Prox

nelliebenner

Iceland , wat ben je coool ⛄️✨🫶🐋

An Icelandic special. Not too rambling I believe.

We start off with TheWorldPursuit which lists 30 hot springs in Iceland (Feb. 4). Instead of Blue Lagoon they say. 

Highly trendy, especially as the Blue Lagoon needed to be evacuated mid-March due to the most recent eruption very nearby. Q&A by Icelandreview (Mar. 18):

'Q: Is the Blue Lagoon in Iceland open after the eruption?

A: No, the Blue Lagoon is currently closed after the volcanic eruption that began at Sundhnúkagígar on March 16. Due to its close proximity to the eruption site, the Blue Lagoon had to evacuate its guests and temporarily close down all facilities. It will remain closed through Tuesday, March 19.

This is the fourth eruption since December 2023 and is, in time of writing, still active'.

More specific alternatives.

National Geographic has a travel article (Feb. 1) on some of the lesser known soaks of Iceland, albeit just Hvammsvík.

'I’m at Hvammsvík. Opened in 2023, it’s the newest addition to Iceland’s impressive collection of hot springs, all of which make use of the country’s abundant geothermal waters'.

Heed the post-script:

'This story was created with support from Hvammsvík, PLAY Airlines and Grandi by Center Hotels'. 

polly_makshein

Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River

#iceland🇮🇸 #iceland #islandia #исландия #island #islandlife #hotsprings #thermal #горячиеисточники #relax #goodday #кайф #travel #travelgram #travelphotography #traveltheworld #travelblogger #travelling #traveling #traveler #lovetravel #travelgirl #river #mountains #góry #горы #nature #podróże

The Reykjavik Grapevine on tour. They head out and report (Mar. 13) on the Forest Lagoon, Akureyri:

'Forest Lagoon, or Skógarböð, opened its doors in May 2022 and has since welcomed more than 200,000 visitors. Natural baths aren’t a new concept in Iceland, in fact, there’s one in almost every corner of the country. But, until Sigríður María Hammer and her husband Finnur Aðalbjörnsson turned their land into a thriving business, providing a haven for both locals and tourists to relax in the region, there wasn’t one in this part of the North.

...

“When they were drilling the tunnel, they found hot water within the mountain that wasn’t supposed to be there. It was quite a surprise,” Sigríður explains.

The discovery of the hot water caused considerable delay for the construction work of the tunnel. “The construction workers were actually working just in speedos, because it was 50 degrees inside,” says Sigríður. “Ever since the tunnel was finished, this water has basically been going into the ocean. Nobody was doing anything with it. What a waste.”

The 50-degree water, rich with oxygen and minerals, wasn’t suitable for heating houses. Finnur, who’s a contractor and has worked on many infrastructure projects in the area, first thought of the idea of building a nature bath. However, the problem was that the hot water vein lay approximately three kilometres from what is now the Forest Lagoon. The project sounded ambitious but very costly.

...

I change into my swimsuit in the shower area, which is equipped with both open public showers and individual shower cabins for those who aren’t used to the Icelandic bathing customs of showering naked. A good shower is essential, highlights Sigríður — the water in Forest Lagoon is free from any chemicals, including chlorine. The only thing Forest Lagoon adds to the water is cold water, exchanging it a few times a day to stay free from bacteria'.

The inevitable, subject wise.

Icelandwithaview on naked showering before bathing in Iceland's mostly hot spring sourced swimming pools (Dec. 8, 2023). Quite something, that you can make an extensive article on something that's actually a non-item.

'Once you overcome the initial shock of having to shower at the pools in Iceland naked, it’s actually quite liberating.

Don’t let it scare you; not only is it an amazing experience, but you also gain a better understanding of the local culture.

I’m not a member of any Iceland naturist community, I swear, but I do think it’s pretty cool!

Thank god we've still got the pictures that soaking in nature in Iceland still exists, phew! 

nomadic_cosmopolitan

When all of Reykjavík has covid, you go on an isolating winter road trip to the west fjords

Blissed

alexastals

Contemplative Silence 🍃✨️

#natura #nature #naturaleza #feelblessed #feelfree #freedom #naturalbeauty #hotsprings #aguastermales #water

Oddly my choice to include wellness news (based on the increasing difficulty of access concerning wild hot springs in Europe and the possible similarities in experience) continues to result in truckloads of articles to share.

But then first the few links that are in hot-spring /soaking  relation.

Indie88 (Jan. 10) on Saturnia (Italy). The lure of nature's health elixir no less. A lot of tips, f.i. come early morning. Or late afternoon.

Public initiatives from Switzerland are the inspiration to a similar call in Aachen, Germany. Thank you Hans for providing the link.

In the center of Burtscheid (a former town in it's own rights but now a suburb of Aachen) the action group Waermkomp.jetzt seek to establish a pop-up small thermally sourced pool for soaking. If you have experienced Baden, you'll have an idea.

TF1 en Auvergne has a report (Feb. 15) concerning the Croizat hot springs (France). 

In this report it is reflected upon how popular taking a soak is. This despite that the local authorities have had a ban on soaking in place since 2016. It seems all happy soakers and the local government not in communication modus.

The report though does elicit feedback (Mar. 11) from the Source Chaude Croizat Facebook page. Which confirms that there have been gendarmes handing out fines. And furthermore, it's shared that EU will probably assist (Mar. 11) in financing the upper Dordogne protection plans (?), which might see the soaking site improved and officially approved. So not all doom and gloom?

The Guardian presents an article (Mar. 12) on Galicia's Ourense and the soaks to be had locally.

“Ourense is the thermal capital of Galicia. Not many people realise, but we have about 70 thermal springs pumping an estimated three million litres of thermal water daily,” Karlos Sanmartín, a local tour guide, tells me

...

Locals, in-the-know expats and a small swell of tourists bathe in Ourense’s hot springs year-round, keen to take advantage of the supposed therapeutic benefits – from easing arthritic pain and soothing skin conditions to aiding circulation and respiratory issues. It’s not as popular as Hungary or Iceland but thermal tourism here isn’t new.

Roman soldiers came almost 2,000 years ago to use the city’s mineral-rich waters as a form of post-battle convalescence. “They used the hot springs as a place of rest, healing, leisure and relaxation, but also as a place of worship,” Karlos says.

...

As closing time approaches, I watch as steam rises and melts into a black sky sprinkled with stars that seem to dance to the trickling sound of water. I whisper a little thanks to Karlos. He was right: moonlit bathing is magical'.

cha_l_heureuse

Découverte de sources chaudes naturelles lors d'une randonnée.. Cette baignade dans une eau à 28 degrés (imprévue par -4 degrés) était magique ! Eaux thermales volcaniques sur un site datant de l'époque Gallo-romaine. Ressourcée, purifiée, recentrée ! Voyager m'avait tellement manqué ! 🙏🏻⛰️

_______________________________

#photodujour #queyras #thermes #sourceschaudes #eauthermale #mountainslovers #naturel_shot #naturelovers #naturephotograpy #hikinglife #natureshot #mountainliving #mountainphotography #hautesalpes #paca_focus_on #serrechevalier #lundi #lundisoir #traveltagged #visitfrance #alpesfrancaises #hautesalpes #regionpaca #natureshooters #discoverworld #wintermood

Community

Onward. 

To sauna culture reflections. 

Reddit on a Therme Erding experience (Feb. 27), though heed, Therme Erding is hot spring sourced:

'Can't recommend Therme Erding highly enough!

One of Germanys larger broadsheets (Frankfurther Algemeiner) looks (Mar. 13) at what's on offer in Berlin. Wellness-wise.
Basically it's the bigger Vabali complex. And the smaller Liquidrome.

TTRWeekly notes (Feb. 20) the website spaseekers reveals what they believe to be 

'... the most popular spa destinations for 2024'. 

Presumptous possibly? Romania is trending, 

'... but spa destinations in China, Nepal, and Vietnam figured in the top 10 list'.

The Sauna Channel adds a video and explanation concerning the Latvian pirts ritual. Closely linked with sauna usage:

'The crackling of the wood-burning stove provides a comforting soundtrack as participants surrender to the warmth, allowing tensions to melt away.

Nauris Zutis, with his wealth of knowledge passed down through generations and refined in the crucible of experience, employs ancient techniques to facilitate the detoxification process. He skillfully utilizes aromatic birch twigs, dipped in water infused with herbs, to enhance the cleansing ritual. The gentle swaying of the twigs against the skin stimulates blood circulation and awakens the senses'.

Emulating the old days in Basel, kollektiv_hotel_regina

Brunnen Gehn /////// So 25.02.24 ////// Merci ////// schön wars

BBC notes (Mar. 3) how the mobile seaside sauna trend is becoming more and more popular. This article with regard to Wales:

'They are more commonly spotted in the corners of gyms and luxury hotels - but saunas are starting to pop up on the Welsh coast.

Swansea's Gower peninsula in winter may seem like a strange place to relax in your swimsuit, but more and more people are visiting, keen to chase away the rainy day blues.

It is the Scandinavian model being followed - where people can move from the cold of the sea, quickly to the warm.

The British Sauna society (BSS) was set up almost 10 years ago with a focus on bringing the authentic sauna to the UK, and said numbers have doubled, with an increasing amount outside.
Starting at a low base, it's not too difficult to double numbers. It also adds:
Gabrielle [Secretary of the BSS] added some people have suggested it is like going into a therapy room, adding: ‘’When you look at what has been happening in the UK - the closing of pubs and community centres - I think it has potential to actually start replacing those things'.’’

These final comments were then promoted on the BBC Facebook page. This post then garners nearly 100 comments. Reading these comments, it's quite surprising to see the ignorance of sauna culture (no, it doesn't mean you drink in the sauna), still a long way to go there in the UK.

BSS has actually an updated directory of all UK 

"Public Authentic Sauna's' 

with annotations when these are by any body of water.

A find. The Sauna Project. It is dedicated to 

'artistic research on Finnish sauna culture'. 

With stories, films, photography, exhibitions and the possibility to sign up to sauna trips in Finland.

Confide

How then to navigate the respective sauna cultures in Europe?

Creating a storm. On Facebook. 

Asanti (one of Belgiums older wellness destinations) has announced (Feb. 17) the possibility to come on over, but in bathers (if needy), though only on the Tuesdays. Forthcoming, the Tuesday will be clothing optional. 

The storm: 175 reactions. 

Nudity is the equalizer. Shifting from this opens up voyeurism potentials, possibly resulting in lower body confidence to the non-bathers users. And using the facilities is about being zen.

Owners see it differently: possible new clientele can find their way here and get used to sauna's and take a next step towards the unclothed usage.

My point would be: if we agree that bathers are unhygienic, how then does this play out? Are the sauna's scrubbed more, does the added chlorine (from bathing close / possible inceased use in water) shoot up? 

Anyway, the owners are looking for ways to attract more and possibly more satisfied clients. As from the discussion that may mean losing others. 

Maybe owners have learnt a thing or two in the process.

 

Are we pro or con? Thermae.com for the Belgium spa's Thermae Boetfort & Thermae Grimbergen (Belgium):

Immerse yourself in luxury. Our Jacuzzis are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. 🌿💧

More on Euro sauna culture, but now from the US point of view. 

None other than New York Times (Feb. 26). Highlighting the clothing rules:

'Had I ever seen so much bare flesh in one room? Naked in a mixed-gender Austrian sauna, I sat opposite two dozen other nude people on wooden benches. Even after more than a year of living in Europe, as an American, I still felt a little uncomfortable sitting there in nothing but my own skin'.

It's as if North Americans defend themselves because their genetics are different. They're not, it's all socially constructed.
The author describes in detail the Aufguss process, but still seems to be hung up on certain issues:

'For some Americans, including me, nudity, especially in a mixed-gender environment, can initially feel extremely uncomfortable. Keon West, a professor of social psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, explained that cultural standards often affect what level of nudity people find tolerable: In some places, seeing women with their hair uncovered might feel racy, while in others, stripping down on a public beach is perfectly acceptable.

“You might think the Germans are a bit risqué, whereas they think they’re normal, and you’re a bit silly,” Dr. West said.

...

In a number of studies, Dr. West and his team have found that being naked around others can increase self-confidence and life satisfaction [really?]. “If you go to a naturist event, you see a lot of normal people, people who aren’t airbrushed and aren’t Beyoncé, and you realize you don’t look bad compared to the average person,” Dr. West said. “And you spend time naked in their company and nothing bad happens. No one says anything bad to you, no one laughs at you.”

Some Americans have found that the discomfort of being nude in the sauna is fleeting and has a worthwhile payoff.

The article elicits 500 comments no less! Most in the line of: nudity means nothing. Others feeling more uncomfortable, because what the article implies is that US culture is the lesser of European culture, and we are the US of A? Very little comment on the sauna culture itself ... Can resist this share:

'But actually, again, having those hangups is very North American. There's no reason why you couldn't go into a European spa with a mastectomy. It's not like it'd be in the US, with people gawking and judging. I've been to a fair number of European spas and walked through FKK beaches and it's not about having a perfect body to show off. Different mindset, more about health'.

Airmailnews shares another (typical?) US experience (Mar. 1) of the open sauna culture of central / west Europe:

'But the nudity—total, stark, unignorable—scared me senseless. Is it because I’m an American or just too literal that I associate it with sex? According to my Viennese friend Karin, who invited us here, “That is not a very Austrian way of thinking.” Unlike me, these Europeans don’t have to suppress a snort when they see random genitals. Here, the sauna is a centerpiece of community life, a municipal institution on par with the public library. Karin’s octogenarian mother, who lives in the countryside, frequents hers several times a week. When she needs a break from the heat, she plays cards and drinks tea in her towel.

The women around me, walking and chatting from tub to sauna, didn’t seem the least bit self-conscious. I wish I could say the same. On my first dip in the outdoor pool, I was halfway submerged before I flung my caftan toward a lounge chair. Most days, I really like my body, but apparently not enough to parade around in the nude altogether.

...

And it is here, every day at 6 P.M., where the Krallerhof’s guests gather for the traditional aufguss ceremony, in which a saunameister pours water, often infused with essential oils, onto the hot stones and then circulates the vapor through the air using a large fan or towel. At first, I resisted the idea of squishing my hips against a stranger’s in such conditions, but I suppressed all instincts to flee. Out of national pride, I hung my robe on a peg, smoothed my towel on the bench, and took a seat, rounding my back and crossing my legs in an attempt to disappear.

In the clothed world, we are bankers, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and parents, burdened with a variety of complexes and complexities. But without our daily costumes, we were more alike than different. I tried not to look, but I’m a journalist. I wasn’t going to miss the rare opportunity to study this mishmash of humanity in all its glory.

We’re just bodies, after all. We have stretch marks, patchy bits of hair, soft arms, softer bellies, freckles, veins, and scars. We droop and sag; we look inelegant when we walk. And yet, together, what would be flaws seem to lose their power. It’s one thing to know that penises and breasts come in all shapes and sizes; it’s another to witness 50 of them at once, as individualized as characters in a Tom Stoppard play. It’s all so real that it can’t help but be beautiful.

...

Eventually, I gathered the fortitude to join them. By the end of our week at the Krallerhof, I was spending more time in the sauna than on the slopes. It began to work its magic on my mind; I became less self-conscious, less self-critical, less prudish. I’m older now than I’ve ever been—that’s the way time works—and yet floating there in that cold plunge, I felt as fresh as a newborn. And I was even able to start looking at all those bodies—and myself—directly in the eyes'.

banya_lovers

Что делать , если работа не отпускает практически никогда ? Когда уже вышел с работы , но думаешь о задачах? Когда выходной день с близкими людьми, но в голове задачи...задачи...

Когда праздник, радоваться можно , отдыхать, а в голове проекты...

Я знаю способ !

Взять индивидуальную баню на 1-2 человек

Вчера я парил двух классных парней, предприниматели, но, работа не покидает их практически никогда...

В таком процессе , я стараюсь направлять внимание на отвлекающие моменты, а именно , места , где человеку классно когда то было, ощущения в теле, чувства

Я провел два коллективных прогрева , с бубном, с глюкофоном, но парни сидят в голове и работе

Идём дальше...

Поочередно беру их в работу, отмечая их особенности мысленного восприятия, медленно прогреваю вениками , контраст в парной, очередной нагрев, заставляю нырять в ледяную купель, кричать там , дабы дать выплеснуть эмоции

В какой то момент замечаю, что Сергей слегка прикорнул на диване , расслабившись...процесс запущен

Баня- легальный кайф❤️ Берите на заметку

Парни сказали огромное спасибо, что наконец отвлеклись 🙏

Благодарю их за доверие🥰

Нужна помощь в активации Здесь и сейчас? Камон🤗

We're not there yet. But nearly. 

Paul and Marina share (Jun. 9) with you the ultimate (?) German sauna rules. As you can imagine (= wrong word?) it's a long read:

'Saunas are a safe place where people from all walks of life, from all over the world meet. You will find teenagers there with their parents, 60 – something couples, 30 – something groups of boys and girls and 90-year-old male and female sauna veterans.

People are courteous and mind their own business most of the time, but you can get into a friendly chat with other sauna visitors.

People walk around nude without swimming wear. Some people have a towel wrapped around their body or waist, others like to move about in robes.

Sauna visitors usually sit on a towel on the wooden benches, some lie on it to take a nap in the sauna room.

Your upper and lower body will be exposed, just try to sit comfortably but in a normal fashion and in time you will get the flow and forget that everyone else is nude as well.

Mobile phones are not allowed, you can't take pictures or film in a sauna. If you see someone doing this, you can report them to the sauna master.

...

No body shaming!

Be courteous and keep other people in mind at all times.

Behave like an adult. Yes, there are nude people running around, it's normal and ok.

Don't yell around, don't speak too loud with your friends in a sauna room. You are not alone and there are other people using this public facility'.

Even German speakers can learn a thing or two:

'Don't reserve a sun bed if you are not going to use it. You can reserve a bed for an extra fee at certain spas'.

It comes complete with German sauna vernacular.

the_swallow_escapes

[ Les bains romains ]

En Espagne, vous trouverez encore de nombreuses ruines des bains thermaux construits par les romains. Certains sont accessibles toutes l'année, d'autres plus mystérieux, n'apparaissent que quelques mois dans l'année lorsque les réservoirs d'eau sont à sec, laissant la place à des résurgences d'eaux chaudes au milieu de ruines.

#hotspring #spain #travel #secretspain #bainsromains #eauxthermales #aguacaliente #girlwhotravel #vanlife #roamtravels #igersspain

Everyone

badekultur.ch

Thermalwasser für alle: In Baden und Ennetbaden kann unter freiem Himmel in "Heissen Brunnen" gebadet werden.

Das Projekt wurde realisiert vom Verein @bagno_popolare

badekultur.ch - Badetücher mit Lokalkolorit

#retro #swissdesign #swissdesigners #aare #regionaleprodukte #produitslocaux #badekultur #badekulturinundennetbaden #sommeramzuerisee #sommeramzuerisee #leaulairetmoi #rhiischwümme #rhyschwimme #wasserschloss #thermalbaden #aareschwimmen @aargautourismus #wasserschlossaargau #baden #ennetbaden

Another packed-to-the-rim post on Europe's soaking and bathing culture. 

Let's start with the latter, afterall it's the main purpose of this blog.

Joyce Mol shares (Jan. 13) her best soaking finds of Europe no less and her personal experiences. Iceland to Turkey.

A French post (Nov. 5, 2023) concerning the wild hot springs of the Têt and Tuch valleys.

Saunachannel has asked Nudeblog to produce a film on Georgian hot and mud springs (Dec. 14). It results in a good overview of what's on offer in Georgia.

nudeblogru at Nokalakevi:

Снимали для @saunachannel

Пленка by @sashakulak. Часть 1

Сакартвело’23

Over to Italy where most of this posts soaking info is referred from.

Rometravelouges (Jan. 23) has a good post on the hot springs (commercial or free) reachable from Rome, mostly to the north.

San Filippo is the northern most. 

Here's a recent post (Jan. 9) solely on this terme libere by Juma.

daniraccagni

LOVE IS MY MANTRA

Everything in your life is a reflection of a choice you have made.

If you want a different result, make a different choice.

An article (Dec. 23) from Vogue magazine on Saturnia hot springs (Tuscany):

'It’s just before sunrise, and the lights of Terme di Saturnia resort are already out of sight. I’ve been walking in the dark for less than a mile, through the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, in pursuit of one of the region’s wonders: Cascate del Mulino, a 3,000-year-old travertine hot spring believed to have sprouted in the Etruscan era. Save for a few other intrepid souls who are also braving the crisp morning air, I’m alone.

Arriving at the waterfalls, set just below an old stone mill, I drop my robe and rest it on the white pebbles surrounding the springs before tiptoeing into the first of the steamy pools. The chill of dawn on my skin ceases as I float in the sulfuric waters, resting at a temperature of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Soon, the crowds will arrive, but for now, I enjoy the oasis to myself, allowing it to both soothe and transport me. I wonder what it was once like to arrive here when the area had no resort or hotel nearby, when the Etruscans, and later the Romans, first began looking to the springs as a sanctuary for healing'.

For the rest it's a write up on the adjacent resort. 

Also note that once the sun has risen, these soaks tend to be packed beyond limits.

A recent posting (Jan. 28) from Termalismo medievale in Toscana. Il bagno di Caldanelle implies a beautiful soak near Sasso Piano:

Betty Bungle Toscana is wonderful

At the ancient Etruscan-Roman thermal complex of Sasso Pisano, hidden in a bush, a small source of very hot water (65 degrees ).

The Abandoned Village Spa Day You Can't Miss in Spain 

Shifting to the intermedium, mineral springs. Not hot, but naturally sourced.

The blog Wandering Carol has quite a spate of entries posted concerning bathing / soaking.

There's this post (Jan. 10) on UNESCO recognized great spa's of Europe:

'With my recent trip to the German spa towns of Bad Ems and Bad Kissingen (I also went to Karlovy Vary in Czechia, but I’ve visited there a million times so it didn’t add to my total), I’ve nearly reached my goal.

I’m determined to visit the 11 UNESCO World Heritage Great Spas of Europe. My count now stands at nine'.

Later that month she reports (Jan. 25) on Bad Ems:

'From the picture it looked like Bad Ems would have everything I want in a spa town: Belle Epoque architecture, a scenic setting, fresh air and plenty of nature to get out in.

Best of all I learned Bad Ems has 15 mineral springs that are still used in spa treatments and healing therapies today'.

The article looks extensively at everything one would want to do as well as a review of Bad Ems therme and (not hot) springs.

Earlier (Dec. 9), she had an extensive post on Karlovy Vary as well one (Dec. 21) on Bad Kissingen.

hamammagazine 

🌿 Ruth Kaplan’s Bathers 🌿 

From the thermal waters of Iceland to the historic bathhouses of Hungary - every photo in the ‘Bathers’ series tells a unique story of culture, relaxation, and connection. Kaplan’s lens captures more than just moments; it captures the essence of communal joy. 🏊‍♂️💦 

more on Hamam:Strange

Focus.de notes (Jan. 5) the newest wellness trend: Bio-hacking. Basically incorporating all available techniques to ensure a healthy stay:

'With the help of modern technologies, a special diet, exercise and other methods, sleep should be improved, stress reduced and one's own energy reserves mobilized. Biohacking also includes tracking your own health values. For biohackers, measuring pulse, blood pressure and weight is just as much a part of their routine as regularly monitoring their own blood values. Fitness trackers, smartwatches, smart scales, home blood tests, sleep monitoring apps and food diaries are essential tools for biohackers. Wellness hotels are increasingly offering health checks or basic sports medical examinations before a biohacking retreat. Here, certain weak points and risk factors can be uncovered and a tailor-made nutrition and fitness plan can then be created'.

Lovesauna

sauna_akka

Lankea loveen.

Suomen ensimmäinen mobiilihoitosauna Lovi avaa ovensa. Perinnesaunotusta, perinnehierontahoitoja, vihdontaa, villiyrttihoitoja.

"Vaivuin Lauran hyräillessä saunaloitsuja tilaan, jossa tuntui että olen taas äidin kohdussa tai vähintään kehdossa oman äidin hyräillessä lauluja. Siinä ei tuntunut olevan huolia, ainoastaan ihana rento ja turvallinen tila."

Tänä talvena Sipoonjoen Perinnesaunalla on mahdollista päästä tutustumaan Mielikin metsän Sauna-Akan saunahoitoihin Loven lämmössä. Varaa itsellesi yleisen saunavuorosi lomassa vihdonta tai vaikka yrtti- tai pesuhieronta. Pitkän kaavan perinnesaunotuksia tulossa myös tarjolle. Nautinto on taattu!

Tutustu ja varaa saunahoitosi vellossa, www.vello.fi/lovi. Linkki Sauna-Akan biossa.

Huom! Saunamaksu ja saunahoito maksetaan erikseen. Varaa saunahoitosi yleisen saunavuoron lomaan! Nauti maasavusaunan lempeissä löylyissä ja perinnesaunottajan taivaallisissa hoidoissa. Kerää voimasi ja nollaa itsesi!

#perinnesaunottaja #saunaculture #finnishsauna #healingsauna #kansanperinne #kylpy #vihdonta #hieronta #kansanparannus #parannussauna #sauna-akka #loitsu #saunotus #bathing #perinnesauna

Over to the sauna news.

From Reddit, an overview (Dec. 2023) of European sauna etiquette. 

And nearly 100 comments on how this overview is missing all kinds of nuances. 

Clearly European sauna culture is more diverse than the map below suggests, with lots of niches. So complex.

Inews (Feb. 5) columnist Sarah Magill comments on German sauna culture:

'Entering a sweaty wooden cabin full of happily naked people for the first time in Berlin was uncomfortable, of course.  I found myself grappling with self-consciousness on two fronts – over my own body and in an attempt to conceal my intrigue at the variety of appendages on display. But I enjoyed the ritual of the sauna, especially the Aufguss (meaning “infusion”) procedure, during which a member of staff pours scented water on hot coals and skillfully disperses the resulting heat around with fans, for an even, more intense, sensation.

...

But in Germany, saunas are a common feature of most sports facilities and there are at least 20 public saunas in Berlin alone. Sauna culture is a big deal here. Last year, well over a quarter of the German population frequently went to the sauna or steam bath in their free time.

...

Having become accustomed to the German sauna etiquette, I was struck by the complete absence of it during a visit to a local health centre in southeast London last year. Everyone was sitting directly on the wood in soaking wet bathing suits, creating an overpowering smell of chlorine, until one elderly gentleman doused the coals in far too much oil he’d brought in a bottle from home. People were also coming and going after only a few minutes – seemingly not knowing what they were supposed to do in there. A German would be bemused, I thought.

It made me realise that the UK would really benefit from adopting German sauna culture. By introducing more public saunas and promoting a nudity-friendly environment, Brits could gain access to the physical and mental benefits long cherished in Germany'.

Sustainablejourneys (Jan. 16) has a look at the sauna culture of Finland and notably that of the city of Tampere:

'There are a staggering 60-odd saunas scattered across the Tampere metropolitan area but most, like this one, Rajaportti – strangely perhaps to outsiders who generally associate saunas with the luxurious spa retreats where they are most commonly found in other parts of Europe and North America – are quite modest affairs. Here, in a squat, unadorned building where entrance fees are collected without ceremony at a hatch, the pomp and priciness of much Western wellness is refreshingly absent.

‘I think of myself as a sauna classicist,’ confides Lembke [Alexander Markus Lembke], who is also available for hire as a guide to novices unfamiliar with Finnish sauna etiquette. ‘A real sauna is very different to how the concept has been interpreted in other places, and I want to show people that. Rajaportti is in a working-class district, you could be anyone coming in here, rich or poor, and when you do you’re all equal. The most shocking aspect for those coming to a Finnish sauna from the UK, or the US, is that everyone is naked. No clothes. Remove clothes and you take away miscommunication. In saunas here you encounter all body shapes and sizes, fat, thin, the old, the young, little ones of just a few weeks old, all equal, all relaxing and sweating. It’s a healthy thing for society.’

...

Once disrobed and inside, it’s all about the steam. Lembke’s role at Rajaportti is as saunan lämmittäjä (sauna heater), an art that he assures me is so complicated to perfect that it is considered a highly regarded job'.

The Guardian also delves into Finnish sauna culture (Dec. 6). Surprisingly with reference to Tampere again!

'But in Finland not only are saunas plentiful – an estimated 3.3m for a population of 5.6 million – but the culture around them is unique. Having originated to fulfil a very practical need for heat and sanitation, the sauna’s significance in Finnish society now goes far deeper – perhaps even to the essence of what it is to be human.

....

Tampere’s public sauna legacy goes back to the early 19th century, when the city was an industrial centre, out of a need for a communal place for primarily working-class people to wash, says Tuomas Paloniemi, from the tourism bureau Visit Tampere. “They needed to bathe, and bathrooms or private saunas were not so common in those residences.” By about 1820, there were more than 100 public saunas in the city, he says.

...

Sauna definitely contributes to Finland’s happiness levels, Koskenniemi [Janne Koskenniemi, the executive director of the Finnish Sauna Society] says. He compares the impact of regular sauna-going to having therapy. “When you’re in the sauna you’re naked in the physical sense, and you’re naked with your thoughts and your standing in society. It’s just you.”

Now I'm slowly losing my bearings: where are we? 

Let's continue with a sauna review then, from nearby Norway. Womanshealthmagazine accepts a paid sojourn (thus very positive) to the Wells spa in Oslo. The report (Jan. 17):

'Situated in the midst of the Norwegian wilderness, The Well is all about taking time out from your daily (stressful) routines and making time for slowing down, eating well, resting and de-stressing.

Since it’s surrounded by this frosty dreamscape, both the spa and hotel take inspiration from the Nordic woodlands. It’s the kind of place that might actually prompt you to feel a little less prudish (read: British), since all cares about nakedness are left firmly at the front door'.

_natalis._

ℛ𝑒𝓁𝒶𝓍 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 ♡

Then to the Irish Times (Jan. 14), as it looks at the emerald isle's own soaking traditions:

'Beach saunas have been a phenomenon of the past 12 months, and yet getting sweaty has a heritage in Ireland dating back to ancient times.

...

A 2021 study by Katie Kearns and Timo Ylimaunu recorded the sites of 290 sweat houses in Ireland, with the majority being found in Leitrim and its neighbouring counties. This was followed by Leitrim County Council’s Leitrim Sweathouse Project, conducted in partnership with the Heritage Council, which trained volunteer archaeologists and researchers, and added 19 more to the tally. They are sure there are more'.

The article concludes with mentioning a couple of seaside sauna's from around Ireland.

This fits here. The Guardian (Jan. 7) looks at the burgeoning Scottish sauna scene:

'This is Scandinavian winter living par excellence: but it’s not a Nor­wegian fjord or Swedish forest – it’s the banks of Loch Fyne on the west coast of Scotland. This is one of a growing number of Scandi-style ­outdoor saunas across the coastline where locals and visitors gather through the long, dark northern ­winter days in search of company and warmth, and to boost their physical and mental health'.

Gift

Some real news items.

As reported late last year, the BBC (Jan. 19) now notes:

'A Finnish sauna that was gifted to the UK after the 1948 Olympic Games has been granted Grade II-listed status.

The Märkische Allgemeine reports (Jan. 24) on problems with the Kristalltherme Ludwigsfelde. Apparently complaints are of guests getting too excited. 

A day later there's an interview with the company's CEO (Kristalltherme Ludwigsfelde is one of Kristall Bäder AG) whereby he explains that with nearly 500,000 annual visitors there's always going to be a very few who seem to go beyond the rules. 

So much for society wanting to extend the nakedness = sex.

badekultur.ch 

Im Zürcher @museumgestaltung entdeckt: Historische Werbeplakate für Badekuren in Baden und St. Moritz

Die Ausstellung "Talking Bodies - Körperbilder im Plakat" läuft noch bis 25. Februar. Sehenswert!

badekultur.ch - Badetücher mit Lokalkolorit

#retro #swissdesign #swissdesigners #serviettedebain #segeln #rudern #societenautiquedegeneve #schweiztourismus🇨🇭 #tourismswitzerland #suissetourisme #regionaleprodukte #produitslocaux #regionduleman #vaudtourisme #badekultur #badekulturinundennetbaden #sommeramzuerisee #sommeramzuerisee #leaulairetmoi #rhiischwümme #basel #baselswitzerland #rhyschwimme #zürich #züri

Finally sauna and culture. 

From the Reykjavik Grapevine (Jan. 16), they look at how Iceland contributed to the success of Smoke Sauna Sisters:

'To learn more about Iceland’s creative input, I met the film’s co-producer, Hlín Johannesdottír, at Sundhöllin public swimming pool on a busy morning right before Christmas. With water steaming on the rocks, we sat for a chat in the warmth of the public sauna.

...

Could the Icelandic hot pool culture compare to the sauna rituals? Hlín isn’t positive. “The smoke sauna is like a whole different level. Nothing that is talked about in there goes out anywhere.”

Sauna Times lastly reports (Jan. 7) on building your own Finnish smoke sauna.

Precious

Another short sauna (and wellness) review. 

This time the facilities of Pfalzblick (Wald Spa Resort), located on the outskirts of the small town of Dahn (southern Rheinland-Pfalz), surrounded by the extensive forests of the Pfalz.

The wellness facilities are based over two locations. One in the older building and a brand new sauna island. 

The older facilities have two sauna's, a steam bath and a jacuzzi. It also has access to an inner pool, though this a textile required facility, to complicate matters. 

The new facilities have two sauna's, a steam room and access to an (unheated) swim lagoon.

This set up is not too ideal, certainly difficult to sell to outsiders, who would pay extra for the split set up?

The old facilites have actually seen better times and it's unclear why they are still in operation. 

The new facilities are very nice, but as they are in a seperate building, these only may not afford the extra visit. As for instance the Felsland Badepardies is just 2 muntes further, which incorporates all facilities under 1 roof.

The experience was ok, the Aufguss sessions were the highlight, also evidenced by seeing how many guests made it to these. But even though this had it's own charm, having personel usually doing other work and then doing the Aufguss sessions doesn't always result in an excellent experience for sauna goers.

My ratings are based on the experience of wellness itself, virtually all other reviews refer to the resort as a whole.

And during my stay, the new steamroom broke down, which would have otherwise added a slight variation of the experience. All 'n all? 7.5? 

Possibly a summer experience whereby the swim lagoon would be easier to use might lift the experience. With the temperature of the lagoon in winter varying from 1-5 C, there's precious little fun to be had. So 7.5 it is.

Google: 4.5 stars (900+ reviews), though virtually all of this is based on the resort itself, not the wellness facilities.

Tripadvisor also rates it with 4.5 stars (400+ reviews).

Facebook rates it even higher 4.6 stars (500+ reviews).

Leadingspa notes 97% satisfaction for wellness facilties, whatever it means.

Wise

valuvalentino

Wise is the man who contents himself with the spectacle of the world.

#terme#sansaturninoterme#wild#sardegna#sardinia#naked#dude#cool#me#travel#experience#happyness#love#bearded#tatoo

A start of sorts, a last grasp (?) into the backlog of links Ie collected through the years, though admittedly these are mostly from more current dates.

Italy it is. Sardinia, Calabria, Lombardy and Tuscany.

mateusz.piotr.wisniewski

Forever summer #foreversummer #termedicaronte #hotsprings #zdroj #lazne #italia #wlochy #italy #italiano #uomoromano #uomoitaliano #calabria #kalabria #lameziaterme #uczesiewloskiego #stoimparandolitaliano #wdrodzedopracy #onmywaytowork #sanitasperaquam #weekendvibes #nofilter #bezfiltra

cinzia_gaia

La Pozza di Leonardo

Bormio

#onfilm

kinkalow

Feeling very grateful to end one year and start the new one surrounded by nature in the hills of Tuscany soaking in mama nature’s healing thermal hot springs 💙🕊️💫😌♨️

Naturally

silvia.sweetlife

l’Occitanie aussi 🤩💦

#pyreneesorientales #payscathare

#leaucestlavie #vantrip @lucampierre #occitanie #aude #gorgesduverdouble #sourceseauxchaudes #voyagerenvan #offroad #roadtrip #vwt5 #ladolcevita #slowandsimpledays #naturalité

Miscellaneous: France and Bulgaria.

hide_onsen_packer

パンチャレボ温泉 in ソフィア🇧🇬

ブルガリアの首都ソフィアからバスで1時間

ダムの近くに沸いている

ダムから流れる水を横断しないといけない

そしてこれがめちゃくちゃ冷たい

決死の覚悟で渡った先にあった野湯

誰かが置いたバスタブは藻で溢れてました

#世界の温泉 #onsen #hotspring #hotsprings #海外の温泉 #温泉 #温泉バックパッカー #温泉好きな人と繋がりたい #♨️ #露天風呂 #温泉旅行 #天然温泉 #秘湯 #バックパッカー #backpacker #世界一周 #海外旅行 #travel #旅 #trip #旅好きと繋がりたい #写真好きな人と繋がりたい #秘境 #絶景 #風景 #ダレカニミセタイケシキ #ダレカニミセタイフウケイ #野湯

thermalassociation.bg

❄️♨️ХАЙДЕ НА ЗИМНА БАНЯ В ЖЕЛЕЗНИЦА!

😯👍Две смели дами от нашата асоциация-Юлия и Бранимира, посетиха банята в Железница и не само я посетиха, но я и ползваха. Твърдят, че при минусови температури навън, водата не се усеща като студена, въпреки че температурата ù е едва 27°С.

Стиска ли ви да опитате, а!?😉

👉🎥В коментари публикуваме и видео, за да видите състоянието на банята...Очевидно работи само едното отделение, а другото е напълно запуснато.

#ДаБъдеБаня

Sunset

victoria_cello

#Nordic postard ✈️

📸 @_giuliagalante 🐀❣️

#iceland#island#travel#traveldiary#hotspring#nature#wonderful#wanderlust#connect#tb#bath#naked#intothewild#visiticeland#ringroad#roadtrip#postcard#trip#journey#adventure#iminlove#stunning#northernlights#north#goldencircle#geysir#arcticfox#mouse#sunsetlovers

Then to add more, a couple of wintery pictures from Iceland to heat you up. 

nomadic_cosmopolitan

When all of Reykjavík has covid, you go on an isolating winter road trip to the west fjords

eydis_wildatheart

When you feel overwhelmed (like I feel most of the time because of my ADHD) the best thing to do is to enjoy time in nature - even better. Naked in nature 😆

Thank you beautiful, talented @simeoptics & @icelandicselkie for the most adventurous & amazing day

#nakedinnature

#hotsprings

#icelandnature