Spa town

A spa town (also called a bathing-place or simply a spa) is a town situated around a mineral spa (a developed mineral spring). Patrons resorted to spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. 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.^[1]

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'.^[2]

Belgium

Chaudfontaine (whose name literally means "hot spring" in French)
Ostend
Spa

Bosnia and Hercegovina

See: List of spa towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Banja Vrućica, Teslić

Bulgaria

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).

Canada

See: List of spa towns in Canada

Harrison Hot Springs is one of the oldest among 18 in British Columbia, along with 2 in Alberta and one in Ontario.

Croatia

See: List of spa towns in Croatia

In Croatia, the word Toplice implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Croatia are Daruvar, Šibenik and Sisak.

Czech Republic

See: Spa towns in the Czech Republic

In the Czech Language, the word Lázně implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Czech Republic are Karlovy Vary, Teplice, Františkovy Lázně and Mariánské Lázně.

France

See: List of spa towns in France

In France, the words bains, thermes, and eaux in city names often imply a spa town. There are more than 50 spa towns in France, including Vichy, Aix-les-Bains, Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, Dax, and Enghien-les-Bains among the best known.

Germany

See: List of spa towns in Germany

In Germany, the word Bad implies a spa town. The most famous spa town in Germany is Baden Baden.

Hungary

See: List of spa towns in Hungary

In Hungary, the word fürdő, fürdőváros or fürdőhely implies a spa town. Hungary is the capital country of thermal and medicine bath, even in cold, warm or hot water. You can visit plenty of old, Türkish style spas in Budapest or in Eger. The most famous spa town in Hungary is Hévíz. But there are many countryside spas around: Bogács, Bükkszék, Zsóry, Hajdúszoboszló, Miskolc-tapolca, Bük...

Poland

See: List of spa towns in Poland

Portugal

Portugal is well known by famous SPA towns throughout of the country. SPA of Portugal.

Due to its high quality as well as the amazing landscape where are located, the most important ones are:

Caldas de Monchique
Pedras Salgadas
Caldas da Felgueira located in Viseu District, and 5km from Nelas town.

Romania

See: List of spa towns in Romania

In Romania, the word Băile implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Romania are Băile Herculane, Băile Felix, Mangalia, Covasna, Călimănești & Borsec.

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, Bukovička Banja, Vrujci and Niška Banja. The hottest spring in Serbia is at Vranjska Banja (96°C)^[3]

In Serbia, the word Banja implies a spa town.

New Zealand

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. Two out of three of the English towns granted the title "Royal", Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells, are spa towns.

United States

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 - Filwoha
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 Iran - "Cheshme Ab-e-Garm" or "Cheshme Ab-e-Madani"
in Jamaica -
in Japan - Onsen
in Korea - 온천 or 사우나
in Lithuania - Druskininkai
in Malaysia - Poring
in Mexico- Termas or Balneario
in New Zealand - Rotorua
in Peru - Cuzco, Cajamarca
in Poland - Krynica-Zdrój
in Portugal - Caldas or Termas
in Russia - Минеральные воды or Лечебные воды
in Romania - Băile
in Slovakia - Liečebné kúpele
in Serbia - Banja
in Spain - Termas or Balneario
in Turkey - Termal or Kaplica
in Ukraine

References

^ "Healing Waters; Investigative Files (Skeptical Briefs June 2005)". Archived from the original on 2007-10-24. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
^ http://www.mineralwater.vic.gov.au/quicksite/?id=tourism#activities Victorian Mineral Water Committee Tourism information
^ "Reservoir Capital Corp.: 20MW Potential Estimated for the Vranjska Banja Geothermal Project". Retrieved 3 February 2012.

External links

"Wallonia spas: Step into Belgium's impressive springs - Europe, Travel - Independent.co.uk". The Independent. London. 2007-05-05. Retrieved 2008-02-03.

[1] "Healing Waters; Investigative Files (Skeptical Briefs June 2005)". Archived from the original on 2007-10-24. Retrieved 2008-02-03.

[2] ttp://www.mineralwater.vic.gov.au/quicksite/?id=tourism#activities Victorian Mineral Water Committee Tourism information

[3] "Reservoir Capital Corp.: 20MW Potential Estimated for the Vranjska Banja Geothermal Project". Retrieved 3 February 2012.

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