Spa towns

From World travel guide

Image:Pijalnia wody mineralnej Bath (Anglia).jpg

Taking the waters at Bath became a fashionable means of leisure

A spa town, or simply spa, is a town frequented mainly for health reasons, to "take the waters". The word comes from the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d'eau (town of water). The term spa is used for towns or resorts offering hydrotherapy which can include cold water or mineral water treatments and hot thermal baths.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

1 Australia
2 Bulgaria
3 France
4 Croatia
5 Germany
6 Serbia
7 United Kingdom
8 Other countries
9 See also
10 References
11 External links

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Australia

Most of the mineral springs in Australia are in the Central Highlands of Victoria, although there are a few springs in South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Most are within 30 km of Daylesford, Victoria: the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs call themselves the 'Spa Centre of Australia'. <ref> http://www.mineralwater.vic.gov.au/quicksite/?id=tourism#activities Victorian Mineral Water Committee Tourism information </ref>

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Bulgaria

Image:Diocletianopolys-Hisarya South Gate.JPG

The Roman walls of Hisarya. Many spa towns in Bulgaria exist since the Roman Empire.

See: List of spa towns in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is known for its over 500 mineral springs including the hottest spring in the Balkans in Sapareva Banya - 103°C. Other famous spa towns include Sandanski, Hisarya, Bankya, Devin, Kyustendil, Varshets.

In Bulgarian language the word for a spa is баня (transliterated banya).

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France

See: List of spa towns in France

As the first tourist destination in the world, there are more than 50 spa towns in France, including Aix-les-Bains, Bagnoles de l'Orne, Enghien-les-Bains.

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Croatia

See: List of spa towns in Croatia

In Croatia, the word Toplice implies a spa town.

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Germany

See: List of spa towns in Germany

In Germany, the word Bad implies a spa town.

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Serbia

See: List of spa towns in Serbia

Serbia is known for its many spa cities. Some of the best known springs are the Vrnjačka Banja and Niska Banja.

In Serbia, the word Banja implies a spa town.

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United Kingdom

See: List of spa towns in the United Kingdom

Some but not all British spa towns contain "Spa", "Wells", or "Bath" in their names, e.g., Matlock Bath. Some towns are designated Spa Heritage Towns. Both English towns granted the title "Royal", Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells, are spa towns.

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Other countries

See: List of spa towns

in the Arab world - Hammam
in Australia
in Belgium -
in Bulgaria - Bani
in Chile - Termas
in Croatia - Toplice
in Cyprus - Loutra-Therma
in the Czech Republic - Lázně
in Ethiopia -
in France - Bains, thermes
in Georgia -
in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland - Bad, the first part of the names of most spa towns, a cognate to the English "bath" while "Therme" is used for the spa itself.
in Greece - Loutra-Therma
in Hungary - fürdő or -füred
in Italy - Terme
in Jamaica -
in Japan - Onsen
in Lithuania - Druskininkai
in Malaysia - Poring
in Mexico- Termas or Balneario
in New Zealand - Rotorua
in Peru - "Cuzco","Cajamarca"
in Poland - Zdrój
in Portugal - Caldas or Termas
in Russia - Минеральные воды or Лечебные воды
in Romania - "Băile Herculane"
in Slovakia - Kúpele
in Serbia - Banja
in Spain - Termas or Balneario
in Turkey - Termal or Kaplica
in Ukraine -
in the United States - Spa and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico