There's always one. That one person on your holiday list for whom finding the perfect gift is next to impossible. But at the end of the day, do we really need more stuff? As much as I would love a 60 inch 4K Ultra HD TV, I really don't need one. If there is one thing I do need, it would be more down time, some good ol' rest and relaxation. And that's not something you can easily wrap in a box. Thanks to Breakaway Experiences, we can think outside the gift box and treat our loved ones to unique experiences and fond memories to be treasured forever.

We were then invited into our private luxury suite where we revelled in a 60 minute holistic massage. Inside the suite, there was a colour therapy shower with a rainforest cascade, and a mini lounge area. It was the perfect place to escape the everyday chaos and relish the serene atmosphere of the spa.

Afterwards, we were invited to enjoy a complimentary tea in the luxurious tea room where gentle music played.

And before our experience ended, I was able to enjoy some quietude in the relaxing steam colour therapy sauna in the ladies' change room. (There is also one in the men's change room as well.) This is actually recommended before the treatment but I completely forgot and didn't want to pass up on the chance to check it out. It's not like any sauna I've been in. The ceiling is dotted with tiny lights that slowly change colour. So pretty!

This Luxury for 2 at Novo Spa experience is but one of many spa experiences available through Breakaway Experiences. But that's not all. They have flying experiences, hot air balloon rides, driving experiences, dog sledding, gourmet experiences, snowshoeing, horseback riding, dance classes, aerial adventures, segway tours, family fun experiences and... need I go on? And if you just can't choose, you can't go wrong with a Breakaway Experiences Gift Certificate. It's kind of like a gift that gives twice!

Speaking of gift certificates, Breakaway Experiences has offered up a $100 gift certificate to one lucky Toronto Teacher Mom reader! To be eligible to win, please complete the Rafflecopter form below. Open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a complimentary experience via Breakaway Experiences to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Rest Nest Float Club, located at 21 Yorkville Avenue, opened earlier this year in a newly renovated space located just across from Toronto Fire Station 312 and the Yorkville Library. The multi-level unit features a relaxing waiting room on the main floor and a beautiful spiral staircase leading up to a mini bar area. 

To the right is a gorgeous open space basked in natural light thanks to the large windows that face Yorkville Avenue. The beautiful cork flooring was specifically selected as it provides warmth and quiet, and is highly suitable for yoga classes and their monthly Urban Retreats. Beyond the doorway, you will find three float rooms and a bathroom.  

Each room has a float pod and a shower. I booked Room 3, which happens to be their smallest room and I found it was a bit cramped for my taste. Before you begin your float, which is an hour in length, it is recommended you use the loo then use the shower. They provide soft wax ear plugs which they suggest using prior to your shower to create a water-proof seal around the outermost part of your ears. Once you're all set, you turn off the lights in the room and enter into the pod, which remains lit until you manually turn off the light. The pod itself is quite large and much more spacious than I had previously imagined. It is filled with ten inches of warm water and 850 pounds of dissolved magnesium salts. After you have entered the pod, you lower the hatch, which is suspended by hydraulics and does not lock, making it easy to open. If it's your first float, you could leave the light on as it adds a beautiful glow in Chakra colours. But I highly recommended turning it off by using the blue button on the right. You can always turn it back on whenever you feel the need. In the slight chance you get saltwater in your eyes, there is a spritz bottle of fresh water and a towelette inside the pod. Music plays to signal the end of your float and you have a few minutes before the water begins to filter. 

Lying weightless in your own private pod surrounded by complete silence and utter darkness is unlike anything I have ever felt before. I remained in Savasana or corpse pose for the entire hour and focused on breathing and relaxing my neck. I also had to adjust to the feeling of the ear plugs, which I've never worn before. Initially, lying in the pod was somewhat disorienting and it felt as though I was slowing spinning in a clockwise direction. I panicked slightly because I thought I wouldn't be able to locate the light button in the dark if I wasn't in my initial position but then I reached out to touch either side of the pod and was reassured. Logically so since the pod is oblong in shape. At one point, it felt like I was floating in space and kind of like I was disconnected from my limbs, as weird as that may sound. I imagine this is what it would feel like being suspended in jello. Once the music began to play, I started to wiggle my toes and fingers, and awaken my body. I turned the light back on, opened the pod and rinsed off in the shower, feeling completely relaxed. 

Several weeks ago, I had an opportunity to join Melissa Grelo, co-host of CTV’s The Social, at an exclusive event at the Spa My Blend by Clarins at the Ritz-Carlton in Toronto. During this "Breathe Easy" spa retreat hosted by hydraSense, we discussed the importance of better breathing and its impact on your health and your mind. Then we enjoyed a special yoga class led by Kathy Parsons, a yoga instructor with a speciality in staying connected to the breath. The yoga room was beautiful as we were able to bask in natural light and learn simple breathing techniques that can be easily incorporated into our daily routine.