on april 7, urbàna opened its doors at charlotte's carmel village. we think we'll soon be your favorite escape for experiencing massage from around the world ... tasting an international selection of premium teas ... and simply kicking back in the lounge. call ahead — or walk in anytime, seven days a week.

you can plan urbàna days and nights by checking out our website calendar at www.escape2urbana.com. coming this week: on april 14 at 6:30 pm, martin misenhimer will demo thai floor massage at urbàna. marty studied in thailand and now teaches around the world. thai floor massage originated in india more than 2,500 years ago and made its way to thailand, where buddhist monks adopted it. it's done on a mat on the floor, and the therapist uses hands, feet and legs to guide the fully clothed client through a series of postures, resulting in improved flexibility, release of toxins and unraveling of knots. the workout leaves both client and therapist energized, and many say it leaves them feeling taller. the therapist can work with different levels of flexibility and fitness, although this isn't for those looking for deep relaxation or for pregnant women or people with back or knee injuries. thai floor massage is gaining a large and loyal following in the u.s., and we welcome you to experience it at urbàna.

after all these years, the rolling stones still bring a crowd to its feet. just weeks ago, they rocked rio with a concert attended by more than a million fans. but for a 180-degree experience, we recommend bossa 'n stones, a great little cd of the stones' tunes, notched down to a bossa nova beat. highly recommended, and available at urbàna.

tall blonde wood beds, egyptian cotton sheets, fluffy pillows, private outdoor living rooms, mood lighting, outdoor soaking tubs, organic treats and 24-hour room service ... this sounds like the beginning of a great wish list. but the standard hotel-miami is real, and ready to chill you down with its ultra-cool environment. the communal wall of sound shower is the ultimate in water therapy. try the roman waterfall hot tub, follow it up with the 55-degree artic plunge pool, and then check out the enormous swimming pool with underwater speakers. the do-it-yourself spa playground for adults has 24 stations that include real spa equipment. but if your friends are très tired and you need someone else to coat you in french mud, attendants are on-call.

the 2006 world tea expo proved again that tea is hot, and all types seem to be gaining a following. but matcha may be the hottest of all, even when chilled or iced. this powdered tea originated in china and was brought to japan in the 12th century by a zen buddhist monk. matcha tea is an important part of japanese tea ceremonies and is also loved by athletes who appreciate its immediate energy boost. because the tea leaves are consumed in their entirety, one serving of matcha tea can offer benefits equivalent to 10 or 15 cups of infused green tea. special handling is required, and urbàna's matcha is flown in from japan.

natalia nakazawa, born in charlotte and now of new york city, is exhibiting contemporary works at urbàna through july. paintings currently at urbàna were influenced by nakazawa's summer of 2004, when she taught arts and crafts to children living in the favelas of rio de janeiro. she came back to the states wanting to paint big, big, big, and her work on display includes a series of three 5'x7' paintings entitled "visions of purpose." we invite you to drop in on the evening of tuesday, april 18, to meet the artist, enjoy some tea or wine at the teabar, and see the unveiling of additional work by nakazawa.

chocolate: the exhibition opened at atlanta's fernbank museum in february and delivers a sweet treat through august 13. but to avoid airports and atlanta traffic, here's an alternative. just infuse your favorite tea ... take one chocolate bar (at urbàna, we like the "world" experience of vosge haut-chocolat's oaxaca bar, created from oaxacan chilies and bittersweet tanzanian chocolate) ... and go to www.coudal.com/moom.php. then sip and nibble your way through a plethora of on-line art museums. an easy escape that can even be shared.

spring is here, and summer soon follows. so who's not ready to relax right now? think massage on a rainy spring day ... chilled teany tea (maybe vanilla berry hibiscus or green tea with ginseng?) when we have our first hot hint of summer ... mimosas at the teabar on a lazy afternoon. whatever your plan for taking time out, we hope to see you at urbàna.