Saturday, March 1, 2025

Yearning

💚
Updates. And more updates. 

Premiering with the soaking culture. From France there are mostly threats being identified. 

As if social media reports themselves aren't already leading to hot springs being overrun, there's a rash of recent entries on Facebook concerning Central France's Source Croizat. Concerning what?
It starts off on Feb. 8 with a comment on a reportage on TF1 from the day before, which idolized the local hot spring for a national audience (prime time as well). But it though ommits local regulations, which actually forbid soaking.
The dilemma: is the reportage for the good (i.e. how can the authorities now fine bathers?)? Or for the bad (will the source now be utterly overrun and destroyed?)?
Time will tell, but seeing where the European soaking scene (and tourism in general) has headed in the last decades, we're not holding our breath on this one.

More to the south, situation seems same-same. 
La Dépêche de l'Aude shares two vdo's (both Feb. 22, here and here) on Facebook from Rennes-les-Bains. One with nearly 250.000 views and nearly 150 comments, many of which deplore the decision to broadcast this: it's attracting too many / too many undesirable activities.

Viajandonuestravida (Jan. 28) takes a look at Ariège (likewise France), with special attention to Ax. Translated from Spanish:
'One of its best kept secrets is its free natural pools located in the middle of the town squares, which we will tell you about below. So, on your way through this area of ​​the Pyrenees, Ax-les-Thermes would be one of the essential towns to see in Ariège .
...
One of the best things to do in Ax-les-Thermes is to try out its hot springs, and you can do so for free . The thermal water runs through the entire town, and just by walking around you will find fountains, foot baths and thermal pools where you can sit and relax your feet while enjoying the sunset or eating an ice cream.
The waters are over 70ºC in some cases and are beneficial for your health. A perfect time to try them is after coming down from the ski slopes of Ax 3 Domaines. Just outside the cable car you will find one of the pools and it is perfect for taking off your boots and putting your feet in a dip. A pleasure that you have to try. Here are the rest of the locations:
Bassin Les Ladres
Bassin Pl. Saint-Jérôme
Bassin rue du Cimetière
Sitting down to try these hot springs surrounded by mountains is one of the essential things to do in Ariège'.
Hungary Today reports (13 Feb.) of what they note as a small spa town which has now been rated with 4 stars:
'A four-star rating has been given to the Bihar Termálliget Spa and Beach Resort. This could make Berettyóújfalu rise in popularity, therefore becoming a tourist stronghold along the Hungarian-Romanian border, reported Világgazdaság.
...
Péter Zámbori, the CEO of Herpály Vagyonkezelő Kft., discussed the criteria for obtaining the four stars. He said that 73 conditions had to be met. The qualification was awarded for three years, and maintaining it will be a motivation for future improvement. The company manager reported that this January started quite strongly for the four star hotel and spa, as the number of guest nights in the city increased from 5,900 to 8,300, an increase of 70%'.

23b~log seeks answers (Feb. 21) to Europe's hottest hot spring:

'Superlatives are supposed to be a unique thing. But that has never stopped a heroic proclamation of being the best, first or fastest by some that yearn to stand out among the ordinary: thermal springs in this case'.
Current answer:
'The Ministry of Tourism [Bulgaria] claims Separeva Banya to be Europe’s hottest spring at 103ºC, bringing us right into geyser territory. Is is possible that the water has an higher than 100ºC boiling point due to mineral composition?
2wИстория грузинской бани.
8 лет пыталась сделать цельный заход и собрать инфо о феномене купаний в райском районе Абанотубани.
Смоглась экскурсия с @begunov.tbilisi и поход в новый номер у Гуло.
1. При прокладке метро повредили скважину и за 30 лет она иссякла, поэтому Гогило заброшена, хотя вода там была полезнее по содержанию солей.
2. В 1953 река в инжирном ущелье разошлась и потопила в банях около 500 человек. После ее закатали в асфальт, сделав дорогу, Саакашвили разрыл ее в 2015.
3. Никаких документов и архивов за 19 век не сохранилось, мы на самом деле не фига не знаем.
4. Баня Мирзоева носила именитую фамилию только для рекламы, управляли ей всегда другие люди.
5. Чтобы работать в бане моя Саида сказала, что мне нужно открыть ИП Терщицы.
Новый номер красивый, но бестолковый.
Связная история еще будет.
Слово Самарканд на плитке Орбелиановской бани ищем.
Taste
The Dutch issue of Cosmopolitan has a small list (Feb. 14) of the countries most beautiful sauna's. Interesting.

More Dutch, but in English.
CN Traveller focuses (Nov. 11) on the spa's of Amsterdam, which surprises with just 2 sauna experiences. Less interesting.

Nacktleben heads (Feb. 9) to the Emser Therme in Bad Ems. And reports the use as good:
'Insgesamt fand ich den Saunapark bei meinem Besuch sehr ansprechend und auch nicht überlaufen. Für meinen Geschmack dürfte es noch mehr Pools im Saunabereich geben und Zeiten, in denen die Therme textilfrei genutzt werden kann, wären natürlich top'.
Saunachannel has a new offering: a vdo on sailing and saunaing through the Finnish isles. The showing coincides with Finlands National Sauna Week:
'⛵ Join Sauna Channel for "Sailing and Saunas: A Journey through the Finnish Archipelago," a 7-part series airing daily during National Sauna Week, February 16th-22nd.
🔗 https://www.saunachannel.com/sailing-the-finnish-archipelago
Explore the hidden gems of Finland's southwest coast, uncovering the rich tapestry of local life, traditions, and the integral role of sauna in Finnish culture. Meet the people, experience the beauty, and discover the magic of the archipelago, sailing to six unique islands'.
Is it coincidence that many cold water dippers seem to be sauna fans as well? Embracing the cold water is akin to embracing the heat of the #sauna. It’s still on my wishlist to go to Finland and take a icy plunge in the lake afterwards.
.
#saunatime #coldwaterswimming #winterzwemmen #vinterbad #kallbad #isbading #wildswimming #coldwaterdip #bastubad #saunaculture

France24 reports (Feb. 17) on the news from Turkey:

'Turkish authorities have sealed off a luxury spa run by a five-star Istanbul hotel that was set up by illegally modifying a 1,500-year-old cistern, officials told AFP on Monday'.
Less fine news items. Men trying to get away with everything (sigh).
Schwaebische has a report (Feb. 15) on police intervention when a sauna user refused to put away his phone. Police told the user to clear off which finally helped.
'Dass Handys selbst in die Sauna mitgenommen werden, kommt immer häufiger vor, auch wenn die meisten Bäder und Thermen ähnliche Verbote, wie das Bad Blau, in ihren Hausregeln verankert haben'.
In Holland a recent court case reported by news channel AD (Feb. 23) on a sauna user caught using a camera in a drinking bottle. I mean what? Sixty hours community work.

Gentle
The ipaper looks (Jan. 18) at Latvia's culture. Or better said they report on a visit to a traditional Latvian sauna:
'In the past, most Latvians would have a pirts in the family, in which they would gather weekly to cleanse. The warm, clean and private pirts were also used as birthing chambers. Gentle welcome ceremonies (pirtīžas) were performed for newborns, and it is easy to understand how a ritual, using healing herbs, would be appreciated by new mothers. Fathers were subject to a hotter ritual with more thwacking to help them appreciate their responsibilities towards the family.
These old rituals, with links to a pagan past, are gaining in popularity, and many Latvian families are reintroducing pirts. Formally, it was strictly a family ritual but today, friends might gather for one, and there are public pirts in towns and cities for those who don’t have space for their own'.
The naked sauna experience 🌿
In Estonia, going into the sauna 𝘢𝘶 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭 is quite common—especially when you’re among family, friends, or when men and women go separately. Of course, sometimes we’ll wear swimsuits (particularly in mixed-company or public saunas), but more often, it’s nothing at all or just a towel. It’s all about letting the body breathe and really immersing yourself in the authentic sauna ritual 🔥
Elsewhere around the world, we’ve seen just about every kind of sauna attire—from bathing suits (quite common) to full workout gear and even shoes! Yikes. However, we definitely recommend letting your body sweat freely, so skip the extra layers whenever you can.
How do you prefer to sauna? Do people in your country usually wear swimsuits, towels, or nothing at all? #saunaheater #saunatime #saunalife #saunaexperience #saunatraditions #saunanaked #saunalife #saunatime #saunasuit
The Irish Journal looks (Jan. 4) at the nation's sauna upswing:
'Sauna attendance is on an upward trend, especially when combined with the popularity of sea swimming.
Mentally, it feels great. It totally blows away the cobwebs.
Connolly said sauna usage has a range of health benefits associated with heat-shock protein development.
Speaking to the PA news agency, he added: “It’s good physically and mentally, it feels great. It totally blows away the cobwebs.
“If you’re in any way stressed or or hungover, hop in the sauna for half an hour, 45 minutes and you just kind of feel like you can take on whatever your day has in front of you a bit more.
“Or if it’s in the evening, you can decompress.”
It basically reports on 1 sauna which has been running for about a year now. Perspective.

A recent (?) blog by Mostly Amélie on a visit (Dec. 21) to one of Germany's premier wellness resorts, Vibali in Berlin and highlights the differing sauna culture:
'In my quest to experience a culture to its fullest, I obviously decided I wanted to get naked in Berlin too and visit a naked German spa for the first time. My very first naked spa Germany experience, yay! Might seem trivial, but for the prude North American that I am, it’s a bit of a leap.
...
Friends go to vabali spa nude. Dates go to vabali spa naked. Colleagues go to the German sauna nude. In the soaking tubs, in the mineral pools, getting exfoliation scrubs, in the spa areas, it is all nude bliss. Who doesn’t go to vabali wellness center naked, you may ask?
...
Whereas I came here to experience what nude resorts were all about, at the end of the day, these were all very trivial points in the grander scheme of things. I had the most relaxing day ever with good food and sunshine and, if anything, being naked simply contributed to making me feel really awesome about myself and super relaxed. Not what I expected!
Odd then that the comments are from years before...

From Germany's Nordkurier (Jan. 6) an article on the differing sauna culture of Poland and Germany in which one reader describes how she came to words with another guest to the use of bathing attire where none is the de-rigeur. Management were also reluctant to step in.
'Es darf nicht sein, dass jeder macht, was er will'.
Reddit (Feb. 24) asks what's it like experiencing the German sauna as a foreigner. Answers: no worries, nobody cares, etc.
'Don’t overthink it. It’s natural and all good.
...
My little sister (from Iran) was nervous at first, too - it helped that I was with her and acted as a buffer and could explain the rules to her. Do you have a friend who could go with you the first couple of times? The place we went to back then was my favorite spa, where everyone was really respectful and nudity just wasn't an issue - there was no staring, eyes stayed on your face, and everyone could just relax and have a good time'.
Finally, CN Traveller highlights (Feb. 7) what they describe as a "whacky" ritual:
'This one’s tricky to explain, so hear me out. You and several others are in a super-sized sauna. You’re naked. A sauna master, clad in theatrical garms, throws spheres of ice, infused with essential oils, on the rocks. It’s 82.5°C. The steam rises. Said master then wafts the evaporating aromas into your face using a host of acrobatic towel twirls that call on the skills of a nunchucking ninja. There’s music and a light show; there are props and a storyline. But, most importantly, there’s a moral teaching to take home.
This, friends, is aufguss. And, permitting you’re happy in your birthday suit, it’s a hoot. Because beyond the sensorial blast, it transforms you from a silent, sedentary sweatosaurus into an active participant, clapping and whistling as part of the performance. Wafting salubrious smells has been a mainstay of sauna culture in central and northern Europe for a hundred years. But am-dram aufguss – with its narrative arcs and emotive scores – is a millennial invention, created by the saunarati of Italy’s Sud Tyrol region'.
The above from Italy, though the article also lists the best places to experience Aufguss in Europe.

#tuscany #toscana #hotsprings #terme #termelibere
  • Foto do perfil de huumsauna

    The naked sauna experience 🌿

    In Estonia, going into the sauna 𝘢𝘶 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭 is quite common—especially when you’re among family, friends, or when men and women go separately. Of course, sometimes we’ll wear swimsuits (particularly in mixed-company or public saunas), but more often, it’s nothing at all or just a towel. It’s all about letting the body breathe and really immersing yourself in the authentic sauna ritual 🔥

    Noutros lugares ao redor do mundo, vimos praticamente todo o tipo de vestuário de sauna - desde fatos de banho (bastante comuns) até equipamento de treino completo e até sapatos! Eita. No entanto, definitivamente recomendamos que deixes o teu corpo suar livremente, por isso salta as camadas extras sempre que puderes.

    How do you prefer to sauna? Do people in your country usually wear swimsuits, towels, or nothing at all?

Strict

A shortish review of some sauna fcailties of Hotel Kastenholz, a 4 star rural hotel in the village of Wershofen, Eifel, Germany.

Available were one indoor sauna and one outdoor sauna. 
For reasons unknown both were the same temperature whereas the bio sauna (indoors), which could have been less hotter (than 85ºC), was not turned on. Hmmm.
Both sauna's rather small but otherwise nice.
There is also a steamroom. And the usual showering facilities.

Furthermore on the same floor are relax facilities, outdoors as well. Though the view (which could have been magnificent) is hidden by a small hill. Also meaning no one also can look in.
Upstairs is a small swimming pool and more relax facilities

Everything is very much an add-on to the hotel facilities: it's there, but if all guests decide to enjoy, it will swiftly become overcrowded. 
Management also seem to have a laissez-faire attitude. Can the swimming pool be used naked? Can the sauna be used clothed? Or is both possible?
Possibly.

The swim results in some light irritation to my skin (I'm chloride allergic) due to high chloride levels. So either they are using chloride just in case or are those swimming simply not so clean? In the latter case, it's not so nice to know that those swimmers also use the sauna .....

My score, a 7,5 based on the light winter traffic. Possibly not worth of a repeat.
Do note that the surroundings of the hotel are very picturesque, and very walkable.

There are other reviews, though these mostly concern the hotel, chucking in the odd mention of a sauna.
'dem Wellnessbereich fehlte der Charm'
'Sauna rule (nacktbereich)should be more strict. (now swim wear and no swim wear people mixed)'.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Serenity

Serenity
.
#naturephotography#pure_visual#mobilephotography#alone_in_nature#evergreen#hot_spring#model#forest#europe#pyrenees#eurotrip#spring#amazing_places#freedom#
Really, really little info on hot springs, are photo's the only thing on offer?
Then again, all the more info on Europe's sauna sector.

The natural soaks, I haven't any info. Or do I?
Nature et Source Chaude updated (Dec. 28) the entry on Toscan soaks, unsure what exactly, but this French language website is always a good source of info.

Enhanced then.
Blog23b visits Switzerland's Baden (Jan. 28) and is impressed by the free baths established:
'Heisser Brunnen, Baden, Switzerland: Usually spa towns tend to be greedy when it comes to their main natural asset: thermal water. I must lower my hat in respect of the people of Bagni Popolari and the City of Baden for breaking this awful trend. This is an exemplary case of making hot springs safe and accessible for everybody. – bert'
An 8.5, no less.

Examples of making baths accessible:
A concert in the (pop-up)baths (insta, Jan. 12)

bagno_popolare
Rückblick aufs Konzert von @seesignals im Bad zum Raben! Danke an @dianitamargarita_ @lbhonne & @ben__kaczor für ihr Live Set! ❤️ Bilder und Clips von @nicolaspetit
The last day on the exhibition (insta, 29 Jan.)

bagno_popolare 
Ihr Lieben! Letzten Samstag war die Finissage und damit die letzte Veranstaltung in der Zwischennutzung des Bad zum Rabens ❤️ Danke an alle die gekommen sind! 🥰 Bilder von @nicolaspetit 🔥
A short vdo from Rai Cultura (Dec. 4) on San Casciano dei Bagni (Siena) archeological finds.

Bulgaria's Thermal Association has produced a map of thermal soaks to be had.

Trance
End of 2024, the dredged up post of sauna dress culture of Europe on Reddit
The short version: it's quite complicated. For instance, Belgium depends very much on the language and associated culture (Flemish speaking naked, Wallons not, Brussels possibly / probably). 
All the more illustrated (not literally) by yet another recent post on Reddit:
'I’m planning on going to the sauna with my girlfriend for the first time and am hesitating between nude or not. While thinking about it I had so many questions come to mind. As sauna culture is different from country to country I am asking here'.
Other experiences from sauna culture around Europe, which has somehow popped up.
Norway, Reddit on The Wells Oslo (Jan. 3):
'I went last June and loved it! The attendants really enforce the requirement to be nude in the saunas a steam rooms. Saw them make more than one person strip or leave the room. My favorite was the “Friday Night Special” which was a group of about 20 people in a hot sauna with the sauna master heating up the sauna playing trance music. Made us take a bring and run jump in on of the cold pools. So freeing to be naked with both sexes, we have nothing like the well in the US where I’m from'.
An Austrian experience, at the Paracelsus baths of Salzburg where Reddit posters shared a google review. From probably mid-2024. The Reddit comments (in German) mostly surprised by the original post which condemns management for a naked only regulation. Especially because they were not informed they are quoted. 
But from the Paracelsus website:
'The sauna including the infinity pool at Paracelsus Bad & Kurhaus are nude areas'.
Still, the German Reddit contri's amount to more than 250 comments.

A slightly older article (Sep. 27 2024), from Furthermag, on Finns, Finland, Finnish culture and saunas:
“It can be argued that taking a sauna defines Finnishness,” says Dr. Laura Seesmeri, a researcher at the University of Turku in southwestern Finland and a leading sauna expert. (Yes, there is such a thing.) “But we might also say that Finnishness defines sauna bathing.” As fundamental to a Finn’s everyday as licorice and sarcasm, the notion of “sauna” — both as a verb, to sauna, and a noun, the heated room itself — has been around as long as Finns themselves. The ritual dates back to at least 7000 B.C., though some accounts suggest the timeline goes to the Stone Age. Indeed, the very word “sauna” is Finnish'.
Swiss publication Blick has an article (Dec. 9) on what they believe is the upcoming sauna trend: with swimmers. Excerpt (in German):
'In die Schweizer Saunen breitet sich aus, was man im gleichen Kontext sonst nur im Ausland antrifft: die Badehose, der Badeanzug. Seit einigen Jahren setzen grosse Wellnessanlagen neben der klassischen Nacktsauna auf Textilsaunen. Beispiele gibt es genug: Aquabasilea in Basel, Therme Zurzach und Fortyseven im Kanton Aargau. Auch viele gehobene Hotels schreiben in ihren Saunen mitunter eine Badehose vor, darunter: The Chedi in Andermatt UR, Waldhotel Arosa, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz und Bad Horn Hotel & Spa im Thurgau. Agica Hrncic, Präsident des Schweizer Sauna-Bunds, Saunameister und seit einem Jahrzehnt im Geschäft, bestätigt den Trend: «Meine Erfahrung zeigt, dass die Tendenz steigend ist.»
...
Der Fortyseven-Geschäftsführer Franc Morshuis, der aus den Niederlanden stammt, erklärt es sich so: «Die Gesellschaft in der Schweiz ist internationaler geworden. Das spüren wir auch bei uns.» In den letzten zwanzig Jahren wanderten laut Bundesamt für Statistik über drei Millionen Menschen aus dem Ausland zu. Mit ganz eigenen Vorstellungen von Nacktheit'.
Is this really the reality? Or is it a purely commercial step: the more (consumers) the merrier (investors).

Sauna therapy is more than just relaxation — it's science-backed self-care! 🔬🔥
Studies on over 2,000 Finnish sauna users across 20 years reveal astonishing health benefits:
✨ 24% lower risk of death for those who enjoy 2-3 sessions per week.
✨ 40% reduction for dedicated users with 4-7 sessions weekly.
✨ Spending 20 minutes instead of 10 cuts cardiac death risk by 52%!
How does it work?
💪 Boosts cardiovascular fitness & heart rate variability
🍭 Supports insulin sensitivity & regulates blood sugar
❤️ Improves blood pressure & reduces cardiac risks
😌 Increases endorphins, decreases stress hormones, and enhances sleep.
Sauna bathing is a natural way to elevate your health, supported by rigorous research. I incorporate it into my routine not just for the physical perks, but for the mental clarity and stress relief it brings. 🧖‍♀️✨
Have you tried sauna therapy? Let me know your experience below! 🫶
Source: Laukkanen et al., JAMA Intern Med, 2015."
💞Remember: If you have heart disease or unregulated blood pressure heat therapy is not recommended. To get the most benefits, learn the science-backed method of cold & heat therapy in the 3,5 hour "Thermalist Method at Home" online course at https://ow.ly/svFo50UtWuc 💞
#SaunaTherapy#HealthBenefits#CardiovascularHealth#Longevity
#StressRelief#SaunaLife#Biohacking#WellnessJourney#BetterSleep
Uproar
Specifics then. And possible surprises.

The second Schaffhausen (Switzerland) sauna marathon garnered quite some interest on the internet.
Radio Munot (Jan. 1) announcing the upcoming event.
A report (Jan. 22) on the marathon by Saunamarathon.ch:
'The second sauna marathon is already history again. Around 1,100 enthusiastic participants took part in the Saunamarathon Schaffhausen on January 17 and 18, 2025. We are overwhelmed by the great feedback!
A date for the 2026 edition has not yet been set. We will inform you on this page as soon as the date is fixed'.
Newsreport SRF (Jan. 17) has a reportage on the Saunamarathon as does TeleZuri (Jan. 18).

Sauna Channel then. 
Their newest vdo offering (Jan. 14), an experience of the Latvian sauna tradition of Pirts. In Switzerland.
Also a vdo on a Saunafloss Erlach (Dec. 23):
'Experience the tranquility of a traditional Finnish sauna as you've never seen it before, gently bobbing on the crystal-clear waters with breathtaking views of the Swiss landscape. Learn about the owners/builders who went into creating this haven of relaxation. Saunafloss Erlach is a testament to friendship, entrepreneurship, and the restorative power of sweat bathing in a beautiful natural setting'.
In the Dutch province of Frysia, politicians are coming round to the Scandinavian idea of Kallbad, basically hoping initiatives will commence around shoreside sauna's and accesible places to cool off. 
Leeuwarder Courant (Jan. 21) notes the pro's, though it seems the initiatiors are more interested in commercial facilities rather than community led. Skinnydipping is also just a commercial slogan, the reality would be the total opposite.

Community initiatives? Scottish Daily Express (Jan. 26) notes how locals in the village seem to be bewildered by the local sauna initiative.
'An idyllic Scottish village [Luss, 400 inhabitants] is in uproar after the opening of a popular outdoor sauna, with complaints flooding in over naked people in the streets, parking chaos, and even 'poison pen' letters in the tranquil community.
The sauna, known as Hot Tottie, has quickly become a hotspot for visitors from nearby towns like Balloch and Dumbarton, but not all locals are pleased.
...
Hot Tottie co-owner Kieran Izzett said: "We started up as a chance to bring our dream to reality for everyone, and our customers love the sauna. People love getting back to nature, and that's all we want to promote without causing issues or fuss."
A spokesman for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority said: "A retrospective planning application for the change of use of land for the siting of a mobile sauna cabin and storage shed at Luss is under review. At this stage, we are unable to provide specific details regarding the timeline for a decision."
More from the British Isles. The Girl Outdoors has an overview (Feb. 3) of the best outdoor saunas in the UK.
'Is there anything nicer than warming yourself back up after a chilly a wild swimming plunge than popping into a proper wooden sauna? Scandinavian-style saunas are having a moment worldwide – they are proven to have health benefits including decreased blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease while boosting the immune system, and reduce stress levels, and are even better for you when combined with an icy cold plunge (not hard to find along the UK’s coastline or at hidden lake shores). These are 40 of the best outdoor saunas in the United Kingdom to try out – I’ve gone for public saunas that anyone can book for this list, but you’d like somewhere you can also stay the night, try my favourite places for a sauna and a stay. Now please excuse me, I’m off to buy a pointy sauna hat'.
Sauna Times (Jan.2) has a report on 24 hours of European sauna's obviously from the viewpoint of the USA. It starts off in Amsterdam (Kuuma.nl) and basically that's it.

Finally, another vdo, this one from BBC (Dec. 24) on a restored hamam in Istanbul.

andre_lilliu
Relax, push away every other thought 💭
#termeromane #termelibere #benetutti #reset #ammoddiendi

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Previously

Central in the sunny Dutch province of Zeeland, the wellness center once known as Sauna & Wellnessresort Goes has recently not only seen additional improvements but also adopted a new name: Vitae Wellness Goes.

Visited previously in 2022, the approvements are thought to warrant a seperate additional review.

You can see my previous report here. The review:
'We would give our 2022 visit an eight; not bad, but not exceptionally good either. Pity that some guests tend to stay as long as possible in the hotter baths / jacuzzi's. The aufguss / infusion was good, the system with cards handed out half an hour on forehand works better (aufguss sessions are so in demand that people will line up on forehand, 20 minutes), but now it's a run for cards! Maybe just ensure more Aufguss sessions?
Possibly the expansion in facilities might help to create a new beginning, hence the new name.
Partially still in the construction phase, the add-ons currently come to a specialized Aufguss sauna (capacity 60-70), a rest room and a smaller room currently used for singing bowl ceremonies.
Still up are an unheated free form swimming pool, as well as (probably unnessecary) landscaping. 
On the other side of the centre's parking there's a related 89 room hotel (Hotel Waterstaete with 4.5 stars, 250 reviews google), all to increase the experience. and the investor's bottomline.

On the latter. 
Entrance fee is 35€ plus an additional 3€ weekend surcharge. F&B is reasonable. There are always better deals to be had, none more so than their last minute deal taking a third off the price, making it quite unbelievable, but all the more better money for value. Probaly won't last.

What's on the sauna menu? 
There's a steamroom, 4 sauna's, two jacuzzi's, a heated swimming pool, a floating pool (inside) as well as extensive options for F&B.
All well-maintained, good service overall. 

The only experienced Aufguss was good, nothing special. Possibly a different time / different saunamaster might have resulted in a better experience (is it only me that noticing some smaller sauna's are doing exceptional Aufguss sessions?). Vitae are yet to update their system of entry to these ceremonies: 15 minutes prior start tickets are available, meaning there's still this rush for these tickets. This could be done a lot more civilised.
The singing bowl ceremony was spot on, well worth the €4,95 extra.
A certain improvement over 2022, a solid 8.5. With scope for more?


What about the unbiased internet? If we can still call internet unbiased.
Google in 2025 rates Vitae with 4.4 based on 97 reviews starting from 3 years back when the new name was yet to be suggested.
Under the old name Google was less generous, but only just (2022: 4.3 stars from 527 reviews).
Tripadvisor sees the stars drop with a half (from 2022) to 3.5 stars (95 reviews, but these are dating back to 2013 with very few from the last 6 months. The changes to the facilities were from the beginning of December 2024. 
A seperate listing on tripadvisor under the new name has 1 very recent review (5 stars).

It's Facebook page notes that it's a 92% recommended facility. 

Anthing else to mention? 
Tuesday's are swimwear compulsory. 
Sunday afternoons kids are welcome, no need to worry, gebnerally the few kids there are well-behaved.



Facebook seems very much similar, 4.5 stars, 200 plus reviewers. 
Jouwsaunagids also likes this sauna complex. 
Blootgewoon notes 8.6.


Monday, January 6, 2025

Stunned

Ehkä yksi maailman upeimmista paikoista. Näin talvella ei ketään muita missään.🤍
Lilluttiin kuumassa kuopassa, erämaassa keskellä ei mitään, vuorien ympäröimänä.
L O V E L O V E!
Islanti vaan on.🇮🇸🤍
A very brief overview of just a wee bit of soaking info from Iceland. Maybe a shorter read for a change. To start off the year so to say.

Almostthereadventures has a list (May 14) of 22 Icelandic hot springs :
'Hot springs in Iceland are where strangers meet. The people of Iceland have a deep connection with geothermal activity that is centuries old, so it’s no wonder there are so many geothermal pools in Iceland. Hot springs are a part of Icelandic culture and provide a place to connect or meet friends and family all year long. When you have amazing Icelandic scenery paired with a natural hot water source it makes for a perfect match for relaxing'.
Most though of the commercial kind.

The Reykjavik Grapevine reports (Dec. 13) on the first fully publically accesible hot tub:
'The new hot tub will feature a ramp, allowing wheelchair users to roll directly into the water'.
Don't know what Eva was telling but it was funny, I guess :-D
Funny girl @evalilienthal
Doing a break from the fantastic costumes and photoshootings we take in iceland :-D
Have a nice weekend everyone!
Fault
Totaliceland has updated (Nov. 29) their piece on birthday suit swimming on the island. Change?
'Anyone visiting Iceland ten years ago could have enjoyed many Icelandic steam baths and geothermally heated pools and lakes without difficulty in their birthday suit. Not any more.
...
You can no longer bathe naked anywhere here without difficulty; loud screams from Japanese tourists and constant pointing and whispering among people from the United States. And some fancy places as the very expensive Blue Lagoon or Fontana steam baths in Laugarvatn explicitly forbid any kind of nudity.
This is a shame indeed and entirely the fault of the growing number of foreign tourists making demands about civility.
However, there are loads of places available for nude bathing but these are far away from the popular tourist destinations in or around Reykjavik area. In the highlands you can still do very much as you please and there are places and times where nudity will bother no one but those places are far off the beaten tourist track'.
Hotspring trips are always refreshing for the soul. This is also a good place to enjoy the sun when she comes out to play.
#naturism #befree #skinnydipping #secretplace #hotspringsiceland #bodyfreedom #nakedinnature #nudeisnotlewd #naked #freespirit #enjoyinglife #hotsprings #lovetheskinyourin #befree #gonaked #feelthefreedom #daretobare #friendship #enjoythemoment #enjoylife #capturethemoment #freedom #freethebody #friends #soakingspirit #soaking #soak #hotspringsiceland #hotspring #iceland #icelandicnature
TravelerTina visits (May 21) the Netherlands (most), but this blog entry also deals with Iceland:
'Nude bathing in Iceland, on the other hand [to the Netherlands], is a bit more challenging. While nudism in Iceland is legal, you generally don’t do it when there are other people around. All of the local spas and pools require that you wear a bathing suit (though single-sex nude showers are required beforehand). Much though you might want to, you cannot be naked at places like the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or the fabulous Hvammsvik Hot Springs.Nude bathing in Iceland, on the other hand, is a bit more challenging. While nudism in Iceland is legal, you generally don’t do it when there are other people around. All of the local spas and pools require that you wear a bathing suit (though single-sex nude showers are required beforehand). Much though you might want to, you cannot be naked at places like the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or the fabulous Hvammsvik Hot Spring'.
i know instagram is forcing us all to make reels or our posts aren’t seen
i’m trying for sure
but i’m not very good at it
anyway here are just a couple regular old photos of me (and one of mathias) in a hot spring we found in iceland
it was a very long drive to get there, we didn’t really know where we were even going or what we would find
but i mean there were sheep
and rainbows (hi sissy)
and rolling hills
it was really pretty
and i just feel like it’s worth sharing 🌈

Heave

The end of the year visit went to the sauna complex under the name of Asanti, just outside of the city of Gent, Belgiums province of East Flanders.
This was our second visit here; the prior visit was in 2019, noting that back then the visit was ok-ish. But not really worthwhile heading this way? Possibly only if you are in the neighbourhood.
Had a visit to a museum in Gent prior, so it was really really really on our way.

Anyway, I understand Asanti are under new management. 
Facilities (3-4 sauna's, indoor / outdoor swimming pool, steam bath, smaller jacuzzi) are still the same, plus a bit of wear and tear, restaurant service back then was better.
What I noticed: management are very keen on keeping the silence: it's not working. They also actively seek out visitors drinking water from their own water bottles: apparently a big no-no. Money is the answer.
Btw.: the entrance fee was €35.

Five years ago the Aufguss sessions were ok. This time round there were excellent sessions: I'm loving these equalizers ever more. Everyone comes in with their own (mis-)conceptions, but during the Aufguss we all become one as we heave under the ever increasing heat.

The reviews.
Google: 4.3 stars (239 reviews) back in 2019, now a slight downward change: 4.2 (327 reviews).
Tripadvisor: 3.5 stars (28 reviews) in 2019, now still 3.5 (from 41 reviews). Though based on solely the past year, it would be nearer 4.5 stars
The Facebook page doesn't do reviews anymore, but back in 2019 it was 4.4 stars (from 139 reviews).

Back in 2019 it was awarded a personal 7.
I'll stick with this, purely because the Aufguss sessions were good / excellent. But the drinking water affair and the complete lack of choice for vegetarians and the steering towards more expensive choices are undercutting this mark.

Asanti now also has it's own Instagram page to communicate.

As standard there's very little news forthcoming on particular sauna's. My own site has this from earlier 2024 (Mar. 17):
'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'.