Thailand-based spa operator Dusit International is to extend its Devarana Spa brand to Europe with the launch of a facility within a converted 15th century palace called Il Salviatino near Florence in Italy.

Opening in June 2009, The Devarana Spa at Il Salviatino will cover 6,458sq ft (600sq m) and offer five treatment rooms. There will also be 14 Devarana Deluxe rooms within the property's hotel section for in-room spa treatments.

The spa will use French brand Algotherm's products for treatments, while signature therapies will include the Harmony of Tad Si, an ancient Thai therapy based on Buddhist teachings, and the Tuscany Journey Reviver, which has been designed for relaxation.

Devarana Spa's European expansion is through a joint venture with the development and management company MPg. Il Salviatino cost a total of E50m (£44.5m, US$67m) to refurbish, and has been developed by MPg founder Marcello Pigozzo and Italian architect Luciano Colombo.

Next to open will be a Devarana Spa in the New Cairo district of Egypt in 2009, followed by three other sites opening in 2010, in Abu Dhabi, UAE; New Delhi in India and Hainan, China. Details: devaranaspa.com