Top 5 Spa Destinations in Europe

If you need a break from the rat race, try refreshing yourself with a relaxing vacation at one of Europe's top spa destinations. If you have the time and money, you can use this list to create a unique tour of Europe. All spa destinations are located in beautiful natural areas with opportunities to explore the history and culture of the country. Here are my recommended top five spa destinations in Europe:

France

Alet-les-Bains ( Southern France)
This small medieval village of Alet les Bains located in the department of Aude is a great place to unwind. If you enjoy the outdoors and/or history, you will be glad you came. Set in rural Southeastern France, the Pyrenees mountains and the Mediterranean sea are both about an hour away by car. The town has a history of its own and is well preserved. Additionally, you can easily use it as your base to visit the many castles in the area, including magnificent Carcassonne which is less than hour away. The local spa (Thermes d'Alet les Bains) is an unpretentious community facility specializing in digestive and metabolic treatments. The spa is located in the center of town. It is open from April to mid-November and they can be reached by phone at 04 68 69 90 27. Knowledge of the local thermal waters dates to the Roman era and the community swimming pool is filled daily with the mineral water. The town also bottles and sells bottled mineral water for drinking. There are several interesting accommodations locally including a 16^th century cottage which sleeps up to 6 and a tiny house for two which is thought to be the former residence of Nostradamus' parents. For more information, click here.

Spain

Villa de Olmedo Spa Resort, Olmedo
Built at the former site of a Mudejar convent in the Castile-Leon region of Spain, the Spa resort is unique. Its two new buildings are a tribute to this history. The Thermal Cloister features both an indoor and outdoor pool. The indoor pool is set in the old cloister of the convent. It has many modern features such as water jets and cannons, bubble massage beds and more. You can further enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors, nearby castles and wineries in the area.

Italy

Monsummano Terme, Tuscany
Located in Northern Tuscany, day trips to Florence, Pisa and Lucca can easily be accomplished. There are also other less famous historic towns in the area to explore. The scenery is beautiful and it's a great place to take long walks. This spa town's main features are the natural hot springs and a large natural thermal cave. This natural cave has been transformed into a spa resort known as the Grotta Giusti Spa (and Hotel) which is open from April to mid-November. The natural thermal cave is a must-see and experience with its awe-inspiring and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. There is even an underground lake with an average temperature of 97 degrees. For 40 euros, you can enjoy a 60-minute thermal steam bath inside the grotto. For more information about the Grotta Giusti Spa click here. The other well known thermal cave in town is the charming Grotta Parlanti, a man-made cave created around the Parlanti hot springs. It is open from April to October 15^th.

Greece

Edipsos on the Island of Evia
With over 80 natural hot springs, this town is a spa heaven. Perhaps even more spectacular though is that many of the springs are coming directly from the ocean floor. So your "spa" can be completely outdoors! In addition to swimming or bathing in the warms waters, you can stroll along the beach, go fishing or boating, or tour nearby historic archeological sites. The seafood is wonderful and there are plenty hotels and spa hotels in the area. Perhaps the best known spa resort in town is the Therma Sylla Wellness Hotel. It is fully equipped spa resort featuring many types of therapy and treatment. Click here to learn more about the resort.

Hungary

Heviz
The town centers around Lake Heviz, Europe's largest natural thermal lake. You can swim in its warm waters (91-93 degrees in the summer with a low of 78 degrees in the winter) as well as pleasure in a mud bath from the rich mud from the peat moss bottom of the lake. For additional recreation and relaxation, explore the area. Lake Balaton, Europe's only inland lake is less than 5 miles from Heviz and offers the chance for swimming, fishing, sailing or windsurfing. Additionally, you will find vineyards and historic ruins of churches and castles throughout the area. Close to Lake Heviz, you have your choice of accommodations such as the Danubius Health Spa Resort Aqua Heviz or the Rogner Hotel & Spa Lotus Therme.

Sources:

Alet les Bains
L'office de tourisme d'Alet les Bains (French site for Alet les Bains Tourist Department). < http://info.aletlesbains.free.fr/> Accessed on October 9, 2009.
Alet les Bains. < http://www.freewebs.com/alet-les-bains/>. Accessed on October 9, 2009.
Pyrenees A World to Discover: Sports & Leisure: Thermalism: Alet les Bains. <
http://www.pyrenees-decouverte.com/en/sport/therm/alet/index.php> Accessed on October 9, 2009.
Things to See in the Languedoc: Historic Towns: Alet-les-Bains. <
http://www.languedoc-france.info/030403_alet.htm> Accessed on October 9, 2009.

Monsummano Terme
Grotta Giusti Spa. < http://www.grottagiustispa.com/index_en.html> Accessed on October 9, 2009.
Gordon's Travel Guide: Grotta Giusti Natural Spa Resort. < http://resorts.gordonsguide.com/grottagiustinaturalspa/index.cfm> Accessed on October 9, 2009.
Welcome Tuscany: Pistoia-Monsummano and Its Caverns. http://www.welcometuscany.it/special_interest/thermal_spas/pistoia_monsummano_terme.htm> Accessed on October 9, 2009.

Villa de Olmedo Spa Resort
Espana: Spanish Spas: Villa de Olmeda Spa Resort. http://www.spain.info/US/TourSpain/Reportajes/1/Balneario%20Villa%20de%20Olmedo%20las%20aguas%20termales%20de%20un%20convento%20mudejar.htm?SubSys=ANBAL&language=EN> Accessed on October 9, 2009.

Edipsos
Around Greece: The Island of Evia, Greece . < http://www.aroundgreece.com/evia-greece.html> Accessed on October 9, 2009.
Matt Barrett's Travel Guides: The Healing Waters at Edipsos. < http://www.greecetravel.com/edipsos/town.html> Accessed on October 9, 2009.
Therma Sylla Wellness Hotel. http://www.thermaesylla.gr/en/spa/> Accessed on October 9, 2009.

Heviz
ThermalBathGuide.com: Heviz Guide. < http://thermalbathguide.com/heviz-spa-destination-guide/> Accessed on October 9, 2009.
Vendegvaro-Hungary Starts Here: Lake Balaton. < http://hungarystartshere.com/Balaton> Accessed on October 9, 2009.
Hoteltelnet: Heviz Aqua - Spa treatments & Offers-Health Spa Resort Aqua - Thermal Hotel Aqua Heviz. < http://www.hoteltelnet.hu/en/thermalhotelaqua/89_unique_cont_1.html> Accessed on October 9, 2009.