Day 3 in London | AIRE Ancient Baths & Finding Deep Restoration
After spending the night dancing beneath the stars and witnessing the Summer Solstice sunrise at Stonehenge, I made my way back to London feeling physically exhausted but spiritually energized.
I had been awake for well over 24 hours, walked more than 30,000 steps, danced under the stars, watched the sunrise through one of the world's most iconic ancient monuments, and shared the experience with people who had been complete strangers only hours before.
Experiences like that don't just tire your body.
They change something inside of you.
An Oracle Card That Left Me Speechless
During the drive back to London, I reached into my backpack and pulled out my Ancient Stones Oracle Deck by Rebecca Campbell.
I always travel with an oracle deck.
It's become one of my favorite rituals while traveling because I love reflecting on the energy of each place I'm visiting.
When I turned over the card...
I literally laughed out loud.
The card I pulled was called "Dancing with Stones."
The artwork showed two figures dancing among ancient standing stones that looked remarkably similar to Stonehenge.
I couldn't believe it.
After spending the entire night dancing among the stones with James and thousands of people celebrating the Summer Solstice, it felt like the universe had handed me the perfect reminder to stay present and appreciate the magic I'd just experienced.
The guidebook described the card as representing movement, teamwork, partnership, and appreciating the people who walk alongside us.
That message couldn't have been more aligned.
One of the greatest gifts of solo travel isn't actually being alone.
It's meeting incredible people along the way who become part of your story, even if only for a single day.
Sometimes the universe has an incredible sense of humor.
Wellness Finds Me Wherever I Go
If you know me, you know I have a few non-negotiables whenever I travel.
I will find:
Matcha 🍵
Pilates 🩰
Sound baths 🎵
Contrast therapy ❄️🔥
If there's a wellness studio nearby...
You can pretty much guarantee I'll be walking through the front door.
After visiting ARC Contrast Therapy earlier in my London trip, I found myself thinking about ancient Roman bathhouses.
That curiosity led me to discover AIRE Ancient Baths London.
The moment I saw the photos online, I booked the experience without hesitation.
A 45-minute massage followed by access to the thermal baths sounded like exactly what my body needed after everything I'd put it through over the past two days.
Arriving at AIRE Ancient Baths London
Located near Covent Garden, AIRE Ancient Baths feels hidden beneath the bustling streets of London.
I hopped on the Jubilee Line, wandered through the lively neighborhood, and arrived feeling excited—and honestly, a little curious.
I also discovered AIRE has locations in several cities throughout the United States, which immediately went on my list for future trips.
After checking in, I was escorted into a quiet changing room and given a soft robe before being guided downstairs.
One important thing to know:
Phones aren't allowed inside.
While I couldn't take photos, I completely understand why.
The moment you step into the baths, you're encouraged to disconnect from technology and fully immerse yourself in the experience.
Sometimes the most beautiful moments are the ones you simply get to experience instead of documenting.
Stepping Into Another World
Walking into AIRE felt like stepping back thousands of years.
Soft candlelight reflected off ancient stone walls.
Warm pools glowed beneath arched ceilings.
The entire space was peaceful, quiet, and unlike anywhere I'd ever been.
I floated in one of the large thermal pools completely alone.
Looking up at the stone architecture surrounding me, I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude.
I couldn't stop smiling.
I simply floated there thanking the universe for leading me to this place.
It was one of the most peaceful moments I've experienced in a very long time.
The Ultimate Contrast Therapy Experience
One thing I loved about AIRE was being able to move between completely different thermal experiences.
Throughout my visit I explored:
Cold plunge pools
Warm thermal baths
A hot bath similar to a jacuzzi
A steam room
An incredibly cold plunge inside the steam room
A salt flotation pool
A wave pool
One of my favorite moments was sitting in the steam room before immediately stepping into the cold plunge.
Feeling the hot steam surrounding my face while my body submerged into icy water created one of the most unique contrast therapy experiences I've ever had.
If you've never experienced intentional hot and cold therapy, it's difficult to describe.
It feels incredibly invigorating while simultaneously calming your nervous system.
The Massage I Didn't Know I Needed
Eventually, my name was called for my massage.
After walking more than 30,000 steps and carrying a backpack across London for several days, my body definitely needed some extra care.
My massage therapist immediately found all the tightness I'd been carrying.
My neck...
My shoulders...
My back...
My calves...
By the time she finished, I honestly felt like I had melted into the massage table.
It was exactly what my body needed.
The best part?
After the massage, I was invited to return to the baths and continue relaxing.
Needless to say...
I wasn't in any hurry to leave.
If I had to rate the experience?
100000/10.
Without question, one of the best wellness experiences I've ever had.
I'll absolutely be back.
One Funny Surprise on the Way Home
After finally pulling myself away from AIRE, I hopped back on the Underground and made my way toward Canary Wharf.
One thing that made me laugh?
Everywhere I looked I kept seeing giant advertisements encouraging people to visit...
Texas.
As a proud Californian, I couldn't help but smile.
No offense, Texas...
But Londoners, if you're planning a trip across the pond, I'd love to invite you to California.
We've got incredible beaches, national parks, wellness retreats, year-round sunshine, and some pretty amazing weather.
Still, there was something comforting about seeing reminders of home while traveling abroad.
Travel has a funny way of making the world feel both enormous and incredibly small at the same time.
Onward to Scotland
Back at my hotel, reality set in.
It was time to pack.
The next chapter of my adventure was about to begin.
An early morning flight awaited me as I left London behind and headed north to Edinburgh, Scotland.
As much as I had fallen in love with London, I couldn't wait to see what Scotland had in store.
If London taught me anything, it's that saying yes to adventure almost always leads somewhere extraordinary.
And somehow...
I had a feeling the best was still yet to come.
Final Thoughts
Travel isn't just about checking destinations off a bucket list.
It's about allowing yourself to be surprised.
It's about following curiosity.
Meeting strangers who become friends.
Discovering places you never knew existed.
Finding restoration in unexpected ways.
And every once in a while...
Drawing an oracle card that perfectly reflects the magical experience you just lived.
Sometimes the universe really does have impeccable timing.
