After such a spectacular high tea at Villa Parma, our party of five cruised onto our accommodation for the evening, the stunning Holly Lodge. This gorgeous home, part of the DayGet properties portfolio, is a four-bedroom estate (if you will) that comfortably housed five bloggers, but would also happily entertain a group of couples or a family.

Top: The entrance to Holly Lodge and Below: the ‘Paris’ room

Each of the bedrooms had a dedicated theme, which we promptly nicknamed, ‘The Paris Room’, ‘The Harpers Bazaar Room’, ‘The Cat Room’ and ‘The Retro Room’ based on their various décor. With a bathroom and reading nook attached to each, an ample kitchen, dining an living room, a library and quaint outdoor spaces, we could be forgiven for saying we were never going home.

Photographs were taken, much exploring done and a quick spot of supermarket shopping before we all settled around the dining table with a glass of bubbly and some girly chit chat. The fabulous Iolanthe from The Ruby Slipper cooked up a storm for dinner, and we dined al fresco, overlooking the luscious gardens in the twinkling candlelight.

Top: The indoor dining space at Holly Lodge and below: the outdoor dining space at Holly Lodge

Many champagnes and a cup of tea later, we each settled into our rooms, and enjoyed a brilliant nights sleep, before the gorgeous morning sunshine bought us together again for various morning activities.

Leeyong visited the market, Sarah took an early visit to the spa while Iolanthe went for a morning walk and Marianne and I went in search of coffee. We rendezvoused at the Peppers Mineral Spa Retreat shortly after, ready to be pampered and relax.

The Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat. Top: the Mineral Springs and Below: the topiary gardens the springs overlook

In bathers, robes and slippers, we padded through the tranquil facility to the Mineral Springs – three pools of water of varying temperatures. The Mineral Springs, at a comfortable 38 degrees and the plunge pool (at a chillier 20 degrees) are designed to be used together – into the warm, then the cool – to detox and rejuvenate the body and skin.

Various saunas and steam rooms add to the detox process, and I also took the time to lie on the day beds in the sun, overlooking the topiary garden. Finally, ten minutes on a very strange contraption that moves your ankles from side to side to encourage the realignment of the spine completed a blissful hour of relaxing.

We freshened up in the fully fitted out bathrooms (and I am surprised to say that considering our blogger backgrounds, we really did manage to travel relatively light!) and made our way to The Argus restaurant for lunch.

The Argus is a beautifully fitted out establishment, again on the grounds of Villa Parma, and you can expect a sophisticated menu with offerings from local producers. Chef David Willcocks does a splendid job of creating delicious meals and desserts!), not to mention the elderflower and lemon cordial offering put before us on arrival – divine!

Top: John Dory with harissa, chickpeas, yoghurt and mint. Below: Buttered popcorn, malt and caramel peanut

Feeling well and truly stuffed – as in full – and relaxed – as in relaxed – the five of us parted ways and we returned to the bright lights of the big city to remember with fondness our blogger getaway.

Our thanks to Chris and Wayne of Spa Country, the DayGet team, Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat and The Argus restaurant.