Inked

mikeinked66

#sourcechaudenaturelle #source #lifestyle #life #nature #inked #ink #inkedboy #inkboy #french #france #france🇫🇷 #neige #neige❄️ #montagne #montagnes

Trying to stay ahead of the edge. Very little hot spring news; all the more photographic evidence. Still, all the more text concerning sauna culture.

Though in reality, it's just the one item concerning the latter: sauna with or without?

Basically an ever and never ending item, one that revolves around cultural norms as well as one that fluctuates with societal change. Or not?

So it's off to the Netherlands this time, testing their tolerance? 

Not often does sauna usage makes the national headlines. But leading Dutch newspaper AD found a way to make sauna culture the headline (Apr. 5).

In short: a massive wellness operation is opening up on the outskirts of the central Holland city of Zoetermeer. Its' size matches the mega centers in Germany. Though with one difference: in Zoetermeer it has just the one identity rather than the centers in Germany which have massive swim areas, with a textile free area adjacent with sauna's and sorts.

So ..., besides the high entrance fee (but comparable to that in Germany) the article highlights something they believe newsworthy: not only 65€, but ... everybody has to be naked!

Anyway, translated:

'Paying 65 euros and not even a swimwear day? Shortly after the long-awaited opening of Sweet Lake Wellness (SLW) in Zoetermeer, significant criticism immediately arose regarding one of the largest wellness resorts in Europe. According to the architect, the complaints are far too premature. "I don't know where the idea comes from that we definitely do not want to introduce a swimwear day."

So what's up?

'Social media was flooded with reactions to the opening of SLW . Positive, but mostly a lot of negative commentary. All kinds of stories circulated regarding the choice for full nude recreation at Sweet Lake Wellness'.

The article fails to pinpoint the social media involved.

I did try to find some critique; possibly they revert to an Instagram post (Apr. 1!) by SLW where somebody mentions (translated):

Wow, it looks beautiful! 😍 I'm coming veeeery soon. Do you happen to know yet what the swimwear days are? 💦👙🩴♥️

But all 'n all, the point fails to drag the comments. The post in itself racks 6,400 likes, 670 comments, liberally appointing 20 as insisting on textile days. 

So has this been constructed to titillate the opening here?

The lead article heads further:

'According to Poleij [SLW architect], if there is a high demand for swimwear days, there is no reason to oppose it, but he does add a caveat. "We hear from other saunas that they have had bad experiences with swimwear days. The atmosphere of a nude wellness center is simply different. When everyone makes themselves vulnerable by being naked, there is a sense of equality. With swimwear on, problems with unwanted advances arise more quickly. That might sound strange, but that is how it works. Especially when groups of young men come in."

“We don’t want cannonballs in the pool. Sweet Lake Wellness is too chic for that. I wonder if the criticism comes from wellness-goers, because they are used to nude recreation. In a wellness center, you don’t look at others. People are here to relax.”

...

“All those hundreds of people who are now voicing criticism haven't been here at all yet. We haven't launched any major campaigns yet. It would be nice if critics came to take a look first before voicing their opinions.”

Clothesfree? saunate

Zin in een kleurtje zonder strepen? 🦓

Bij ons kun je zorgeloos zonnen zonder tanning lines! ☀️

Of je nu gaat voor een egaal bruine huid of gewoon heerlijk wilt ontspannen, wij zorgen dat jij stralend de zomer in gaat.✨Het blijft nog de hele week stralend mooi weer! 😎 Dat betekent dus zalig zonnen, afkoelen, relaxen én genieten!💦

#thermensaunate #zonzonderstrepen #egaalbruin #zonnenbijons #stralendehuid #genieten

Besides giving SLW the opportunity to explain itself, (social) media echoes on the headline and tries to put this into perspective. Some snippets:

Oddly, AD's own Facebook site racks up nearly 400 comments, basically everybody thinking "duh, it's a sauna, of course you naked". F.i.:

'I think that “fierce criticism” isn't that bad. Just another small group of loudmouths. And AD is happy to add its woke two cents. How nice that an entrepreneur in the Netherlands can still determine their own business concept. I wish the entrepreneur much success.

The BNNVara Joop social media website (Apr. 6) adds a post on the article. Translated:

'In Zoetermeer, and even beyond, there is uproar and commotion surrounding a new icon of the city: Sweet Lake Wellness. By its own account, it is the largest and most luxurious wellness center in all of Europe. A summary of the criticism: the entrance fee is no less than €65. Yet swimwear is prohibited. Guests are required to go naked. Naked . Completely naked. In their bare bottoms. All of them'.

They go on to explain, that 65€ is not expensive. And naked is not sexual (rather the opposite). Like above, they question the alarmist article; making something private and apolitical the opposite. 70+ comments.

andrealisations

Les Bains Chauds - Documentaire est un hommage à l'énergie créatrice. Merci à @magnetikka_ pour ce moment hors du temp et aussi à @gzmez.martin1 qui a été d'une grande aide le jour du tournage.

Au coeur de la montagne, Magnetikka marche vers des bains chauds naturels. Le froid, le silence, la roche puis l'eau. En s'immergeant dans celle-ci, tous ses sens s'activent. La vapeur se mêle au paysage et la frontière entre elle et la nature s'efface.

Ce court documentaire capte un moment d'abandon total, une expérience physique et sensorielle où le corps rentre en résonance avec la montagne.

Uproar

There are more reactions, in article form. 

The AD contradicts itself? A local affiliate gives the opinion of the owner of Thermen Binnenmaas. Translated:

'Christine Kouman of NFN Open & Bloot, the advocacy group for nude recreation in the Netherlands, supports the position of entrepreneurs like Naaktgeboren.

According to her, the commotion in Zoetermeer is not a good indicator of reality. "A sauna is basically meant to be sat in naked. If you don't want to do that, there is a choice: you don't have to go."

For guests in 's-Gravendeel, it is simple: the clarity of the policy prevents disappointment at the door. Everyone is welcome, but relaxation here takes place without clothing. Regardless of your personal preference.

And for those who find that daunting? "They get used to it faster than you think," says Naaktgeboren, who certainly has a fitting name. "As soon as you are inside, everyone is equal."

The owner (by the name of Naaktgeboren [= Bornnaked]) also posts the above article on his (private) Facebook page, naturally gathering lot's of positive support (nearly 600 ...). Talk about a positive spin.

De Stem (Apr. 7) then, translated:

'It is not uncommon in the wellness world: saunas offering swimwear days for guests who do not want to be seen naked. That was already the case when Spa One opened its doors in Oosterhout, Brabant, in 2017. "But we never went along with that," says owner Bart Veraa. "The interest simply wasn't great enough."

...

Spa One's door policy has never led to controversy or national headlines. How different is the situation at Sweet Lake Wellness in Zoetermeer, where criticism erupted immediately after the opening.

...

But according to Director Christine Kouman of NFN Open & Bloot, the advocacy group for nude recreation in the Netherlands, the uproar over Zoetermeer is not a good indicator of how things really are these days. As many as 2.5 million people regularly engage in nude recreation, and another 1.6 million 'occasionally' take off their clothes for a sauna visit. "A sauna is, in principle, meant to be sat in while naked. If you don't want to do that, there is a choice: you don't have to go." 

She therefore does not expect to see separate nude and clothed establishments happening anytime soon. "In Soesterberg, there was even a sauna for a while with a clothed section and an unclothed section, but that has been completely shut down. People who don't understand what you are supposed to do in a sauna – relax – behaved in the clothed section as if they were in an indoor swimming pool and did cannonballs into the water. Now everyone goes there naked".

Dutch language saunagids even dedicates a special (undated) post: to be naked or not. Translated:

'For many people, it is a hurdle: being naked in the sauna. Yet, more and more sauna visitors are consciously choosing an experience without swimwear, not only because of the physical benefits but also because of the surprisingly positive impact on their mental well-being. Entering the sauna naked proves to be liberating in many cases, resulting in increased self-confidence, self-acceptance, and deep relaxation. In a sauna room where everyone bares all, social masks fall away. Fashion, status, and appearances are temporarily cast aside. This creates an atmosphere of equality. You quickly realize that no one is perfect, and that they don't have to be. This confrontation with yourself and others in their purest form can be daunting at first, but for many people, it leads to a growing sense of acceptance of their own bodies. The critical view of oneself softens and gives way to gentleness. You learn not to judge your body, but to respect it as it is. In the long run, this process strengthens self-image and boosts self-confidence, not only within the walls of the sauna but also outside of them'.

mariegoestospain

Ein paar Tage detoxen in Santa Fee bei den heißen Quellen.

Es regnet immer noch sehr viel, aber die Sonne kommt immer mal wieder raus.

Die Finca Suche ist mühsam, sobald man nach Baugenehmigungen oder sonstigem fragt, melden sich die Besitzer nicht mehr.

Die Suche geht weiter, und sonst mal schauen, der Sommer in Spanien wird sehr heiß, ob ich doch nochmal in den Norden oder sogar nach Österreich/Deutschland fahre und den Sommer dort arbeite und Freunde und Familie besuchen gehe.

Buenas Dias

Marie

#santafe#heissequellen#termasdesantafe

Another two cents from a very recent report (May 5) on a visit to München by Planet Nude:

'The textilfrei section holds thousands of people. The clientele includes mixed genders, ages 16 and up, and all shapes and sizes. The number of people from ages 20 to 40 might make U.S. nudist resorts envious, however'.

Maybe a different discussion?

Meanwhile SLW are having a soft opening. Still, it's creating some negative vibes (Facebook post, Apr. 15): not wheelchair friendly for instance. 

Now (beginning of May), their Facebook page has 30k followers and loads of positive critiques, so all's well that ends well?

My own experience? 

No surprises that I prefer the no-textile as best practice. For virtually all the reasons already mentioned; not much to add. 

Though ..., by now I have discovered that I'm allergic to chlorinated water, but only when swimming / immersing myself. Everyone naked? Then everyone tends to be much cleaner, meaning less chlorine. Swimsuits? Chlorine shoots up and I end up with a sore throat, a runny nose and itches on my hips and ankles. 

So doctor's orders: get naked (and really be free).

Sheer

Now for some other hot spring news.

Hotspringers.net heads to Budapest and reports (Apr. 25) back on Irgalmasok Veli Bej Bath.

It's thermal swimming pool, partially in it's original 15th century building, but enclosed in a medical facility. Get's just the two stars.

Hot spring journeys (Apr. 22) has an extensive post (10 soaks visited) on Tuscan hot springs. With a few from Lazio. On Saturnia:

'The sheer commercial popularity takes away some of its soul'.

The website even has a rating for "being able to be alone". The free options encountered are rated with only 1 or 2 stars, but even those with an entrance fee are not free from a low rate.

Rule of thumb it seems: the more you pay, the more you're able to lose the crowds. Capitalism at it's best.

Hot spring journeys also has an extensive post on the Dutch sauna facilities (Mar. 3). The sell:

'For the spa enthusiast, the "Low Lands" offer some of the most sophisticated wellness retreats in Europe, blending traditional Dutch hospitality with high-tech thermal facilities'.

ayaneidan

and for our next trick, we will be rediscovering Heaven on Earth 🌍 hot springs, waterfalls, spiralling currents, thunderstorms, edible flowers, healing mud, and spring water directly from the cave walls in the womb of Pachamama... and yet no words, no images can convey the feeling of being in God's immanent presence...

🎶 and we die die die again, to be born born born again

Obsession

nomadic_cosmopolitan

What happens when a group of Faroese men show up to Iceland and realize it’s better to bathe in hot springs than dive in glacier lakes 😂

A couple of photo's with some recent article references. 

Starting off with Outsideonline (Mar. 3) also recognizes how Icelandic soaking culture has gained UNESCO status:

'Some experiences in life fuel obsession, and for me, soaking in a natural Icelandic hot spring is one of them. On each of my eight trips to Iceland, I’ve dipped in hot springs and geothermal-heated pools in the rain, snow, pitch black darkness, midnight sun, and in freezing temperatures and whipping wind. I’ve relaxed in remote, rock-ringed pools, hypnotized by steam rising from a verdant valley. And I’ve driven for hours chasing the thrill of a new-to-me hot spring in the middle of nowhere, and mingled in a large city swimming pool, dotted with locals relishing in the warmth of the water and company. Every experience has undoubtedly been nothing short of magical.

Now, Iceland’s daily practice of a warm dip is getting the global recognition it deserves.

...

Today, Iceland’s swimming culture emphasizes how Icelanders build community, survive in a harsh climate, and disconnect from the stress of everyday life. “I say that I’m going swimming, but I don’t always swim. I guess the pools are like the pubs in other countries. You go there to meet friends and chat in the hot tubs,” Pálsdóttir [Margrét Pálsdóttir, a 70-year-old linguist, teacher, and choir director in Reykjavík] says. “Well, yes, you might have the goal of swimming first, maybe 200 meters, or one kilometer (like my daughter does every day). But afterwards, you take time with friends in the hot tubs.”

Another reason why Icelanders want to hold on to this daily ritual is that they are one of the last phone-free spaces, which Dagsdóttir says is proof of how deeply related the swimming pools are to their communities and important to society as a whole. “This allows people to have more chill moments in this environment, allowing for deeper conversation, even sometimes with a stranger,” says Marteinn Briem, owner of CityWalk walking tours in downtown Reykjavík'.

The article comes with a couple of suggestions.

charli_pino

Unfortunately we didn't found a hot pod today :( but at least this one is bathtub warm ☺️🛀🏼 #heißequellen #hiddentreasure #relaxingbath #outsidebath #hotpoticeland #naturbadeteich #warmlake #daeneryshair #wheniniceland #timeoutinnature #chillingwithnature

The Reykjavik Grapevine has an article (Feb. 11) on the many lagoon like structures being set up, so as to cash in on tourists wanting the UNESCO soaking experience, but less willing to take the track there (figuratively):

'Icelanders know a moneymaker when they see one. Every other year another lagoon is dug and filled with hot water. I’m not going to list the names of the various lagoons that have opened in the past two decades because when I called their owners they would simply not agree to send me a kickback, but I will say that there are a lot of them dotted around the country, and there are more being built'.

Over on Facebook the linking post is sounded out by likewise comments. Sorta of like paving paradise, putting up a parking lot. And opened a soaking lagoon, rubber stamped by UNESCO.

Lagoonisized

Iamapolarbear notes (Oct. 9, 2025) that Mývatn Nature Baths has changed it name.

'Imagine the shock I got on Monday night, lounging in the bath after walking a mile uphill from Rangers to be greeted on Instagram by an announcement from an unknown Earth Lagoon in Iceland. A new lagoon? How did I not know it was coming? The mystery was quickly solved: after 21 years in business, Mývatn Nature Baths is rebranding. Actually, it’s not even such a huge change. Its name in Icelandic is Jarðböðin, which means Earth Baths, so it’s just bringing its two names together'.

She continues:

'So here we have it. For fourteen years, Earth Lagoon’s only competition was in the opposite corner of the country. Now it’s got two very new and very different lagoons practically on its doorstep. And even as a fan, I can’t deny that it’s starting to look its age. It still doesn’t have an electronic wristband system, so you lock the lockers in the decidedly-rustic changing rooms with a key on an elastic band and if you want a drink in the water, you either have to pre-order at reception to have it delivered to you or you need to take a method of payment into the water with you. It’s just small things but it’s small things that make a big difference when you’re fighting for your place among ten geothermal wonders.

...

I knew there was a new service building coming and a bigger pool but the rebranding is a surprise. Earth Lagoon. Well, it does fit nicely with the Blue, Secret, Sky and Forest Lagoons, it fits the existing Icelandic name and it fits the location on the slopes of the volcano, but it also feels like Sandy in the black leggings at the end of Grease, like it’s betrayed itself to earn the approval of tourists playing the role of Danny Zuko. Even its new website now has a very strong resemblance to several of the others, Sky Lagoon in particular, with the beige background and the rounded boxes everywhere. The individuality is rapidly leaking away'.

Iamapolarbear also discusses all the developments in the Lagoon business, as the older places are trying to play catch up. Is it just me or do they all provide the same experience? Moving further away from the natural experience itself?

The website also provides an even more recent post (Mar. 30) summing all the lagoon's up. 

On paving paradise & Forest Lagoon:

'The weird: For all the noise they make about the unique setting and the tranquility of the forest, it’s very hard to overlook how much forest had to be flattened to squeeze this in here'.

majda_je_grafik

🇮🇸 /hotsprings#island#hotspringsisland#landbrotalaughotspring

Tradition

Some travel sites also provide content. Goldencircledaytours (Mar. 11) article is named

Soaking Completely Naked in Secret Lagoon: Is It Worth It?

Really?

'The Secret Lagoon in Iceland is known for its natural hot springs and relaxed atmosphere. One distinctive feature that sets it apart from other geothermal destinations in Iceland is the tradition of nude bathing. Many visitors wonder if soaking completely naked in the Secret Lagoon is something they should experience. In this guide, we'll explore the cultural context, practical considerations, and whether this unique experience is truly worth it.

Iceland has a long-standing tradition of communal bathing that dates back centuries. In Icelandic culture, nudity in bathing contexts is viewed naturally and without the stigma that might exist in other Western countries. Public swimming pools and natural hot springs throughout Iceland operate under the assumption that bathers will shower naked before entering the water, and many areas have designated nude bathing sections.

The Secret Lagoon, being a more natural and less commercialized hot spring compared to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, maintains this traditional Icelandic bathing culture more authentically.

At the Secret Lagoon, nude bathing is permitted and commonly practiced. Many visitors, both Icelandic locals and international tourists, choose to bathe without swimwear. However, wearing a swimsuit is also perfectly acceptable, and many visitors do wear one. There's no pressure or requirement to bathe nude.

What Does Nude Bathing Look Like?

The changing facilities at the Secret Lagoon are gender-separated, and nude bathing typically occurs in a natural and unselfconscious manner. The atmosphere is relaxed and respectful, with an unwritten understanding that nudity in this context is purely functional and non-sexual. Many international visitors are surprised by how natural and comfortable the environment feels'.

It's conclusion:

'Soaking completely naked in the Secret Lagoon can be a worthwhile cultural experience that offers insights into authentic Icelandic traditions. For many visitors, it's a liberating and memorable part of their Iceland journey. However, there's no obligation to bathe nude, and the experience is equally enjoyable in a swimsuit if that's your preference.

The key is to approach the experience with an open mind, respect for local culture, and awareness of your own comfort boundaries. Whether you choose to embrace the nude bathing tradition or opt for a swimsuit, soaking in Iceland's natural geothermal waters is an experience you won't forget. Plan your visit to the Secret Lagoon today and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Is this an AI generated article?

I contacted Secret lagoon. Their (AI generated) answer: 

No, bathing naked is not allowed in the lagoon. Swimwear made of materials designed for swimming is required.

Topless bathing is also not permitted.

The latter I believe is not true, anti-discrimination here forbids such. And is this how our future bodes: AI vs AI?

Well, if not allowed, would it not be a neat business niche to make it possible at your lagoon, rather than competing with the more cash flushed competitors?

likelokike

Connecting with the water element during my transfer in Iceland 💙

GuidetoIceland on the never ending update concerning nudity on Iceland (Jan. 28) add:

'There are no specific nude hot springs in Iceland. However, that does not mean you cannot enjoy the hot springs while naked. Many remote hot springs out in nature are perfectly safe and acceptable to enter in the nude, and you can even find some without anyone around.

There is no judgment from locals for this kind of skinny dipping, should they catch you. Odds are, they have done the same thing before. Not only is naked bathing seen as a beautiful way to connect with nature, but it’s also a smart way to keep your clothes dry and lighten your laundry load.

Of course, if there are other guests at your destination, you should perhaps ask if they mind before getting naked and joining them. Different people will react differently, and for some, your birthday suit might fall into the realm of “indecent exposure.”

A recent comment concerning the article:

'I think wearing bathing suits in pools and sauna's is rather filthy. I'm really surprised Iceland does not offer any naked alternative for the Blue or Secret lagoon. So my conclusion is that Iceland is not nudist friendly at all and therefore we have to shorten our trip with at least one day. Unfortunately no swimming for us'.

pennyfox.me

Das Land aus Feuer und Eis.

Überall lauern Geothermetische Felder und locken mit lieblichen Schwefelgeruch, blubbernden Substanzen und irgendwas zischt und bläst immer aus einem Loch.

Und wir waren gut darin, die kleinen, feinen, kostenfreien und kaum frequentierten heißen Quellen zu finden. Teilweise als erste des Tages bei -7 Außentemperatur. Da wirken auch 35° nach kurzer Zeit ungemütlich kühl, so dass wir uns um den begrenzten Platz direkt an der Quelle kloppten.

In jedem Fall jedes Mal ein besonderes Erlebnis.

Aol has an article (Apr. 1) directed to visitors to Iceland. Not a joke by the way.

The fear can hit long before anyone ever touches the water. Iceland’s famous pool culture sounds inviting right up until the pre-swim shower rule becomes clear. In Reykjavík’s public pools, guests are expected to wash thoroughly without swimwear before getting in, and the Blue Lagoon says the same thing just as plainly. For many travelers, that is the moment confident vacation energy suddenly takes a dive.

What helps most is realizing that Icelanders do not treat this as some awkward performance for tourists. Geothermal pools are part of daily life there, and Reykjavík’s own visitor material describes the pools as a mix of sports center, spa, social hub, and neighborhood routine. Once that becomes clear, the whole experience starts to feel less like a weird personal ordeal and more like stepping into a real local custom.

...

This is the real breakthrough, and it often comes faster than expected. Everyone else already knows the routine. Nobody is lingering. Nobody is staring. Nobody is turning the room into some strange social experiment. The atmosphere is far more ordinary than anxious imaginations usually prepare people for. Blue Lagoon’s own etiquette guide says the same thing in softer language: privacy is respected, and this is simply standard practice in Icelandic bathing culture.

A lot of people build the whole thing up in their heads as if the room will pause and react to them. It does not. The actual vibe is much closer to brushing your teeth in a gym locker room. Wash, move on, get dressed, head to the water. The second it becomes obvious that nobody cares about anyone else’s body nearly as much as each person fears, most of the panic loses its power. That is the point when the experience stops feeling like a personal trial and starts feeling like what it actually is: a normal part of getting from the locker room to the pool'.

Overall very odd. What are the sensitivities? On the other hand the fears are real, take this reditt (2 yrs back), full of how respondents (200+ comments) steer through the process at the Secret Lagoon, though we just learnt that full nudity is allowed (or did we?). Plenty of people who just skip the entire experience of soaking just because they do not want to shower naked!

lottasworld

Bathing with a view 🏔️

#naturpooliceland #northiceland #traveliceland #akureyri #siglufjörður #breathtakingview #whatsonrvk

Disappoint

A short review of the Schwarzwald Panorama hotel wellness section. 

Located in the pleasant Bad Herrenalb, on the northside of the Schwarzwald, the hotel prides itself as a wellness hotel. However in my experience, there's preciuos little to pride over. 

The wellness part comprises of two small sauna's (both in themselves ok) and an intermittently functioning hamman / steam room. There's no adjacent resting room and the outside sun area, is well overseen by all and sundry. Imagine organizing a conference and the participants all the looking outside to see a glimpse (or more) of a naked myself, oblivious to being the lead topic of the conference. Hmmm.

There's also a good thermal pool adjacent, but formally that's the clothed part.

The experience in itself was ok, people enjoying a sauna are like that. However there were those that failed to read the German / English signs saying "no clothing here!" Out of ignorance? Could be, there was a French family who felt they were above these rules. And also the rule to sit on a towel. There was an Eastern European family, who managed to state that bathing nude was impossible for them. Quite odd. Oddest maybe was that everyone else tolerated their behaviour. 

That said, there was also no-one disapproving (in public) of using the pool clothesfree (really?). But at least that's still very hygienic.

The rest of the resort was also ok-ish. Rooms very good / spacious. Food, mwah, but all organic. Staff ok, frontdesk hmmm. 

The resort backs up directly to extensive forest, that's beautiful. Think all-day forest bathing.

The review world is equally not overwhelmed by the experience here. Note most stars / rates are based on the full overnight experience. 

Tripadvisor rates it a 4.3 star (from 1000+ reviews). Booking.com figures are 8.1 (850+ reviews).

Google surprisingly notes Schwarzwald Panorama a rather good 4.6 stars (1150+ reviews); the main reason why I stayed here. Here are some snatches of reviews:

'Very disappointed by the behavior of the numerous French guests in the saunas and pools. They showed no respect for the sauna rules (silence, towels on the benches, etc.) and left their cups lying around everywhere'.

And:

'The spa area is nice but small. Many people were in the sauna wearing swimwear'.

So should of been forewarned?

Found

Bad Herrenalb, as the names says is a kurort. Wikipedia (translated):

Since 1954, Herrenalb has been able to call itself a climatic health resort. In 1964, a borehole at a depth of 600 meters led to a mineral-rich thermal spring. The thermal baths built as a result opened in 1971 and Herrenalb became Bad Herrenalb. The city has had the name suffix "Bad" since July 26, 1971.

More history. 

A Schwarzwälder Bote article (Jan. 24, 2021) highlights Bad Herrenalb's Forest Shower:

'Mit Philipp Friedrich Weiß begann 1840 der Kurbetreib in Herrenalb. Er nahm sich dabei die Heilmethoden von Vinzenz Prießnitz zum Vorbild. Eine Heilanwendung wurde an sogenannten Waldduschen praktiziert. Bad Herrenalbs Bürger Michael Arndt hat nach intensiven Recherchen den Platz der Herrenalber Walddusche gefunden'.

A cold shower (fresh sourced water, 4-5C!) purposely constructed half an hours walk in the forest which was supposed to be enjoyed on a (bi-)daily basis for patients.

Comaprable?

Diese Darstellung aus dem Jahr 1836 zeigt eine Prießnitz’ schen Walddusche in Gräfenberg. Dort hat Vinzenz Prießnitz gewirkt. (Foto: Schwarzwälder Bote)

There's a six minute youtube vdo, explaining more.

The thermal baths (Siebentäler Therme) though were under renovation (until end of the year), maybe a good alternative to the included in the price wellness section of Schwarzwald Panorama. There's a kur center, basically a big meeting hall, with a drinking pavilion next to it. Here you can taste the waters.

Note that public transport (i.e. train/tram) serves the village well. It's a breeze to reach the station of Karlsruhe.

Venting

shotsbyluke

The hot spring tour on São Miguel continues at Ponta de Ferraria, on the west coast of the island with @hayleybythesea. This one has hydrothermal vents in the ocean. Protected in a little cove of black volcanic rock. The water is actually HOT but then a wave of cool ocean water washes in and the mixing of water is incredible. No entry cost, so as you can see, it was busy. But once the sun set, people trickled out and it was super relaxing and peaceful as the light faded and the stars came out.

#hotsprings #azores

Another post. 

Preciously devoid of anything concerning hot springs. 

How so? Is this something that will continue in the future? Are hots springs out of flavour? Unworthy of the insta crowd? Not enough bizniz sense? Blase?

What I do have are a couple of links to stories making waves from the sauna culture. Quite a few actually. 

And some photographic evidence of hot spring (culture). So, not all lost then.

Starting off with slightly older articles from I am a polar bear (?) Also slightly on the  natural hot spring soaking biz, which this was intended for. 

But Ms I am a polar bear has an inclination for those soaks run by business.

On Nov. 24 2025 she visited Spa:

'On the one hand, Thermes de Spa isn’t as exciting as some I’ve been to. It certainly doesn’t compare, attractions-wise, to Therme Bucureşti and its sauna area isn’t nearly as extensive as any of the ones I visited in Germany at the beginning of the year, although access is included here whereas it’s an optional extra at all of those. There’s a choice between a clothed and textile-free area for the sauna and steam room so you can satisfy your own sense of hygiene and public modesty. But the outdoor pool is good and the fact that no one under 15 is allowed in means it has much more of a serene feeling than you can possibly get when there are children around treating it like an ordinary public pool. Because it doesn’t have 10 saunas, 3 steam baths, a multitude of experience showers, hot pools, cold pools and everything in between, you don’t feel like you have to tick things off a to-do list and you can just relax. I was there for nearly eight hours and never found myself getting bored. I spent a lot of time in the outdoor pool, enjoying the contrast of chilly autumn air and warm water and trying out bubbling pools and benches and jets.

And besides all that, it just feels special to be at a spa in Spa!

Earlier that month (the 11th) she also visited the Therme București which she reports under the good, the bad & the weird.

The bad:

'It’s not a spa. I knew that going on, so that’s not a surprise. It’s a therme, which is something we don’t really have in English but from my experience of them in Germany and Poland, it’s a kind of waterpark with an optional adults-only sauna area attached. Don’t go expecting tranquillity and whale music here.

...

If you’re after authentic Romanian wellness traditions, this isn’t where you’ll find it. Yes, the water is natural geothermal water from a borehole (and extensively treated to remove calcium, sulphur, carbon and then ozonated, which is how its sanitised) but if Romania has any kind of longstanding bathing culture, this isn’t it.

...

So, is it overrated?

In my opinion, yeah, absolutely. Maybe it was just an excruciatingly busy day but I’ve been reading other blogs as I write this and I’ve seen the same opinion from other people more than once. Personally, if I ever find myself back in Bucharest, I will no doubt come back but if I’m looking for a nice therme experience, I’d rather go to Germany. Emser Therme was a lot smaller but otherwise more what I’d expect of a waterpark/sauna combi and it’s half the flight time (although I admit, it’s nowhere near as close to an airport)'.

healingis_hot

It’s 2025, of course I have my grandma take my newds at the hot springs. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Booming

What also pops up most often article-wise are those articles from the Anglo-Saxon language press. And their (lack of) traditions. Something with the algorithm?

We will start off with a report on the UK sauna boom. The Guardian (Mar. 20):

'The British Sauna Society now lists about 640 saunas – up from 540 at the start of the year – while a recent report predicted that the UK could become the world’s largest sauna market by 2033, outpacing even Finland and Germany.

...

A new study suggests the benefits of sauna use may run deeper. Analysing data from more than 1,900 UK sauna users, researchers found that regular sauna use was linked to improved physical and mental wellbeing, with the strongest effects reported by those who used saunas weekly and felt the greatest sense of belonging to a sauna community. It suggested that much of the benefit may stem from the sense of connection and shared ritual that develops among bathers'.

It doesn't mean it's all hunky-dory. The UK sauna scene revolves very much around pop-up sauna's. Which due to their success become permanent structures, expanding into successful (community) businesses. 

In Wales, one of these will probably need to close, as administration needs catch up. So reports the BBC (Mar. 17):

'A seaside sauna business has been turned down for retrospective planning permission after residents complained about "naked and semi-naked people being visible".

Halsa Sauna in Caswell Bay, Swansea, has been operating since 2023 and is based in the grounds of a detached house.

An application submitted to Swansea council in August 2024 by an agent on behalf of the business's owner Gareth Davies has now been rejected on nine grounds, including concerns around noise and privacy issues'.

It's quite odd how the mundane news is sensationalized all over the UK as one issue seems to draw the most attention. With no proof. Insta's are all well covered ...

onlysergio_maspalomas [soaking in the south of Spain ...]

The Times (Mar. 21) helps out on this. They ask:

'Are Brits warming up to the naked sauna?

The author (who also noted the article above):

For years now I’ve been a frequent visitor to nations where sweating in a small wooden room is a traditional pastime — think the Nordics, Germany, Austria and Japan — where no one would dream of wearing swimwear. I’ve merely joined in, like the purist that I am, feeling all the more smug for it. But at home in Britain? It always seemed somehow against the rules. Until I heard the story of Halsa Sauna near Swansea …

...

While we have embraced the heat in the UK — according to the British Sauna Society, there are now more than 600 public saunas, up from 45 in 2023 — we have been slower to strip off. Abroad, nudity is part of the experience and swimwear is often banned.

Could it be that Brits are finally feeling bold enough to strip off?

...

There is scant evidence to suggest that going naked offers anything more than the usual sauna health benefits — improved circulation, blood pressure, stress levels and better sleep — but the experts and devotees agree that it is more hygienic. So why is sauna nudity still niche in Britain?

...

Sometimes, as in Swansea, the objections come from outside the sauna community. Kathryn Tyler, who runs Kiln Sauna on the beach in Falmouth, Cornwall, offers private hire and was happy for her guests to go topless — which many did — until the council sent out its code of practice to saunas in the area, reminding them that “appropriate bathing costumes” must be worn. “We’ve recently been advised by the local council that this [semi-nudity] isn’t currently permitted, which is something we must respect,” she says. “Culturally, we haven’t caught up with other countries but hope that, over time, perspectives in the UK may soften and evolve. Sauna culture carries such simplicity, it’s like returning to ourselves, and hopefully one day there will be space for that here, too.”

But whether they are warming-up remains unclear ...

Sauna culture is so mainstream it seems. 

And on the other side of the Atlantic, there's seems the need to overdo this. 

CNN (Mar. 4):

RECESS, which opened in September, is one of a new wave of businesses debuting across North America that are often called “social bathhouses”: venues reimagining saunas and other bathing rituals as not just a wellness experience, but also as a night out, a first date or a way to build community.

“There’s a possibility of meeting new people. There’s a high energy, or vibe. You can dance,” said RECESS cofounder Adam Simms, of the social evenings. “There’s just some beautiful connections to come out of that.”

..

The last decade has brought a global revival, including in Norway, where {Mikkel] Aaland spends part of each year. The resurgence is what he also calls a “long remembering.” In much of Northern Europe, that means tapping into existing practices, albeit with modern flourishes, like the design-forward floating saunas on the Oslo fjord.

Many bathing spots in North America — often serving an audience with little personal connection to the history of communal bathing — riff on traditions from elsewhere while also freely reinventing them.

...

As North American bathhouses have innovated, they’ve found fans — and plenty of critics. Some see the nightclub atmosphere as an unwelcome departure from more traditional experiences.

...

In half a century of studying global bathing traditions, Mikkel Aaland has met plenty of purists, too. “Not everyone’s going to be a fan of the disco sauna,” he acknowledged.

But Aaland likes much of the innovation he sees. He recalled a 2021 book by American artist Travis Skinner that recounts his construction of a whimsical mobile sauna resembling an anglerfish.

“It gets me excited when I see an artist throwing something like that in the mix,” he said. And he emphasized that blending human contact and bathing is far more than a passing fad.

“The social part has been an element of any bathing culture that’s lasted,” he said, whether it’s through quiet, shared contemplation or something decidedly more raucous. “It adds an important element to something that’s already really powerful.”

The BBC (Mar. 11), which notices these (sub-)trends:

This year's fast-growing spa trend isn't about pampering and relaxation: it's about contrast therapy and elemental experiences. Enter the brave world of Viking wellness.

...

I'm hardly the first to discover the benefits of this practice. Across northern Europe, alternating between heat and cold – often referred to as "contrast therapy" – has long been part of daily life. But in recent years these traditions have begun spreading far beyond the North Atlantic. Conde Nast Traveller even named "Viking wellness" one of its trends of 2026, citing rising interest in elemental bathing rituals rooted in Nordic cultures.

ladepechedumidi [Feb. 2026]

Un bain chaud dans une source naturelle et accessible gratuitement toute l'année, c'est un de nos spots préférés dans l'Aude. Voici les fameux bains doux de Rennes-les-bains, à 50km de Carcassonne.

Rulings

Further away.

From a month ago, on reddit, a discussion on sauna traditions around the world, but then focusing on Austria. Many comments. Not only on the Austrian sauna culture but also on that of other European countries. Comments such as :

'same in Germany'. 

In Austria:

'When you enter an occupied sauna, the people there will be sitting in silence, on towels, and in such a way that none of their skin touches the wood. They will be naked, regardless of gender.

No bathing suits, no shoes, no iPhones, no headsets.

Usually, upon entering, no eye contact or greeting will be made unless you initiate it.

Silence in the sauna is expected, an unspoken rule'.

A report (SHZ.de, Mar. 10) from the German-Danish frontier. Are the sauna cultures different?

'In Deutschland ist die Sache nämlich klar: In die Sauna geht man, wie Gott einen schuf. „Textilfrei. Das ist bei uns die Regel“, sagt Christoph. Der Grund? Hygiene. „Man weiß ja nicht, ob die Sachen gewaschen sind.“ Außerdem gilt: Schweiß gehört aufs Handtuch, nicht in die Badehose und schon gar nicht auf die Holzbank.

In Dänemark ist das Saunieren oft eine eher bekleidete Angelegenheit. Und so kommt es hier und da in Deutschland – vor allem in der Grenzregion – schon einmal vor, dass die dänischen Gäste mit der Badehose in der deutschen Sauna sitzen.

The sauna users in Germany rest assured: Danes with bathers are diplomatically requested to shed these. Or leave.

Finally, the must have been very entertaining.

Schaffhausen24.ch (Feb. 25) of course looks at the sauna marathon which took place end of February. Eight hours to sweat at the 25 sauna's placed all over town. For the 2000(!) participants. Though only 2 managed to finish all stations:

'Apropos Schwitzen: Letztes Jahr erreichten 34 Teams die Ziellinie. Das war für die Veranstalter ein Grund, den Sauna-Marathon kniffliger zu machen. Und siehe da, nur ein Ehepaar hat alle Stationen in der dafür vorgesehenen Zeit besuchen können. «Der Weg ist das Ziel. Etlichen Teilnehmenden gefiel manche Station so gut, dass sie gar kein Bedürfnis mehr verspürten, weiterzuziehen'.

evalunabaldurs

RE WILDING

Learning to live in nature - or at least spending time without the comforts of modern society - is a great teacher. Nature feeds the soul. Its medicine.

I belive it also enables us to tap into our RAW essence - enhancing our connection with source, consciousness and life force of Earth.

Stepping into our wild nature we step into an unknown power - Energy.

Exploring your wilderness goddess,

your medicine woman,

reconnecting to something that has always lived inside you. Ancient.

Im on the path of reclaiming or integrating my wild authentic self.

My intention is to nurture my sacred feminine nature with reverence for Earth - and claim that power.

To do that i have to step out of the comfort zone more and more - challenge myself -

and return to a more natural state of being meaning spending more time in nature. Connecting with it. Living in the wild.

And nature is naked.

Lack of nature in your life will -

and i say will -

keep your lifeforce down.

It will increase or enhance all of western lifestyle diseases. Burnouts. Depression. Overthinking. Fears.

Along with bad diet and lack of movement.

To tap into your creation and live life alive -

raw nature is our medicine.

Free flowing water. Spirit of mountains. Moss. Rivers. Glaciers. Wild animals. Herbs.

Walk outside - see or swim in water or/and meet trees everyday - it will keep the sun in your heart.

And the mind calmer.

#nature #rewild #sacredfeminine #wilderness

Lasting

harcort2020

Nicht der Beginn wird belohnt, sondern einzig und allein das Durchhalten #katharinavonsiena #caldasdereis #caldasdereisnatural #abinswarmewasser #schwefelbad #nakedinspain #jasministauchdabei #amendekommtdiebelohnung #muskelaufwärmen #vivalespagña #caminoday9 #entspannungamabend #belohnungmusssein #dubekommstdaswasdubrauchst #dubekommstdaswasdubestellthast🤪 #gaycaminodesantiago #aufdemjakobsweg #galizaisnotspain #galizaisdifferent #galizaisbeautiful

Sauna season in full swing. That means that hardly any soaking news. Just eye-candy.

We will start of with some general sauna news. 

First off, from the other side of the big ditch. From Bloomberg (Jan. 16):

'Bathhouses are booming. The Altar and Lore Bathing Club are both opening in New York this year. The Community Sauna Baths is planning 20 locations in London by 2028, while groups Othership and Bathhouse will open a combined nine high-design locations in the US by the end of 2027. Spanish bathhouse and spa group Aire Ancient Baths, a longtime luxury player, opened a second Manhattan location and a Toronto bath in 2025, and it plans to open in Los Angeles in 2026. Therme Group, which develops massive facilities that can hold hundreds of people at once, recently raised €1 billion ($1.2 billion) to expand across Europe and is developing locations in Washington, DC, and Dallas.

The bathhouse trend, as one founder put it, is a new idea that is thousands of years old. In countries like Hungary and Turkey, baths and hammams have long been a part of everyday life. But in the US, bathhouses have more often been associated with old-school Russian banyas, Korean spas filled with grannies or places for cruising.

...

The New Sauna Wave, as the rise of social bathhouses is known, was gaining ground in Europe before the pandemic acted as a global catalyst. In Oslo in 2016 a group of Norwegian anarchists built a floating badstue out of a drift boat in a fjord (the cold plunge), knowing that they wouldn’t get permits to build legally. The sauna was public (it cost about $20 to drop in) and became so popular that the politicians who frequented it helped secure retroactive permits. The Oslo Sauna Association today operates 29 saunas, has 20,000 members and serves 300,000 visitors per year. (It’s now anarchist mostly in spirit.)

“People just needed something to be real and the total opposite of sitting at the screen or your cellphone,” says co-founder Ragna Marie Fjeld. Many people in Oslo live alone, and social isolation is a problem. Unlike neighboring Finland, the country didn’t have a social sauna culture, Fjeld says, and there weren’t a lot of public places where it was easy to strike up conversations with strangers.

Saunas fill a gap, like a cigarette break outside a pub might have, a time-limited shared activity that makes it simple to connect with total strangers. “In the sauna it’s very easy,” Fjeld says. “You can just say, ‘It’s very hot.’ ”

BBC also chimes in (Jan. 13):

'As saunas gain global popularity, a hypnotic offshoot involving theatre, music and towel-twirling known as "Aufguss" is attracting wellness-seekers across the world.

My fellow sauna-goers and I drip with sweat while a semi-nude man prances around the room with arms extended, twirling a white towel like a matador rousing a bull. The aromas of patchouli and grapefruit tangle in the cloth, and as oil-infused ice sizzles on the scorching rocks in the centre of the sauna, the exposed performer flicks and spins his towel, fanning hot steam towards our faces. We raise our arms, submitting to the power of the heat'.

Zooming in. 

Travelbook have an overview (Jan. 23) of Germany's best wellness places to experience their textile free sauna culture. Includes 1 hot spring (Bad Wildbad). Good overview:

'Oft beschränkt sich in Schwimmbädern der Bereich, in dem man sich frei nackt bewegen kann, auf die Sauna-Landschaft – doch es geht auch anders. TRAVELBOOK zeigt 11 deutsche Thermen und Bäder, in denen FKK erwünscht ist.

In der Sauna liegt eine feuchte Wärme auf der Haut wie ein wohliger Mantel. Beim anschließenden Abtauchen prickelt die Kälte durch den ganzen Körper. Doch dann folgt für echte FKK-Fans der Alptraum: Um noch eine Runde schwimmen zu können, muss man sich in Badeanzug oder -hose quetschen. So schnell ist sie vorbei, die Freude an der Nacktheit. Aber es geht auch anders! Viele deutsche Thermen und Bäder haben das Bedürfnis ihrer Gäste nach Nacktheit auch beim Schwimmen erkannt und gehen mit besonderen Angeboten auf die Wünsche von FKK-Fans ein.

Angefangen bei textilfreien Abenden bis hin zu Thermen oder Bädern, die ausschließlich für Nudisten bestimmt sind. Für Unentschlossene oder Pärchen, bei denen einer FKK mag und der andere vielleicht nicht, gibt es auch Anlagen, in denen Besucher die freie Wahl haben zwischen textilfrei und Badekleidung'.

You might have to use translator ... 

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 just a towel… or nothing at all 🔥

Around the world, we’ve seen all kinds of sauna attire: swimsuits (very common), workout clothes, and even shoes (yikes!). However, we definitely recommend letting your body sweat freely, so skip the extra layers whenever you can. The less between you and the heat, the more authentic the experience - and your skin will thank you.

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

. . .

#sauna #saunalife #saunatradition #wellness #benefits

GB's Metro (Jan. 16) on an spa experience (in the UK):

'I had volunteered to spend my morning at Banya The Bath House, in London’s Belgravia, before really thinking it through. I’ve never lasted more than a few seconds in a sauna, nor have I ever been inclined to throw myself into the sea in order to feel ‘invigorated’.

...

I’m not quite sure what’s just happened to me, but I do know that I enjoyed it, and I’ll definitely be going back.

So, is it worth it? 100%'.

Marvel

Therme Erding is sort of a hot spring. But the news to share concerns their sauna set-up. Anyway, the Therme got new owners. But their users are concerned.

From / on Reddit (Jan.):

'My husband and I frequented the Therme regularly for 14 years (nude area). Also went there once with a hen party and once or twice with friends and family (slides area).

Over the years I recommended the place (nude area) to countless people because of its flair and atmosphere and despite the rising prices (because hey, everything everywhere is more pricey these days huh).

Well that ends now.

I highly advise everyone who’s planning on going to read the recent 1 star google reviews before they get taken down. It’s a shame what the place has become: profit over everything, families feel exploited and not safe because they let too many people in. Sauna customers feel robbed too: Kelo-Sauna (an absolute highlight) is (amongst other places) not part of the nude area any more. Also fewer possibilities too lie down and relax because fewer lounge chairs and all are either reserved or occupied.

If you heard people marvel about that place it most likely referred to the past. Do your research and my advice: don’t go. We might have a voucher left but I don’t know if I want to use it! I don’t think we will be back'.

Some of these 140+ comments:

'Unfortunately, I must confirm. Therme Erding went downhill fast after it got sold to Therme Group. Nude area getting smaller and smaller, while prices rise. Bonus program (stamp card) cancelled. Too many people; if you're not in the sauna 15 minutes before an infusion, there's no room left. 30-minute queue for the Banja and Keltenthronsauna'.

or:

'As others have pointed out, the management is changing things to maximize profit while ignoring the requests of their regular visitors. With our community at r/munichtechsauna, we visit spas regularly and can highly recommend Phönixbad nearby. In 2027, a new Vabali Spa is being built near Olching, and we have high hopes for that too'.

So the new owners need changes: the investment needs to be paid back asap. 

Now even the INF have decided to step in:

'The International Naturist Federation (INF-FNI), working in close cooperation with the German Naturist Federation (DFK), has written to Therme Erding in Munich following reports that the world-famous spa and sauna complex is substantially reducing its textile-free (naturist) capacity in favour of expanded clothed areas.

In its letter, INF-FNI expressed concern that such changes represent a retreat from Germany’s long-standing tradition of Freikörperkultur (FKK), which has been an accepted and valued part of social life for decades. The Federation highlighted recent evidence from European surveys showing growing interest in naturism, particularly among younger adults, and underlined the cultural, social and wellbeing benefits of non-sexual social nudity'.

More on lesser experiences. The Stuttgarter Nachrichten (Jan. 14)  reports:

Nach Alkohol und Pöbeleien setzt eine Therme in Brandenburg seit mehr als einem Jahr auf ein besonderes Sicherheitskonzept. Und sorgt damit bundesweit für Aufmerksamkeit.

...

Ein "biologisches Geschlecht" dürfe seither das andere um maximal 20 Prozent überwiegen. Anderenfalls erfolge ein "temporärer Einlassstopp für das überwiegende biologische Geschlecht", sagte Schauer. Vielfalt und Herkunft spielten dabei "ausdrücklich" keine Rolle, betonte er. "Seit wir das machen, funktioniert es sehr gut."

Other measures mentioned: groups of 3 or more have to announce their visits. Mind-boggling that these sort of measures are needed.

A quick update on the previous Eurosoaking post which noted how German law means all who partake in the German sauna culture can be filmed / photographed legally. The petition to demand change is at 71.000+ signatures; nearly double that of a month ago. And in an email (Feb. 16) the initiative takers share:

'Wir haben großartige Neuigkeiten: Dank über 65.000 Unterstützer*innen unserer Petition, konnten wir gleich drei Bundesländer (Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen und Saarland) überzeugen, gemeinsam mit uns und dem innn.it Team eine Bundesratsinitiative zu starten.

🎉 Und auch Bundesjustizministerin Hubig (SPD) & Bundesfamilienministerin Prien (CDU) unterstützen unsere Forderung und haben eine Reform bis zur Sommerpause angekündigt – parteiübergreifend!

Unser Ziel: Sexuell motivierte, heimliche Nacktaufnahmen müssen unter Strafe gestellt werden!

Vielleicht hast du uns im Fernsehen gesehen? ARD, ZDF, RTL, Sat. 1, NDR, WDR… alle Medien haben von unserer gemeinsamen Pressekonferenz im Justizministerium in Hannover berichtet – der Raum war knackevoll!

So it looks like this is heading in the only way possible.

polnakuna

Magic

Then some more on European sauna culture 

This from Germany Reddit (Jan.): what's it like? 50 answers.

Another Reditt discussion from January (Jan. 8), this on the European spa experience / culture. Experiences from allover Central, Northern and Western Europe. What happened to Southern Europe?

Reditt on Dutch sauna culture (Jan. 25):

'We’re not scared or ashamed of naked bodies at all, but where I’m from we just don’t go to saunas or wellness places fully naked. So the whole SPA + sauna thing in the Netherlands on a nude day is pretty new to me.

...

I’m going with a friend (also a woman) and I’m just trying to understand how to behave there without being awkward or rude.

...

From what I think I understand: you usually walk around wrapped in a towel. When you go into the sauna, you take everything off, put your towel down and sit naked on it. But is it also ok to stay wrapped in a towel inside the sauna, or is that weird/not allowed?

Answer:

'It’s a magical place for relaxation, safe, clean. And it’s a liberating feeling to be nude'.

Some more personal insight, but still staying in the Netherlands.

There are actually quite a few reels with the same sort of cultural clash. 

An insta reel from safiyah_cooper  (Jan. 6) on her experience in Amsterdam:

'Wasn’t I in for shock? This is a tradition here for the Dutch is to go into the sauna in your birthday suit I must say it was a no from me but each to their own it just gave me the shock of my life🫣😂'

With many comments. Including her own:

'I didn’t actually go in because I didn’t want to be the only one with a bikini on and I wasn’t comfortable to go naked so I gave it a miss'.

Then an experience from Austria. Pavlinasundrich (Feb. 12): 

'Cultural practices around saunas, stream rooms and hotsprings regularly trip me up'.

How it ended? 

'Got yelled at! 

100+ comments, most: yes, naked is the (only) way to go.

Other Euro sauna culture.

Flip_estonian (Jan. 26) posts this question:

'Being invited to an Estonian sauna means you’re friends. Going in naked is normal, and the real magic? 

60+ comments, if you're interested.

mark_waldron (Feb. 14):

'Would you get naked in this Event Sauna? 😅 It’s on the 4th floor of a spa as part of @neuhaus.zillertal hotel where we stayed a couple of weeks ago for our MOVE Winter Retreat.

The spa was pure luxury but this event sauna experience was something a bit different 😁

They’d have different themes each night, such as rock, classic ballads or love song!

The rest of this floor was great too though, loads of chill out areas and a veranda with a VIEW! 🏔️

More footage of this spa to come as there was so much to see and do!

Nearly 30 comments.

Ikaria, Nana to agrimi's blog

Ikaria Lefkada, naked thermal bathing in the sea

Finally, something different.

The winter months see some odder activities pop up. Skagen's Winter Bathing festival (wild sea swimming and sauna, just finished). Ikaalinen's sauna carnival (also just finished). Schaffhausen's Sauna Marathon (this weekend!).

Or this.

A Norwegian Film Festival (Nor-Way) took place in Berlin last month complete with pop-up sauna's / hot tubs before the cinema hall:

babylonberlin

COME TOGETHER

NOR-WAY

More than 30 Films from 100 Years

+ Gratis Sauna for all Films

15.- 25.01. Still 8 DAYS of the wonderful Norwegian Films