Naturally styled

dan_csaros

A forró víz úgy ölel mint egykor anyám méhe,kinőttem már azt - ezt kaptam cserébe#french #hotspring #isthislife #memories

Nothing much to add, words-wise, so it's a photo-only posting of just some of Europe's hot springs reflecting a change in seasons and surroundings.

Above none other than Prats Balaguer, south of France.

Oddly enough, if we start with a country with an A, then we come to Austria and Carinthia's Maibachl, a seasonal hot spring which really only flows in spring, but this year an autumn flow is also taking place.
Following this another A country, Armenia with a entry and caption which is self-explanatory.

ixi_curse_ixi

Naked in nature, 😉😍🍃🌿🌲🌴🌳🍀#naturestyle#thermalsprings#hotspring#winter#Österreich#naked#naturegirl

ig_armenia

Make sure to visit this Hot Spring Տաք Ջուր / Taq Jur in Karvachar, Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) 🏞😍🇦🇲_It’s also called Ջերմաջուր / Jermajur or Իստիսու / Istisu. The water temperature sometimes reaches up to 70° C / 158° F.

Surprised 

 

karptal

Couples
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#couplesgoals#nudebytheriver#peoplephotography#artphotography#bw
#maleprotrait#womenprotrait#nudeshoot#docomantry#filmlook#picoftheday
#hotsprings#nature#hotwater#northofisrael#golanheights#couplephotoshoot
#photoshoots#editorialfashion

Israel is not a country often highlighted here, there doesn't seem to be many natural hot springs, though this entry's contri's seem to differ.

thesailingsiren

Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm. This photo was taken on the Dead Sea the morning after a surprise storm. We spent the night in a tent on the beach with the rain pouring down on us. While a few spots in the tent got a bit soaked from the rain, I slept like a baby and had this magnificent view of sunrise after the rain had washed everything clean. .........#deadsea#deadseasalt#hotsprings#nature#camping#campinglife#campinglife#campinglifestyleshots#minimalist#minimalistic#simplicity#travel#travelphotography#travelphoto#travelgram#israel#travelblogger#travelbloggers#travelvlog#travelvlogger#travelvloggers#backpacking#backpacker#backpackerlife

unplanetbeauty_pilates

Термальные источники #hotsprings Thermopyles. Бегущая под горой, попахивающая сероводородом 💨, с порогами и течением 45-три градусная река. Можно под’ехать и встать «дикарем», что и делают европейские кемперы.Именно здесь состоялся легендарный бой царя Спарты Леонидаса со своими 300 воинами #тристаспартанцев Сама античная #sparta в дальнейшем, к слову, впечатлила.Офигенное место, но не обустроенное.Когда-то здесь был санаторий, даже есть симпатичный корпус🏛. Сейчас в нем живёт табор беженцев-нелегалов, апгрейдив здание и территорию под свои нужды. Удивляет отношение греков к уникальным местам и не предприимчивость.Познакомились с 70-ли летней парой из Голландии. На протяжении 18 лет с октября на 6 мес они на кемпере уезжают из своей страны. Вечером под чай и русские оладушки поговорили за европейскую жизнь. Во такие👍🏻 ребята😂На рассвете моросил дождь, шёл пар, а мы купались. Дальше в путь.🇬🇷#travel #greece #thermopylae #hotspring

Staying in the southeast of Europe, Greece. 

Above central Greece (Thermopylae; it's worthwhile to use your translate button). Below, north Greece's Loutra Eleftheron.

travel_n_work

Nach dem Frühstück heiß baden!! #usch_in_greece #hotsprings #heißequellen

Losing 

 

akire.93

Moving westwards let's see what's on offer from Italy. 

Above Sicily's Sclafani Bagni, then two photo's with their provenance from Toscana. First Bagni San Filippo, then Saturnia.

speracipupa

Non è che non siamo più al centro del mondo: non ci siamo mai stati.

betta_sph

Sono un'altra da me stessa, sono un vuoto a perdere.Sono diventata questa senza neanche accorgermene.......#me #myself #cascatedelmulino #nature #natura #italy #italia #wonderful #amazing #love #l4l #f4f #likethis #terme #relax #termenaturali #saturnia #tuscany #toscana #grosseto #water #hot #cold #photo #picture #noemi #woman #siamodonne #song #music

ian_curator669

Es un placer volver a estas termas naturales 😍❤️
📍Aragón, España.
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#termas #termasdeYesa #españa #aragon #nature #water #hotwater #naked #mountain #landscape #nude #rocks #🇪🇸 #relax #chill

Quite some photo's from Spain. 

Above the hot springs on the edge of Yesa lake, just inside of Aragon. Below a vdo of Valencia's Montanejos warm springs.

jp_vanlife

It’s 9am in late November, I’m swimming in a 25C river #winning also the boys had a dip the day before #biwinning #vanlife #sunnyspain #thermalsprings #skinnydipping

losviajesdelilith

Ya llega el frío y apetece un baño de agua caliente, nada mejor que aprovechar el calor que nos da el interior de la tierra gratuitamente.En Prexigueiro tenemos esta preciosidad de terma, pequeñita pero muy bonita.#prexigueiro#termasdeprexigueiro#orense#termas#naturaleza#losviajesdelilith #viajes#lugaresconencanto#galicia#bañodeaguacaliente#calor#baños#paraiso#termalismo#hotsprings

Northwest Spain, Galicia finds us with the unspolit springs of Prexigueiro (near Orense), while below Andulacia's Termas de Santa Fé yields yet again a great example of soaking.

siemoturkka

Hipit on rautaa ja Kärpät on kultaa! Oulussa syntyneenä uin kuin kuka tahansa hippi kuumissa lähteissä👍Ekassa altaassa jossa nautin ansaitun Alhambra special oluen lillui kanssani paikallinen hippi ja Malagan kaksi Helvetin Enkeliä. Siitä saisi jo perheen hullunkuriset perhepelikortteihin😁 Paikassa plussaa sen aito hippi meno ja olin vähemmistöä kun käytin ujona uimahousuja🙈 Paikka on yllättävän helppo löytää vaikka ei sitä missään mainosteta ja vain 20min Granadan kaupungista. Voin suositella näin toisen kerran käynnin perusteella😊🇪🇸 ja paikalla hitokseen koiria joka on aina parasta matkakohteessa🐶 #hippies #thermalbath #granada #santafe #luonnonkylpylä #relax #auringossa #visitgranada #nakedhippies #olivetrees

Soakaholic

anainmountains

🇮🇸 Kiedy jest zimno i ciemno warto wsiąść w samolot na Islandię, wypożyczyć auto 4x4 i wybrać się na koniec świata czyli na Fiordy Zachodnie. Tu jest jeszcze zimniej i słońce wstaje dopiero o 10, ale za to są dziury w ziemi z wodą o temperaturze 40 stopni i z widokiem na fiord.#iceland #hotpot #nature #westfjords #lazyday #perfectday #booklover #bookoholic #travel #ice #bathtime

Onwards with Iceland, just a couple. 

Above, not quite sure, but mentioned is Westfjords. Then directly below an ass-up try to fit in at Landbrotalaug (also on the west of Iceland), while rounding off just another unreferred to hot pot beauty.

vytaite

White stripes

_

#travel #ž999 #iceland #panoramicview #hotsprings

matilde.brandt

Iceland 🍂🐚🌋#geothermalspa #visiticeland #iceland #hotsprings

thibs_photo

“Mais rien de cette nature n'est définitivement acquis. Comme une eau, le monde vous traverse et pour un temps vous prête ses couleurs. Puis se retire, et vous replace devant ce vide qu'on porte en soi, devant cette espèce d'insuffisance centrale de l'âme qu'il faut bien apprendre à côtoyer, à combattre, et qui, paradoxalement est peut-être notre moteur le plus sûr.” Nicolas Bouvier
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Modèle : @estellesm19
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#zen

Finally France, above Bourbole (Puy-de-Dôme), below Prats Balaguer (Pyrénées-Orientales).

natoo.p2stravel

Je n'ai plus de patience.. Je ne t'est jamais dis que j'étais gentille, par contre mon authenticité elle n'as pas mentie ! Je suis ici et bien là, je n'ai pas changer, mais je n'ai plus le temps et plus l'envie de me justifier. Me justifier sur des mots, des photos, des choix ou sur ce que je vis. Je suis fatiguée des jugements, de l'oppression des attentes que nous avons tant de facilité à déposer sur les autres les démons de nos propores blessures. Je vous aimes mais je n'ai plus le temps d'en perdre, à me battre contre des cœurs trop fermés et des mœurs bien trop rigides et mysogines. Je n'ai plus le temps pour la negativité et la connerie des gens. J'ai plus le temps, parce-que j'ai décidé de vivre !
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#photohraphy#source#eauchaude#braidstyles#braziliangirl#networkeuse
#p2stravel#travel#roadtrip#determination#godness#deesse#divine#nude
#moongirl#inspiration#positivevibes#positivequotes#quotes

Apologies if some links aren't working anymore; it seems these accounts have disappeared from internet. 

Crass

jennyandthejungle at Prats Balaguer, Languedoc (France):

Our secret spot ❄️💦 .
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#nature_brilliance#pyrenees#artofvisuals#welivetoexplore#natureaddict
#outdoors#mountainstories#earth_deluxe#instanaturelover#nature_prefection
#allnatureshots#hotsprings#naturelovers#wanderlust#liveauthentic#thecreative
#livefolk#mountainlove#gottalove_a_#instamountain#nature_perfection
#mountainlion#mountains#bainssaintthomas

Winter is upon us. Nearly.
What's topical in Europe's soaking world?
The Guardian (Sep. 26) asked it's readers for tips on Europe's spa's, baths and sauna's:

'Winning tip: Free and easy, Finland
Armed only with a towel, a bundle of firewood (in case stocks had run out), a pack of sausages and some spring water (to drink and throw on the stove), I went one evening with my Swedish friends to the tiny,  do-it-yourself Sompasauna. Built by volunteers, it’s 15 minutes’ walk from the Kalasatama metro in Sompasaari, Helsinki. Free to use, it’s open day and night all year round and kept spotless. There are no lockers, showers or staff, so it’s real back to nature stuff. After enjoying the sauna, we went for a swim in the Gulf of Finland, then had a convivial barbecue with other visitors'.

Tbilisi's sulphur thermal baths gets tipped, as does Tuscany's Saturnia soak. So does Ax les Thermes (Southwest France) and Dona Beija (Sao Miguel, Azores); as well as many other hot spring mentioned in the readers comments.

betybut555 at Termas De Yesa (Navarra, Spain)

A slightly older article from GoNomad though google says November 10, so let's stick with that. It's about coming to terms with foreign habits. Or foreigners getting used to local culture:

'As a Canadian, I’m known, culturally, for living a bit of the frontier life, exploratory, open-minded, opposed to the strictures of tradition and convention, and perhaps just a little bit crass.
However, going to the nude spas in Germany, naked as the majority are, I was surprised to add to that list my own uniquely un-Canadian descriptor, “uptight.”

It seems though, despite bringing Canada into it, it's a more personal take.

michael_loveria showing off culture appropriateness at Austria's Bad Gastein-Felsentherme:

Blackbird FLY! #badgastein #blackbird #tattoo #ass #naked #nude #mountain #austria #wellness #sauna #dayoff #roadtrip #livefree #free

An article in the Guardian (Oct. 13) on the World Aufguss Championship held in the Netherlands:

'It is the final day of the week-long world aufguss championships at Thermen Berendonck, a stunning sauna complex in Wijchen, near Nijmegen, where nearly 100 contenders and 11 European countries compete for medals. Surveying the room, I see friends chatting, couples clasping hands. Some banter and clap. No one avoids eye contact or stares at their feet. This could be any spirited theatre crowd, were it not for the nudity.
...
Britain is not a competing country here and while aufguss might inspire snickering among some buttoned-up Brits, it is part of a booming European industry that intersects wellness with the arts. According to Martijn Vanhoorelbeke, a juror at the aufguss and three-times former Belgian champion, the benefits include not just the detoxifying effects of a sauna but emotional catharsis, too. He regards it as a “total experience” of the senses: “Aufguss does what other kinds of theatre cannot do with the smells [of the oils], the sounds and sights, the feeling of the heat as well as the emotional drama of the story and the effect of all of those things combined.”
We are more vulnerable when we are more exposed, he adds, and so the experience not just bring out physical toxins but “emotions rise up, too.”

A great article, don't forget the comments section: as (nearly) always with the Guardian, they are often more entertaining than the article itself.

merilyten at Santa Fé (Andalucia, Spain):

Vedelesime terve esmaspäevase päeva “SPAs”. Kui pühapäeval oli õhutemperatuur liiga kuum, siis esmaspäeval läks õhk nii külmaks, et kuum vesi oli ainus koht kuhu põgeneda. Aga ega head asja liiga palju ka ei saa ning pidime hüvasti jätma oma lemmik kohaga..Warm water is the best place to escape when the weather gets cold. But now it’s time to move on..
#minueurotripp#thermalsprings#hotsprings#nature#naturespa#spa#purenature
#naturefamily#lossipoisid#jungleboys#jungle

Pioneer
Let's look at more depth of what's happening in each region.
Think GeoEnergy reports (Oct. 20) on developments in eastern Greece:

'As reported from Greece, cheap geothermal energy and heating is coming to Alexandroupolis, a seaside municipality in the east of the country. The green light has been given for the groundbreaking work on this district heating project. After months of litigation, work will begin next and be completed in 18 months. The project implemented by the Municipality of Alexandroupolis has a budget of EUR 6.2 million (USD 6.8m) and is considered pioneering for the whole of Greece, as it gives local communities great development opportunities, while also having positive effects on residents who can afford cheap heating'.

Hopefully it doesn't affect the local hot spring.

Again Think GeoEnergy (a great source of never ending info on geothermal development; alas quite a bit of company news). It looks (Sep. 11) at Bavaria's Erding Therme. Citing and translating a local source:

'For now more than 20 years STEAG New Energies GmbH Erding has supplied the city of Erding with geothermal energy from resources at a depth of 2,350 meters. Today, about one fifth of the total heat demand of Erding can be covered by climate-friendly geothermal energy. The article published yesterday, looks behind the scenes of the geothermal heating plant Erding 2.
The history of Erdinger Erdwärmeversorgung began in 1983, when oil firm Texaco drilled for oil. With heavy equipment the company drilled to ab depth of 2,359 meters into the earth’s surface. No oil was found, but 65 degrees Celsius hot thermal water. The oil company had no interest whatsoever in the water, which resulted in the city and the the larger municipality founding a joint venture to use the “hot gold”, as they call it in 1989.  
...  
Plans were initiated for the local thermal bath Therme Erding in 1994, which then opened in 1999. The bath was planned as there was no second well planned at the time, through which the cooled down water could have been returned into the reservoir below. At the time, it was more economical to treat the thermal water and use it in a spa, almost incidentally a recreational “temple” was created that has made Erding famous around the world. The spa is today by far the largest customer of the joint venture for thermal water and STEAG for geothermal heating.  
...  
With the geothermal heating plants, the city saves almost two-thirds of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions each year ...'.

A sign of the times, Austria's Maibachl flowing in autumn? See below a recent photo:

kaerntnerkrone

Das Maibachl rinnt! Wer war schon baden? ☀️💦.#kaerntnerkrone#krone#kronenzeitung#kaernten#carinthia#villach#villachfeeling
#maibach#maibachl#ausflug#ausflugstipps#kampadanes#nasvetzaizlet
#placetovisit#escapesnaps#wetter#winter#winterinaustria#winter2019
#outdoors#nature#naturesbeauty#scenery#landscape#beautiful

Where are we now? Umm, let's continue with France.
A recent find, Le Trou de Madame. Not far from Dax in France's southwest near the banks of the river Adour, it used to be a thriving thermal establishment. Apparently due to waning interest nothing has been happened in the last 50 years or so. My source further reveals:

'Si l'on prétend que les eaux et boues thermales de Préchacq étaient connues dès l'Antiquité pour leur vertus curatives, les bains ne consistaient, jusqu'au début du XVIIIe siècle, qu'en quelques sources chaudes s'épanchant dans de grands trous remplis d'eau boueuse au milieu d'une belle forêt de chênes des bords de l'Adour.

This website adds:

'L'odeur présente de cette source sulfureuse est très forte,et, assez incommodante ( odeur d’œufs pourris ). L'eau présente est d'environ 30 °C'.

A further find, a website for springs in the area of Les Landes, southwest France; most cool though.

yogaconlilin at Prats Balaguer:

Allò que fa riure als ulls és bo.Del finde 22 i 23 desembre, acampant a la fresca fent de la lluna el nostre sostre.📸 @queralt_aloy gràcies per aquests moments!!

Bliss

Sadly, Lamiacittanews (Sep. 19) notes that September 28 will be celebrated as the fifth anniversary of the Bullicame thermal spring running dry:

'Si invita tutta la cittadinanza a partecipare alla mesta cerimonia, recandosi al capezzale della callara, tenuta in vita da una flebo di accanimento terapeutico, che proviene dal pozzo S. Valentino. Non fiori, ma insistenze e solleciti su chi deve provvedere a sistemare e a fare sistemare il danno provocato'.

Then a report (Sep. 28) on the day itself.

More info on the situation (Lamiacitta, Aug. 2; Lamiacitta, Aug. 30) of Bullicame.

Lamiacitta (Sep. 22) takes a looks at nearby Carletti

'... went for a walk at the Carletti Spa on Strada Terme, where thermalism is free, as it always has been for our fathers. I must say that there were many people. Some soak in the tanks near the spring, and others who were blissfully sunbathing. The trash bins were all emptied, and there was a clear and crystalline air, like only Viterbo and a few other places in Italy, can offer'.

A lot of Sicilian soaks from soakersforum by benjaminstarr:

• Lipari's Terme di San Calogero (He also mentions steam caves)
• Segesta
• Vulcano
• Sclafani Bagni (with photo below):

Gonews.it (Oct. 14) introduces us to a novelty:

'Hundreds of people, originating from the geothermal area or coming from other areas of Tuscany, took part in the twelfth edition of the geothermal Trekking along the beautiful path of natural manifestations "Geothermal and Steam" which leads from the Fumarole Park of Sasso Pisano, in the municipal territory of Castelnuovo Val di Cecina, at the Biancane Park in Monterotondo Marittimo, between the provinces of Pisa and Grosseto.
...

The participants had the opportunity to visit the Enel Green Power geothermal plant "Sasso 2", in Sasso Pisano, and the archaeological excavations of the Etruscan Roman Baths of Bagnone'.

From Rust to Road Trip has updated their list of favorite soaks: a great list of 14 natural soaks. Includes the recent addition of Pozza di Leonardo DaVinci (northern Italy).

Rusttoroadtrip

Our main incentive for spending a week in the Stelvio National Park amongst the shaded valleys and snow-dusted peaks were the thermal waters of the Pozza di Leonardo DaVinci.⁣Morning and night, we would skirt the narrow concrete bridges and cliffs above the Adda river into the depths of the valley. Opposite the old crumbling Stelvio Pass road we abandoned our clothes to the rocks and sunk into the clear, warm waters beneath the steam.⁣It felt good to be back in a hot spring after so many months without, our skin softened by the minerals and our aches and pains soothed by the heat. It was just as spectacular to bathe beneath the stars as it was with Alpine views, the pool warming us to our very bones.⁣Our time spent in the National Park gave us a chance to explore, to experience the area in-depth, to hike its narrow crumbling paths and shop at the local weekend market. We experienced many facets of Italian Alpine life, the food, the culture and the conversation, and revelled in the harsh, unpredictable landscape.⁣The nights were cold, and the days not much warmer, as we waited for the snow atop the pass to clear so we could continue on our journey…⁣

Strength 

Let's head for central Europe. Starting with Slovakia.

Think GeoEnergy (Sep. 20) has a similar story to the one above on Erding:

'While not being successful in exploration for oil back in the 1960s, the wells drilled then actually turned out to change the village of Podhájske in Slovakia. Finding geothermal water then, was the foundation for a large thermal spa park and greenhouses.
...
The village Podhajska is situated approximately 90 km east of Bratislava in northeast part of Danube basin. The Podhájske Thermal Park features 10 pools with water temperature between 26 and 38°C. The well also provides heat to greenhouses nearby, growing flowers and tomatoes'.

Neobsidimdoma (Dec. 19, last year) with the above picture and the following report. Translated:

'The pre-Christmas season peaks and stress waves are at maximum. You know it: I don't have gifts yet…, you have to clean at home…, you don't recognize the baking dust from the shelf dust…, the gingerbreads don't soften… but simply: stress, panic, nervousness, migraine  I decided to reset my head this year I have a great trip to Liptov. Yes, it's cold outside, the tourist season is also freezing, many attractions are closed, but it doesn't matter if you choose such a beautiful area as Liptov. I chose Pension Mara in Liptovsky Trnovec as the base camp and it was a great choice!
...
This water has 20 degrees and has proven healing effects. Since the outside air temperature was below freezing, the water sensation temperature was higher and I endured the recommended 20 minutes. In the summer months, this hot spring is very popular and often visitors have to wait in rows to bathe. The home people told me that it is best to come at night and enjoy the bath by watching the stars. I think I will certainly try it. There is also a drinking mineral spring Teplica near Kade, I recommend to strengthen after the bath with this medicinal water.
...
Kalameny village is located only 2 kilometers from Lúčok and the spring will be directed by the locals. This spring is much warmer than the spring in Liptovský Ján, the water is approximately 30 degrees. So in winter the feeling of a bath is really warm and you won't want to get out of the water'.

Then Hungary.

A more older article (Feb. 8, 2014), but for me a more recent find. A wild hot spring in Hungary, well sort of. Unique? The discharge of the delicate Heviz hot spring is released into a local stream, which is free to use. Though the article focuses on canoeing in winter. The link to exact location with google reviews including soaking reports.

Travel.usnews (recent, apparently):

'A soak in a thermal bath is a quintessential Budapest experience. (It hasn't cultivated a reputation as the "City of Spas" for nothing.) These baths, or fürdok in Hungarian, are heated by natural thermal springs and usually include on-site massage services, as well as steam rooms.
With more than 100 thermal springs, the various baths around the city cater to different tastes – from relaxation to cures for illness – and some transform into pulsating dance clubs at night, so if you're bathing with your family, you might want to do so during the daylight hours'.

m_a_s_p_i at Srpske Toplice, Republica Srpska, Bosnia:

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. #nature #hiking #hotspring #teplypramen #musibyt #withfriends #vodactvojespatny #krizujemebalkan #krizujememapu #dnescestujem

Health
Over to Spain. 
Ynetnews (Oct. 19) presents an article on the hot springs of Ourense (Galacia) and it's Jewish heritage. It basically revolves around the author's visit to Termatalia (Sep. 19 and 20):

'Ourense has also cleverly leveraged its thermal heritage to become the global headquarters of Termatalia, a non-profit organization whose name derives from the Spanish terms Termalismo (thermalism) and Talassoterapia -- thalassotherapy, the therapeutic use of seawater. Termatalia has grown from a small regional organization in 1999 into an international organization encompassing much of Europe and Latin America'.

elena_ni_ta at the natural springs of Prexigueiro, not too far from Ourense:

Encontré a una meiga en el río y me enamore de ella. De su sensual contoneo a la hora de andar, de los susurros al oído de los mantras al cantar, del olor de su cuerpo y la estela que deja al caminar, de su sonrisa, de su sabiduría y de su magia.Gracias amiga, por enseñarme algo tan bonito💜#termasgallegas #termasderibadavia #ribadavia #prexigueiro #ourense #galicia #naturaleza #meiga #magia #contacto #vacaciones #hollidays #remansodepaz #picoftheday

Then some late news from Iceland. 
Famous activist (who uses her body to draw attention (or is it the other way round?)) Marisa Papen has a new calendar on the shelf for 2020 with photo's from Iceland (notably as below Hrunalaug hot spring). She hopes to draw attention to plastic soup:

https://plastic-sushi.com/

A Calendar-concept that aims for a healthy future of our planet.

Rough Guides (Sep. 20) finally, has an updated Top 10 soaks on Iceland. It's intro:

'An outdoor soak is an essential part of the Icelandic experience – a surreal way to spend a dark winter's day, or to unkink those muscles after a long day's hiking.In fact, the Icelandic tradition of bathing outdoors in volcanically heated pools dates right back to Viking times. A few of these old pools survive today – often sited in spectacular locations – whilst almost all settlements, however tiny, have installed geothermally heated swimming pools with accompanying hot tubs'.

Nelitko at Fosslaug (I think) 

Disrobe

ditchwitch444

Found a hot spring in a sheep field!.....#iceland#geothermalpool#geothermalpoolsoficeland#hotsprings#burners

A separate posting on Icelandic soaking and soaking related news.

Let's start with just a couple of mentions of the many intro's to soaking in Iceland.

We12travel (Sep. 24) notices the many hot springs of Iceland:

'When going to Iceland, you can’t miss a visit to a hot spring. Or a hot  pool. Or a hotpot, as the Icelanders call it. I’ve written a couple of posts about the best hot springs in Iceland and they are among the most popular posts on my entire blog. So I figured I’d combine them into one post, making this ultimate guide to the best hot springs in Iceland. Having been to Iceland no less than ten times over the past decade, I think I can say I’ve become quite an expert to all there is to know about hot springs in Iceland. Enjoy!

A Dutch website, hipenhot (Nov. 3) has it's own take on Iceland's hot pools. I counted an impressive 16 soaks in the mix. Translated:

'That's why in this blog everything about hotpools in Iceland! Where can you find them, how is the water heated, what should you think about? I explain it all so that you go to Iceland well prepared'.

jdmerryweather at Landbrotalaug 

West Iceland • We are missing Iceland and all its magic. My mermaid in action!!#westiceland#landbrotalaug#iceland#flanna#mylove#travel#travelphotography #travelphotographer#travelwriter#wanderlust#doyouseewhatisee #notallthosethatwanderarelost#seetheworld#lifeistooshort#shootfilm #leica#nikon#hasselblad#analog#digital#iPhone8 #fujifilmX100F#diana#decisivemoment#oldschool#getlost#jdwashere#chasethedream #magic#picoftheday

Helka (Nov. 7) has a top 10 of best natural soaking spots. Though the list is arbitrary, it contains quite a bit of additional background info.

'While the Blue Lagoon is definitely Iceland’s most famous hot spring, it was actually created by a mistake made by humans, so it’s not exactly natural. We’ve put together a list of the best 10 natural hot springs in Iceland. Explore some of Iceland’s most phenomenal hot springs'.

Lonely Planet (Aug. 20) looks at hot spring fed pools:

'Large or small, rich or poor, every community in Iceland has its own public swimming pool. Here neighbours catch up, children misbehave and the local mayor is confronted about his latest decision. Mix in naturally heated water and some wonderful settings right across the country, and it’s easy to see why a trip to the sundlaug is a great way for visitors to soak up Iceland. 
Here are 10 of Iceland’s best pools, where swimming is only part of the pleasure'.

mastapoul1 at Grettislaug

Tour de l'Islande avec le kuku 🚐💓En 10 jours: 21/01 ➡️ 01/02 🇮🇸 2k19DAY 8 De Grettislaug À Drangsnes 🚘 301kmPetite baignade avant de reprendre la route 😜..#iceland#islande#grettislaug#sourcechaude#hotspot#hotspots#hotsprings
#hotspring#geothermal#naturalhotsprings#piscinenaturelle#paysage#landscape
#cielgris#voyage#roadtrip#trip#hiver#winter#neige#snow#nofilter
#huaweip20pro#p20pro

The worldpursuit (Aug. 23) has the 10 best hot springs of Iceland (possibly):

'There is no way you can travel to Iceland and not experience just a few of the countries best hot springs! Hot springs in Iceland are a right of passage and even the locals regularly use them. Iceland is filled with enough geothermal pools, geothermal spas, and natural hot springs to fill up every day of your Iceland itinerary. This is really only the tip of the Iceberg when it comes to places to soak in Iceland. 
Unless you want to want to get pruney and never dry off you won’t have time for them all. Some of these hot springs in Iceland are popular tourist attractions and a few aren’t much more than a hole in the ground. We’ve broken down some of the best hot springs in Iceland, and no there is no mention of the famous Blue Lagoon'.

Big deal

Icelandin8days has a special on getting naked (Aug. 27) in Iceland:

'Ah, Iceland. Is it really as icy as the name implies? Are those stories about forced nudity in pool showers true? Can I casually walk down the street to a pool shirtless, only to then dip inside completely naked?
Those would be a triple ‘not quite’, but also an indication of a remarkable conundrum around Iceland, its restrictions or lack of on nudity, and how culture plays a major role in when and where you can and can not, should and should not disrobe'.

And then follows the explanation, sort of.

 

Always shower prior to hitting the hotpot. aritzrst:

Si estas a -10 grados no desaproveches una ducha en mitad de la nada.#iceland #islandia #viticrater #hverarönd#husavik #nofilter
#kukucampers#camper #campervan

Sort of on the same topic, Becomingheather has a long hard look (Aug 24) at group showers Icelandic style:

'The swimming pools in Reykjavik are hard core about you showering, naked, before you get in the pool. They tell you when you first pay and enter. Then there are signs everywhere. Finally, an attendant in each locker room keeps an eye out for non-showerers who think they can slip past without being noticed. Nope, there is no way around it. You’ve gotta shower. Naked.
... 
We went to Laugardalslaug half a dozen times on that trip, and I increasingly grew more comfortable with the ordeal of group showers. By the final trip I confidently walked around naked for a good three minutes before hiding behind my towel.
And something else happened. I found I grew more confident when I was wearing clothes, too. 
... 
But walking around surrounded by bodies that looked like mine, not covered up in all of the costumery we use to make ourselves pretty and preened for men (and each other) – bodies that had fat on them, or scars, or evidence of having carried a child, I started to grow more appreciative of my own body. I was there with my daughter, who grew in my belly, which expanded to fit her and give her a cozy place to grow. How could I be upset with the marks that now graced that belly, evidence of its expansion to give life?
I found that by our last time at the pool, I was going in and out like the older women I would see. They would take their clothes off at their locker, and carry their towel – not wear it, but carry it to the side – over to the shower. They wouldn’t stress about how close to the shower they left their towel. They turned the water on, and took a normal shower, washing all their parts the way you would at home. And then they walked back and got their towel, dried off, and put on their swimsuit. No big deal'.

Float

augustramona

“But, I nearly forgot, you must close your eyes otherwise you won't see anything.”

-Lewis Carroll

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A picture of me, by Benjamin

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#iceland #instagood #naturegram #exploreiceland #discovericeland #picoftheday #naturephotography #naturelovers #moodygrams #authenticliving #wildliving #photoohtheday #wonderland #discovericeland #exploreiceland #imaginarymagnitude #wilderness #livingfolk #folkandstory #roamtheplanet #waterfall #nature_good #nordicspirit #moodmagic #inspiredbyiceland #hiddeniceland

The more newsworthy articles.

Think GeoEnergy shares (Aug. 6) info on Iceland's newest soaking theater, that of Vök:

'Vök Baths, the newest geothermal destination, and tourist attraction in the East part of Iceland have opened. The destination main landmarks are warm pools that float by the lake’s shore. This beautiful area also includes an outdoor pool bar, a steam bath, and a restaurant. EFLA was responsible for all the engineering design of the facilities.
Vök Baths is located at Lake Urriðavatn about 5 kilometers northwest of Egilsstaðir. Vök Baths harness the geothermal power of the region to create a unique bathing experience with amazing views of the lake and the surrounding area.
One of the main attractions will undoubtedly be the floating pools, which are in the lake. The pools are Iceland’s first floating pools and create a unique experience for visitors'.

Reykjavik Grapevine reports (Jul. 30) on the soaking pipeline:

'A Canadian company has purchased a 51% stake in luxury startup Geothermal Lagoon for 11 million USD, RÚV news reports. The startup will build a geothermal lagoon, at the edge of Kársnes, an industrial area surrounded by a residential neighbourhood.
...
The planned location has sparked some interest. Bathers will have a view of beautiful scenery, “including the ocean, and Bessastaðir, the villa of the President of Iceland.” The president’s offices could not be reached for comment regarding questions wether this would disrupt the president’s morning stretches routine in the gardens of Bessastaðir'.

thordiso

🌄

Poached

The Reykjavik Grapevine had an article (outdated?) concerning the hot pools of Strandir area; 5 in all, all thermal fed:

'Exploring the swimming pools in the region is an adventure worth tolerating the bumpy road for. There are four of them. Yep, there are four swimming pools, and several hot tubs, for 800 people (well, and a bunch of tourists). What’s perhaps even more surprising is that the pools in the more remote areas are actually far older than the ones in the more populous areas'.

I Heart Reykjavik heads for Reykjadalur and scribbles down all the info required. Or has it just been updated (Nov. 4)?

'The Reykjadalur hike is probably one of Iceland’s best-known hiking trails for a few reasons:

• It’s close to Reykjavík
• It’s relatively easy
• It offers amazing views and geological wonders
• The reward for the effort of hiking up there is a dip in a cozy and warm geothermal river'.

 

marysue91 at Reykjadalur:

Hot springs at the end of our hike 🙌🏻 #hotsprings #iceland #natureisrad #hiking #mountainlife #swimminginsnow #goodlife #holiyay

Reykjavik Grapevine (Sep. 8) has a slightly different experience in getting to Reykjadalur:

'Eldhestar stables are located near Hveragerði, in the south west of Iceland. The area is well known for the Reykjadalur valley hot springs,  and one of the tours that Eldhestar offers is to ride up to the hot river and take a dip. It’s nothing short of idyllic—the combination of two Icelandic pastimes that are as old as the Vikings.
...
The trail up to the hot springs and hot river is rough and steep and I was amazed at our horses’ sure-footedness on the rocky terrain. We leaned forward in our saddles as we went uphill to make things easier, and admired how they are a natural fit for this landscape and topography. We reached the paddock around midday and from there it was just a short 15 minute hike to the hot river, past ominously bubbling mud springs and the ever-intensifying smell of egg. Reykjadalur is a popular trail these days and on a sunny day in August the river was packed with humans poaching themselves in the warm water. I am used to more bracing experiences of bathing in rivers so it took a while to get used to the bath-like temperatures, but lying in the middle of nowhere, hills rising up on either side, gently lapped by balmy waters—this is something I think I could get used to.

Adventurouskate relates (Oct. 8) the untold concerning soaking in the Blue Lagoon, updating her nearly 8 year old original blog entry:

'And being the most popular destination, there are plenty of guides and how-tos for the Blue Lagoon Iceland. But to be honest, I was surprised by how many things I didn’t know.
 I’ve visited the Iceland Blue Lagoon several times, in different kinds of weather. As you can see by my photos, I’ve seen the Blue Lagoon on a gorgeous day in May; I’ve also visited the Blue Lagoon on a cold and rainy August day. It wasn’t ideal, but it was still worth visiting the Blue Lagoon in the rain'.

What I learnt from the article:

'The water at the Blue Lagoon is not good for your hair. I would especially be cautious if you have natural, curly, or color-treated hair.I thought my curly hair would be okay. Well, after covering my hair in conditioner, twisting it up in a French twist, leaving the conditioner in, and going into the Blue Lagoon, then coming out, rinsing my hair, conditioning it like crazy, and leaving it in again — my hair was destroyed for the next five days. 
Take my advice — even if you condition your hair, don’t let it touch the water. You’re not missing out on much if you don’t'.

From the comments section:

'Hannah 
Thanks for this information! After hearing all this, I might consider skipping the Blue Lagoon on my next trip to Iceland. Though you said that you ultimately enjoyed your time there, it does seem like there are some negatives. Just the fact that you have to get naked is enough to scare me away! 

Loads of comments on the naked showering, as if there's another way to this.

xavi_sevic

Tradicions islandeses!! Un dels molts tolls termals k et trobes pel camí !#iceland🇮🇸 #islandia#familytrip#travelwithkids____________________________#travel #traveling #vacation #visiting #instatravel #instago #instagood #trip #holiday #photooftheday #fun #travelling #tourism #tourist #instapassport #instatraveling #mytravelgram #travelgram #travelingram #igtravel #hotsprings #aiguatermal

I Heart Reykjavik (Nov. 9) also has a personal look at Iceland's premier pool, the Blue Lagoon:

'I think I’ve mentioned before here on the blog that Icelanders have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the Blue Lagoon. I believe what the locals dislike the most about it is the prices and how they’ve kept creeping up over the last few years. Many locals also remember a time when the Blue Lagoon was a lot more rustic than it is now. They long for the old days when we could enjoy our natural wonders without “paying the white of your eye” as some have put it.
When people ask me about whether the Blue Lagoon is worth visiting, I’m often quite torn about how to answer that question.
...
So my official answer to whether the Blue Lagoon is worth it or not has been that if you feel it is worth it, then it is. As long as you know that the price is high in comparison to other pools and hot springs and you’re OK with paying that premium.
...
Until last weekend that is.
...
With that in mind, I feel like I need to add a new sentence to my official answer to whether or not the Blue Lagoon is worth it.
If you feel it is worth it, then it is. As long as you know that the price is high in comparison to other pools and hot springs and you’re OK with paying that premium. And you’re OK with the fact that you might be unlucky and get stuck in a changing room that feels more like the inside of a clown car than a spa.

At least now you know and you can adjust your expectations accordingly – saving you the shock I experienced'.

petr.na.erasmu

Nightswimming in the volcanic crater. Temperature dropped below zero. Summer is gone. Highlands, Iceland 🇮🇸

Finally, a Polish website, Icestory, headed for Askja. A long entry. At the Viti crater:

'We see a small crater, filled with milky blue, to which a group of tourists walks naked or in costumes. The water is ideal for bathing. Viti owes its name to its fragrance. Thordur tells us that they called him Hell because after you leave the water you stink like Satan. You can actually smell it even on the edge of the crater, and it should be mentioned that it is really high. However, it is not as intense as we expected. The place for it completely exceeds our expectations. We get an hour to celebrate, but we realize that if we had a book, wine and a blanket, we'd probably like to stay here longer.