On a day when couples renew their ardour in homage to a martyred third century figure named Valentine and expect their passion and love will lead to an enduring union, gifts of intimacy or gifts layered with symbolism become an expression of adoration of one another. A treasured gift though, is not what is bought, but the thoughts of the persons who profess their love.
 

Aromantic treatments, a Middle Eastern sauna and the experience of an Old World hotel are what await visitors to a new spa in Hanoi    

As Hanoi prepares to mark it its 1,000th birthday, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has opened the doors to its spa. Four months after its soft debut, Le Spa du Metropole is offering patrons an experience of an iconic hotel in Vietnam in addition to a variety of treatments.
 
Like the hotel itself, Le Spa trades on the hotel’s stature as a grand dame of Asian hospitality. Its seven treatment rooms evoke Old World elegance and the spirits of such former guests as Charlie Chaplin, Graham Greene and Somerset Maugham.

Chinese New Year feasts are an earthly pleasure. Loaded with symbolism of luck and wealth, these feasts are a spiritual celebration as well. What is laid on the table is for the gods and humans. Many items contain cultural connotations, Chinese New Year puddings being no exception. Colours of food items themselves are associated with auspicious things. Whether puddings are sweet or savoury, traditional or contemporary, they have a special place in the spectrum of New Year food items. This year, chefs, among them Michelin star specialists, have prepared a tempting variety of puddings at leading hotels.