If life is a journey, not a destination, then why not make it a blissful trek?

Imagine yourself on an island, the sun setting to the west, the warm sand beneath your feet and the ocean’s water playfully lapping at your toes — all the while, a masseuse is giving you a relaxing massage.

Now, open your eyes. You are actually in your living room.

The next time you take time off — be it a vacation week or just a day or two — don’t even leave the house. You don’t have to when you can get services delivered to you.

“I light my candles, put on some music and my massotherapist massages me,” said Wendy Joliet. “It is so relaxing, especially outside on a warm summer night by the Jacuzzi. Getting a massage is just so much more comfortable when you are in your own home.”

In-home services are more than just getting a massage, though. One can be pampered with facials, pedicures and manicures as well.

Tim Kolopus, owner of Amadeus Spa in Canton, said his is one of a few local spas to offer in-home care.

“We call ourselves Canton’s relaxation destination,” he said. To that end, “Our therapists come to your home, you set us up somewhere and we do the massage therapy in the comforts of your own home.”

Kolopus said his on-sight massage therapy also includes manicures and pedicures, even facials.

“Facials at home are a little more difficult because of the equipment needed,” he said, explaining he is better equipped to provide skin care in the salon. “The steamers and lamps are fragile and a little awkward to move. We really haven’t had any requests for them, but if there is a market for this service in this area, I will get the equipment needed and find a way to transport it to provide in-home skin care.”

Some clients just want to plan a romantic evening at home, Kolopus said.

“They want to do something different, have a meal catered in, and afterward, well that is when the romance really begins.”

Such was the case for Sandy Moody, who surprised her husband, Rick, with a romantic evening at home to celebrate an anniversary.

”I don’t think you can get any better than an in-home massage,” Sandy said. “It was absolutely perfect.

“I did this as a surprise for my husband,” she said. “When the evening approched, I put on Rod Stewart music, then David Grasse and Christine Phillips from Amadeus came and set up their table. We went into another room and got ready. Afterward, we put on our own robes and had a glass of wine.”


IN-HOME SPA SERVICES

Here are some local places you can call for in-home spa services:

Amadeus Spa, 4465 Hills & Dales Rd. NW, Jackson Township, (330) 479-7727;

Megan E. McCullough, licensed massage therapist, owner of Time to Unwind, 1207 N. Main St., Suite 121, North Canton, (330) 265-6181;

OCCASIONal Massage, Kathy Heeter, (216) 409-3639, www.occasionalmassage.vpweb.com;



You’ll need food...

Try local fine foods delivered to your door:

91 Woodfired Oven restaurants, 1983 E. Maple St., North Canton, (330) 498-9191; 5570 Fulton Dr. NW, Jackson Township, (330) 497-9111.

Or plann ahead to have it shipped to you:

www.impromptugourmet.com

www.chefsdiet.com



What about a babysitter?

You may need someone to watch the kids while you’re on your in-home vacation. Some Web sites allow you to type in your zip code and find profiles of babysitters for hire in your area. Some to try:

www.babysitters4hire.com

www.Care.com/babysitter

www.Sittercity.com