Downhill

We of course focus on terrestrial hot springs, but forget not there are naturally many sub-marine hot springs (most unknown). 

And then there are those thermal springs near the shoreline. 

Milos (Greece; various: Aliki, Paleochori, Skinopi and Tria Pigadia) Termas da Ferraria (Azores, Portugal), Vulcano (Sicily, Italy) and Pantelleria (Nicà) are islands visited which have hot water sources close to / just beyond the tide marks. Elsewhere on our fragile planet, what comes to mind are Ikaria (Greece), on the US / Mexican west coast, Eastern Russia, Japan and NZ which have hot springs close to / on the shore. And probably many more locations likewise.

So not so unique that the Isle of Ischia (Bay of Naples, southern Italy) has a hot spring right on the tide mark.

Ischia's origin's are very much geo-tectonic and volcanic, even though the last eruption was 700 years ago. The island has always been known for it's geothermal sources, much of it's current touristic popularity is due to the abundance of hot springs and it's attraction to (mostly) German and Italian visitors.

Alas, virtually all of these hot springs are hosted by a commercial exploitation, mostly in the form of resorts with many pools / restaurants and rooms.

An exception to the commercial exploitation of the islands natural resources is the hot spring of Sorgeto.

Sorgeto is located in the southwest corner of the island, at the top of a small bay. Surrounded by steep hills, it's fair way walking down from the roadside (from Panza), even more strenuous walking back. Authorities have built a walkway / stairway down (250 steps, link. Or 300?) and there are two businesses close to the shore providing services to the visitors.

One of these, the La Sorgente restaurant facility (3.9 stars rating by Google) takes a large bite out of the little shoreline, though if you remain east of this, there are some small steps where many soaker takes to the water. 

Note to enjoyment. Sorgeto is very popular: many visitors report (warning!) that Sorgeto becomes packed from mid-morning until sundown, even more so in the weekends. And just as a side note: Andrea Bocelli comes here often and recently (source).

On my first visit, there was quite a lot of wave action, making usage of the springs from the sea bed quite difficult, even though there are ropes to hold on. 

On the west side of the bay beyond the facilities there are more opportunities, though these are even less sheltered, so the sea really needs to be a lot calmer.

Under the cliff (that's to your left, facing the sea) there is a cave with very hot springs inside. During my visits there was a makeshift barrier, not very effective on keeping visitors out from here.

Reviews? 

Tripadvisor (4.5 stars from 70+ reviews) and Google (likewise 4.5 stars but from 6.000+(!) reviews) seem to agree.

Scalded

More info. 

From the Wikipedia Sorgeto Italian page. Translated:

'The bay is characterized by the presence of hot and mineral springs, saunas and therapeutic steams. It has a moon shape surrounded by vertical rock walls, it is divided into stone basins where the thermal water flows, which flows from underground at a temperature of 90°C. The thermal waters communicate directly with the sea, thus creating a single area in which fresh and salt water, hot and cold, meet.

Initially unknown to the mass of tourists, also due to its difficult access, in fact, it is necessary to descend about 200 steps, today the bay is among the symbolic places of the hamlet and of the entire island'.

Wikipedia also notes that the area was once inhabited by Greeks (roundabout 8th century BC).

A couple of selected other sites on Sorgeto and the Sorgeto experience.

Lonely Planet:

'Among all those posh, dreamy (sometimes expensive) spas, it's nice to have access to something that's thermal and free. Located at the bottom of 300 steps, 2km south of the village of Panza, hot thermal water spills into rock pools on the edge of a secluded bay, where it is tempered by the chill of the sea. Choose a spot with an optimum temperature (careful – the water can be scalding), lie back on a rock and luxuriate.

There's a scruffy kiosk at the cove that's only open in the summer.

The cove can also be reached by water taxi from Sant'Angelo (€5 one way)'.

Solosophie has a blog entry (updated March 11, 2024):

'The sea cove itself is blessed with outdoor natural thermal waters which are akin to lying in a bathtub and are a reward in of itself for those who hike down the stairs to reach the inlet. In times gone by, islanders would have used the thermal waters closest to the shore to cook eggs and the like'.

Ischiainsider on the "free" hot springs on the island. These being the Fumaroles and Sorgeto: 

'Sorgeto is a small bay with rocks, pebbles, and pools of hot water. There are vents of hot spring water that come up through the sea floor, mixing with the cooler salt water to form warm currents and pools among the coastal rocks with temperatures between 30 and 37 degrees'.

Terme.Ischia.it:

'Sorgeto is an inlet with pebbles and thermal springs. Be careful not to scald yourself on the water line! This beach is accessible from the centre of Panza via a street that is approximately 1 km long, on foot or by car. From Sant’Angelo one can reach the beach with the convenient taxi boat. Sorgeto is a cove, the location of a true, outdoor thermal park. Boiling fountains and minerals, saunas and therapeutic vapors, this is what Mother Nature wanted to give the island of Ischia in remote times and today it is available for free for all those who are looking for a place to reinvigorate themselves from the daily stress and hardships. It is accessible both by sea and on foot via a steep ramp of stairs that leave from the village of Panza. It is a true relief to let oneself go to that mixture of warm-cold, sweet salt water and to taste one of the most marvelous sunsets that one could ever image. Be careful, though! Its rocks and stones are at times boiling hot! In one of the little basins from which the waters bubble, the islanders cook eggs, potatoes and seafood, a custom that most certainly is repeated century by century as is evidenced by archeological finds discovered in the zone. The most fascinating characteristic of Sorgeto is bathing at night on the warm under the stars. One can relax as one spends unforgettable moments here. The mild temperatures are present here even in the winter and therefore allow for one to tan and bathe even in the coldest weather!

Thermalsprings.ru has a section on hot springs near Sant'Angelo.

Bubbles

You can walk from Sorgeto to the picturesque town of Sant'Angelo (about an hour), though the path is far from obvious. 

Eastwards from Sant'Angelo, once the coastal path hits the beach, there are a number of subterranean fumaroles. Shuffle your feet in the sand for warmth, but note that it gets hot quickly.

Ischia.it puts it as follows:

'Just a short walk from S. Angelo and the thermal gardens Aphrodite Apollon, on one of the most warm thermal flanks of the island, in a small section of Maronti, spew for centuries the breath of Tifeo from the depths of the ground. This is a most interesting phenomenon resulting from the volcanic activity of Ischia: the Fumarole. From the ground in this area a great thermal energy emanates and produces clouds of vapour in the external atmosphere and bubbles of gas in the ocean at about 100°C, observable with a submarine mask a few meters from the shore.
Since the times of Romans, the warm sand was used to cure body pains through sand-baths a pallet is dug with one's hands, one lies down and covers the whole body with sand, leaving only the head out. Over the course of the centuries these thermal waters had many uses, the heat being used even for culinary needs'.

A Final parting note.

The bay of Sorgeto is forms part of the Area Marina Protetta Regno di Nettuno, a marine park encompassing Ischia's coast as well as that of nearby Procida.

Dignity

cibepe

Baden mit Hippies 🙌 #warmequellen #varmekilder #travel#fritid2019 #hippie #specialplaces#spain #termas #termasdesantafe

A more informative tour of the continent. Albeit a bit unstructured.

Above, fate has decided we start with a serene photo of Spain's Termas de Santa Fé near Granada (Andalusia).

Next a non-hot springs article from the Guardian (May 15). 
The article describes travels to Ireland's West Coast to look at the increasingly popular seaweed soaks combined with hot tubbing possibilities:

'Unfortunately, the country’s weather can rarely do the same, often making a trip to the coast a damp proposition. However, rather than escaping the harshness of the climate with a visit to warmer climes, a new generation of Irish people are embracing their cold seas – but doing it from the vantage point of mobile saunas and seaweed-filled whiskey barrels parked on the shore.

This Scandinavian-inspired solution to an Irish problem is reimagining the country’s beaches, where summer water temperatures peak at around 15C. The renewed popularity of traditional year-round sea swimming at Dublin’s Forty Foot and Galway’s Blackrock Diving Tower has inspired dozens of new swimming communities across the country, including Rise & Swim in Cork and Dublin Sea Swimming'.

It lists a number of possibilities, such as following:

stfranciskinsale

Thank you @wildatlanticseaweedbaths for a unique and wonderful experience this morning. We left feeling refreshed and revived. Our lovely seaweed and mint tea working its magic too so we were nourished inside and out! Thank you @marnielilykinsalefor being so organized and booking us in! ::#seaweed #seaweedbath#wildatlanticway #awesome#bathtimegoals

Then we look at a personal hot spring and de-clothing experience from Germany. Wandering Carol heads (Apr. 10) for Baden-Baden and it's baths:

'If you’re looking for a Baden-Baden spa and thermal water experience, you have the choice of two famous bathhouses, Friedrichsbad and Caracalla. Run by the same company, Carasana, they offer completely different styles of baths and are both well worth a visit.

Friedrichsbad is a regimented 3-hour bathing ritual set in Neoclassical splendour, while Caracalla has an upscale thermal waterpark sort of feel. There are also a few other ways to spa in Baden-Baden that I’ll touch on below.

...

Friedrichsbad is a dream of a building, you’ll be soaking and sweating amidst richly-painted tiles and a Beaux Arts dome, but clothing is not an option. And don’t expect to get dressed again for awhile – the compete bathing process takes more than three hours, and includes views of the opposite sex you might not want to see.

To add to the indignity of having no clothes on, you also have the pleasure of being in mixed company. Yes, it’s a co-ed experience, though when I went with my husband we opted for a single sex day because, you know, we’ve never seen each other naked. (Kidding!) Be forewarned: even on segregated bathing days you’ll bump noses (and hopefully that’s all) with the opposite sex during a couple of stages, including the one stage of the bathing ritual you won’t want to miss, soaking in the thermal pool under the lofty dome.

...

My advice? Relax and go with the flow. It’s easier said than done, but if you’re going to go to a German spa, accept that you’re going have to strip off your clothes at some point. The lack of restrictive clothing means better circulation for you. And don’t worry, the atmosphere at Friedrichsbad is anything but wild. It’s more like being in a temple dedicated to water.

Besides, being nude is all part of the German spa experience, especially in the saunas where clothing is often forbidden. (I should know. I’ve been kicked out for wearing a bathing suit, and learned my lesson fast.)

While there’s no escaping nudity at Friedrichsbad, it does elevate a mineral bath into an adventure –maybe that’s why it’s the best-known Baden-Baden spa experience of all'.

mosuradumont at Rennes-les-Bains (south France):

One of the best kept secrets of Bugarach is a Roman bath that is free to the public, a few minutes away from the spa hotels. It takes hundreds of years for the primordial water to gush up from the earth’s warm navel to the bathers waiting in the surface. H urged me to take a sip; it tasted of warm, formless solar nebulae, of volleys of interstellar ice crashing on a planet of molten lava, subsumed on impact. While wading in the warm pool, an old codger who looked like a wet da Vinci said the bath here has been long in danger of being closed down, but locals like him have fought to keep it open. Apparently it is one of the few real hot springs left. The spas heat up their water and say it’s natural… but, says he, it ain’t.#sonyphotography#sonyalpha#naturephotography#architecture#romanbaths#hotsprings#travel#travelphoto#travelblog

Plunge
Good news or bad news for Iceland?
Traveller.com notes (Jun. 24) that visitor numbers are down on Iceland:

'Last year, Iceland was named the world's second-worst country for 'overtourism', based on the number of visitors for every local.

But the latest numbers look dire. Visitors plunged 24 per cent in May from the same period last year and the all-important summer season is looking shaky. The central bank last month pulled the emergency lever to cushion the blow and delivered a half a point rate cut, while the government has pledged to boost stimulus if needed'.

Does that mean that those prime soaks are less crowded?

adventureworld.tv soaking near Geysir, south Iceland:

*
旅は君の全てを見せてくれる 魔法の空間
*
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わくわくして 張り切って 躓いて 戸惑って
無理をして 余裕がなくなる 相手に当たって いつの間に消化して
気遣って 知恵を出し合う 寄り添って
協力して 乗り越えて 癒される
*
*
*
*
君の全てを受け入れたい
*
*
*
そんな気持ちになるほどに 全てが見える魔法の空間
*
*
*
*
*
*
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火山の国アイスランドではそこら中に温泉が湧いている♨️ 有名なブルーラグーンとかもとっても魅力的だけど 温泉マップを使って 自分たちだけのプライベート温泉を探すのが私達流
４日もお風呂に入ってなかったから 入れた時の感動と言ったらもぅ！
*
*
夏のアイスランドは白夜なので 昼夜逆転させて動けば
ハイシーズンとか関係なくプライベートですよ♡

The Reykjavik Grapevine (Jul. 12) heads to the Western Fjords and experiences Heydalur hotpot:

'Through the poolhouse door lies an unexpected paradise. The roof is transparent, and the space is lit by the dim midnight sun; birds chirp and fly between the branches and fronds of manifold trees, bushes, flowers and shrubs, thriving and blooming in the warm air. The pool itself is through a corridor of plants; a splash of bright blue in the verdant space. A hot pot sits under some low-hanging branches, steaming invitingly. As we sink into the water, it’s like a vision in a dream.

...

Today, Heydalur has 19 rooms, three well-appointed cabins and a campsite. Working on an eco-friendly basis, the majority of the food that’s served is local, with eggs and vegetables from the farm and trout from the lake. Geothermal water, found through repeated drilling, fills the pool and heats the buildings. Horse riding and kayaking are offered as summer activities'.

There's also a list available of the West Fjords best bathing spots for 2019 (Reykjavik Grapevine, May 29): Krossneslaug as best; Heydalur and Pollurinn as runners up (all structured but quiet affairs).

Getting crazy in the West Fjords (Landbrotalaug), the_great_amour

Water creature. It’s September!...Tag for repost...#travel #wanderlust #instatravel#instagood #watchthisinstagood#adventure #travelgram #vacation#nature #summer #travelphotography#explore #vsco #vscocam #liveauthentic#livefolk #vsconature #vscorussia#vscomoscow #vscobest#neverstopexploring #exploremore#natureaddict #peoplescreatives#exploreeverything #naturelovers#icelandtravel #iceland ..#Repost @dhankin

Of course there are other best of bathing spots that are / have been researched: 

• south (Secret Lagoon (natural hot spring) as best; runners up Sundlaugin and Seljavallalaug, 
• north (Hofsós, runners up Mývatn and Geosea), 
• east (Laugarvalladalur (natural), runners up Selárlaug and Neskaupstaður),
• west (Krauma, runners up Borgarnes and Guðlaug; all in non-natural settings) and 
• Reykjanes peninsula (Blue Lagoon, runners up Grindavik and Vogar; none btw in natural settings).

Not mentioned, but nonetheless a great soak, Hrunalaug, south Iceland:

doralska

Finding solitude#traveladventures#hikingadventures#iceland#hotsprings#icelandhotsprings#outdoorbella#outdooradventures#outdooraddict#islandia#gorąceźródła#inthemiddleodnowhere#inthemiddleoficeland#icelandtravel#girlwhotravels#polishgirlaroundtheworld

Then the Grapevine also made a compilation (Jul. 19) of the nation's best soaks, but focusing only on the commercial run thermal baths:

'Unlike the heavily-chlorinated urban puddles of many mainland European countries and the US, Iceland’s swimming pools run on a constant, plentiful supply of geothermal water, heated by the earth itself. And while even the most humble municipal pool in Iceland is worth a relaxing half-hour visit, here are seven modern Icelandic spas where you’ll want to spend a whole afternoon:

• Blue Lagoon,
• Krauma,
• Sjávarsmiðjan,
• Mývatn,
• GeoSea,
• Bjórböðin and
• Vök'.

Vök? Icelandmonitor (Jul. 9):

'Floating pools, beer brewed with geothermal water, and geothermal tea – all this will be on offer at new nature baths, Vök Baths, by Urriðavatn lake, near Egilsstaðir, East Iceland, set to open next week.

“What distinguishes us is the floating pools, which are the first and the only ones of their kind in Iceland,” Heiður Vigfúsdóttir, CEO of Vök Baths, tells Morgunblaðið.

She explains that what sparked the idea for the resort was the holes which used to form in the ice of Urriðavatn lake, due to 75° C (167° F) geothermal water at its bottom, now used to heat houses in Egilsstaðir and vicinity. The word vök means a hole in the ice'.

Note: only opened on July 27.

Words

A short snippet lifted from Insight into Ukraine's instagram page:

'Ukraine is famous not only for its fast rivers, crystal lakes, stunningly beautiful ponds and waterfalls, but also healing, thermal springs🌡 Underground, hot water, with a temperature of +20 degrees and above, has unique, healing properties. Thermal springs have a positive effect on the human body, help to cope with ailments and improve immunity.Where to find such sources?🤔 We will tell you! Here is TOP-3 best hot springs of Ukraine.😉___
1. Hot springs of Kosino is a full-fledged health resort, where there is everything for pleasant family weekends and for having fun with friends. There are three thermal pools for adults and one pool for children, where the water temperature reaches + 40-42 ° С.
2. Beregovo is a small town in the western part of Ukraine that has preserved the atmosphere and culture of old Hungary on its streets and houses. Beregovo is one of the most unique thermal SPAs in our country. The equal springs could be found only in the New Zealand or Iceland.
3. Velyatino is another popular resort of Zakarpatia. It is famous, first of all, for its unique healing waters with a high content of iodine and bromine - namely, bromine has powerful sedative properties that are so necessary for all of us after weary working days'.

Worth more research?
What research should look like:

two_vanlifers

Baile Herculanea was a nice adventure 😂#baileherculane #hotsprings #climbing#herkulesbad #romania #travelling#travellerslife

Secludedtime (Jun. 16) reports on how they were brought to the soaking site of Vani by local Georgian police. Alas for the Anglophiles, quotes are in German:

'Da – genau im richtigen Moment – erscheinen sie am Horizont: Unsere strahlenden Retter in Polizeiuniform! Was macht die Polizei denn hier, fragen wir uns. Es ist erstmal doch ein wenig befremdlich, wenn auf einem Feldweg nahe des abgelegensten Ort Georgiens plötzlich ein Jeep voller Polizisten auftaucht. Zunächst haben wir die Befürchtung, dass wir hier vielleicht nicht unterwegs sein dürfen. Weit gefehlt! Die sympathischen, georgischen Polizisten wollen nur wissen, ob sie uns irgendwie helfen können.

Wahrscheinlich sind sie genauso überrascht uns zu treffen, wie wir darüber sie zu sehen. Auch unsere Jeepfahrenden Polizisten können kein Wort Englisch und scheinen die Quelle auf dem Bild nicht zu erkennen. Statt sich schnell zu verabschieden und uns unserem Suchen zu überlassen, heißt es, wir können gerne bei ihnen mitfahren und sie helfen uns suchen. Das geht zwar leider nicht, weil wir unseren Ford nicht mitten im Nichts stehen lassen können.

Wir bilden wir eine Fahrzeugkolonne. Gemeinsam folgen wir den Feldweg zurück zur Straße. Auf einmal bleibt der Polizei-Jeep stehen. Sie bedeuten einem vorbeifahrenden Auto stehen zu bleiben und beginnen ein hitziges Gespräch. Ist der etwa zu schnell gefahren? Als sie sich allerdings herzlich verabschieden und die Polizisten uns andeuten ihnen zu folgen, wird uns alles klar. Sie haben nach dem Weg zu der Quelle gefragt. Der Feldweg, den wir auserkoren hatten, ist wohl auch tatsächlich der richtige gewesen.

Also drehen wir alle wieder um. Ohne viel Gefackel preschen die Polizisten durch die Mega-Pfütze. Die haben ja auch einen Jeep – im Gegensatz zu uns. Uns bleibt nicht viel anderes übrig als nachzuziehen. Die Pfütze ist überraschenderweise gar nicht so tief wie erwartet.

Einige Minuten geht die Fahrt durch die grüne Landschaft. Da ein kleiner Hügel, ein verlassener Bauernhof rechts und noch einige Meter weiter. Endlich sind wir am Ziel. Auch die Polizisten klettern aus ihrem Gefährt und erkunden mit uns diesen wundersamen Ort. Von ihnen war bisher keiner an diesen stinkenden und wahnsinnig beeindruckenden Wasserbecken.

Nachdem alle Polizisten genügend Bilder mit sich und der Quelle haben, müssen sie wieder los und ihrem Dienst weiter verfolgen. Mehrere Handschläge und umfassender Dank geht an unsere Retter und schon sind wir also alleine an dem Ort, den wir stundenlang gesucht haben.

Der ganze Aufwand hat sich gelohnt. Die Schönheit dieses Ortes ist kaum in Worte zu fassen. Mitten in einer grünen Oase liegen drei Becken und laufen mit heißem, türkisfarbenen Wasser voll. Das warme Nass sprudelt aus einer Erhebung in der Mitte und erhitzt die umliegenden Becken unterschiedlich stark'.

 99.5599435616 at Vani.

A new find? Devin, Bulgaria. According to Tourism Bulgaria:

'Devin is mostly famous for its mineral springs whose temperatures vary from 16º to 76 ºС. The mineral springs at Beden Village, 12 km away from Devin, issue their waters at a temperature of 76° С. 4.5 l/sec. from its outflow are redirected to Devin by a hot water system. The small sulphur spring with a temperature of 16° С lies in the western part of Devin. The mineral spring with a temperature of 37° С in Posestra Area is situated in the valley of Vacha River, 6-7 km away from Devin.

The water is sulphatic, hydrocarbonic-sodium. There are several other springs in Devin Region that vary in temperature and volume of discharge.

The mineral baths are suitable for active and prophylactic treatment of many diseases. The water is applied externally for the treatment of musculoskeletal system diseases, nervous system diseases, reproductive system diseases, and skin diseases. When drunk, it treats gastrointestinal diseases, gallbladder-liver diseases, kidney and urologic diseases, and metabolic and endocrine diseases. It has positive effects on respiratory diseases as well.

Attracted by the healing powers of the mineral water, the Thracians settled in the region at the end of the 14th century BC and lived there up until late Antiquity (4th century AD). Many Thracian mounds were discovered near the villages of Borino, Yagodina, and Trigrad. The Ottomans started the invasion of the Rhodopes in 1371. Devin and the region were liberated from the Ottoman rule in 1912'.

paivin.oma at Devin:

H O T. S P R I N G. 👙#hotspring #bathing #chilling #bulgaria

When looking up more info I came across Andrey Andreev's

'list of spa resorts in Bulgaria with hot mineral pools for the winter season'. 

A great source of more or less developed hot springs.

barborczek at Bulgaria's Rupite:

#nocnekupanie#hotsprings#steambath

Getting entry to Budapest's Spa party's made easier by Spartybookings.

Dailynewshungary (Apr. 19) reports on the nations geothermal industry:

'Profits at Budapest’s baths have increased by nearly 20% in the first quarter, which is at a higher rate than the increase in the number of visitors. The increase in revenue is attributed to the growth of additional services and the sale of branded products. Nearly 1 million guests visited the 11 Budapest baths that were open in the first quarter, a figure which is 67,500 more than the record set last year. This is a 7.4% growth in the number of visitors, while revenue from sales was valued at nearly €12 million between January and March – 18.9% more than for the same period last year, as stated by Szilvia Czinege, the sales and marketing director of Budapest Gyógyfürdői és Hévízei Zrt. (BGYH).

...

it is estimated that 60% of visitors from outside of Hungary went to one of Budapest’s baths'.

Enlighted

Tierrassinfrontera's visits (Jun. 9) the mud baths of Murcia's Mar Manor at San Pedro del Pinatar:

'Here is the largest space of free medicinal mud baths in Europe.

So, if you are one of the people who take care of your health, you like to enjoy therapeutic spaces in nature and you dream of discovering a different place, possibly this is your place.

...

The muds of San Pedro del Pinatar are characterized by their high content of cations, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulphates ... In addition, they are very fine sands, considered really effective and with healing properties'.

albachirili at Termas de Prexigueiro (Galicia, Spain):

Relax🌸🦋#nature #relax #termas #peace #silence#green #Galicia #ourensemola #igers#inspiration

A cascade of articles from central Italy's Viterbo, where the hot water war has heated up.

Lamiacittanews (May 1 and 2) reports back on the re-opening of the Bullicame public hot spring, which despite not having sufficient hot water attracted much local interest.

Then on May 11, in a google translation Lamiacittanews reports:

'This morning we went to BULLICAME and we discovered with great surprise that it is closed again.We ask the mayor Giovanni Arena for enlightenment because he had promised us he would no longer close it'. 

A recent (6 weeks old) photo of Bullicame terme:

fabiola.delsa

💦🌴Detox (1/3)#neverstopexploring#volgolazio#bullicame#nature#eljoy

Then, the Lamiacittanews (May 14) notes that the division of the Viterbo thermal waters will be settled in court, in the coming days especially with reference to San Sisto soaks.

Lamiacittanews (Jun. 16) reports on the re-opening of Bullicame hot spring, the free and publicly managed hot spring. 

Lamiacittanews (Jun. 28) mentions that authorities have closed La Masse de San Sisto thermal area; it meant the pump stopped working and it seems the source has run dry.

It seems a victory for the general public; San Sisto had been operating as a company without license for years on end. Now closed, waters are running again at the free Bullicame.

Finishing off with a soaking in southern France's Font-Pedrouse:

_martyta

“Desnuda, que la naturaleza no se equivoca y si te hubiese querido vestida, vestida habrías nacido” Ricardo Arjona#2noviembre#quiendijofrio#bañosnaturales#felicidadenestadopuro

Reclusion

Heading onwards from Borjomi, we arrive at Sascha's next possible soaking site,

Vardzia. Sascha:

'The village of Vardzia is definitively not famous for it's hot springs, but for the caves that gave home of 50 000 persons in the past. 

In the rocks, there is even a (cold) spring that fed the troglodyte city with water.

It is an interesting place to see, the 60 km from the main road (from [the town of] Akhaltsikhe) are worth it, even if it is 100% touristic. There is no real town, just some guesthouses and a good 4 star hotel, that I definitively recommend, in particular after (and before) nights in simple guesthouses or camping'. 

Virtually all internet information available on Vardzia concerns the cave dwellings which are indeed impressive.

But, the hot springs? Sascha:

'Most tourists who come by tour operators do not know that very close to the caves, there is a hot spring in a ramshackle that is really not bad. 

Cross the river like you want to go to the caves. Do not turn right to the caves but to the left. Continue the street for about 1 km. On your left hand side are ruins and a sort of geyser (see picture). 

Take the little street to go down to the geyser and after a few meters, you will find the house with the thermal pool. If you don’t mind the littering around the geyser, enjoy for a natural massage, the water should be around 44°C at source. 

According to comments in the internet, the hot spring was discovered when the government was on the search for oil. Since then, the area was more or less abandoned'.

 

But there's more than just this. Sascha:

'What is more interesting is enjoying the pool in the house. 

If no other visitors are there, the house will probably be closed. 

First option is to ask locals to contact the guy with the key but not everybody seems to know the hot springs. 

Second option is to find a local who calls the hot springs owner. His name is Mamuka and his number is 59844089. He will open you the house, wants 5 Lari per person and plays on his mobile in his car outside until you are finished. 

It doesn´t look very beautiful, but it was a nice experience. The water is around 44°C hot with no sulphur smell but is very salty. The pool is quite deep so a real soak with several persons is possible. Swimsuit seems to be optional'.

Chacha

I tried looking up more info on the net concerning soaking experiences here. There are though very few recent accounts. For instance on instagram there are thousands of photo's #Vardzia with very few actually concerning the soaking possibilities.

Tripadvisor rates a visit to Vardzia with the maximum 5 stars, though this does not reflect the soaking experience, solely a visit to the cave dwellings.

The most factoral account is to be found on thermalsprings.ru (2017). Translated from Russian:

'Location: The well with hot water is close to the river bed, 1 km to the west of the road junction at Vardzia fortress.
Infrastructure : a well, a swimming pool in the building.
Description : well pipe coming out of the ground at the level of about 2 m, a well of flowing. It is said that the Coca-Cola Company gets out of the water for its carbon dioxide production. Nearby, close to the river channel, among several buildings of uncertain purpose, local entrepreneur built a small building with a swimming pool measuring 6 m to 3 m. The pool is always open (in the words of the entrepreneur, who was at the pool during the visit to the source).
Type of water : pH = 7,19, silnosolonovataya M = 8.8 g / l, T = 39.3 ° C. Carbonic'. 

The extensive website also has some good photo's.

Georgeous (2012) looks beyond the pH's and more at the experience:

'Joining the locals and the polish couples was the best we did since they offered us food and booze. ;) they were all very nice and after a couple toasts of chacha (a very strong georgian liquor), georgian cognac and some polish vodka the locals asked us all if we fancied going for a swim at theirs hot water swimming pool.
At first I found it very strange but then the polish explained that that area was known for having hot springs - basically those are pools with heated water that comes straight from the underground at a temperature around 35 degrees. Why not? was my thought and we all went. The pool was in a falling apart warehouse but we only got to figure that out on the next day.
However, I have to say that it felt really good to go in a Hot Spring at 1am. Not too far away from here, there was also a kind of a jet stream of the same heated and salty water where we had a really nice shower on the next day. It was the perfect place to take really cool pictures!'

steveandjustyna (2014):

'There is a crude little "swimming pool" and a sheet metal shed built around the hot spring. The water "flows" through the pool; it enters on one side and exits on the other. Then the water flows down to the Kura river, which is nearby (approximately 20 yards away)'.

Another experience can be found with hamstersha (2016) with some photo's. 

Batumilife adds (translated):

'Hot Springs For 100 meters from the entrance to the cave complex there will be a fork and a road sign on which "Upper Vardzia" is written. Turning on it to the left, after 300 meters you will feel a not very pleasant sulfuric smell, which comes from an incomprehensible pipe. This is one of the hot springs in Georgia.Unfortunately, it is abandoned and not ennobled, but you will not be able to kick your feet in it, and for those who want to swim there are old pools with this useful water. True, what would get in them, you need to call the owner on the phone written in huge numbers right on the wall of this building'.

Charming

But the Vardzia area has more on offer. Like Vardzia, Tmogvi (or T'Mogvi) has no apparent fame for soaking, rather it's visited for a visit of ruins of a former fortress.

Sascha though on the hot springs of Tmogvi: 

'Some kilometers before arriving to Vardzia, a little town called “Tmogvi” has also a hot spring pool to offer.
The owners also run a guesthouse. If you stay in the guesthouse, the pool is for free, otherwise a small fee needs to be paid.
The pool is not natural and part of the house on the groundfloor. No charm, no windows, not really interesting for me'.

Probably Sascha refers to the Imedi guesthouse. Booking.com:

'Boasting barbecue facilities, Guest house Imedi is set in Vardzia. Among the various facilities are a garden, a terrace, as well as a shared lounge. The guest house features a hot spring bath and a shared kitchen'.

Reviewers on the booking site reward a stay with an 8.7, though there's no reference to enjoying the soaking possibilities. 

thdk.be did test the waters:

'We spend the night in a family run guesthouse in Tmogvi. You could also call this place a thermal farm. A water installation drills deep in the ground and gets hot water several baths owned by the owners of the guesthouse.
No wonder so many people were around the house last night. It’s a wellness center!
Before we took our morning bath, I made some pictures of the main house and the bathhouses'.