Mediterana: Sauna and More in Germany's Rhine Region

One part exotic adventure, one part luxury spa, Mediterana is an indulgent experience that soothes the body and the mind. A Moroccan-themed wellness center, Mediterana basks visitors in an atmosphere of warm Arabian nights and offers a taste of saunas from around the world.

The expansive buildings that house Mediterana are detailed with authentic elements that create an ambiance of luxury. The entry walkways are dotted with oversize, hammered-iron candle lanterns that lead to ornately carved wooden doors. The stucco exterior is swathed in vibrant pinks and oranges that warm even the coldest winter days.

Inside, the lobby of Mediterana is an expanse of clay tiles upon which sit hefty armoires overflowing with the cushy accoutrements of spa and sauna. Cozy terry lined waffle robes, high count cotton towels, scented bath oils, sea salts and sensuous body treatments spill from the wooden shelves.

Day passes for Mediterana's sauna and relaxation run 27.50 EU (about $35 USD) during the week and 29 EU (about $37 USD) on weekends and holidays and allow entry from 9am to midnight. The price is remarkable considering the experience is on par with an exotic, all-inclusive vacation to the Mediterranean.

Once past the front desk the visitor is propelled immediately into steamy warmth of the wellness center's main attraction. The changing areas invite the visitor to peel off winter layers, don a cozy robe and head into the atrium lit inner world of Mediterana's saunas and pools.

Spanning two levels and wrapped around an outdoor courtyard, the choices here are endless. The main atrium is designed like the interior courtyard of a Spanish villa. Wooden balconies and tiled faux roofs overlook a central fountain made of deep sea blue colored tiles and filled with rose petals.

Inviting chaise lounges circle the fountain and recede into every corner of the room. Birds of paradise, palms and lilies add an exotic visual throughout. Tucked under a balcony, a warm foot bath curves along an outer wall with heated tile seats and tea lit sconces fill the stucco above.

Steps lead down to the entry of a heated pool where the visitor can swim to the outer courtyard. Another heated pool in the adjacent atrium room catches from two palm filled waterfalls.

Here, Mediterana's inner saunas and steam rooms flank the atriums. The Catalanisches Kräuterbad sauna offers a middle sea environment filled with thyme, mint and rosemary in an invigorating 80◦C temperature. Wooden planked walls, tiled ceiling and tiered seating are dotted with tiny windows with views to the courtyard.

Next door, the Andalusisches Schitzbad is a humid, pore opening experience with curved marble seating and mosaic tile walls that invite you to sit long for an immune system boost. At 45◦C, this "sweat bath" is all about the cleansing humidity.

A friendly corner leads to the luxurious Hamam where the scents and atmosphere evoke 1001 Nights. Traditional Hamams are known for healing, sudsy baths and specialty massages. Mediterana's Hamam upholds these traditions and ups the ante with a detoxifying mud bath all within the toasty 50◦C of the Hamam's heavy marbled interior.

Mediterana's Maurisches Dampfbad takes the humidity up to 100% in 55◦C. Offerings of mint oil or "Oriental Peelings" help stimulate the skin and enhance the steam treatment to its fullest.

Upstairs the Buena Vista Sauna awaits those looking for a Zen-like escape. One of Mediterana's most popular saunas, visitors must sign-up for aufguss sessions with the Sauna Master. Every two hours throughout the day, lucky participants can take a mini-vacation in the orange scented sauna air with guided visualization. Delightful 70◦C air is filled with citrus scents as sauna goers lie with eyes closed and listen to the bath master's soothing voice take them across sun-dappled fields to lie under sweet fruit trees.

The inner saunas are complemented by refreshing cascading showers, icy cold plunge pools and an ice room accommodates all cooling desires with overflowing offerings. A brisk walk in the courtyard is just a step away through the many egresses throughout the sauna area.

Outside, the sauna garden offers more exotic escapes. The Kerzensauna or candle sauna is one of the most intense experiences Mediterana has to offer. Every surface sparkles with tea lit lanterns in this deep, dark sauna. A central stove is filled with stones and small windows offer views to the expansive lake that flanks the wellness center. The aufguss session is extreme in this 80◦C atmosphere. When the bath master visits, romantic scents are sizzled over hot rocks and waft through the air. Midway through the Kerzensauna aufguss, iced towels are passed to each participant and just one chance exists to exit before the aufguss intensifies. For those who stay, this aufguss is the ultimate in extreme sauna.

The Rosentempel or Rose Temple is hard to miss. Its floral atmosphere escapes continuously into the courtyard air. Inside, marble and rose are the only elements. Floor to ceiling boasts an intricate décor complete with a rose swathed shrine. The 70◦C air is perfectly balanced by the delicate rose scents that honor its name.

A freestanding stucco building in the courtyard invites sauna goers with a huge carved wooden door. Inside, Tibetan artifacts hang from the walls of a descending staircase. Tea lights and lanterns light the way to the Himalaya Salzstollen, a sauna made completely of salts from the Tibetan Plateau. A comfortable 65◦C, the Himalay Salzstollen is lit in amber reflections through salt blocks that fill the walls, ceilings and shrines. The aufguss here pays homage to all the senses and includes sounds of ringing chimes, bells and gongs each meant to heal a specific part of the body.

Cooling showers flank the Himalaya Salzstollen entryway, just a short step from the courtyard. Then another freestanding building beckons, the Finca Sauna. Wooden beams and a tiled woodstove fill this mild mannered sauna with its low humidity and 60◦C. It is the perfect warm up spot after a dip in the pool or at the beginning and end of the sauna day. Although all saunas at Mediterana are quiet space, the Finca Sauna's isolated place in the sauna garden often leaves it sparsely populated so free-flowing conversation won't disrupt anyone else's relaxation.

Just a short walk across the courtyard and you arrive at the Bain Arabisances. This Arabic bath mixes the scent of sage and eucalyptus into its 70◦C atmosphere. Candle light shimmers through brass lanterns in this brighter version of the Kerzensauna and the aufguss here is just as intense and invigorating. Located just off of the courtyard, the Bain Arabisances offers the perfect sequence from sauna to shower to heated sea salt pool.

The perfect complement to steamy saunas and refreshing showers is Mediterana's luxurious quiet rooms that sprawl throughout the Moroccan themed setting. Ergonomic wicker chaise lounges with cushy pillows, yoga mats and even water beds offer endless places to curl up under soft blankets and rest after an invigorating sauna or swim.

The Baldachin Raum has all of the above and is decorated with oversize mirrors, candelabras and a sprawling four post, wooden awning draped in orange silk. Marokkanischer Platz sits off to one side, a circular room painting in blues and golds with a bubbling central fountain. The Königszelt is padded wall to wall with soft cushions and bedazzled throw pillows. Above, the lounge and sun deck invite more quiet rest near the smoothie bar made out of an enormous dugout canoe. All the quiet rooms overlook the heated pool and garden sauna and offer a chance to watch the sun set over the Mediterana atriums.

And for those seeking meditative silence, two extreme quiet rooms exist: one indoors on the second level and one in the sauna garden. Both are draped in safari cottons, with a generous amount of comfy throw pillows, mats, palm trees and glowing candles.

In addition to sauna and relaxation, Mediterana features two outdoor fitness pools and a world class gym training facility with weights, cardio machines, martial arts rooms and an array of guided classes including yoga. A variety of massages and beauty treatments are available as are children's fitness activities.

A bountiful restaurant on the second level opens to a balcony during warm months and serves delicious, nutritious meals to recharge the body's minerals and nutrients. Or even indulge in an afternoon cocktail or a locally brewed, all-natural beer of a purity found only in Germany.

All of Mediterana's bath and body treatments are available in take home supplies and a Moroccan décor boutique is open in the lobby where visitors can find pieces that will bring a little ambiance home. But likely the saunas, pools and overall luxury of this day spa will keep you coming back to experience the complete Mediterana package.