The Best Destinations for a European Spa Holiday
Overview: If you like the idea of kick-starting the new year with a healthy spa break in Europe, then look no further than our list of the top three destinations.
A European spa break is the perfect start to the New Year, giving you the chance to relax, detox and recover from festive over-indulgence. Spas breaks are a great option for a winter holiday, as even in the cold weather you can keep warm in a thermal pool or sauna. If this takes your fancy, then why not try a break in one of the following destinations?
Italy
Although Italy is perhaps better known for pizza, pasta and wine than healthy spa holidays, the country is in fact home to many of the world’s most renowned resorts. Nestled in the rolling hills of idyllic Tuscany you will find the Fonteverde Tuscan Resort and Spa.
This luxurious five star hotel was named the World’s Best Countryside Spa in the prestigious World Spa Awards in 2015. In a seventeenth-century palazzo built by a Medici Duke you can enjoy this region’s renowned thermal spring waters, which have been lauded for their therapeutic qualities since the age of the Etruscans. Signature treatments draw on the health-giving qualities of Mediterranean produce including olive oil, sea salt and aromatic herbs. Why not try a Mediterranean mud massage whilst overlooking the timeless Tuscan landscape?
England
You don’t need to leave the country to enjoy some of the best spas on the continent. The beautiful city of Bath is home to an award-winning spa which is both historic and entirely unique. Located in the centre of ancient Bath, the Thermae Bath Spa uses the area’s natural spring waters which have been renowned for their restorative powers for over 2000 years. Indeed, the Romans built a public bath here which can still be visited to get you in the mood for your own relaxation session!
The Thermae Spa is home to multiple pools where you can enjoy a soak in the naturally warm spring waters, but the undisputed highlight of any trip here is the stunning rooftop pool. Overlooking the city of Bath with its looming cathedral spires, you can relax in this sky-high pool at any time of year, as the water is so warm.
Try one of the spa’s twilight packages and visit after dark for a truly unique experience. Signature treatments include Watsu, which involves a therapist manipulating and massaging your body whilst you are submerged in the naturally hot water. A truly relaxing experience!
Turkey
Turkey is an excellent choice for a healthy holiday, as it is a country with a strong tradition of spa treatments.; think Turkish baths!
These baths, also known as hamams, have been used by the Turks for centuries. It is possible to visit one of these traditional institutions, which typically involve a series of warm rooms where you are given a vigorous massage and an exfoliating scrub, before being rinsed with cool water. In Istanbul, a popular city break destination, you can visit the iconic Çemberlitaş Hamamı for a truly traditional experience; the building dates back to 1584.
When travelling to the continent it is important to remember European travel insurance, so you can lay back and enjoy your spa break without a care in the world!