard responds: Absolutely not! The whole experience will be a complete waste of time if you feel embarrassed and uncomfortable. Check when booking that you have been allocated a therapist of the same sex – if that is your wish. It is true that the better the access to your body parts to be treated the easier it is for the therapist to do a good job. Some spas provide disposable knickers for those who require them. Tell your therapist it is your first visit and that you are not sure what to wear – she/he should explain the pros and cons and let you decide. Remember therapists see bare bodies of all shapes and sizes all day long and like the medical profession only look at them in order to improve wellbeing.

There are variations of spa etiquette, however, between different nationalities. For example in the UK it is a must to wear a bathing costume in mixed saunas and steam rooms. Not so in Austria. In fact, it is deemed extremely unhygienic by the Austrians to wear swimwear in these detoxifying facilities though covering up with a towel is acceptable. So it is advisable to check on arrival at new destinations for local spa customs.

Miranda Allard runs SpaContacts.com which features a limited selection of spas invited by her to join

Related Internet Links

• Send a question for our travel experts

Multimedia

• Meet our travel experts

Got a question for our travel experts? Email us

Times recommends

• 21 weekend breaks for September
• French kissing in the Lozère
• Timbuktu by motorbike Pt 5: into Mali