The Spa and Wellness Tradition

The Romans loved their public baths, which were places to relax the body and mind and enjoy the social scene. Where Romans colonized, they bathed, and thus you can see the remains of Roman baths, or thermae, in the United Kingdom, Holland, France, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Romania, and Spain. Baths were often built at the site of natural mineral springs, whose waters have always been believed to have healing properties.

During the 18th and 19th centuries the idea of bathing for health became enormously popular again. Royals and the aristocracy were the principle customers, and the social scene that went with “taking the waters” was as important as “the cure”!

Although spas never went completely out of style, it is safe to say that currently they are going through another boom. One association committed to promoting spas and health resorts and monitoring their quality and consistency is the European Spa Association. It has established the EUROPESPA Seal of Approval, which attests to the quality of the general therapy infrastructure, hygiene and safety. Their Visit European Spas site is a goldmine of information on European spas.

If you’d like to throw yourself back in time and enjoy a spa the way the nobles did, visit one of the Royal Spas of Europe, a collection of spas in Spain, Germany, Hungary, Finland, and the Czech Republic that all have counted monarchs and the aristocracy as clientele.

Spa Talk

If some of the jargon bandied about in “spa talk” is mystifying, check the European Spa Association glossary for clarification; there is an entire spa vocabulary! Spa experiences can last from a few hours at an urban day spa to a few weeks at a health resort, where a whole range of treatments, exercise, and special diet are on the menu. Wellness vacations can take place at wonderfully preserved historical spas, or at state-of-the-art well-being centers. Because of the medical orientation of spas in the past, you’ll find that European spas are concerned not just with polishing external appearances, but in designing an overall healthy lifestyle. What a great vacation – you come home in better shape than when you left!

Famous Spas and Wellness Centers

The town of Spa in Belgium has given us the name we now use generically for all spas. In addition to its own spa, the town is known widely for its Casino and Grand Prix. You’ll also find lovely spas housed in chateaux and at the seaside in Belgium.

The sauna has been an integral part of life in Finland for centuries. More than just a place to wash, it is considered perfect for rejuvenating body and soul. There are saunas of every size and type across the country, from the electrically powered variety at swimming pools, hotels and sports complexes to the idyllic and more intimate lakeside cabins and the rather sooty smoke saunas.

The philosophy of Finnish well-being combines traditional treatments, a balanced diet, and outdoor activities in the purity of nature to enhance physical and mental energy. Unlike other spas around the world, many Finnish spas use native treatments and emphasize the importance of nature in well-being. To sample delights such as these, you can visit spas such as the Harriniva Holiday Centre’s Aurora Wellness in Lapland or the Spa Hotel Kunnonpaikka in Kuopio.

One of the very finest examples of a Roman bath, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is in the beautifully preserved town of Bath (United Kingdom). This isn’t the only place you can enjoy some pampering in Britain – spas are in every direction. Cross over to Ireland for a healthy sojourn in gorgeous scenery that’s a mental spa treatment in itself!

To think of the sophisticated, golden age of spas is to think of Baden-Baden, home to historic and modern spas - and Marlene Dietrich’s favorite casino - all nestled in the Black Forest. Germany has hundreds of spas and wellness resorts, all dedicated to your well-being.

Iceland is a natural choice for spa adventures you’ll never forget. You need go no further than Reykjavik to enjoy public baths and a soothing soak, although if you venture out on the island, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a natural spa experience in an absolutely grand landscape. The Blue Lagoon is both one of Iceland’s premier natural attractions and an amazing spa, with all the facilities needed to fully enjoy this geothermal saltwater lagoon, its lava cave steam rooms, fabulous scenery and incomparable treatments.

The waters of France are known - and consumed – the world over. Just think of the treatments at Vichy, Vittel, or Evian! There’s much more on offer and many other special spas to choose from; will it be a mountain retreat, a chic Parisian oasis, or thalassotherapy (seawater treatment) on the coast?

The Iberian Peninsula has both a superb climate for spas as well as a range of fabulous scenery. The hundreds of natural springs in Spain have long made it a major spa center in Europe. Portugal’s Algarve region and the island of Madeira offer spa facilities in equally fantastic settings. Pamper yourself with a thalassotherapy treatment or just relax in one of the several thermal spas in Portugal.

The Romans had much to do with starting spa fever in Italy, and aren’t we thankful that the custom spread so widely? In addition to viewing numerous Roman baths, you can treat yourself to a modern-day Italian spa in any of its twenty regions, including Sicily and Sardinia.

Ascend to the Alps and add some spa time to your skiing or hiking for a real wellness break in Switzerland and Austria. The Slim and Beautiful consortium of hotels specializes in wellness programs.

The eastern part of Europe has long been famous for its spas and superb health and beauty treatments, thanks to the geologic gift of so many mineral springs. Spa technology is much advanced from the drastic measures of centuries past to a modern balance between drinking the water and soaking in it – and it’s now for you to reap the rewards of the most advanced care available. The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia all have long histories in the spa and wellness arts, and are waiting to welcome you.

Hungary has been famous for its healing waters since the days of the Roman Empire! Having the second largest source of natural hot springs in the world, as well as a wide variety of facilities from Roman spa to Turkish baths and top-of-the line hotels, the spas of Hungary are an excellent choice for a superb well-being vacation. How not to relax in the thermal waters of Hévíz, at a constant water temperature of 79°F/26°C, even in winter? Play chess while you soak in the hot pools of Széchenyi, luxuriate in a complete health and beauty treatment, or treat the whole family to a thrilling aquapark visit!

You can plan on a wellness break as far north as Latvia, Denmark and Sweden, add some pure relaxation to your trip with some spa time in Bulgaria and Serbia, or include a wellness break in your Mediterranean journeys in and Greece or Turkey. In recent years, Cyprus has emerged as one of the leading spa destinations of the Mediterranean, thanks to the advent of world-class spa facilities at the island’s resorts. Here, pampering has been raised to the level of an art form. Whether taken as part of a package or à la carte, spa services and rejuvenating thalassotherapy treatments in such sumptuous surroundings can add a wonderful dimension to holidays in Cyprus.

Wherever you go in Europe, you can take time out to revitalize at the world’s finest spas and wellness resorts!