The most renowned European spas and health resorts were developed in locations designed to take advantage of the region’s thermal baths. Many of the famous hot springs, pools, baths and mineral water spigots in these regions, including those in Karlovy Vary in western Bohemia in the Czech Republic are available to the public.
Lodging
While European guests who may be medically compensated for a two-week restorative cure generally prefer staying at health resorts and following medically-designed programs, American guests may find it more affordable if they design their own spa vacation. Besides the region’s major health resorts and spa destinations, European spa towns also provide affordable housing through smaller hotels and apartment rentals. Nightly, weekly, or monthly rentals can be found through Home Away. Besides focusing on spa towns, look for Kneipp centers and thallaso resorts, which design therapies around the sea air and marine products.
Keeping it Healthy
Enjoy the locale’s fresh produce whether you’re in Bath, Baden-Baden or Marienbad. Farmer’s markets and greengrocers are key when it comes to finding ingredients for preparing your own meals. Check guide books to find local restaurants that specialize in organic and healthy meals. Take advantage of the water taps at the mineral springs. Drinking the mineral water is an important part of the European spa cure.
Walk whenever possible to get adequate exercise as you explore the scenery. Relaxing in a hot herb-scented bath at night can help in fighting jet-lag and inducing restful sleep. Hydrotherapy is key in spa towns and a daily plunge into the hot springs is as important as drinking plentiful water from the region’s mineral springs. After hours of strolling through town, a quick foot bath in the mineral springs is a good way to revitalize.
Advantages of Individual Planning
One advantage of creating your own spa vacation is that you can explore several different spa towns in a week’s time. Germany, in particular, has as many as 900 spa resorts and numerous public baths. Public baths cost as little as 5-10 euros, and resort spas often offer day spa services. Visitors to Baden-Baden in Germany can easily travel to Bad Duerrheim with its elaborate public baths or to Baden-Wuerttemburg, which borders France.
Spa towns in France are centered around the mineral springs and baths at Aix and Vichy, whereas in England head for Bath or Buxton or Aquincum in Hungary, a country that boasts of more than 1,000 hot springs. Poland also has many health resorts that focus on the maintenance of wellness. Poland’s rehabilitation centers are found primarily in the south of Poland, the Carpathians and the Sudeten Mountains although they can also be found in the north along the Baltic Sea. Like most European spa towns, those in Poland offer a wide variety of treatments, including those focusing on gaseous elements such as the popular carbon dioxide treatments reported to balance and restore the body’s natural fluids.
Spa towns featuring Europe’s ancient royal spas, which once hosted emperors and kings, are also worth a visit. While the royal spas still in existence at Archena, Baden-Baden, Neunehahr, Bayreuth, Marienbad, Naantali, and Sarvar are worth viewing, their host cities also have public baths and less grandiose spas offering day sessions.
Medical Considerations
Because mineral and thermal springs vary in their elemental composition, some regions have spas that specialize in the treatment of specific disorders. For instance, Hungarian and Slovakian thermal springs are known for their effectiveness in treating arthritis and rheumatologic disorders. Spas in the Czech republic are known for treating intestinal problems, allergies and alcoholism. The famous fango mud treatments reported to correct skin ailments and revitalize skin herald from Italy whereas Romanian spas are known for their anti-aging therapies. European spas overall have a more relaxed atmosphere and are reputed for their stress-reduction benefits and their focus on wellness.
Elaine Moore - I'm a retired medical technologist and medical writer with more than 30 years experience working in hospital laboratories. Currently, I ...
Join the Conversation