The Spa Lover's Guide to Europe E-Book

Sarah Woods

• Herausgeber: IMM Lifestyle Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 225

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

A guide to around 50 of the most beautiful and historic spa destinations in Europe, taking in day spas, getaway spas and medical spas. Unlike so many spa guides, this title focuses on destinations with natural spas, where wellness treatments have been a part of the heritage and culture for hundreds of years. From Bath to Budapest, the Spa Lover's Guide examinesthe fascinating history and curative powers of the spa towns, explaining what makes each special and giving detailed information on individual venues and the range of treatments on offer. Feature boxes give essential booking and price information. As well as spa treatments, a range of suggestions for things to do in the local area are given for each historic destination.

Leseprobe

The sheer diversity of the different natural spa and wellness destinations across Europe makes this continent an absolute delight for the spa traveller. Whether you want to visit a day spa, getaway spa or medical spa, there is a wealth of wonderful places to discover. Unlike so many spa guides, this book focuses on destinations where you can experience natural thermal waters or partake in natural and traditional treatments and therapies that have been part of the heritage and culture for hundreds of years.

Featuring over 50 destinations in 27 countries, from Bath to Budapest and the Blue Lagoon to Istanbul, this guide examines the fascinating history and curative powers of the spa towns and wellness destinations. Sarah Woods explains what makes each place special and gives detailed information on individual venues and the range of treatments on offer. A feature box gives essential booking and price information. As well as spa treatments, a range of suggestions for things to do in the local area is given for each historic destination.

Have a Bordeaux barrel bath, luxuriate with a cocoa-enriched face mask at the Sacher Spa in Vienna, experience a traditional hamam in Istanbul or relax in the thermal waters of one of Budapest’s many bathhouses – this book will lead you to amazing spa experiences in Europe.

Award-winning travel writer SARAH WOODS has clocked up almost one million kilometres in 20 years of travel, criss-crossing the globe in several directions and visiting around 60 countries along the way. A keen adventurer, Sarah spends up to 200 days of each year ‘on the road’, often on kayak, bike or horseback. In 2005 she won the British Guild of Travel Writers’ ‘Guide Book Writer of the Year’, and was awarded the KWJ Memorial Prize for Travel Writing in 2007. Sarah has contributed to a wide range of travel magazines, newspapers and publications worldwide, including the Sunday Times, Escape and Wanderlust.

Also published by New Holland

THE FOOD LOVER’S GUIDE TO EUROPEby Cara Frost-Sharratt

Whether you are visiting a number of different countries, choosing one region to explore or simply taking a city break, there is a wealth of good food to discover. This book features over 40 destinations in 25 countries, where you can experience the finest culinary treats that Europe has to offer.

ISBN 978 1 84773 817 2, 160 pages, £14.99

New Holland Publishers (UK) LtdGarfield House, 86-88 Edgware Road,London W2 2EAwww.newhollandpublishers.com

First published in 2011by New Holland Publishers (UK) LtdLondon • Cape Town • Sydney • Auckland

www.newhollandpublishers.com

Garfield House, 86–88 Edgware Road,London W2 2EA, United Kingdom

80 McKenzie Street, cape Town 8001,South Africa

Unit 1, 66 Gibbes Street, chatswood,NSW 2067, Australia

218 Lake Road, Northcote, Auckland,New Zealand

Copyright © 2011 New Holland Publishers (UK) LtdCopyright © 2011 in text: Sarah Woods

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers and copyright holders.

ISBN 978 1 74337 157 2

Publisher: Guy HobbsProject editor: Clare HubbardDesigner: Isobel GillanPicture research: Susannah JayesCartography: Stephen DewProduction: Marion Storz

Reproduction by Modern Age Repro House Ltd, Hong Kong

Printed and bound by Tien Wah Press (Pte) Ltd, Singapore

Although the publishers have made every effort to ensure that information contained in this book was researched and correct at the time of going to press, they accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies, loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person using this book as reference.

Contents

Map

Introduction

SPAIN

1  Inland Andalucía

2  Costa del Sol

FRANCE

3  Vichy

4  Bordeaux

5  Provence

ITALY

6  Campania

7  Lipari

SWITZERLAND

8  Arosa and Tarasp

9  Graubünden

GERMANY

10  Bad Elster

11  Wiesbaden

12  Baden-Baden

13  Allgäu

AUSTRIA

14  Vienna

15  Styria

CZECH REPUBLIC

16  Karlovy Vary

17  Františkovy Lázně

18  Mariánské Lázně

SLOVAKIA

19  Piesšt’any

POLAND

20  Nałczów

21  Krynica Zdrój

22  Wieliczka

LITHUANIA

23  Druskininkai

LATVIA

24  Jrmala

ESTONIA

25  Tallinn

RUSSIA

26  St Petersburg

27  Caucasus Mountains

HUNGARY

28  Budapest

29  Lake Balaton and Hévíz

SLOVENIA

30  Rogasška Slatina

31  Dolenjske Toplice

CROATIA

32  Zadar

SERBIA

33  Brestovaka Banja

34  Ribarska Banja

MONTENEGRO

35  Herceg Novi

36  Ulcinj

ROMANIA

37  Bile Herculane

38  Bazna

39  Eforie Nord

BULGARIA

40  Hissarya

41  Velingrad

42  Black Sea Coast

GREECE

43  Athens

44  Greek Islands

TURKEY

45  Istanbul

46  Pamukkale

ENGLAND

47  Lake District

48  Bath

IRELAND

49  County Galway

ICELAND

50  Blue Lagoon

SWEDEN

51  Varberg

FINLAND

52  Saariselkä

53  Tampere

Tourist information websites

Picture credits

INTRODUCTION

Mineral-laden Kleptuza Spring, Velingrad, Bulgaria.

Although the proliferation of swanky modern hotel treatment suites and urban wellness sanctuaries attempt to lay claim to the concept of spa therapies, ‘health through water’ (sanus per aquam, the Latin from which the ‘SPA’ acronym is thought to have derived) is far from being a new phenomenon or passing trend. Indeed the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Minoans, Greeks, Romans (another school of thought is that the word ‘spa’ actually originates from the Latin verb spagere, meaning ‘to pour forth’) and later the Ottomans, Japanese and Western Europeans all used spas as a part of daily life.

Homer and other classical writers report that the Greeks indulged in a variety of social baths as early as 500 bc, including hot-air baths known as laconica. In 25 bc, Emperor Agrippa designed and created the first Roman thermae (a large-scale spa), and each subsequent emperor outdid his predecessor in creating ever-more extravagant thermae. In fact, large-scale organized spa facilities were an important part of life in the Roman Empire, as battle-weary legionnaires sought ways to encourage their bodies to recuperate effectively. The Romans were the first to look beyond the obvious – physical wounds, aches and fatigue – and consider the importance of emotional well-being as a part of wellness.

This holistic approach to the health of mind, body and soul was born out of the curative effects of natural thermal water. It soon became apparent that mineralized water sources were effective in healing ailments and could also ease stress and mental strain through relaxation. Building grand, ornate column-flanked bathing venues, the Romans actively promoted the positive health benefits of ‘aquae’ and ingesting, inhaling and taking a dip in curative, all-natural waters. Over time, spa facilities evolved into full-blown social entertainment complexes where friends and workmates would gather to chat, debate, engage in sports, eat and relax. Many featured different types of baths containing waters of varying temperatures. Typically, the Romans would have enjoyed a physical workout before visiting a trio of progressively warmer rooms for a body bath, an exfoliation and a massage with oil anointment. Often, the ritual would involve a bracing dip in the ice-cold frigidarium.

The Spa Phenomenon

Water-based treatments became all the rage in the 4th century as the Romans conquered new territories and news of spa baths spread Europe-wide. Soon, variants of the Roman bathing rituals began to flourish as Greek and Turkish influences became wider known. Before long, steam therapies, balneology (hot and cold bathing using waters with different mineral compositions) and thalassotherapy (including seawater and natural marine extracts, such as seaweed, algae, mud, salts and sands) attracted a medical following, as doctors championed the cause. Countries all over Europe began exploiting their natural spring-fed thermal sources for health purposes and by the mid-1800s a great many spa buildings and pump houses were built to better cater for the wealthy elite. Spa vacations became en vogue with the moneyed crowd of European aristocracy, royalty, nobility and landed gentry. Convalescence was so often the driving force behind a visit to one of Europe’s most fashionable spa destinations during a time when disease continued to claim many lives.

Natural thermal waters of the Roman Baths, Bath, England.

Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, near Reykjavik, Iceland.

Although saunas had began appearing along the Baltic as early as AD 1000, extreme heat, smoke and steam soon became inaugurated in a wider European spa-going tradition with sweating, freezingcold plunges and a greater acceptance of nudity (and alcohol) embraced as healthgiving in the Finnish tradition. Other influences included the hammam ritual, popularized by the Ottomans who built grandiose, domed and handsomely tiled cleansing venues complete with steam rooms, private washing quarters and mosaic-clad massage suites together with social areas.

Soon, towns such as Germany’s Baden-Baden, Czechoslovakia’s Karlovy Vary and Bath in England (promoted as ‘the premier resort of frivolity and fashion’) were the ‘in places’ to ‘take the waters’. By the late 19th century, Father Sebastian Kneipp had developed a holistic herbal and water therapy that was to become a cornerstone of the European spa industry. Born in 1821 in Bavaria in Germany, the son of a poor weaver, Sebastian Kneipp was studying for the priesthood when he was struck down with pulmonary tuberculosis – at that time a fatal disease with only one prognosis, death. However, by following a regime of hydrotherapy, involving short full-immersion dips in the icy waters of the River Danube, Kneipp made a full recovery. He founded the naturopathic movement and developed a form of hydrotherapy that focused on the application of water at various temperatures and pressures through different methods. Kneipp became the first proponent of a holistic system healing that rested on five main tenets:

Hydrotherapy (water-based treatments)

Herbalism (use of natural botanical medicines)

Exercise (physical activity)

Nutrition (a diet of wholesome grains, fruits and vegetables with limited meat)

Spirituality (Kneipp believed that a healthy mind led to a healthy body)

As Popular as Ever

By the mid-20th century, the principles of Kneipp (in whole or in part) had filtered into many aspects of treatment for improved health and vitality – from weight loss and longevity to disease prevention and antistress relaxation. Many retained a strong clinical, medical focus that addressed the physical more than the spiritual (since July 2007, the number of medical spas has grown by 85 per cent, according to International Spa Association figures, proof that this type of spa is a force to be reckoned with in an era of modern medicine). Other spas developed with pampering to the fore, or concentrated on programmes of activity in the fresh air and diet. Today, the spa aesthetic – in all its many varied guises – has emerged as a strong element of popular culture, influencing everything from clothing, music and cosmetics, to architecture, home decor and cuisine. However, hydrotherapy – water – remains a core feature, either in the therapies and spa philosophies or in the harmonizing design of the spa venue: many centre on lotus ponds, fountains, water features and cascading pools in homage to this powerful natural healing force.

The number of spas continues to grow at around 20 per cent per annum – a phenomenal growth that has shown little sign of slowing down for almost a decade. Today a staggering array of spas caters for every possible ailment, beautification desire and style preference – from funky, urban day spas and beach-side resort spas to treetop forest spas, lake-front spas and alpine spas with a medical speciality, be it heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity or osteoporosis. As we adapt to cope with the greater stresses of modern life, we are seeking out ways to live longer, happier, healthier, more fulfilled and balanced lives. We recognize the need for pampering and pleasure as a right not a luxury. We understand that rejuvenation and the healing of mind, body and spirit go hand in hand with physical well-being. Even in a time of global economic downturn, spas continue to report an increase in visitors -proof that we view our physical and mental health as a priority and consider it a worthy investment, not a passing fad.

Modern Need for Spas

Three mega-trends are cited as the dynamos behind the continued surge in the wellness sector: an ageing world population; a move away from reliance on conventional medicine; and the powerful reach of celebrity wellness advocates. With over 285 million active wellness consumers in the world’s top 30 industrialized nations alone, spas are responding to a growing demand for preventative programmes that improve overall quality of life (over 81 per cent of spa-goers want more than pampering). Despite huge medical advancements and technological and societal changes, today’s spa sector is, in many ways, fulfilling the same role in wellness tourism as it did in the 1800s. Millions of spa-goers are travelling to destinations where they can pursue holistic, preventive or lifestyle-based activities to the benefit of their health.

Calcite-rich waters in Pamukkale, Turkey.

However, today the sector is valued globally at more than $106 billion with more and more wellness centres and spas offering a greater degree of sophistication and individuality. Europe’s 2,000 or so spas boast almost 200 million bed-nights, with the average spa-goer staying for around six nights, representing a major segment of the travel and tourism industry.

In this book I am going to guide you through the maze of European wellness options, focusing on natural spas (spas that have natural thermal waters) and destinations with long wellness histories (for example the use of local plants or mud within therapies). I present a range of destinations and treatments – from the sediment-rich curative mud wraps of Hungary’s Lake Balaton region to the centuries-old water-based health traditions of the Czech Republic; from caviar facials in St Petersburg to Finland’s oldest active public sauna. Some of the destinations you could certainly guess, I’m sure, but I’ve thrown a few surprises in, offering some suggestions that are off the spa-goers’ beaten track.

Each entry details the history of the place, suggestions as to spas and therapies that you might want to try, contact details and pricing information and also suggestions as to other activities and attractions in the area.

Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme, Wiesbaden, Germany.

SPAIN

View on Alhambra at sunset, Granada.

travel essentials

TIME ZONE: GMT +1

TELEPHONE CODE: +34

CURRENCY: Euro

CAPITAL: Madrid

LANGUAGE: Spanish

WHEN TO GO: Spain is generally divided into a temperate north and a hot, dry south, with April to October the most popular time to visit. In the height of summer (July and August) temperatures soar to scorching highs inland. Coastal regions remain pleasant year-round but are prone to wet weather in winter.

Inland Andalucía

The Moors left an outstanding legacy behind them in rural Al-Andalus (Andalucía) that reaches far out into all aspects of culture, architecture and health and wellness traditions.

Saltwater bath, Aire de Sevilla.

In the beautiful Andalucían village of Zújar, around 100 km (62 miles) from Granada City, the ancient thermal waters of this Moorish settlement have been renowned for their health-boosting qualities for several centuries. The village, which clings to the slopes of the Jabalcón Mountain, is flanked by spring-carved rainwater channels that plunge from the 1,496-m (4,908-ft) summit to the riverbed of the Guadiana Menor and the Negratín Reservoir below. The Baños de Zújar’s traditional bathing pool is filled year-round with healing natural thermal water (18°C/64°F) that the local people swear keeps them supple, hale and hearty (it is said to be especially beneficial for soothing arthritis pain). Used as a regular source of well-being (open seven days a week during August and Tuesday to Sunday every week of the year), these therapeutic waters offer unbeatable views across the striking Negratín Reservoir – and beyond.

Spicy Oils and Arabic Bathing

An elegant bathing temple can be found in the heart of the history-rich Santa Cruz neighbourhood in Seville, built on an old Moorish structure with Roman traces. Once public baths, the Aire de Sevilla has a trio of traditional Arabic bathing pools – a tepidarium (36°C/97°F), a caldarium (40°C/104°F) and a frigidarium (16°C/61°F) – together with some Moorish-influenced therapies.

Around 6km (3 3/4 miles) from Seville’s city centre, a cup of refreshing fruit tea (from a charming Moorish-style tetería) welcomes visitors to the Medina Aljarafe Baños Arabes in the town of Bormujos. This Islamic hospitality tradition dates back to time immemorial and here customs and conventions take pride of place. Great care is taken to equalize the physical and mental balance in olden Moorish medicine, and to step into this tranquil haven is to forget the hectic pace of modern life. Blessed with an overriding sense of calm, the interior of the bathhouse is nuanced by moody lighting and soft Arabian melodies. Most guests opt for the great-value 100-minute bath package that includes a mild, hot and ice-cold dip, together with a whole-body massage and a steam bath. Whatever you choose, it is wise to reserve in advance as numerous diehards are daily bathers and the place can easily become fully booked.

3 things you must not miss

1 Mezquita, CórdobaVisit Córdoba’s fine Mezquita (mosque), one of the largest in Europe, dating back to AD 600 and considered the most accomplished monument of Spain’s Umayyad dynasty.www.mezquitadecordoba.org

2 Old Town, CádizImmerse yourself in the late-night cubbyhole tapas joints and bars of Cádiz’shistoric Old Town, especially in the skinny backstreets that lead out from the Plaza de San Francisco.www.cadizturismo.com

3 Barrio Santa Cruz, SevilleExplore the colourful vibrancy of Seville’s medieval quarter, Barrio Santa Cruz, a glorious old cityscape of plazas, wrought-iron gates, stone streets and patios filled with fountains and geraniums.www.turismosevilla.org

Moorish splendour of the Aire de Sevilla.

INFORMATION

BAÑOS DE ZÚJAR

wwww.altipla.com/zujar/eng/presentacion.htm

Entrance €2 adults / €1 children; open 10am–5pm Tues–Sun in winter and 10am–7pm in the summer.

AIRE DE SEVILLA

t + 34 955 010 025

wwww.airedesevilla.com

Relish the opulent Moorish splendour of gold, burnt-red and glazed tile-adorned decor with flickering lamps. Expect to pay €21 for a standard bath and massage.

MEDINA ALJARAFEBAÑOS ARABES

t [phone]

wwww.medinaaljarafe.com

Bathe in cool, warm and steam-shrouded hot water before enjoying the peace and quiet of the domed-ceiling relaxation room, from €40.

HAMMAM SANCTI PETRI

t [phone]

wwww.hammam sanctipetri.com

Among echoing marble bathing chambers lit by Arabian lamps, try the 50-minute moisturizing massage rich in herbal essences, price from €65.

The Giralda, the bell tower of Seville Cathedral, which can be seen from the rooftop relaxation area of the Aire de Sevilla.

Marbles, Mosaics and Moors

Located well away from the normal tourist haunts, the Hammam Sancti Petri in Chiclana de la Frontera is very much the domain of the serious traditional bathing aficionado. Under oh-so-opulent inlaid domed ceilings, Moorish lanterns and grand, towering columns, the waters of Sancti Petri sparkle invitingly and are popular with large bathing groups of friends and family. Though a modern structure, considerable care has been taken to ensure this 1,800-sq m (19,375-sq ft) facility is every inch the homage to Arabic bathing 11th-century style. Using a mixture of authentic materials typical of the period, the Sancti Petri offers a journey back to the bygone age of Al-Andalus amid water pools, citrus-and-spice aromas and a mix of Greco-Roman-Islamic influences. Opt for a deluxe Salam body treatment for a full cleanse, scrub and sumptuous massage using richly nourishing heady perfumed oils and firm, kneading pressure to relieve muscular tension.

Costa del Sol

While the modern-day Costa del Sol is renowned throughout Spain for its glitzy five-star hotel spas and plush resorts, this squiggle of beach-scattered shoreline is rich in wellness history.

Finca Cortesin’saromatic steam room.

An enthralling history-rich bathing venue can be found in the valley below Manilva, a couple of hours away from Ronda. The Roman-built sulphur baths of Hedionda sit on waters that flow from a limestone outcrop above the valley, providing a perfect spot for an arched bathing complex dating back 2,000 years. Frequented by Julius Caesar no less – the governor of southern Spain 63–60 BC – on account of the apparent curative properties of the sulphur-rich waters, Los Baños Romanos de la Hedionda soon became renowned as a place in which all manner of skin infections were healed. Remodelled by the Moors, the baths have been crudely restored in recent years in a style that blights the original majesty of the Roman structure. However, a stunning archway, tunnel and four chambers remain. So high is the sulphur and hydrogen content in these cool, murky waters that a strong aroma of rotten eggs is all-prevailing – a little off-putting to those used to more sterile bathing environments. Despite this, visitors enjoy a dip in Hedionda’s ‘brimstone brew’ on a fine, lazy, sunny Sunday afternoon, overlooked by eucalyptus trees and crumbling Roman ruins on the banks of the Abarran Stream.

Beauty of Casares

The surrounding area of Casares is one of Andalucía’s areas of outstanding beauty with national parks and Iberian-Phoenician settlements in among Arabic and Roman structures, including a fine castle. Its geographical location, between the mountainous range of the Serranía de Ronda, the Straits of Gibraltar and the coast, offers a striking diversity of landscapes punctuated by vineyards and whitewashed Andalucían villages with views out to sea. The spa at Finca Cortesin, on the hillside on the outskirts of the village of Casares, draws on aspects of the local cultural and wellness heritage. It blends Moorish pillars, fountains, palm trees and typically Arabic mosaics, lanterns and tables with twinkling tea lights in a decadent, upscale setting gloriously free from the pungent whiff of hydrogen sulphide. Here, among lush Mediterranean foliage, you’ll find fluffy white robes, bowls of exotic fruit and readily available flutes of champagne. A sizeable menu of therapeutic and beauty treatments centres on the only Finnish snow cabin in Spain, together with several saunas, a steam room, Turkish bath and therapies that run from detoxifying seaweed wraps to numerous styles of massage using calminducing scented oils.

3 things you must not miss

1 Puerto BanúsStroll along the cosmopolitan yacht-strewn waterfront at upscale Puerto Banús, where chichi boutiques and stylish cafes overlook gleaming million-dollar sailing craft.www.puertojosebanus.es

2 Traditional VillageStep back in time in charming whitewashed Ojén. Its steep, cobbled streets and quaint tapas bars are just a 10-minute drive (or bus ride) from super-swish Marbella.www.ayto-ojen.es

3 Museo Picasso, MálagaA visual feast of over 230 works by the great artist, donated by his family and compatriots.www.museopicassomalaga.org

Bathe overlooking lush, palm-scattered gardens at Finca Cortesin.

Mint Tea, Massage and Meditation The Agua de Oriente, Baños Árabes de Benalmádena provide plenty of cultural references to a bygone time, in a handsome bathhouse inspired by 11th-century Moorish architecture. Offering visitors a traditional Spanish-Arabic bathing experience, with or without a traditional massage, the baths can be accessed in 90-minute slots. There are three pools – a tepidarium, a caldarium and a frigidarium – all decorated in grandiose Arabic style. Enjoy glasses of peppermint tea amid the aromas of citrus oils and spices.

Less than an hour away, the 11thcentury Baños Arabes in the pretty whitewashed town of Ronda are well worth a visit, even though the waters are no longer accessible. Follow a set of rustic steps wedged into a rocky canyon, which lead from the Puente Viejo (Old Bridge) below the Salvatierra Palacio up to the bathing house. Here, classical musical concerts were once staged underneath domes peppered with star-shaped light and air vents. Used daily until the 17th century, Ronda’s baths remain open for sightseers only. However, visitors can still swim in the waters of the Rio Guadalevin, where the Moors once purified themselves ahead of entering the baths.

The Baños Arabes in Ronda are considered some of the best preserved Arabic baths in Europe.

In central Málaga, hidden among its many paved bird-scattered plazas and ancient backstreets, you’ll find the Baño Mágico (Magic Bath), an authentic Moorish bath and traditional massage house. An oasis from the traffic noise of the city in Málaga’s old Jewish Quarter, the bathhouse is in a charming 18th-century building. Sparsely furnished, there are curtained-off upstairs massage areas. The hottest hall (45°C/113°F) is the first port of call under a huge light-giving cupola. A series of cold-and hot-water sources, cleansing and exfoliation areas (therapies use the old-style soap and horsehair glove), showers and relaxation areas lead to the cold hall (16°C/61°F). Fountains adorn a contemporary Arabic chill-out room and meditation zone, while a Western-style dry hall – a recent addition – offers a range of massages, from Thai and shiatsu to Swedish.

INFORMATION

LOS BAÑOS ROMANOSDE LA HEDIONDA

wwww.manilvalife.com/hedionda-and-the-roman-baths.htm

Open year-round, pack a swimming costume, camera and towel.

FINCA CORTESIN

t [phone]

wwww.fincacortesin.com

For the ultimate treat, book a leisurely 80-minute relaxation massage – a truly sublime touch therapy that’ll take you to a blissful, heavenly world of inner calm (€110).

AGUA DE ORIENTE,BAÑOS ÁRABES DEBENALMÁDENA

t [phone]

wwww.aguadeoriente.com

Breathe in pungent spicy aromas to journey back in time in baths inspired by 11th-century architecture, where candlelit, oil-rich massages are priced from €37 for 30 minutes.

BAÑO MÁGICO

t [phone]

wwww.elhammam.com

Choose traditional treatments or opt for a fusion of Asian-Mediterranean therapies that blend lemon grass, ylang-ylang, olive oil and geranium, from €45.

FRANCE

Lavender and sunflowers in Provence (see page 24).

travel essentials

TIME ZONE: GMT +1

TELEPHONE CODE: +33

CURRENCY: Euro

CAPITAL: Paris

LANGUAGE: French

WHEN TO GO: Coastal regions sizzle in July and August. Springtime and autumn are ideal seasons for hiking, cycling, climbing and running.

Vichy

As one of France’s foremost spa towns, Vichy achieved considerable fame for its curative might when Napoleon III started taking its sulphurous waters in the 1860s.

Pressure-controlled water massage: the Vichy shower.

Flocks of wellness tourists descended on this simple Auvergne settlement as word spread Europe-wide of Vichy’s effectiveness in healing bodily aches and pains and digestive ills. But Vichy’s history extends much further back than Napoleon III. Under the reign of Louis XIV, the town became a health resort of great elegance that was dubbed the ‘second Paris’. However, Vichy’s rich supply of mineralized waters first gained an international reputation during Roman times. The legions exploited the sulphur-laden beneficial virtues of the local springs during restorative bathing sessions.

Genteel Elegance