Tighten up, slim down or just chill out at one of the world's best spas on the idyllic island of Crete. Words by Debra Aspinall

AT any one time something like 75 per cent of the female population are trying to lose weight. Add to that figure the number of women who aren't actually dieting but would love to lose a few pounds, then it's easy to see why anything offering a quick slimming fix will be eagerly jumped upon.

I admit my heart did a quick flutter when I read about a world-class spa on the beautiful island of Crete offering four- and six-day slimming packages. On closer inspection I realised this was actually a viable option as the whole break - with five treatments on four of the days - would cost me not much more than a weekend away in the UK.

Another advantage would be the weather which, even off peak season, would be bound to be better than at home.

A phone call to a like-minded pal, and 20 minutes later I was booking us onto a BA flight to Heraklion and signing us up for the four-day slimming programme (others on offer include wellness new energy, vein tone, vertebral, anti-cellulite, harmonia and masculine).

Next stop was their website to read up more about the Thalasso Spa at Aldemar Royal Mare Village on Crete.

I discovered that at the Conde Nast Traveller readers' Spa Awards 2007 the Thalasso Spa at Aldemar Royal Mare Village came 5th in the top 10 overseas spa retreats category, scoring 90.8 out of a possible 100 by readers.

I also learned that Aldemar Hotels have two spas in their portfolio, the Aldemar Royal Mare Village and Thalasso on the outskirts of Heronissos and the Aldemar Olympian Village in Skafidia on the West Peloponnese. Both spas were the creation of Marianna Angelopoulo, a Dutch woman married to a Greek independent hotelier.

Aldermar is aiming to be at the forefront of well-being escapes in Greece and, one day, the world. Their powerful combination of spa treatments and the healthy Cretan diet is proving to be the recipe for a balanced and healthy lifestyle choice.

The resort is delightful, sitting right on the sea front. Clusters of two-storey blocks of rooms each have their own swimming pool (so there are 19 in total at the resort). It's a large resort and it's quite a hike from top to bottom.

It is, however, not very close to any towns so if nightlife and shopping are your cup of tea then be prepared for a half-hour drive or a one-hour bus ride.

There are several restaurants on site, offering everything from a huge buffet to gourmet cuisine. TV in the rooms is mostly German (take a mini DVD player or laptop or socialise in one of the many bars).

If you are there, as we were, to chill out, wind down and relax, then it is perfect.

Aldemar's slimming programme is popular with visitors of all ages. Many use the four- or six-day plan to kick-start a new healthier regime back home - specially designed programmes and treatments for men ensure that male visitors are well taken care of.

The weather was lovely in late September and my masseur assured me they never really have bad weather, just days which are not quite as sunny.

To escape for a short four-night break at Aldemar Royal Mare with Wellbeing Escapes (www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk 0845 602 6202), prices start from £749pp including return scheduled flights and a daily spa programme for three days and accommodation on a half-board basis. Alternatively flights and accommodation can be booked separately.

GB Airways operates British Airways flights to Heraklion in Crete from Gatwick and Manchester. Flights start March 31 and operate until the end of October. For more details visit www.gbairways.com

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