Bottled Memories & Timeless Waters

 

Recently, I was gifted two perfumes by two of my friends. One was from a renowned brand, while the other was a personalized creation, crafted by expert perfumers based on my personality traits. I adored both—after all, who doesn’t love receiving a thoughtful gift? And aren't Perfumes ar one of the easiest and most cherished souvenirs to buy, especially when traveling! They capture memories, emotions, and places in a single whiff. Even during my recent trip to Lucknow, I stumbled upon an ‘ittar’ shop on a walking tour. Among the many traditional fragrances, one stood out—‘Mitti.’ The moment I applied it, I was transported to the earthy aroma of the first rain kissing the parched land. 

There’s something undeniably evocative about scent. A single fragrance can awaken long-forgotten memories, stirring emotions buried deep within. Perfume, in its essence, is a time capsule—bottling up the history of civilizations, luxury, and tradition. While France is often hailed as the perfume capital of the world today, the art of perfume-making dates back thousands of years. 

The word “perfume” originates from the Latin ‘per fumum,’ meaning “through smoke,” referring to the burning of aromatic resins and spices in religious rituals. The ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Romans all experimented with fragrant oils and balms. Cleopatra, legend has it, scented the sails of her ships with rose oil so that Marc Antony could sense her arrival before even seeing her. Similarly, in India and the Arabian Peninsula, perfumes and incense played a crucial role in both spiritual and everyday life, believed to purify spaces and ward off negative energy. 

But it was the French who transformed perfume into an art form. Initially, perfume was used to mask body odor, especially in medieval and Renaissance France when bathing was infrequent due to the belief that water spread disease. By the 17th century, fragrance had evolved into a symbol of status and refinement. King Louis XIV, known as the “Perfume King,” had his rooms, clothes, and even fountains scented. Grasse, a small town in the south of France, became the world’s perfume capital due to its perfect climate for growing fragrant flowers like jasmine, rose, and lavender. When you travel to the French riviera on Europe tours you have a chance to visit the perfume factories in Grasse or Eze in France. 

Here are a few destinations that will add a beautiful fragrance to your holidays: 

1. Grasse, & Paris,France

A visit to Grasse is a pilgrimage for perfume lovers. You can explore historic perfumeries like Fragonard, Molinard, and Galimard. In Paris you can still visit legendary houses like Guerlain, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and Chanel, where you’ll discover their heritage scents. In fact on your next holiday, you can join a perfume making class and even learn to craft your own signature scent—a deeply personal souvenir that lingers long after your trip.

2. Florence, Italy

The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, founded in 1221 by Dominican monks, is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. It still produces luxurious fragrances and herbal remedies using centuries-old techniques.

3. Marrakech, Morocco

At traditional souks, you’ll find exotic oils like amber, musk, and oud, widely used in Middle Eastern perfumery. The city's perfume shops, like Agaro or El Kelaa M’Gouna, are known for their handcrafted blends.

4. Dubai, UAE

Dubai’s rich perfume culture combines oud, amber, and floral scents to create unique fragrances. Visit Swiss Arabian or Ajmal Perfumes for an authentic Emirati scent experience.

5. Kannauj, India

Often called the ‘Grasse of the East,’ Kannauj is the heart of India’s perfume industry. It is famous for traditional attars made using age-old distillation techniques. The Mitti attar, which captures the essence of rain-soaked earth, is particularly unique.

Of course there are more places and if you have a personal favourite, do let me know! While the French perfected perfume to compensate for a lack of bathing, the Romans had a vastly different approach to hygiene. They believed in bathing and when you’re traveling in Europe you will often come across many Roman baths.The Romans built baths everywhere because they were essential to daily life, serving as centers for hygiene, socializing, relaxation, and even politics. Bathhouses were more than just places to wash—they were like modern-day spas, gyms, and community hubs combined, where people gathered to exercise, discuss business, and unwind. The Romans’ advanced aqueducts and heating systems allowed them to create massive bath complexes, such as the Baths of Caracalla in Rome and the famous Roman Baths in England. These baths symbolized Roman civilization and culture, spreading across the empire from Britain to North Africa. Some were even linked to temples and healing sanctuaries, reinforcing their spiritual and medicinal significance. Whether for emperors, soldiers, or common citizens, Roman baths were a luxury, necessity, and status symbol—a tradition that still influences modern spa culture today! 

You can enjoy a wellness break with hot springs till this date. Here are a few Iconic Bathing Destinations Around the World

1. Bath, England

As its name suggests, the ancient Roman Baths in the city of Bath are among the best-preserved relics of Roman engineering. The natural thermal springs continue to attract visitors seeking their reputed healing properties. 

2. Baden-Baden, Germany

This spa town boasts Roman-Irish baths and luxurious wellness retreats, where visitors can indulge in thermal pools and aromatherapy treatments. 

3. Pamukkale, Turkey

A breathtaking natural spa, Pamukkale’s white terraces are filled with mineral-rich thermal waters, once used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for healing and relaxation. 

4. Budapest, Hungary

Often called the “Spa Capital of the World,” Budapest is home to over 100 thermal springs. The Széchenyi Baths, with their stunning yellow façade and outdoor thermal pools, offer a blend of relaxation and history. 

5. Japan’s Onsen Culture

In Japan, onsens (hot springs) are deeply ingrained in culture. Towns like Hakone, Beppu, and Kusatsu offer geothermal baths enriched with minerals, believed to have therapeutic benefits. Some onsens even feature sake, green tea, or coffee-infused baths! 

6. Reykjavik, Iceland 

Iceland known as the country of fire and ice due to geothermal activity and volcanoes is home to many hot springs. You can soak in the beautiful blue lagoon and enjoy the soothing and curative effect of mineral water. 

Do bear in mind that in many of these places, you will have the option of a public bath with general entry or upgrade to a private bath at an extra cost. 

The rest of the world, not to be left behind without hot water baths, has perfected the art of creating many types of swimming pools to attract tourists, children and adults alike! The first known swimming pool is supposed to date back over 5,000 years to the Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro, built around 3000 BCE, then part of the Indus Valley Civilization. This massive, well-constructed pool, made of baked bricks and waterproof tar, was 12 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 2.4 meters deep. Historians believe it was used for ritual purification rather than leisure, as bathing held deep religious and social significance in the Indus Valley culture. The Great Bath remains one of the oldest water structures in history and a testament to early engineering and urban planning.  

We may not visit Mohenjodaro but we can surely enjoy the best pools on our holiday. Here’s a look at some of the hotels with the Most Stunning Swimming Pools & Pool Villas 

1. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 

The world’s largest rooftop infinity pool. Swim 57 stories high with panoramic views of Singapore’s skyline—a bucket-list experience! 

2. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam 

Stunning private pool villas on a secluded beach. Each villa has its own infinity pool overlooking the turquoise waters of the South China Sea. 

3. The Hanging Gardens of Bali, Indonesia 

A multi-level jungle infinity pool. Swim in a floating pool surrounded by lush rainforest, creating a surreal experience. 

4. The Cambrian, Switzerland 

A heated outdoor infinity pool in the Alps. Relax in a steaming pool while gazing at the snow-covered mountains—pure magic in winter! 

5. Soneva Jani, Maldives 

Overwater villas with private infinity pools & slides. Wake up to an endless blue horizon, swim in your own pool, or slide straight into the ocean! 

6. Amangiri, USA (Utah) 

A desert pool carved into natural rock formations. A breathtaking oasis in the middle of the Utah desert, blending luxury with nature. 

7. San Alfonso del Mar, Chile  

The largest swimming pool in the world (1km long!). This gigantic lagoon-style pool holds 250 million liters of water, giving you an ocean-like experience without waves! 

Whether it’s the delicate art of perfumery, the healing embrace of thermal baths, or the sheer luxury of an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, our travels are often shaped by experiences that indulge the senses. From the rain-scented Mitti attar of India to the historic thermal baths of Budapest, and from the lavender fields of Grasse to the sky-high pool at Marina Bay Sands, every destination offers a unique way to immerse ourselves in beauty, culture, and relaxation. These traditions—rooted in history yet deeply relevant today—remind us that travel isn’t just about seeing new places, but about experiencing them with all our senses. So, where will your next adventure take you? Will it be the scent of a handcrafted perfume, the soothing warmth of a mineral-rich spring, or the cool embrace of a breathtaking infinity pool?