Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Triin Olvet

But the city is mainly a seaside location, so the most tourists come here due to a well-known local beaches and promenades, such as beach Paralepa. However once you come to Haapsalu, you should not miss the local mud baths. The tradition of spas in the city dates back to the early 19th century, when a doctor took a habit of local inhabitants to treat rheumatic problems with mud baths. At this time a new sanatorium grew up here and shortly Haapsalu became a favorite destination of the Russian elite. Most of the spa buildings are situated near the Great Mall.

Haapsalu has 11,600 residents and is located 100km from the capital city of Tallinn. The city is also prepared for the lovers of technical monuments – in the local railway station you can find a railway museum and exhibition of historical vehicles. If you wish to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the seaside spa resort, Haapsalu is the right choice.

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Zalakaros Thermal Spa offers 4000 m2 of water area surrounded by large forested park. The indoor treatment centre which is open all year round, includes several relaxation pools with thermal water and a large thermal pool. Here you can also enjoy a huge sauna complex, wellness center, restaurants and cafes. The large thermal swimming pool is open during the summer months only. Waterpark offers an indoor pool with thermal water and various water attractions and the multifunction sport pool. Outdoor thermal park covers a total area of ​​10 hectares, where you can enjoy the thermal relaxation pool, multipurpose pool offering lots of attractions, swimming pool with artificial waves, a children’s pool and paddling pool.

Zalakaros is one of the newest spas, its 85-99 °C hot water was discovered during exploring of oil deposits. The springs provide the active iodine and bromine water, and feature highest fluorine content of all Hungarian spa waters. The baths are suitable for treating post-operative conditions, for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, for rehabilitation and are effective in treating chronic gynecological problems and other problems.

From the nearby attractions you should not miss the bird sanctuary in Zimány, which is located only 18 kilometers away. Among other “must see attractions” are watching herds of bison, stretched 10 km from the spa centre. These animals live in Europe only rarely in the wild. Nearby Zalavár is famous for its ruins of Slavic settlements and visitors arriving by car can also include a trip to Lake Balaton.

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Healing water – Black thermal water
The total water surface covers an area of 5000 m2. Thermal pools are filled with the black thermal water, which is great for treating rheumatism, skin diseases, respiratory problems and post-operative conditions. Do not forget to take off the silver jewellery before entering the pool, otherwise it turns black within a few minutes.

Multiple water attractions
Thermal Spa Terme 3000 have also plenty of water features such as slides with audio and visual effects, geysers, water slides, waterfalls, massage jets, sauna world and a special children’s Riviera. You can also try massages and wraps with a medicinal mud. Thermal Spa Terme 3000 offers you a shop with cosmetics, which main ingredient is already mentioned black thermal water.

Unique Accomodation
Once you decide to visit Terme 3000, you could also think about staying here in a unique five-star Hotel Livada Prestige, which is probably the only hotel in the world where you can find thermal water in almost every room. There are also a tourist village with chalets, camping, or several other hotels.

The water park is open every day from 09:00 – 21:00 (during the summer season from 08:00) and the basic admission is €13,50.

For further details visit the official site of Terme 3000.

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Entertainment
The aquapark has 10 swimming pools. The indoor pools are: a huge adventure pool with geysers, accelerator channel, pool with massage jets and cave, relaxing pool with massage jets Jacuzzi for 8 persons and water paradise for children.

The summer part of Aquasziget Esztergom is open during the summer season, from 1 May to 31 August. Out of the summer season you can still use outdoor swimming pool and outdoor relaxation pool, which are connected with indoor pools. There are also 2 playgrounds for children, beach volleyball court and barbecue on the terrace.

Indoor adventure spa
The aquapark includes adventure spa with infra sauna, ornamental lake, a mini terrarium, a pub and a number of chairs. The air-conditioned playground for the smallest kids offers a number of creative toys and games

Infrared sauna
Infrared sauna is a deep thermal procedure that regenerates the muscles, skin and tissue. Its advantage, due to lower temperature (35-55 ° C), is that the organism is less affected than in the traditional Finnish sauna.

Infrared sauna does not heat the air, as in traditional saunas, which makes the body sweat at lower temperatures and the effect is better. Infrared radiation get 1 cm below the skin surface, where release toxins (poisons) accumulated under the skin and through sweat glands push them out of the body. It is an excellent way to detoxify the body, reduce weight, stop the pain and remove cellulite. It cleans and tones the skin and improves its elasticity, reduces stress and fatigue.

Aquapark Aquasziget Esztergom is open every day and the basic whole-day admission is 2,700 HUF (approx. €10). For further information see the Official site of Aquasziget Esztergom

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Outside of the building you can enjoy Salt sauna (90 °C), Forest sauna (70 – 95 °C), Infra-red cabin, Jacuzzi (32 – 34 °C), Trunk showers, Relaxation cave, Rest room, Shower house and Summer bar.

But it is still not everything you can expect from Sole-Felsen-Bad. The Spa centre includes also Water World with 7 different swimming pools including Rock salt pool (1.5% salt with 32 – 34 °C), Relaxing Salt Lagoon (indoor & outdoor, 5% salt, 32 – 34 °C), Granite bath (5% salt, 32 – 34 °C), Sport freshwater pool (26 – 28 °C), Children’s freshwater swimming pool (28 – 30 °C) and 1 65 meters long slide.

Salt pools contains different concentrations of salt, and are equipped with water massage beds, springs, whirlpools and massage jets.

The basic admission to both Sauna World and Water World is €20,90 for the whole day, but you can decide whether you want to visit just Sauna or just Water World. It is also possible to stay here for shorter time, which is much cheaper. During your visit you can stay at the camping or hotel which are directly at the Sole-Felsen-Bad.

For further details see the official website of Sole-Felsen-Bad.

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The water from local springs is unique worldwide with beneficial effects on the human organism. A detailed study showed that in some problems, especially asthma and various skin rashes, the water from Podhájska has the deeper and longer lasting regenerative effect than water from the Dead Sea.

Miracle Water
The research proved that the water comes from a Tertiary sea. Fish teeth, pollen grains of plants and other biological material that were found in the bottom layers prove the age of the source.

Medicinal effects
Slovak “Dead Sea” healed thousands of people. Curative effects of highly mineralized water are suitable especially for the patients with musculoskeletal system problems, respiratory tract diseases, skin eczema, psoriasis, digestive tract diseases – especially the pancreas and spleen disorders. The water contains phosphates and calcium, which is well for the after-treatment of fractures. Bromides alleviate pain. It has also positive effect on people suffering from rheumatism, vascular and articulation disorders, persistent pain in the spine. It helps the people suffering from osteoporosis, arthrosis and arthritis. The concentration of lithium helps to treat gout, a mixture of iodine stimulates the thyroid gland, flushing the eyes heals and improves eyesight.

The thermal springs can be used all year round. For those who wish to visit the thermal swimming pool for medical purposes, we recommend to do so in autumn, winter and spring, as the effect of this water is stronger. Beneficial effects of this thermal waters attract still more and more visitors from all over Europe.

Thermal Resort Podhájska experienced a huge boom in recent years, a complex has been expanded, modernized and renovated. Right in the complex there is also the possibility of accommodation.

There are 9 different pools with temperatures ranging from 30 to 38°C. There are plenty of refreshment options at various stalls and restaurants, excellent entertainment program for the kids. During summer vacations there is a very rich cultural program.

The basic admission is €5,50.

If you would not know what to do during these rainy and cold summer days, I think Thermal Resort Podhájska can be a great tip.

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The spa is located in a quiet Upper Austrian spa town of Bad Schallerbach, about 45 km from the city of Linz.

Curative treatments and massages
Rare hot spring is used mainly for curative procedures. Bad Schallerbach Spa offers baths with a wide and exclusive range of massages from all around the world in the uniquely decorated relaxation rooms. In addition to the traditional medical massages you can also choose Asian, African or even Australian massages associated with aromatherapy and herbal wraps. Among 17 types of massages from around the world you can find favorite Japanese Shiatsu, Turkish Hamam or African Vunkuwa.

Water World and Aquapark
Eurotherme Bad Schallerbach includes a swimming pool with sea waves, 109 m long wild river, water canyon, high-speed water slide “Kamikaze” or multimedia water enjoyment “Starlight Express”, which unites the world of water, music and colors.

For children under 5 years there is specially adapted mini water park “Aquamundus”.

In the garden area there is available sandy “Happy Park”, with many climbing frames, sandpits and slides. Wonderful water park Aquapulco with the atmosphere of tropical Caribbean offers rich opportunities for children and adults – regardless of the weather.

Area “Relaxium”
Area “Relaxium” combines indoor sauna paradise on 1,500 m2 and outdoor saunas on 3,500 m2, which are designed in the style of mountain villages with thermal lakes. For your relaxation, there is a total number of 20 variously equipped spaces. Whirlpool in the heart of Relaxium, waterfall, hot spring cave “Grotta Mare” with highly salty water like the Dead Sea and relaxation space “Musicarium” with heated beds, headphones with relaxing music and the effect of a starry sky. That’s just few things you can enjoy in this great Spa resort!

Colorama
Absolutely unique is the attraction “Colorama”. This relaxing spa section uses color therapy knowledge, with proven effects of colours on the well-being. Surrounded by slowly alternating colored lights you can relax in the indoor or outdoor pool with massage benches, beds and pavement, or enjoy views of the park area or of the illuminated “Colorama” forest.

Hotel Paradiso
You can stay at comfortable modern four star hotel “Paradiso” which is directly connected to the spa area. Rooms are equipped in accordance with the atmosphere of the spa. The hotel has a restaurant offering culinary specialties and a bar. The hotel is surrounded by rich greenery, floral gardens in the style of the southern sea, alleys and trails for jogging and spaces for gymnastics in nature. The hotel is also equipped with highly modern facilities for seminars and conferences, smaller or even greater range of up to 700 participants.

For further details you can visit official website of Eurothermen Resort Bad Schallerbach.

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The first mention of Dupnitsa is from the 15th century. Major attractions include the Art Gallery, Historical Museum of Dupnitsa, the clock tower and the churches in the city. About 7km east of town there is a monastery Resilovo. 14 km northeast, near the town of Sapareva Banya you can find the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Germania. Nearby is also a spa and mountain resort Panichishte, which offers excellent conditions for hiking and relaxing and in winter for skiing.

Dupnitsa is also called The Green and Shady Town because of the huge number of trees in the town. But it is also called The Little Italy of Bulgaria because lots of people left to work to Italy and returns in summer for vacation when the city is full of Bulgarian “Italians”.

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In the town of Bardejov there are lots of historical monuments.

Major attractions include the Gothic parish church of St. Egidius from the 14th century. In the middle of the square there is the former Town Hall built in Gothic Renaissance style in 1511. Today it is a museum. In 1903 Saris Museum was founded there, where you can see numerous historical, natural and ethnographic exhibitions, and even the museum of icons.

We recommended to visit also a local spa together with the open-air Museum of Slovak village. Bardejov Town is on UNESCO World Heritage List since 2005. Today Bardejov has around 33000 inhabitants.

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Lago di Garda, Italy by Elliott Brown

Beauty hurts, or is more expensive than the sea
Lago di Garda enjoys a large tourist popularity. This corresponds to a number of first-class hotels and guesthouses. With the mark of prestige, prices are higher here than in other Italian resorts (apartments for around €20, campings for €10).

Even lake queen would not have to be ashamed of the lake – 346 meters depth is really impressive. Glacier Lake Garda was founded thanks to the global warming about 10 thousand years ago. Receding Alpine glaciers created this beautiful water world. The upper part of the lake is narrower, surrounded by great rock massifs. Towards the south, the lake opens up and allows visitors easier access. The lake lies at an altitude of 65 meters. Its maximum depth is 346 meters and if you would like to walk it all around, you have to prepare to about 160 kilometre-long way.

The right place for more demanding tourists and adventure lovers is the northern part of Lake Garda. Biking, hiking, rock climbing is just a fraction of what the area offers. Lake Garda is ideal for active holidays. You find here hundreds of kilometres of marked cycling and hiking trails that lead deep into the mountains, on the water you can enjoy boating, scooters or just play a beach volleyball.

Lago di Garda Italy by Robert Wirrmann

If you decide to go on a proper mountain hike, do not forget the map. It can be obtained in tourist centers or hotels. Losing here is really not hard at all. The ideal starting point for tours is the town of Riva del Garda, where you can go either west or east. The western side offers steep rock walls, suitable more for hiking. The eastern hills are a paradise for passionate cyclists. (You can rent bikes and all the amenities from some of many rental services here, but prices are often quite high).

In addition to alpine tours and resting at blue lake you can also go for culture or rich night life, which is characteristic for Italy and its inhabitants. Visit a town of Riva del Garda. This place is ideal for lovers of history.

Lake Garda, Italy by Marjolein Knuit

In the southern part of the lake, you can visit a spa town Sirmione, known as the “Pearl of Lake Garda.” The Romans built here two castles, ports, and a whopping villa of Grotte di Catullo. On the ruins of one of the ports you can now visit the castle Scaligeri Rocca, which is one of the landmarks of Sirmione.

Glacier Lake Garda is truly one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. It is suitable for everybody – hikers, adventurers, historians…

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