Belle

oakback_camper at Mont Dore (Puy-de-Dôme):

What’s a better way to spend a rain day?

#hotsprings #vanlife #vanlifediaries #nomad#nature #france #lifeontheroad

France are world champions football, so entitled to this posting's lead, on what's set to be another round of Euro soaks. 

And because runners up, Croatia, have little to offer in the sense of natural soaking, I'll slip in another from France's soaking sources. And another.

the_original_p_w

Bains sauvages sur la têt, canaveilles. 2012. Fujifilm instax. #fujifilm#instax #canaveilles #latêt #sourcethermale#bainssauvages

afromarc86

En vista de lo visto me desvisto, me desnudo a mí misma y me mantengo, me encanta este tener lo que no tengo.“Gloria Fuertes”📷by: @marionailla ...#natura #nudisme #naturalesa #ig_france#muntanya #free #paz #termals#termes#bosc #banysnaturals #pau #pirinieus #igers#mamatierra #love#hippie #relax #france#bellefrance #aigua #jo #tarda #tarde#zen#desconexion #desconectar #nude

Scorchers 

 

neven.savanovic at Srpske Toplice (Bosnia / Srpska Rep.):

#today #dayoff #srpsketoplice #after #lifeisgood

Though now we are focusing more on summer soaks, elsewhere in the world soaking seems primarily a winter(y) thing; in Europe there's only time for soaking in summer.

A quick look at Southeastern Europe.

whereintheworldisbeckyp in Albania:

“in përmet, we have everything you are looking for...” 🇦🇱 

sztms

The Herculane #thermal #iphone7plus#herculane #baileherculane #nature#romania#instagood #streetphotography#photography #insta #water #hotsprings

fromrusttoroadtrip tumblr:

Our final couple of days in Bulgaria were spent here, an amazing natural spa in South West Bulgaria on the border with Greece. The spring is a scorching 70ºC with the pools ranging from here to around 40ºC. The best part? They’re in the wild, totally free and don’t smell of sulphur.These are easily the hottest thermal pools we’ve been in, but we’ll be compiling a list of our favourite ones in Europe on our website- head over and subscribe to stay updated!

harryandhugocycletoindia at Loutrá Eleftherón (Greek Macedonia):

The perfect start to a morning cycle, bathing in natural hot springs, which were part of a derelict old spa centre. #naturalhotsprings #greece

 

julijarumjanceva on the Aegean isle of Ikaria:

Thermalspringing) В одном только городке Терма бьют четыре целебных минеральных горячих источника: два муниципальных и один частный в помещениях, а этот, мой любимый - прямо под открытым небом. Кстати, именно в этом источнике рекомендуется плескаться женщинам с проблемами фертильности - для этой цели следует приезжать сразу дней на 20, чтобы получился курс. Почему-то верится в то, что здоровье можно поправить уже от окружающей тут красоты #therma #ikaria#visitgreece

grombanovskaa at Katlanovska Spa (Rep. of Northern (?) Macedonia):

1st of may 2yrs ago #major #throwback...#tb #2yrsago #nature #hotsprings #natural #green #chill #piknik #beautifuldestinations #instatravel #travelgram#heaven #onearth #TheMacedonianLife #hairbuns #spacebuns #spa #instagraphytk #photooftheweek

Memories

very.small.feet soaking at Seljavallalaug:

•And Lot’s wife, of course, was told not to look back where all those people and their homes had been. But she did look back, and I love her for that, because it was so human. So she was turned into a pillar of salt. And so it goes…• Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse no.5 #iceland #icelandair #travel #youthinrevolt#hotsprings #naturelovers #nature#trekking#summer #mystopover #igersiceland#outdoor #lonelyplanet#everydayiceland#ig_iceland #travelblog#landscapephotography #scandinavia

Europe's top soaking country, Iceland, delivers once more, I believe a Iceland-only post is in the making in the not so distant future.

runningoffthelbs at Reykjaladur:

Long day in the rain and hiking. Worth every rain drop. .......#girlswholift #swimming #fit #fitness#triathlontraining #running #kettlebell#travel#wanderlust #europe #iceland #reykjavik#biglil #hotsprings

__lisandra__ at Grjótagjá

Most memorable skinny dipping. Took me 3 hours to find this hidden place all Icelanders don’t want tourists to know about! #iceland #vogagjá #cave #swim

Regenerative

chris_brown225

Natural hot springs in #Valais......#alpsinsummer #alps #mountains #Suisse #Schweiz #Switzerland #valais #outdoors #hotspring #nature #landscape#nikon #travel #picoftheday #hiking #adventure #explore @nick__golden @sofieviola @lisasandstroom @caitlinmilller

Alps, Italy and Europe's (furthest) southwest.

ala_nemecek near Bormio at La Pozza Leonardo da Vinci:

Zasloužený relax v přírodním teplém jezírku 🐳❤🇮🇹#relax #restday#regeneration #hotspring #naturalspa#nature #lake #italy #bluewater #amazing#unique #withmylove #happy

ralphdanielphotography

Summer fun in Tuscany, Italy...#color #light #gesture #fall #fallweather#ralphdanielphotography#ralphdaniel#photos #pics #picture #snapshot #art#beautiful #exposure#composition #focus#capture #moment#shoplocal#buylocal#Tuscany#Italy#hotspring#tourism#gypsies

beaaalopezz at Santa Fé (Andalucia):

BUENOS DÍAS🙌

kelseyklassen at Caldeira Velha (Sao Miguel, Azores):

🐒🌴💦✨Jungle Monkeys

Empty

ijembuca

Its funny. More and more I found myself at the loss of words and I didn’t want to hear other people talking either. Their conversations seems false and empty. I prefer look at the mountains, which say nothing and never make you feel alone. ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖Podvečer sme nasli mini hot spring kde sme si omočili nožky. A ritky. Voda ma okolo 35 -40 stupnov a kamienky naspodku su uplne žerave. Ved sopka. Ked chodite okolo po lavovej zemi, akoby vas odrazala na gumke naspat a citite sa ako na trampoline. What a nature!...#iceland #icelandtravel #iceland🇮🇸 #nature#hotsprings #woman #love#moments #feels#blonde #muscle #slovakgirl #vulcano#monday #morning#summer #fit #sport

Dotted with many a photo, let's catch up with some recent bits of news from geothermal Europe.

Above you'll notice Iceland's Landbrotalaug, following below a snitch of news from here. 

But we're starting off in France. Les balades de Lison visits (Mar. 25) hot springs around Fontpedrouse:

'Chauds et sauvages, bien sûr...
...
A bath in wild waters is not idyllic, you have to deal with unsavory elements: rather repulsive algae, mud that sits at the bottom, embellished with a stock of dead leaves that the slightest movement agitates, and movements it must be done!'

elmargallo enjoying Fontpedrouse's Prats-Balaguer hot spring:

Gaudint de la natura. #aiguestermals al sud de la france. #paseslafronteraicomençaeuropa#hotsprings #pachamama

Another blogger, It's time to explore, heads for Granada's (Andalusia, Spain) hot springs (Mar. 3), located near the town of Santa Fé:

'Just half an hour outside the city and you can find natural hot springs (las termas calientes). Where else but in the middle of an olive grove surrounded by a small community of hippies and nomadic travelers?
There are several hot springs that are all connected, so take a walk around and choose the right one for you. The further you go from the water source the cooler it gets. There is a really big pool a bit further down that has clay mud walls, which is great for your skin if you want to make a mud mask while you bathe in the hot springs! At certain times of the year you can also pick figs from the trees that naturally grow alongside the spring.
FYI – Most people go to the hot springs naked. Of course you can wear a bikini or shorts, but if you are looking for a bit of freedom, you can definitely let loose here!
Make sure to respect other people while you are there and give people privacy by not taking photos (only of you and your friends)'.

gypsytrance getting respect:

Naked yoga at las terma de Santa Fe en Granada #aerialyoga#suspension #waterfall #hotspringwaterfall #🌊🦋☀️

Every body

 

alexanndar_

People bathing in hot water spring near Homolje mountains on the side of the road. Serbia, 2018.#serbia #streetphotography #streetlife#everybodystreet #everydayeverywhere#everydayeasterneurope #balkancollective#balkan #reportagespotlight #gettyreportage#storytelling #magnumphotos #lensculture#lensculturestreets #burnmagazine#burnmyeye #capturestreets#myfeatureshoot #rurallife #bathing#hotsprings #somewheremagazine#photojournalism #documentary#documentaryphotography #35mm #life#people #hartcollective #myspc17@noorimages @magnumphotos @lensculture

A couple of photo's from around the continent. 
Above from the not often noticed Serbia, following Azerbaijan (I think / believe) and Austria's seasonal flows at Maibachl.

alex_vlds at Kalbajar:

#hotsprings#johnnyjaipasmonmaillot #capiquelecul

 

rirareisende

#austria #kärnten #carinthia#villach #365austria #aroundtheworld#reisen #instatravel #warmbad#discoveraustria #wochenendtrip#hotsprings #travelphotographer #instatravel#discoverearth #immerunterwegs#weltenbummlerin #hotspring #austria_love#traveltheworld #rirareisende#soulful_moments #happyday #maibachl#naturpool #outdoor #naturgenießen#naturalswimmingpool #bluelagoon

Fears 

kelsey_beyer

annd one more for the road:) bye #iceland! it’s been surreal 🌄🏞🌋💦🌊🌧🐑🐑🐑🐎🏇🐂🐋🐧 🦄🐉🌓 #hotsprings #hotspring #hotpot#hrunalaug #nudism #nudist #nudist4life #nude #nudeinnature #nudeisnotlewd#decriminalizenudity #nudeback #nudemodel #backpose #bornthisway#bornnaked #iwishthiswaseveryday #nature #naturist #naturephotography#nudeisnatural #nudeisnormal #clothesareoverrated #bodyfreedom#bodypositive #justananimal #getyourassintonature #❤️

A large part of this update is dedicated to Iceland. 
Reykjavik Grapevine (Apr. 9) starts us off with a focus on tourism in general on the island, focusing on natural hot springs:

'According to a new report presented to Parliament by Minister for Tourism, Industry and Innovation Þórdís Kolbrún Gylfadóttir, some of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland have long reached their tolerance limit for tourists and are now in grave danger.
...
A week ago, the popular hiking trail to Reykjadalur [hot stream] was deemed too damaged by over-tourism to be open to further traffic, and was therefore closed by the Environment Agency'.

rebecca_lou32 at Reykjadalur:

Suits optional when you’re hiking the hot spring river at 2am alone! One of my greatest recommendations for Iceland: go in late spring/ summer when the sun never sets, embrace jet lag, and do everything at night! Seriously, almost all of my hikes I did in the middle of the night! One, because my sleep schedule was way off but two, um hello screw giant crowds of tourists! The hike was so indescribably beautiful, three kilometers up the mountains behind the little town of Hveragerdi. Even in the low light and fog, the hills and valleys around me were breathtaking! Of course I couldn’t help but wonder while hiking this alone in the middle of the night in a foreign country, is this a bad idea?? I mean this waaaas just day two of a solo trip overseas… looking back though, I can’t imagine missing this experience because of a battle with doubt and feelings of fear. Face your fears and get after it! 🇮🇸💪🏼⛰☁️ #Iceland #IcelandRingRoad#HotSpringRiver #2amHike #BackpackIceland #RoadTripIceland#SkinnyDippin #MidnightSun #JetLag

This news is followed by this report from the Reykjavik Grapevine (Apr. 13):

'According to a statement issued by the Environment Agency of Iceland, a recent evaluation of the Reykjadalur Valley has deemed the area too damaged to be open to the public.
The Agency had already decided to close the valley at the end of March because of extensive damage due to a combination of muddy paths and a high foot traffic.
...
When the Agency made their decision, they expected to open the area again two weeks later. The recent evaluation, however, did not prove to be satisfying enough. Thus, the Agency announced on their Facebook page that the Reykjadalur Valley will be closed for at least another four weeks. It will be only be opened once the area is recovered and ready to receive guests without any further damage to the soil and vegetation'.

Bright
Lighter news, the Reykjavik Grapevine (May 9) visits Laugarvatn hot springs. A nice overview of the experience. Of course with the now nearly obligatory explanation of geothermal bread.

Heading for Tálknafjörður? Reykjavik Grapevine (May 30) looks at the main sites:

'Bathe: PollurinnA few kilometres out of town you’ll find this idyllic fjordside bathing spot. With geothermal water piped in from nearby, there are three small concrete hot pots of varying temperature, painted the same bright blue you’ll find in municipal pools. There are basic but recently renovated changing rooms, a hot shower, and an unforgettable view over the surrounding mountains. It’s one of the nicest bathing spots you’ll find anywhere in Iceland'.

Questioned

Then some controversy. 
Instagram model Sara Underwood visits Iceland for some pictures to boost her account. She posts a photo (May 11) from Icelands Landbrotalaug with this caption:

'saraunderwood

 S✨W✨I✨P✨EEnjoying nature’s natural hot spring, the way it should be enjoyed, au naturel.

Speaking of natural, I have a question - Why is it that the female nipple is so offensive and must be censored or it’s rated R, and the male nipple is not? It feels quite repressive 🤔. Anyways, I photoshopped my nipple out of the second photo because GOD FORBID!

📸 by @stevebitanga.

.

#iceland #ourplanetdaily#beautifuldestinations #getoutandexplore#neverstopexploring #adventuretime#hotsprings'

This is what the original looks like (source), great one for spot the difference.

More nipple news from Iceland, just as a background to the above, as the country seems a bit more progressive than all those others who toe the line. The Reykjavik Grapevine (Jun. 4):

'Following their company policy against female nipples, Facebook recently deleted a video posted online in occasion of a Reykjavik Arts Festival exhibit showing topless young women, RÚV reports.
...
In a country famous for its SlutWalks and #freethenipple campaign, Instagram and Facebook’s policy has prompted a heated debate on why male nipples are considered acceptable, whereas female nipples are considered unacceptable'.

Strange this 21st century.

Meanwhile in Reykjadalur, another case of censorship?

geodaddy

ICELAND DAY SEVEN 🇮🇸I. Scandalous photo, skinny dipping at Reykjadalur thermal riverII. Haetta! Hunnid °III. Gotta hike 1.5 hrs to get to this spotIV. New fwends at SeljalandsfossV. Skógafoss, as seen in yr favourite cinemaVI. Free live jazz jams at Húrra on MondaysVII. Checking out of Oddsson hostel, big sadVIII. Too bad Iceland lost to Nigeria today, forever rooting for the underdog.IX. Monky X. See ya next year, Iceland!.....#icelandic #icelandtravel #iceland🇮🇸#skinnydip #hotsprings#thermal#reykjadalur #seljalandsfoss #skogafoss#improv #livejazz #hurra#hostel #monky#worldcup2018 #postcards

Or a flashback (Seljavallalaug hot spring):

Stella Briem     Fokk hvað ég elska að sjá konur taka stand gegn þessu. The movement is just beginning. #freethenipple #freethenipplemovement

Hell

cecmoments

Thermal baths and blue sky. Thanks @b.naylor for another beautiful photo and day. 😘 #weareperfect #wildatheart #girlswithink#phoenixadventuremoments #solotravel #freedom #girlswhotravel #waterbaby#sardegna #beyourself

Gonews.it reports on Petriolo hot springs (Mar. 29). The gis: development will reverse degradation. 
Unfortunately development is not an answer to perceived degradation. Basically it's a transfer of public access to a private source possibly augmenting a local communal financial flow chart at the same time. But overall a loss to public interests.

The NZ Herald focuses on sulphurous springs in Italy (Apr. 21):

'Italy boasts the world's most "hellish" natural thermal baths. They're dotted around the country, and for centuries, they've been likened to hell. Some were even banned, with the all-powerful Vatican wary of their powers. But today the sites celebrate their links to the devil's lair, with thousands visiting every year'.

With 3 examples.

Road Trip Sunrise adds a photo to a soak in Greece (Mar. 21):

Then a couple of photo's to wrap up this post. 
Romania (below), followed by Bulgaria and Armenia as the last.

sztms

Soup #iphone7plus #thermal #bath#human #romania #baileherculane#herculane #nature #hotspring #vulcano#pool #water #redbikini #lifeonearth#mothernature #instagood #today#portraits_mf #portraitpage #portrait_vision#friends #documentaryphotography

 blickinsfreie in Blagoevgrad Province

#bulgaria is #hot #blickinsfreie #hotsprings #outdoors

pavel_svoboda_photography

Armenian geiser! There is always somethink to explore 😉 We love hikes to natural hotsprings like this one 😁 #armenia #travelphotography #landscapephotography #mountain #discoverearth #wilderness #discoverearth #nikon_cz_sk #natgeo #natgeotravelphoto #natgeoyourshots #hotspring #naturephotography #caucasus #asia