Serenity

nimrod_gross

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).

susanna_soeberg

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

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.

Stunned

anskupo

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'.

in_sain_i

Don't know what Eva was telling but it was funny, I guess :-D

Pic by @blende_eins_zwei_photography

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'.

icelandic.naturist

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'.

kittenimsmitten

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'.