Worrisome

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.🇮🇸🤍

An Icelandic special. To rid oneself of a number of saved links.

Wellandgoodtravel (Apr. 1) has some assistance in searching for the possible elusive hot spring:

'TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH HOT SPRINGS TO GO TO IN ICELAND?

You’re in luck—I love hot springs and saunas, and when I went to Iceland, I sought out the best. I visited 12 of its geothermal bathing locations in 12 days.Now, there are 60+ hot springs in Iceland. Some are organized spas, some are VERY rustic natural springs, and some are hard to get to'.

The Reykjavík Grapevine (Apr. 13) on the history of Iceland's (swimming) pool culture:

'Having opened to the public in 1937, Sundhöll Reykjavíkur is Reykjavík’s oldest swimming pool. Like so many of Iceland’s iconic buildings from the first half of the 20th century, it was designed by state architect Guðjón Samúelsson, but the project was initiated by Progressive Party MP Jónas frá Hriflu. If anything or any place can be pointed to as the origins of Iceland’s swimming pool culture — something that finally got Iceland on the UNESCO heritage list last year — it is this particular pool.

In the early 20th century, Icelanders built swimming pools all over the country — at least, anywhere that ample supplies of hot water could be procured. And then they built swimming pools where supplies of naturally hot water were not to be found. The result of this is that almost every single suburb of Reykjavík and every single small town outside of Reykjavík, has a swimming pool. This begs the question: why?

Well, as may now be obvious, the fact that Iceland has incredible amounts of hot water is not the exclusive reason for the pools, though that is helpful. The real reason is that very few Icelanders knew how to swim in the 1920s. That’s not a good thing for a country that counts fishing among its major industries. This meant that every year, very many people drowned, often in situations where simply knowing the basics of swimming would have been life-saving.

Hence, in 1927 the Icelandic parliament passed a law making swimming lessons mandatory for all schoolchildren. Given the climate in Iceland, it thus became urgent to build warm water pools in which to hold lessons, lest every Icelandic kid would catch pneumonia.

The sudden abundance of soothingly warm swimming pools in an otherwise harsh climate resulted in the only places falling within the scholarly definition of “The Public Sphere” in Iceland being the pools. It is there that people debate politics, where they meet, catch up, whatever you call it. It was also in the pools — or the change areas before entering the pools — that they got clean, which was something we had a far more difficult time doing prior to the 1930s. Out of this emerged our distinct pool culture'.

icelandic.naturist 

A wonderful hike led up to this hot spring, which was very refreshing. It's always nice to be naked in nature. It makes you feel connected to mother nature and all stress and worries go away.

#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

Stomping

TheCoolDown (Feb. 3) looks at touristy problems. In Iceland:

'Some popular tourist attractions, like geysers in Iceland, are best enjoyed from afar, especially as they can prove highly dangerous for visitors and wildlife.

One Redditor discovered that the "leave it as you found it" message can often go ignored, as they witnessed a group of tourists stomping around geyser land'.

More tourists = more problems? 

The Reykjavík Grapevine (Apr. 16) reports on the link between tourists / tourism and bacteria in (hot spring fed) pools:

'In a conversation with Vísir, CEO of the South Iceland Health Inspection Authority Sigrún Guðmundsdóttir claimed that unchlorinated pools and lagoons could contain unhealthy bacteria brought in by tourists. She described the proliferation of unchlorinated lagoons as worrisome.

The single most polluting factor in pools is unbathed visitors, with no way of knowing what people bring in when entering the pools in dirty underwear or activewear, she went on to say.

“I think businesses should implement harsher rules regarding the swimwear. People enter the pool in dirty clothes and some of these pools are unchlorinated. Therefore, all the bacteria brought in by tourists contaminate the pool,” she said.

According to Sigrún, pathogenic bacteria could contaminate the pools, but infections could also arise in chlorinated pools. There are 11 new unchlorinated lagoons in the process of construction around the country.

Furthermore, Sigrún said that the regulations concerning Iceland’s pools were muddy and ambivalent. However, the Environmental Ministry is in the process of making necessary changes, Sigrún claimed'.

The Facebook message on this article garners 50+ comments.

It's pretty much the main theme concerning soaking on Iceland: shower naked? OMG. 

A recent (Apr. 14) post on Reddit just shows what's at stake, though for peace of mind no need to scroll through then nearly 200 comments:

'For the millionth time because we are tired!!!!! Had to yell at a group of British teenagers this morning and it’s happening more and more often I feel like.

Get naked like the rest of us, wash your privates, wear a clean swimsuit (no gymshorts and t-shirts)

Nobody cares about your “modesty” nobody cares that it’s “not your culture”. If you’re scared or shy somebody will look at you then you’re not doing yourself any favour by trying to sneak around without stripping. In fact that’s when we are going to be staring at you because now you are considered disgusting.

As a woman I’ve seen björk naked countless of times, and my male friends seen our ex presidents dick n balls countless of times. Nobody cares. Stop being a f***ing crybaby about it. Nobody wants to swim in your poop particles.

You. Are. Not. Welcome. In. The. Pool'.

A similar discussion, likewise from Reddit, from the same day (Apr. 14), after a extensive posting on the subject. It seems that this is the perpetual motion that keeps Reditt (r/visitingIceland) moving around (in circles?):

'NoLemon5426

I try to re-hash this every few months in the hopes people will find a solution that works for them. Ultimately some people need to choose to just skip it if they are unwilling to comply. Icelanders are tired of disrespectful people so I can't blame the person who made that other post, it doesn't help when in the comment section tourists tell people they can do what they want'.

tanjastony

Adventure cats and adventure dogs

Ich werd ne firma gründen und die heißt "Ja, mann!". Wir produzieren Abenteuer für jede Altersklasse und wir sagen ja zu allem, das das Herz lachen lässt. Und we are hiring!!! Jeder darf mitmachen und aus jedem Tag ein Abenteuer machen.

#adventureisoutthere

Adventure cats and adventure dogs

Ich werd ne firma gründen und die heißt "Ja, mann!". Wir produzieren Abenteuer für jede Altersklasse und wir sagen ja zu allem, das das Herz lachen lässt. Und we are hiring!!! Jeder darf mitmachen und aus jedem Tag ein Abenteuer machen.
#adventureisoutthere

tanjastony

Adventure cats and adventure dogs

Ich werd ne firma gründen und die heißt "Ja, mann!". Wir produzieren Abenteuer für jede Altersklasse und wir sagen ja zu allem, das das Herz lachen lässt. Und we are hiring!!! Jeder darf mitmachen und aus jedem Tag ein Abenteuer machen.
#adventureisoutthere

Remodelled

Weather was inclemental, so on a spur of the moment we decided to drive a short distance from the city of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna) up to Porretta Terme, expecting at the least some kind of thermal experience. 

But it must be said, my prior research was touchy, as was the signal for my phone. So at the very least, we could be surprised, pleasantly hopefully.

Once passing the extensive railway neighbourhood of Porretta Terme (it was once where the rail systems of northern Italy met those of central Italy and passengers were required to change trains), one crosses the bridge over the Reno river and arrives, quite suddenly, in what looks like a very pleasant town. 

Park the car and wander around on foot. Drink an espresso, wander some more, decide to head up to the picturesque hamlet of Madognana through chestnut forests. Return, dodge the odd heavy deluge, have a lunch, then head over the terme itself.

At the terme building, it doesn't look very open, but some cars are parked in front, so it probably is open for business. 

It looks like it doubles up as a medical center: along the side of the building are people sitting around in what looks like a waiting room. Not really inviting. 

There's a green park to the rear, but it doesn't reveal anything. I also had expected that the source itself might be able to be visited, but the underground sources are only to be visited on Saturday mornings, if reserved on forehand. A description of such an underground visit to be had from DiscoverAltoRenoTerme. They also refer to as the temperature being hottest 29°C.

This terme building is part of the Terme di Porretta which is the institute that manages the terme and its waters. Concerning the waters:

'The salso-bromo-iodine waters

They emerge from the soil in the upper side of the country, under the hotel Terme, in the same area where archaeological finds of the Roman baths were re-discovered. These waters have reminiscent of the sea water in their composition'.

Despite not enjoying a self-experience there is this (from Hot springs in Tuscany), some what dated experience (2011): 

'The building where the thermal baths are located is a depressing 1970's structure, badly in need of some remodelling. It has obviously be given little care in the past few years. However, I understand that the property has changed hands, and some work is being done. For now, it looks like this:

...

The temperature of the water in the pool is a warm 36°C/96.8°F, and the room is kept at 31°C/87°F. The water contains salt, bromine, and iodine. The lifeguard told me that it is similar to sea water. They treat this pool with clorine'.

Despite there being renovations since, it doesn't seem too much positives to note: 

• Tripadvisor gives the terme 3 stars (from 44 reviews, all Italian sourced). Mentioned: poor renovation, little usage, not always friendly service, sometimes closed during weekend.
• Google (479 reviews) is a lot more positive: 4.3 stars. Though it looks like some persons confused the terme with the town. All relevant reviews in Italian likewise, with a bias for persons who took a "treatment". What stuck was one reviewer who said it looks like an old-fashioned local swimming pool (see below photo). Another reviewer felt Tripadvisor reviews were more akin to her experience!

stefanobonaccini at the Terme di Porretta terme during the post-Corona restart:

INSIEME PER IL TERRITORIO, RIPARTONO LE TERME DI PORRETTA ⛲️

Inaugurato questa mattina il nuovo stabilimento delle Terme Basse, via libera che sancisce la ripartenza delle Terme di Porretta, storica struttura dell’Appennino bolognese.

Ancora una volta, un grande gioco di squadra, col progetto di rilancio del Gruppo Salute Più e il lavoro di Regione Emilia-Romagna, Governo, Inail e di tutto il territorio.

Taglio del nastro col nostro assessore Corsini e il sindaco di Alto Reno Terme, Nanni.

Da lunedì prossimo operativa la parte servizi e cure nelle Terme Basse, entro l’estate l'apertura del parco termale e della spa benessere.

Turismo e salute in un luogo straordinario. Per il lavoro e per promuovere la nostra montagna e l’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano in tutto il Paese.

Finding precious little to stem our soaking curiosity we continue onwards to Chiesa della Madonna del Ponte where we can take shelter from the next rain shower. The Chiesa protects amongst others basketball players ...

Apex

A bit more history from the same Terme di Porretta website:

'The thermal baths of Porretta have over 2000 years, and legend says it was thanks to a sick ox, unable to hold the plow and set free by his owner, that the properties of the waters were discovered: the ox quenched his thirst at the thermal spring – which was later called Polecat – during one of his wanderings, and got its strength back. Since then, the healed ox is the emblem of the Baths of Porretta'.

It also mentions Roman and Etruscan finds

After rail construction in the late nineteenth century:

'The baths were frequented by a selected audience, represented by the ruling class of the time, the bourgeois society that saw in the thermal town a place of leisure and recreation, besides an opportunity for treatment. This century represented the apex for the Baths of Porretta, with an inflow of bathers never materialized in the past'.

Instagram (location: Porretta terme) has very few photo's of the terme itself, maybe Instagrammers and potential terme users are differing audiences.

The terme building has not always been in this location. In earlier times the building was just on the edge of the town just before the gorge on the Maggiore river. Fondoambiente (translated): 

'Currently it is not possible to visit the area, but the SOS Terme Alte Committee has been fighting for years to return this property to the population'.

Great pictures of the interior of the building. More info on the building can be found here as the building is slowly being brought back to it's pervious elongance.

If seeking soaking solace it might be better to check in to the private Hotel Helvetia Thermal Spa which lies centrally in town and has  a thermal pool and small wellness area built into a WWII air raid shelter.

• Tripadvisor rates it with 4.5 stars (2082 reviews) most reviewers of Italian descendancy, very little to complain about it seems.
• Google 4.6 stars (1114 reviews), the only recent minus being a remark that the spa needs to be reserved on forehand.

Blending

Though the terme visitation wasn't what it could have been, Poretta Terme and its surroundings have considerable charm.

Other nearby worthwhile visits:

* Rocchetta Mattei. Wikipedia:

'Rocchetta Mattei is a fortress located on the Northern Apennine Mountains , on a hill which is 407 meters above sea level, in the locality of Savignano in the municipality of Grizzana Morandi , on the Strada Statale 64 Porrettana, in the Metropolitan City of Bologna.

Built in the second half of nineteenth century, it blends various eclectic styles, from Medieval to Moorish'.

* Parco Storico di Monte Sole. EmilioRomagnaTurisimo: 

'The park is an impressive natural area. It is home to about 936 species of flora, almost one-third of the diversity of vegetation of the entire Emilia-Romagna region.

The fauna is also abundant and diverse. Visitors will often spot red deer, roe deer, wild boar and squirrels, but also birds, such as the small shrike, the Western Bonelli’s warbler, the common whitethroat warbler, the green woodpecker, the Eurasian nuthatch, the kingfisher and many more'.

* The village of La Scola and surroundings have some good walks in the rolling countryside.

* The village of Grizzana Morandi, which was the mountain refuge of painter Giorgio Morandi.

Further afield there are other terme's in the neighbourhood (source) to be enjoyed. Another good web source is that of gogoterme which lists 18 termes, no less, in Emilia Romagna alone. Most though are commercially run with distinct health attributes. 

Their entry on Porretta emulates all shared information already, though they have more natural discoveries to be made in the Appennines.

Monterenzio (85 km from Porretta, 2(!) hours drive) has an Agrotourisimo which has access to its own thermal baths. It seems a lot better than most commercially run establishments, as they cater more to tourists but on a smaller scale. Also organizes naturist evenings, quite unique in Italy.

More Italian hot springs to be had from hotspringsworldwide.info.

Outfit

ihviiimattvincent

🇮🇸 Iceland 🇮🇸

You know how to give me and @bonschro some perfect ways to end the day. Socking in natural hot springs watching your 4 hour sunset.

#nakedinnature #hviii #shap #butts #assesout #iceland #hotsprings #skinnydipping

Just a couple of photos before soaking on Iceland becomes wintery.

Though soaking may be a predominant social affair, other than above the rest of the contributions are singular. Possibly the significant other is behind the camera?

acroyogaguy

This. Hits. Hard.

The inability to receive support from others is a trauma response.

Your “I don’t need anyone, I’ll just do it all myself” conditioning is a survival tactic. And you needed it to shield your heart from abuse, neglect, betrayal, and disappointment from those who could not or would not be there for you.

From the parent who was absent and abandoned you by choice or the parent who was never home from working three jobs to feed and house you.

From the lovers who offered sexual intimacy but never offered a safe haven that honored your heart.

From the friendships and family who ALWAYS took more than they ever gave.

From all the situations when someone told you “we’re in this together” or “I got you” then abandoned you, leaving you to pick up the pieces when shit got real, leaving you to handle your part and their part, too.

From all the lies and all the betrayals.

You learned along the way that you just couldn’t really trust people. Or that you could trust people, but only up to a certain point.

Extreme-independence IS. A. TRUST. ISSUE.

You learnt: if I don’t put myself in a situation where I rely on someone, I won’t have to be disappointed when they don’t show up for me, or when they drop the ball... because they will ALWAYS drop the ball EVENTUALLY right?

You may even have been intentionally taught this protection strategy by generations of hurt ancestors who came before you.

Extreme-independence is a preemptive strike against heartbreak.

So, you don’t trust anyone.

And you don’t trust yourself, either, to choose people.

To trust is to hope, to trust is to be vulnerable.

.

.

.

.

-Jamila White, @inspiredjamila

-Photo credit: @tinna_sif

-Model: @acroyogaguy

.

#iceland #icelandtravel #iceland🇮🇸 #travel #barefeet

anniecfit

What a crazy, dramatic, wild ride life is. We literally have NO idea where it’s going to take us or where we’ll end up.

If this pandemic has taught me anything it’s that taking chances is the ONLY way to live - because we don’t know when life is going to show up and stop us dead in our tracks.

I refuse to be still in this moment, I refuse to stand and wait for this to be over. Life is happening right now, so I’ll do what I can with the time and opportunity that I have. I may not be able to sit (or stand) in a geothermal hotpot in eastern Iceland at this particular moment but I reject the overwhelming emotion of feeling stuck. I can’t and I will not let uncontrollable circumstances take over every part of my life.

In times like these I look back at moments in my life when I really went for what I wanted. When I threw the fear and doubt and the “what-ifs” right out the fucking window. I’m so grateful I have those moments to look back on and be proud of myself for leaning into discomfort. I’ve often failed in those moments but I’ve always failed upwards, learning as I went.

So I’ve made the choice to not retreat during COVID19 because one day I’ll be looking back at what version of myself I decided to be.. and I’ll be dammed If I’m not proud of that lady! 🙌🏼

-

Outfit: birthday suit (link in bio)

-

-

#djúpavogskörin

#iceland🇮🇸 #covid19

Descriptive

itstianyang

The spa of the volcano earth 🌍 Iceland is such a beautiful country, no words can describe 🌿

tynnda

#iceland #hotsprings #bathing #enjoyingiceland #mountains #naturism #nudity #hiking #mountainlovers #iceland🇮🇸 #hotspringiceland #nature #naturelover #czechgirl #🏔

halldora.e

Náttúrubarn vol I🌿

#hrunalaug #suðurland #iceland #icelandtravel #nature #naturepool

angielockwoodkurtz

End

icelandic.naturist

Had a relaxing soak at Heydalslaug which is a natural hot spring located close to the camping place there. I can be busy but you will see people comming so it is easy to stay naked there while you have the place to your self at least.

#hotsprings #hotspring #naturism #nudism #fkk #naturist #nudist #skinnydipping

miquelcastellsagupiqu

the_heliumbrella

Leaving Iceland behind 🍑

Liberté

nicolas.ryfe

Le moment parfait pour aller à la fameuse source naturelle du Mont Dore!

#snow #snowyday #calm #chilling#adventure #hotspring #hotwater #auvergne#instapic #picoftheday #perfecttiming#nature #landscape #beautifullife #awesome#meditation #mountains #ice #life @explorationfever @auvergnetourisme

To start off the year, let's enjoy some winter soaking from the continent. 

Or from the islands surrounding the continent. Has anyone noticed that the more rustic and laid back soaks are located on islands?

Anyway above is smack bang in the center of the continent, from central France. 

Below, a recent find, Chaude-Fontaine near the town of Vecoux, in the Vosges region of northeastern France. Not hot, but OK at 21°C?

maxime_hensen

Que faire dans les Vosges quand il a neigé?Du ski?Non Non on se baigne x) #SourceChaude 21°c#Vosges#Vecoux#0°c Dehors#Frangin ❤#Crazy

Below a taste of winter soaking in the French Pyrenees. First Prats Balaguer, then Canaveilles.

club.catala.de.naturisme

El dissabte 18 de març es va fer una excursió per les Gorgues de Carançà al Conflent (Catalunya Nord), amb bany nudista, i després un altre bany en aigües termals naturals i lliures. #nudisme #nudista #nuesa #natural #llibertat#relax #natura #senderisme #naturisme

 theoliveraquel

☀☀☀☀☀

Nature

roopulido

Y si ! Me metí en la termas a unos cuantos grados bajo cero ❄️🌡Y la verdad me quede como nueva después de estar más de una hora en remojo 👱🏼‍♀️💙Un SPA NATURAL al alcance de todos ! Deseando volver 🔙🔜✔️..Y siempre contigo 🦁.📸 @ibaisaenz ..#picoftheday #pictureperfect #picturesque#photography#photographer#photooftheday #photo #vsco #vscocam#love #snow #blondie#instagram #vans#vanlife #mendi #camper #campervan#nature #life #lifestyle#snow #termas#thermal #thermas #yesa #nudismo#nature#naturephotography #naturelovers #naked#spa 

Heading westwards, on the other side of the watershed are the seasonal hot springs of Tiermas (Alto Aragon). Seasonal depending on how the waters stands behind the barrage.

Continuing due west we then reach the northwest Spanish region of Cantabria, where the hot spring of Termas Desfiladero de La Hermida is a great soak to be had. 

Though south Spain may have seen some snow recently it's usually not that bad weather wise, though the soak of Santa Fé (Andalucia) looks an enticing way to letting the winter pass.

hanglooi

#surftrip#natur#hotsprings#river#spain#relax#day#wellness#friends#fun#

_nollueveeternamente_

No hay más magia en ningun sitio, que dentro de uno mismo, si se pierde, solo hay que volver a buscarla. 🌈#lastermas #santafe #granada #nature#forest #aguacaliente #desnudo#tattoo#travel #instatravel #instagood #likeforlike#followme

Angles

weenjoy.co

Enjoying hot spring near Caltavuturo: in Sclafani Bagni. During sunset it’s the best thing 😊❤️

Sticking to southern limits of Europe, up in the mountains of central Sicily you'll come across the neglected soaks of Sclafani Bagni.

Then at the east of the E.U., on the Greek island of Icaria a somewhat cooler hot spring: half submerged in the Aegean sea.

North of Greece, we hop over the border to the hot springs of Rupite, Bulgaria.

poppynesspoppyness at Agía Kyriakí

#Ikaria #naturalhotsprings #minerals #bluezone#hotsprings #naturesownspa #bluewaters#blessed #islandlife #islandway #islandliving

vladi.io

My best face angle at #spontaneous#spa#rupite #hotspring #mineralwater#friday #iminlove photo by @rroniander

Done and dusted

seanlucky at Varmahlíð (north Iceland):

Outdoor hot springs are the new favourite thing. Had this one to ourselves in the middle of nowhere.

Then to the isle of Iceland. Despite what you think, there's not much snow and  ice available as a backdrop. Then again it just may be, that winter conditions (including daylight) make it all the more difficult to get the soak. And of course all the more rewarding...

nicoleguillon at Landbrotalaug (Westfjords):

little hot spring in the snowy wilderness #iceland

tthorarinsdottir at Reykjaladur (south Iceland):

Um að gera að njóta👍🏼

ewangronk

Hot springs in winter #vikingnudists