Testify

marco.bergonzi.film

Alba a Fordongianus, Sardegna ‘25

#sardegna #waterfotography #portrait #turismosardegna #terme #hotspring #nowness #fordongianus #canon

A somewhat more concise edition. And as habitual lately, little on soaking itself. Just these snippets.

Starting off in Italy.

French Nature st source chaud has been off (Jun. 8) to Italy's volcanic island of Ischia. As usual his blog entries are very long and full of details. Eleven volcanic and or thermal visits are described. A translated snippet:

'Ischia is not thermal by chance: the island rests on a still active hydrothermal system , linked to its volcanic history. Under the ground, the waters circulate in fractures, heat up deep down, become charged with gas and minerals, then rise to the surface.

The scale of the phenomenon is impressive: a scientific inventory lists approximately 264 groundwater extraction points on the island, the majority of which are wells. This figure, which testifies to the incredible activity of the subsoil, should not be confused with the number of visible natural springs. Ischia actually has 29 groups of thermal springs, in addition to numerous fumarolic phenomena. The 264 points thus encompass different realities: historical springs that have been developed, but above all, wells, boreholes, and water intakes that supply the island's thermal and tourist establishments'.

He also has a section dedicated to the islands natural pools (as opposed to the many private entities).

Spabusiness (Aug. 2) reports on improvements at Saturnia, Tuscany. But only on the developed side of the termi. The public side remains over touristed.

betybut555

#naturaleza #termasarnedillo

Hot springers has an entry (Jul. 30) on Lukács in Budapest:

'There were a lot of soakers in the small space, so it felt a bit noisy.

However, when I closed my eyes and focused on the water, it turned out to be the most satisfying soaking experience I’ve ever had among bathhouses in Budapest'.

Hot spring-ish. Greek news website news247 has a feature (Aug. 9) on taking a mud bath at Krinides. Translated:

'The interaction of thermomineral waters, organic materials, microorganisms and inorganic components formed a mature therapeutic clay, which is used in clay therapy and has recognized applications in musculoskeletal and skin diseases.

...

...

In recent years, the space has been attempting to change again.

The goal is to stop operating exclusively during the summer months and transform it into a destination that can receive visitors all year round.

As part of the upgrade, an outdoor swimming pool with warm thermal water is being created, while indoor mud therapy and hydrotherapy areas are being constructed'.

Hmm, despite the included (old skool) photo, it seems bathing costumes are also being allowed.

I looked at more recent sources. f.i. discoverkavala (Jun. 11):

'Practical Tip: Remember to pack a swimsuit, towel, and flip-flops. Please note that wearing a swimsuit is mandatory for hygiene and safety reasons'.

Is it the official line? The official website makes no mention of a dress code.

From 2 years ago there's this review (on google):

'The males and females are separated into different mudbaths and the overall experience was excellent (everyone was nude, but you can purchase some small underwear for €1). Skin feels very clean and rejuvenated!

There's also at least one review from 2025 which mentions nudity.

There's this youtube from last year (Feb 13, 2025; so probably vdo from 2024), it shows with and without situation:

Attention

Over to sauna (culture).

Czech expats tries to explain (Aug. 14) the situation concerning nudity in the Czech Republic. 

On the local sauna (cluture):

'Czech sauna culture has its own set of unspoken rules, and here the expectation is often that you won't be wearing a swimsuit at all.

...

She says people have very different attitudes toward nudity, and that mixed saunas can sometimes put women off because of unwanted attention.

“I often feel sorry that saunas are a bit sexualized here. I've talked to girls several times who don't want to go to the mixed sauna because the guys look at them lustfully.”

It's  all quite complicated.

Thekit ("tells stories that matter to women" (in Canada)) has a sauna experience report (Aug. 21) from Austria:

'Stripping down wasn't just about shedding my clothes—it was about dropping my emotional baggage

I didn’t notice the flopping penises until I stepped into the sauna.

Was I at a nudist retreat? A wellness commune? Neither. Just a regular spa resort in Austria.

...

Then suddenly, everyone was naked—and my friend Stacy and I were the only people still dressed, sitting awkwardly on the wooden bench in our bikinis.

“No bathing suits in the sauna,” the sauna master explained gruffly. “It’s unhygienic,” he added, presumably for my benefit.

Stacy and I were silent.

“I’ll do it if you will,” Stacy dared me. Not wanting to look like a wimp, I nodded. We shimmied out of our bathing suits right there, in the middle of the sauna—which, in retrospect, I don’t think was proper protocol—and arranged ourselves on the bench as casually as two newly naked North American women possibly could. Help, I said to myself.

...

If anything, I was the weird one, sneaking glances around the room because I was still trying to decode the rules.

...

Maybe that was what I had been nervous about all along—not merely being naked, but being exposed as somehow abnormal. Instead, I discovered that I was just like everyone else'.

letzebuerger_land

Nicht so frei wie die Deutschen, weniger prüde als die Franzosen: Wie es um die hiesige #sauna kultur und das Nacktsein steht (Text: Sarah Pepin, Foto: @atelierimages )

Baseball

A reel from German comedian (!) Marioadrion (Jul. 31) on the differences between his sauna culture (German in Sweden) and that of the US. Live-ish from the sauna itself. It gains a lot of traction, 200+ comments. Such as:

j.ortiz.art

I just had this experience! I went to a sauna in a new place (in the states, in a women’s locker room), and they had a sign that you cannot be naked! I couldn’t believe it. There was also a lady that was fully clothed, wearing tennis shoes, a baseball hat and watching a movie on her phone. Yes, really. It was a very surreal experience.

...

matthiasstrass 4 w.

I remember the first time I went to a sauna in Europe (Norway. Was living in Spain at the time) and there were schlongs EVERYWHERE! Schlongs to the left. Schlongs to the right. Tiddies right in front of me! I was intimidated at first but quickly acclimated to letting my schlong go free 🤗 when I got back to the US, I forgot that my bare schlong made people uncomfortable at the sauna but idgaf. I always go into the sauna and steam room bare schlong and don’t care what the American prudes think anymore 🙌

From Medium Slavicuncovered on how to enjoy a naked sauna (Jun. 27):

'During my travels — and trust me, I’ve sweated in more sauna cabins than I can count — I’ve discovered something rather amusing: almost every country believes it has ‘perfected’ the art of sauna....What’s fascinating is that many of these traditions flatly contradict each other. In some countries, mixed-gender nudity is completely normal, but talking during a session is practically a crime. In others, conversation flows freely, but everyone’s expected to wear swimwear (! eww!). Some places lean into essential oils and elaborate ceremonies, while others keep it plain and simple.

...

As someone who lives a fair chunk of her life uncovered, I can tell you people often assume naturists choose nude saunas to make a statement. The reality is far less dramatic: a sauna is designed to heat the body, full stop....That doesn’t mean everyone must be nude in every sauna — local customs vary, and that’s part of the fun of exploring them. But in traditional sauna cultures throughout much of Europe, nudity combined with proper towel etiquette is considered the most hygienic and practical approach. Not scandalous. Just sensible.

...

The best sauna etiquette isn’t really about rules at all. It’s about consideration. Shower before entering. Use a proper, full-length towel. Respect the atmosphere of the room. Trust the sauna master. Cool down properly. Stay hydrated. None of these habits exist to make your life harder — they exist to make the experience better for everyone, including you.

For me, sauna culture is just one more layer of “uncovered” living — the same philosophy behind everything I do with SlavicUncovered, whether that’s the podcast, the videos, or simply walking around without my clothes on more often than most people would expect. It’s about shedding the unnecessary and the performative, and getting honest with your body, your comfort, and the people around you. That’s intimacy in its own quiet way — not always romantic, but always real'.

A post (Aug. 26) on the instagram account of Diese_reisegefeahrten asks the question:

'Sauna auf Kreuzfahrtschiffen – textilfrei oder mit Badeanzug?

At least 50 (mostly free) answers.

Finally, over in Scotland, sauna's are all the rage. The all-encompassing Culture on bathing reports (Aug. 13) on the Edinburgh's Fringe festival effort in combining sauna and theater. Which the Aufguss in reality is.

'For over two decades, theatre director James Grieve and designer Lucy Osborne have brought shows to highly unconventional spaces.

...

Jane Withers talks to Lucy and James about using sauna’s superpowers to redefine how we experience storytelling and their ambitions for building an art and culture ecosystem around bathing.

...

But we only recently started thinking about the similarities between sauna and theatre. They both evolved from sitting around a campfire telling a story. They both give people communal sensory experiences in a world that has become increasingly screen-orientated and disconnected. We’ve been talking about how these two worlds could merge for three years and now we’re opening Sauna Theatre in Edinburgh.

...

JAMES: Aufguss is how we’ve been introduced to theatricality in a sauna space and we have seen a lot of show aufguss which is governed by rules and regulations. As theatre-makers, we are naturally rule breakers and enjoy subverting theatrical form. So what we are most excited about is bringing theatre artists together with sauna masters and finding new ways to create worlds'.

kuinbich

La cabra tira al monte, y nosotras pal norte

#rinconesconencanto #viajedechicas #brujas #meigas #comodiosnostrajoalmundo

Pasta & passion

healingis_hot

Fosso Bianco & more termes of Italy pt 3 — the journey , what fuels me to get to hot springs … lots of pasta 🍝 and a passion for honoring life. ❤️‍🔥

Visiting the hot springs of Tuscany with a new friend 💋 🥰, my trusty thermomotter 🦦 and my grandparents, was special seeing everyone soak in the healing. My sidekick mini Stevie 🐺 also enjoyed the steam 🌬️

Incredible in the last video to see Fosso Bianco with many people enjoying at nearly dark, then like in my recent photos.. we had it to ourselves for the most amazing sunrise over hot springs I’ve seen yet ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

What's hot? Or not?

Hot spring guides (Jul. 7) on Greece's Thermopylae:

'The springs are not recommended for families with young children. The site is entirely unmanaged, there is no lifeguard, and the combination of hot water and irregular slippery rock presents genuine risk for small children. Older teenagers with good physical confidence can manage the site, but the environment rewards caution. The therma loutra character of this spring is entirely informal; visitors assess conditions themselves and soak at their own discretion.

For solo travelers and small groups comfortable with undeveloped natural settings, the springs offer a distinctive experience unlike any organized hot spring facility in Greece. Natural hot springs in Greece of this historical significance are rare, and the combination of ancient thermal activity and battlefield heritage makes Thermopylae unlike any other site in the country. A short daylight visit with practical expectations is the best approach: bring a towel, water, water shoes, and a change of clothes, and treat the stop as a brief soak rather than a full day out'.

An entry on Serbia ((Jul. 25), found on Facebook). Translated:

'Looking for a place without the crowds of tourists, where you can recharge, improve your health, and admire the natural beauty? Save the coordinates: Visočka Banja, hidden in the canyon of one of the cleanest rivers in Europe – Veliki Rzav. This amazing natural phenomenon has existed for over 80,000 years. Warm geothermal springs flow out right from the rock cliffs at the water's edge. Under pressure, the water temperature remains +27°C all year round, and literally a meter away from them flows an ice-cold mountain river'.

So not so hot.

The official Spanish tourism website presents (May 26) an overview (or their overview) of Spain's thermal treasures. They didn't do too much research, only 4 thermal locations!

blnk.99

diXxfrutÓn!!✨

Guise

In this section, we move to the sauna world. And start off by reviewing the new. 

Nearby.

Amsterdam's Parool reports (Jun. 8) on the (changing?) sauna scene of the capital. And how smaller sauna's are leading the way; at least for the younger crowd.

From owners of a floating sauna (translated):

'According to the owners, 'social saunaing' is the central concept: the sauna as a place for meeting and relaxation'.

The article continues:

'The rates for these mini-saunas are, in any case, less elitist: whereas you pay at least 45 euros for daytime entry to wellness resorts like Spa Zuiver or Spa Weesp, at Badhus a membership costs 25 euros per month allowing you to visit the sauna twice. According to urban sociologist Roos Gerritsma, who conducts research into Urban Leisure at Inholland University of Applied Sciences, among other subjects, these relatively low prices for short sauna visits are one of the factors why sauna hubs are popular among millennials. “Some of them are already aware at a young age of the importance of a healthy lifestyle to keep up with their busy lives.”

At the same time, many millennials are being efficient about where they spend their money and who they spend time with, says Gerritsma. “Spending a whole day at a wellness center, trying out multiple saunas and often having lunch in between, is not only expensive but also takes a lot of time. A quick visit to the mini-sauna is a form of passive wellness where the effort and time are minimal, but the effect is enormous: it cleanses body and mind and also has a preventive effect.”

...

Joanna Wojtkowiak, an assistant professor at the University of Humanistic Studies who has conducted research into changing rituals, among other things, views the revival of (social) sauna culture as an example of how 'ritual emptiness' is being addressed in this day and age. That emptiness, she says, has arisen from secularization and individualism in society. “It is an old practice in a new guise. A ritual gains meaning through the 'how', that is, through the manner in which a practice is performed with attention and reflection.”

Having just visited Sweden, I can relay that Swedish public sauna's are few and far between. Surprised? Then again, private ownership is huge.

But it seems that Stockholm is possibly seeing it's first public sauna. That's accouding to the Guardian (May 17):

'There is little doubt that Stockholm is a city of sauna-goers. All year round, from early morning to late into the night, the city’s residents can be seen emerging from wooden huts, a trail of woodsmoke coming from the chimney, and lowering themselves into the deep brackish waters of the Swedish capital’s shoreline.
But, for locals and visitors alike, getting access to one of these saunas can be a bit like getting into the world’s most exclusive private members’ clubs: the most popular waterside venues have years-long waiting lists of thousands and when new places open up they disappear in minutes. While a proportion of spots are sometimes bookable to non-members, they are difficult to come by.
...
The scarcity is thrown into particularly sharp relief by the sauna scene in its Nordic neighbours. In the Norwegian capital, Oslo, despite a huge rise in popularity over the last decade, it is relatively easy to get a same-day sauna spot at one of the seven Oslo Sauna Association floating saunas. In Helsinki, Finland, where the ability to sauna is considered an essential part of daily life, there is an abundance of public saunas and even a waterside community-run sauna.
...
Stockholm’s authorities say the sauna is part of a wider quay-side strategy aimed at opening up the city’s waterfronts, including new areas for swimming, walkways and seating areas.
It is also planning new guidelines requiring all sauna slots in the city centre to be fully publicly available to book.
The new booking rules have been criticised by some sauna associations, which say it could make it difficult to maintain the old membership model, which they say makes it cheaper for regular sauna users.
Karlsson believes the city and privately-run models “complement one another” and that the city’s pricing means they will not be undercutting other saunas.
But, at 150 kronor (£12) for 90 minutes, which is more expensive than guest sessions at many privately run saunas, the cost could be prohibitively expensive for some. Initially everybody will pay the same rate, but Karlsson said they would look at different pricing structures for students and pensioners once they have a sense of demand'.

TimeOut (Jun. 1) reports on developments in Copenhagen:

'Copenhagen, already well-known for its bracing harbour plunges and saunas, is about to become even more of a hotspot for swimmers and bathers with the opening of the brand-new Water Culture House. The bathhouse will take up residence on Copenhagen Harbour, neighbouring the city’s Opera house, later this year.

It’s been designed by Japanese architecture firm Kengo Kuma & Associates, and will house a ‘water culture centre’ as well as a wellness centre and community facilities. According to the official website, the building will be made from solid brick stumps, arranged with tactical gaps to allow light to filter through the walls and then reversed at night, allowing light to be emitted through these gaps from inside'.

Lot's of blah blah.

Resting Dragon (Jul. 11) heads for Bad Ragaz, Switzerland:

'Bad Ragaz has the best water of any thermalbad I’ve visited. Technically classified as chloride-hydrogen carbonate-sulphate water, it has a thick, fizzy feel. My skin is always silky after a few minutes bathing in it, and my sore muscles are soothed. There’s only two downsides. First, the baths are often busy, even outside of peak season, and there’s a lot of families, which is great if you have kids with you, but can make it more difficult to relax otherwise. Second, the water is fairly cold. It comes from its source, the Tamina Gorge, at 36.5 C, and while some of the pools are heated further, they are small compared to the cooler ones. As far as I can tell, the Tamina Therme doesn’t adjust the pool temperature seasonally, like some spas do.

... 

It’s hard to describe the vibe that makes Sauna World so great, but I’ll try. Everyone there is chill and friendly, even if you don’t speak the same language (which you probably wont). No one is creepy, even a bit. Etiquette is immaculate, in fact, staff once politely spoke to me for sitting in the sauna on my bath robe instead of a towel'.

Outside (Jul. 1) research this:

'Therme Group, Europe’s wellness behemoth, is planning to open stadium-sized health spas across the USA. Are Americans ready for Roman baths? We traveled to Bucharest to find out'.

It's an extensive article revolving around the experience of Therme Bucharest. And whether or not the US is ripe for such developments:

'Therme [Bucharest] is crowded in winter (with Germans wanting to look at palm trees) and summer (with guests from all over wanting a vaguely exotic beach-resort-ish experience, minus the hassle and cost of traveling to an actual beach resort). More than that, I got the sense that it was a place that people go because it’s a place that other people go. The people are part of the attraction, and Instagram keeps them coming, to take selfies against the soaring glass roof, the seductive blue pools, the lush indoor jungle, the sense of scale and space. Which is also part of the attraction.

Therme’s business is based on the German Thermes ...

It doesn't really answer whether or not an investment of 500$ million will pay itself back. Or whether the US appetite for these wellness Disney sites are on.

planetnudeblog

Lessons to learn at Therme Erding

A visit to Europe's largest spa raises questions U.S. naturism hasn't answered

Torn

Doing the rounds at the moment is the documentary the Changing Worlds of the Morrocan Hammams. There's a trailer. By Sauna Channel. 

Film freeway (Jan. 19, 2026):

'Narrated by bathing and travel enthusiast Francis Mathew, the film blends personal stories with rare access to reveal how historical and cultural threads are being torn apart and what is at stake. The documentary explores how ancient traditions endure or vanish in a rapidly changing world'.

There's a lot of sauna related items coming from / co-inspired by the upcoming Sauna congress in Oslo.

SaunaTimes (May 26) has an interview with Oslo's The Well's Ingrid G. Motrøen, Chief Marketing Officer:

'From the beginning, The Well was inspired by continental bathing culture and the idea that wellness is about more than treatments alone. Over the years, we’ve continued to refine and strengthen that direction'.

Sauna Times also has an interview (June 15) with Lasse Eriksen who is the Development Manager of Farrisbad (Larvik, Norway). It's actually a very good interview, over an hour long. Well, worth a listen.

Slightly different news, a popular public sauna (Sompasauna) in Finland reports (June 23) on vandalism / stealing at their location.

alinapalahniuk

Банна церемонія від якої я кайфанула не менше за дівчат 🌿

Дякую кожній, хто розділила зі мною цей день🤍

Repressed?

Filling out this section seems never to be a problem. Due to the content?

Thisisyules (Jun. 17) starts us off with sharing on instagram, her experience at Hotel Nesslerhof (Salzurg, Austria). Especially highlighting the clothesfree possibilities. More than 8000 hearts are shared as well as many comments. And in these comments section, the pro's need to have scientific arguments to convince the cons, who rely on their own beliefs ...:

flubber09:

'Ist interessant hier die Kommentare zu lesen und vorallem wieviel gegen Textilfrei sind. Woran liegt das? Verklemmt auf Grund der Erziehung, Religion, nicht dem oft suggeriertem Körperideal entsprechend oder blödsinnige Verbindung von Textilfrei und Erotik?

Ich stamme aus dem Osten, entspreche in keinster Weise dem Idealmaß, mach trotzdem seit Jahrzehnten FKK, weil es nix nervigeres gibt als nasse Badeklamotten. Von daher finde ich es super, dass es solche textilfreien Einrichtungen gibt'.

She also shares a code for a discount.

An older find (Jan. 6, 2025), a Swiss article from the University of Basel questioning whether we have all became prudes:

'In den Schwitzstuben der Schweiz trifft man hüllenlos aufeinander. Frau und Mann. Chefs und Angestellte. Topverdienerinnen und Sozialhilfebezüger. Wer man war und ist, spielt keine Rolle. In der Nacktheit ist man gleich. Bislang. Denn gerade verschiebt sich etwas.

...

My body, my choice – mein Körper, meine Entscheidung. Die Parole hört man bei Strassenprotesten, wenn es um sexuelle Gewalt gegen Frauen geht, darum, das Recht auf eine Abtreibung zu verteidigen. Nun drängt sie auch in die Schwitzkabinen. Badeanzug und Bikini als feministischer Akt.

Offen bleibt, wie sich das weiter auswirkt. Was die Aufladung der Nacktheit mit uns macht. Vielleicht besteht auch die Gefahr, dass wir ein Stück Ungezwungenheit verlieren. Und Selbstvergessenheit. An einem der letzten Orte, wo das noch möglich ist'.

On the Sauna Congress 2026 (Oslo) website an article (Jul. 9) by sauna expert Mikkel Aaland. At a presentation, he was corrected by a woman who said that in Finland there's no co-ed naked sauning. Mikkel disagreed:

'What are my thoughts on co-ed nudity?

Personally, I am more comfortable bathing naked, regardless of who I am with. I equate nudity with sensuality but not with sexuality.

I always bring a clean towel to sit on, but that's all. I also respect local customs and sensitivities and when necessary cover myself appropriately with a loose-fitting towel or sheet. (I avoid wearing synthetic bathing suits. They become uncomfortable in the heat, and the synthetic fabric doesn't breathe.)

...

On the other hand, over and over I've seen how the soothing heat of the sweat has a way of melting inhibitions. I've witnessed people who were initially body shy, relax in the womb-like environment, drop their modesty, and reveal their natural, glowing selves. The transformation is inspiring'.

HeistBerlin then seeks the opposite answer to:

'We tried out two textile-mandatory saunas to answer the question: Does Berlin really need this?

The start of an answer:

'Nobody who’s felt the joy of letting sweat flow freely from nipple to kneecap, unobstructed by sodden polyester, can possibly return to the tyranny of swimwear.

Or so I thought, until I started seeing social media ads for a new breed of spa. A place filled with beautiful young people contorting themselves into yoga positions, gracefully slipping into cold plunges and dancing to techno, all while clad in trunks and bikinis.

In other words, the American-style sauna has landed in Berlin. And it’s brought American prudishness with it'.

Again, considerable discussion; from Reditt this article gains some 70+ comments. This sums the discussion up (that's a "no"):

DendriteCocktail:

'As an occasional thing wearing a swimsuit is fine. It's not something that I'd want to have to do regularly.

Places / days that require suits often come with a funky smell because nobody is washing their bits between rounds so bacteria is building up and up and up.

Pools require much higher amounts of chlorine and acids to counteract the increased bacterial load from all of the people not washing their bits.

Sweating under a swimsuit is just plain uncomfortable.

Standing around in a wet suit, especially if dripping cold water on your legs and feet, isn't very pleasant'.

From Deutsche Welle Travel Instagram account (May 20) highlights Germany's sauna culture which (we know) entails nakedness:

'No swimsuits, no phones, and heat up to 100°C – Germany’s sauna culture can surprise first-timers. Germans swear by it for its health benefits, from boosting circulation to detoxifying the body and reducing stress'.

It combines with this ten minute youtube article which highlights the Vabali spa's and Baden-Baden:

On Instagram, Badstuprat (Jun. 24) present an interview with:

'Kim Nyheim Ragnarsson, who runs the wellness oasis just outside Oslo'.

In short: 

'Not least, The Well has gone all in as the main sponsor and partner for@saunacongress2026which takes place in Oslo in September, and is looking forward to welcoming sauna enthusiasts from all over the world. 🌎

In this episode we also get the answer to the ever-recurring question: do you really have to be naked at The Well?

Unfortunately it's in Norwegian, so the answer needs to be sought elsewhere ... 

The Well's own site answers: Tuesday is non-nude day, other days sauna's are nude, swimming is clothing optional. But only with the Well's own swimwear.

Route North (May 26 it says, though the comments section refers to comments 10 months ago ...) on Swedish sauna etiquette:

'The first thing to remember is that, for many Swedes, there’s nothing particularly odd (or sexy) about getting naked in the sauna.

Not having clothes sticking to your skin just makes the whole sauna experience a bit more comfortable. Some purists even consider it unhygienic to bring swimwear into the sauna.

On a social level, there’s also a certain honesty to being completely naked. In the sauna, everyone is exposed, and (in theory, at least) everyone is equal'.

DestinationClothesfree has updated (April 2026) it's entry on European spa etiquette. Lots to be concerned about?

'European clothes-free spas operate by a set of rules that most visitors only discover once they have broken one. The nudity policy tends to be the clearest requirement. What trips people up is everything else: the hygiene protocol before every sauna, the towel etiquette, the Aufguss ceremony, and the significant variation in spa culture by country'.

Finally, on nude.ru a transcript of a discussion (Feb. 27) between the website content creator (A) and a journalist (Yu) about the banya:

'Yu: The banya has become truly fashionable. How did this happen? What need did it fill?

A: Perhaps it's the legitimate lifting of taboos. You're naked there, something happens to your body that you can't explain. And a set of taboos, both minor and major, suddenly comes to light. It affects you and becomes mysteriously interesting. Secondly, there's the trend toward national identity. And thirdly, all the trends from other markets have migrated to the banya. For example, strong design, not "izba style." Even public bathhouses are getting decent repairs. The banya is no longer just a steam room; we eat properly there, look normal, and we now have decent hats and bath rags'.

devki_v_bane

Девки, привет! Вы спрашивали - мы отвечаем. Вот она наша тату-мастерица @gribkova_tattooer . Воплотит самые безумные идеи, трепетно разработает эскиз и даст рекомендации по уходу, особенно для любительниц бань. Она и сама к нам в бани заглядывает. Наша девка одним словом, жоска рекомендуем.

Следуя инструкции по уходу уже через месяц можно наслаждаться в парной и кайфовать. Среди бывалых девок много расписных красавиц, и каждая на наших банях чувствует себя комфортно. Ну а мы гарантируем вам полный прогрев и что ваши тату в бане не выцветут и не смоются🤣 проверено лично!

Показать свои татуировки и посмотреть на наши можно уже в эту субботу на бане с колыбельником, осталось еще парочка мест 😏

Запись у @dmelshina

А что думает @gribkova_tattooer на этот счет, ищи в карусели.

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

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