They’re the original holiday resort and I spa with my little eye they’re five years as a World Heritage site.
The 11 sites of the The Great Spa Towns of Europe.
Now for those who imagine that wellness tourism is a a 21st century indulgence they’d be wrong.
With water treatments, or thalassotherapy, dating back to Roman times.
When Roman soldiers took the waters in modern-day Belgium to ease their weary or injured bones.
And the acronym SPA was formed from salus per aquam, or health through water.
A spin on your own spa
Now as well as the Belgian town Spa, which has been welcoming water wellness visitors since the 14th century, there are six other countries celebrated now by World Heritage.
With Austria, Czechia (famous for its Spa Triangle), France, Germany, Italy and Britain on the WH spa map.
All of whom are marking this year’s five-year celebrations with their own spin on their own spa.
Our friends at Great Spa Towns have identified what’s going on across the Eleven.
Water party
Including 100 years of the Art Deco Thermalstrandbad Lido in Baden bei Wien.
Twenty years of Thermae Bath Spa in Bath, Britain’s only thermal waters.
And 235 years since The Women’s Revolt in Františkovy Lázně, a women’s protest that founded the spa town.
While Vichy in France, runs spectacular birthday festivities every July.
So, let’s hear it for the Eclectic 11 and splash it all over if and when you get there.
The Eclectic Eleven
1. Baden bei Wien, Austria. | The Spa of Emperors
2. Spa, Belgium. | The Cafe of Europe
3. Františkovy Lázně, Czech Republic. | A European Model Spa
4. Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic. | Grand Harmony with Nature
5. Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. | Europe’s Open-air Salon
6. Vichy, France. | Queen of the Spa Towns
7. Bad Ems, Germany. | The Picturesque Imperial Spa
8. Baden-Baden, Germany. | Summer Capital of Europe
9. Bad Kissingen, Germany. | Between Classicism and Modernity
10. Montecatini Terme, Italy. | Garden Spa of Europe
11. City of Bath, UK. | Georgian Spa City
