Is prevention separate from lifestyle?

The disagreement emerged early. Lutz Lungwitz, president of the German Medical Wellness Association, drew distinctions between medical tourism, medical wellness and wellness tourism, associating the latter with lifestyle and enjoyment.

“So you’re suggesting that prevention is not lifestyle?” Puczkó asked, challenging a separation that would become a recurring theme throughout the debate.

For Emil Hidayatli, chief physician at TABIA Group, lifestyle and prevention are closely connected. Drawing on his work in lifestyle medicine, he argued that nutrition, physical activity and natural resources can form part of a medically supervised approach to preventing disease.

The distinction, in his view, lies partly in professional involvement. Medical wellness introduces medical assessment, consultations and personalised programmes into an experience that extends beyond general relaxation. Follow-up matters too: the ambition should be to support changes that continue after guests return home.

Yet this raised another question. If both wellness and medical wellness encourage healthier habits, how clearly can travellers distinguish between them?

Traditional spa destinations face a changing market

For Kateřina Adámková, director of Císařské lázně in Karlovy Vary, these questions have immediate commercial relevance. She described the challenge facing Czech spa destinations built around traditional treatment stays lasting two or three weeks.

Such lengthy visits are increasingly difficult to fit into people’s lives. Adámková also highlighted the loss of Russian guests and the pressure on destinations to attract different markets, including visitors interested in shorter medical wellness stays.

Thomas Bömkes, medical and health tourism adviser to ITB Berlin, argued that reaching younger generations requires a broader approach. Nutrition, cooking lessons, mental wellbeing and sleep could all help guests connect their stay with changes they can make at home.

The value of a visit, he suggested, extends beyond the days spent at the destination. Giving people something useful to take back into everyday life could also encourage them to return.

Must the benefits be measurable?

Puczkó pressed the panel to explain what visitors should expect to gain. Medical treatment often has an identifiable outcome, such as a new hip or a repaired tooth. What, he asked, is the equivalent promise in medical wellness?

“What’s the reason to believe?”

Hidayatli cautioned against promising rapid results. Some changes could be assessed during a stay, he argued, but medical wellness should focus on longer-term outcomes, supported by continued adherence and follow-up.

Puczkó challenged whether that proposition would persuade younger consumers looking for visible results. Hidayatli suggested that activity tracking and other tools could help guests monitor their progress after leaving.

Bömkes offered a different perspective, describing a two-week Ayurveda experience in India. Changes to his diet, daily treatments and restful sleep had left him feeling sufficiently better to want to repeat the experience annually.

“I don’t need figures. I don’t care. I felt it was good to me,” he said.

For Bömkes, that personal response also had marketing value: a satisfied visitor returns home and recommends the experience to friends. His example illustrated the appeal of wellness travel, while leaving open the moderator’s question about what makes its benefits specifically medical.

Who should set the rules?

The discussion became more concrete when it turned to regulation. If a service uses the word “medical”, what qualifications, supervision and safeguards should travellers expect?

Hidayatli supported certification involving cooperation between relevant authorities. Bömkes argued for government regulation of health-related activities, while allowing other bodies to oversee aspects outside that remit.

Lungwitz described his association’s work on an independent certification system combining medical involvement with hospitality standards. He also questioned whether “tourism” adequately describes a journey made specifically to receive medical treatment.

Across these different positions, trust emerged as a shared concern. Travellers need to understand what they are buying, who is responsible for their care and what claims a provider can reasonably make.

Tourist, patient or client?

Ultimately, the distinction depends on who the offer is designed for: a tourist seeking relaxation and wellbeing, a patient travelling for medical care, or a client investing in a personalised programme to improve their health.

Their motivations and expectations shape the services they need, the outcomes they seek and the level of medical supervision required. For destinations, identifying that audience is the starting point for defining a credible offer.

L’article When does a wellness holiday become medical tourism, and who decides? est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The city of Copenhagen is continuously looking for ways to transform its former industrial port into a waterfront fit for community life. Back in 2015, the city asked locals for submissions regarding the future use of Paper Island, located in the inner harbour. Many of the ideas mentioned the need for a swimming facility, which eventually led to an international architectural competition, won by the Japanese studio Kengo Kuma & Associates.

After almost ten years, the result of that competition is about to open its doors. KAI, a reference to the Japanese word for sea and the Danish word kaj (quay), will be inaugurated on 5 December 2026. 

The 5,800-square-metre complex will feature 10 pools, three saunas, a heated stone, a steam bath, and several cultural spaces. Described as a Water Culture House, it will offer stunning views over the surrounding cityscape and harbour through its 403 windows.

Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates in collaboration with Cornelius Vöge Atelier for Architecture and Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects, KAI Water Culture House is set to open on December 5, 2026, on Papirøen (Paper Island) in Copenhagen, Denmark. The 5,800 m² public facility combines ten indoor and outdoor pools, wellness facilities, cultural spaces, and access to Copenhagen Harbour. Follow the link to read more about this topic:https://t.co/iiJdCjfLeR

— ArchDaily (@ArchDaily) October 28, 2026

“The Water Culture House is a distinctive new landmark on Copenhagen’s waterfront. As Paper Island’s cultural cornerstone, the House is a civic institution dedicated to water and community, embraced by a public harbour bath. Open to all, it creates new settings for everyday life in Copenhagen, where physical and mental wellbeing can become a natural part of urban life,” says Yuki Ikeguchi, Lead Architect and Partner in Charge at Kengo Kuma & Associates.

For the realisation of the project, the Japanese studio collaborated with Cornelius Vöge Atelier for Architecture and Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects. While the ground floor, featuring a fitness pool, teaching pool, and three children’s play pools, is entirely glazed, the upper floor consists of five brick towers which were shaped in relation to the pools beneath them. No less than 300,000 handmade bricks were used during the building process.

“I’m really excited about the opening of the Water Culture House. Copenhagen needs more swimming facilities, so it’s incredibly important that we are now getting new pools for adults, as well as paddling pools for children. I hope it will become the city’s new gathering point for water-loving Copenhageners and visitors alike,” says Copenhagen’s Lord Mayor Sisse Marie Welling.

One of the building’s most memorable features will be the outdoor Valley Pool, situated between the brick towers and allowing bathers to swim under open skies through the changing seasons. The heated Onsen nearby will offer a panoramic view over the harbour. 

“We are very proud to have helped make this new world-class swimming and community destination a reality for the people of Copenhagen. KAI will be both a welcoming place for everyone and an iconic landmark in one of the city’s most spectacular locations. It has the potential to become a new symbol of Copenhagen and a place that contributes to a high quality of life for the city’s residents,” says Henrik Lehmann Andersen, Chief Executive Officer of Nordea-fonden.

Aside from the above-mentioned facilities, KAI will also include a separate swimming and dipping zone along the waterfront in the harbour. They will be connected to the building by a timber boardwalk and are expected to open in early 2027.

Despite its very luxurious looks, KAI’s admission prices will be aligned with Copenhagen’s other municipal swimming facilities. The indoor facilities will be open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, seven days a week, while the swimming and dipping zone in the harbour will be accessible year-round, 24 hours a day.

L’article New Water Culture House to open in Copenhagen in December 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

What does the world’s happiest country need to make it an even happier place? As it turns out, not a mainstream festival with amplifiers, gigantic stages, or expensive entry tickets. Instead, the Finnish municipality of Pyhtää, located some 90 minutes from Helsinki, aims to attract visitors with an event where natural beauty and the sounds that come with it take centre stage.

Hiljaa Fest is being marketed as the world’s first Festival of Nature Listening and even as ‘Quietchella’, in reference to the more worldly, California-based, star-studded event. According to the organisers, 13 unique nature stars of Valkmusa will show their talents across four different stages. 

“Valkmusa’s beauty can be found in its small details: how the wind whispers, how the moss faintly rustles, how the birds sing to you. We have planned the first-ever Festival of Nature Listening so that visitors get to tour the national park and really listen to the music nature creates. It is a festival trip designed to nurture one’s soul and one’s mind,” said the creative director of Hiljaa Fest, wilderness guide Simo Peri.

At the Räme Stage, closest to the main entrance, visitors will encounter the fragrant marsh Labrador tea and windswept gnarled pines of the mire – the festival’s aromatic opening stage.

At the Neva Stage, the festival’s main stage and the heart of the open bog, attendees will be able to meet the Sphagnum Moss, Sundew, Cloudberry, Cranberry, Morning Mist, and the ever-changing scents of the wind.

At the Simonsaari Stage, offering an elevated viewing stage overlooking the entire festival grounds, birdwatchers and boardwalk wanderers alike might catch a sight of the Black Grouse, Common Crane, and Common Lizard.

Finally, at the Moronvuori Korpisuo Stage, festival-goers will be able to enjoy the area’s finest viewpoint and most dramatic scenery, with the magnificent Moronvuori Cliffs to take their breath away.

@visitkotkahaminaofficial What if the stars of the festival were… nature itself? Welcome to Quietchella – the world’s first festival of nature listening at Valkmusa National Park. Here, the headliners aren’t pop stars but black grouse, cranes, wind, peat moss and the sounds of the mire Instead of rushing from one act to another, slow down, listen and explore Valkmusa at your own pace The festival continues throughout the autumn as a self-guided experience. Come for the nature. Stay for the silence Valkmusa National Park, Pyhtää – just a 1-hour drive from Helsinki #finland #nature #mire #pyhtää #thingstodo ♬ original sound – Visitkotkahaminaofficial

“We wanted to place the spotlight on our beautiful national park. We believe in the Hiljaa Fest being our own little Quietchella: it encourages visitors to stop, truly enjoy the silence, and take in the vast surrounding nature with all their senses. Valkmusa is an enchanting place to experience all year round, but especially in the fall as the foliage changes colour and the leaves shine in a rich spectrum of shades,” Terhi Lindholm, municipal director of Pyhtaa, shared in a press release.

Hiljaa Fest will start off on 10 October during a free but invitation-only event. However, afterwards, visitors can continue to enjoy the festival grounds until 31 October 2026 as a self-guided festival experience, open to everyone. The festival area is accessible via boardwalks and forest trails, and the event is therefore currently not suitable for visitors who require mobility aids. Festivalgoers are asked to follow Finland’s outdoor code: respecting nature, leaving no trace, and treating the environment and its performers with care.

L’article Finland to organise Festival of Nature Listening, dubbed ‘Quietchella’ est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

During the 12^th edition of the World Spa Awards, the world’s most outstanding spas, wellness retreats, brands, and experiences were put in the spotlights. Italy proved to be the World’s Best Spa Destination of 2026 amidst a long list of competitors, inviting tourists to discover the country in what is perhaps a more unusual way. 

Visualizza questo post su Instagram

Un post condiviso da World Spa Awards (@worldspaawards)

“For twelve years, World Spa Awards has celebrated the exceptional organisations and individuals shaping the future of global spa and wellness. This year’s winners represent the very highest standards of excellence, innovation and guest experience, demonstrating the continued vitality and evolution of our industry. Their achievements inspire travellers around the world and reaffirm the important role that spa and wellness play in enhancing wellbeing and quality of life,” said Rebecca Cohen, Managing Director of World Spa Awards.

Not only did Italy as a whole come out a the top of the list, some of the country’s most prestigious wellness locations were awarded individually as well.

The Lefay Spa World at Lefay Resort and Spa Dolomiti in Pinzolo was named the ‘World’s Best Resort Spa’. Spanning over 5,000 square metres, the spa combines natural wellbeing with innovation. While enjoying the mountainous views, visitors can enjoy nine saunas through five different circuits, a selection of indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a personalised treatment offer. Lefay Spa World has won multiple awards in the past and its celebration during the World Spa Awards can be considered an affirmation of its impeccable reputation.

Visualizza questo post su Instagram

Un post condiviso da Lefay Resorts & Residences (@lefayresorts)

The Palazzo Fiuggi retained its title as ‘World’s Best Wellness Retreat’. Its 6,000 square metres of wellness and medical spa facilities were designed to “encourage relaxation and promote a lifelong approach to wellness”. Here, spa-goers can choose for a medical package including treatments such as cryotherapy, IV drips, and blood analysis, or for a wellness package blending saunas, sound healing, and light therapy. Their reproduction of ancient Roman baths deserves a special mention and allows visitors to enjoy the premises as people did thousands of years ago.

Visualizza questo post su Instagram

Un post condiviso da Palazzo Fiuggi (@palazzofiuggi)

Finally, the Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort in Monsummano Terme was able to take home the unique title of ‘World’s Best Thermal Grotto Spa 2026’. The spa combines the healing powers of thermal water with a great sense of history – not only is the spa partially located in the largest natural thermal grotto in Europe, it also features the old family villa of the poet Giuseppe Giusti. The premises are divided into Paradise, Purgatory, and Hell, with temperatures ranging from 28°C to 34°C. Among the stalactites and stalagmites, the large rock vaults create rooms where visitors can stop for a natural steam bath. At the bottom of the cave lies Limbo, a lake of warm thermal waters, with a constant temperature of 36ºC.

Visualizza questo post su Instagram

Un post condiviso da Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort, Tuscany | Autograph Collection (@grottagiusti)

However, the World Spa Awards did not just concentrate on Italy. The complete list of winners also features the Guerlain Wellness Spa at Waldorf Astoria New York, Six Senses, and the Asaya Spa at Rosewood Mandarina in Mexico, among others.

L’article Italy officially has the best spas in the world est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Located in central Portugal, in the parish of Luso, about 80 minutes south of Porto, Bussaco’s 105-hectare forest, enclosed by a five-kilometre wall, meets the numerous criteria required by the German-based Healing Forest – International Certification Office.

It is the first forest in southern Europe and on the Iberian Peninsula to receive this accolade. The other three certified forests are located in Austria and Germany.

This certification system is linked to the International Society of Forest Therapy (ISFT), which was formed in Austria in 2018 and established international quality standards for healing forests and forest therapy.

“This certification, which places us among the four therapeutic forests worldwide and as the first on the Iberian Peninsula, gives us global status and brings with it great responsibility,” said the president of the Mata do Bussaco Foundation, Gonçalo Breda Marques, quoted by the Lusa news agency.

To qualify, a forest must be designed for therapeutic use and have qualified personnel, and its health benefits must be supported by medical evidence. In practical terms, the forest needs natural protection from noise and wind, as well as trails catering for different levels of mobility and difficulty. There should also be designated spaces for therapy, relaxation and exercise. Strict standards apply regarding safety and accessibility.

Forest environments have long been associated with a range of health benefits, including improved cognitive abilities, reduced stress, anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system and better sleep quality. The best-known form of this practice originated in Japan, where “shinrin-yoku”, or forest bathing, was introduced in 1982 as part of a national programme encouraging people to spend time in forests to improve their well-being.

@_patricia.ribeiro_ Welcome to… Buçaco This is definitely one of the most magical places in Portugal, with its lush forest, hidden paths and a fairytale palace The Buçaco forest is home to more than 700 native and exotic species from all over the world, making it one of the richest forests in Europe At its heart stands the stunning Bussaco Palace (historically written with two “s” instead of the “ç”), originally built in the 19th century as a royal hunting lodge and now one of Portugal’s most iconic hotels The Neo-Manueline architecture of the palace echoes other famous Portuguese monuments like the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower Long before the palace was built, the forest was protected by Carmelite monks, who lived here in silence for centuries and planted many of the trees that still stand today. Whether you’re wandering the forest trails or admiring the palace’s intricate details, Buçaco has a peaceful and magical atmosphere that still feels like a hidden gem. Tips for visiting: you’ll need about 2 hours to explore the forest bring comfortable shoes as trails are uneven don’t miss Cruz Alta, Fonte Fria and the Valley of the Ferns even if you’re not staying there, you can go inside the palace hotel to have a coffee after 3.30pm visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the most magical light and fewer people you can enter by car and park inside, and it costs 7€ for the whole day it’s located about 2h15 from Lisbon, and if you’re coming for a weekend trip, you can combine it with Aveiro and/or Coimbra Save for a future trip to Portugal #buçaco #bussacopalace #portugalhiddengems #portugaldenorteasul #portugal_gems ♬ Fairytale (From "Shrek") – Geek Music

However, a certified therapeutic forest goes a step further. Rather than simply offering visitors the benefits of spending time among trees, they are specifically designed to allow trained therapists to conduct structured healing and rehabilitation programmes.

These programmes can complement treatment for various conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopaedic, psychosomatic and neurological illnesses.

Qualified forest therapists are available to guide guests through the wonders of the forest, which is home to more than 250 species of trees and shrubs, and is considered “one of Europe’s finest dendrological collections”, according to the Mata do Bussaco Foundation’s website.

The forest’s history is as unusual as its vegetation. Human management of the forest can be traced back to the 6th century, when monks from the nearby Monastery of Vacariça began tending the land. In 1628, the Discalced Carmelites took it over, establishing a secluded monastic retreat. Protected by papal decree, the forest became home to exotic species that were brought to Portugal during the Age of Discovery, when the country was one of the world’s great maritime powers.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝔎𝔢𝔯𝔯𝔦✧.* (@kerrimahraid)

One of these species was the Bussaco cedar, a cypress species imported from Mexico which gave the forest its name.

“It is one of the National Forests richest in natural, architectural and cultural heritage and can be divided into four landscape units: Arboretum, Gardens and Fern Valley, Relic Forest and Pinhal do Marquês,” the Foundation explains.

The forest underwent significant changes in the 19^th century, with the addition of lakes, gardens, and ornamental areas. By the end of the century, construction of the palace had begun. Conceived as a hunting lodge for King Carlos I, it was later converted into the luxury Palace Hotel do Bussaco that stands today.

After several years of preparation, Bussaco certification was awarded on 17 July and is valid until 2031, when the forest will have to undergo a new assessment.

However, the Foundation already has its sights set on another international accolade. Bussaco has been on Portugal’s tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status since 2017 under the title “Desert of the Discalced Carmelites and Built Ensemble of the Palace-Hotel in Bussaco”.

L’article Portugal’s 400-year-old Bussaco becomes southern Europe’s first certified healing forest est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Since 1958, Hotel Cipriani has occupied a special place on Venice’s Giudecca island, as founder Giuseppe Cipriani wanted it to be the city’s most private sanctuary. Over the years, the luxury hotel has attracted A-listers such as Julia Roberts, George Clooney and Sophia Loren.

Hotel Cipriani was purchased by Orient-Express Hotels in 1976, a company which later became known as Belmond. In 2019, Belmond was bought by French luxury conglomerate LVMH, which also happens to be the company behind Dior.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hotel Cipriani (@belmondhotelcipriani)

“Christian Dior discovered Venice in the dazzling cultural revival of the 1950s, when the city once again became the stage for the world’s most spectacular celebrations. His Venetian story truly began with Le Bal du Siècle, the legendary masquerade hosted by Charles de Beistegui in 1951, a night of opulence, imagination, and artistic brilliance that marked Dior profoundly. From that moment on, Venice revealed itself to him as a place where beauty is not merely seen but performed. The palaces rising from the lagoon, the chandeliers glittering above grand ballrooms, the masks, brocades, and golden mosaics all formed a living theatre of elegance and enchantment,” Dior writes about the relationship between the brand’s founder and the city of Venice.

Since the summer of 2025, LVMH has been coupling the hospitality universe of Hotel Cipriani with the fashion world of Dior. The on-site Dioriviera pop-up boutique and Il Bacaro Dior bar first opened their doors last year, and thanks to their success, both have returned for a second season in 2026.

On 15 July 2026, a third Dior instalment has been launched at Hotel Cipriani: the Dior Spa. Designed by architect and interior designer Peter Marino, who was also in charge of the hotel’s integral refurbishment, the spa is the first of its kind in Venice.

Visitors now enter the spa via Hotel Cipriani’s Casanova Gardens and swimming pool area, adding to the idea of taking a break from everyday life. Inside, five treatment cabins and a Dior boutique feature a mix of natural materials, Venetian terrazzo, and 1950s glamour.

On the treatment menu, guests can find a number of classic Dior treatments such as the New Look, D–Tissue, Constellation, Kobi–Dior, Golden Aura, and Dior Powered by Hydrafacial. Moreover, three exclusive treatments were named after the love of Christian Dior for the Venetian masked balls: the Théâtre Corporel body treatment, the Mascarade facial, and the Grand Bal.

“In this city of fêtes and fantasy, Dior rediscovered everything he loved: craftsmanship elevated to art, the exuberance of celebration, and the irresistible power of dreams. Venice became his muse, a realm where fashion met spectacle, and every reflection on the water seemed to promise a new creation. For Christian Dior, Venice was never just a destination. It was a stage, a source of wonder, and a shimmering dialogue between heritage and imagination, an eternal invitation to celebrate beauty in all its forms,” Dior writes.

Prices for the spa are in line with the hotel’s luxury reputation. For example, the Théâtre Corporel will set customers back €650 for 90 minutes, while a 60-minute yoga lesson costs €250.

L’article Dior opens new spa at Venice’s Hotel Cipriani est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Although Sweden is generally known for its natural beauty, some of the country was – and still is in some cases – a little less picture-perfect. Ursviken, just outside Skellefteå in northern Sweden, is one of those. After decades of heavy industrial activity, the site has been undergoing soil remediation to make it accessible to the public.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Skellefteå | Northern Sweden (@visitskelleftea)

After seventeen years, those works have come to an end. On the former industrial grounds now stands Wasteland, dubbed Europe’s first Climate Action Park. The publicly accessible park is being marketed as a new destination for art, movement, and sauna culture.

The main on-site attraction is called Crystal Sauna and was designed by art studio Bigert & Bergström. As the name suggests, the building directly refers to the shape of a crystal. The reason why Bigert & Bergström opted specifically for a lithium crystal is twofold.

“Lithium interested us because it has become an emblem of the green transition. It is associated with batteries, electrification and a fossil-fuel-free future, but its extraction can also create serious environmental damage. That contradiction felt highly relevant in Skellefteå,” the duo told design magazine Dezeen.

The Lithium Crystal Sauna was meant to capture the park’s core idea: ‘From Waste to Promise’. According to the artists, the installation connects past, present, and future.

“In this evolving landscape, where art, science, and public life meet, Lithium Crystal Sauna becomes more than an artwork: it is a destination, a gathering point, and a powerful symbol of transformation and future-making,” Bigert & Bergström explain.

In order to obtain the pink, mirror-like texture, the artists used stainless steel coated in titanium. The 280 prisms of the structure were cut using CNC machines and laser technology. As the crystals lean back at an angle of four degrees, they look like they are emerging from the ground.

The inside of the sauna, however, could not be more different from the exterior. Here, wood stands center-stage, interrupted only by 260 kilograms of olivine stones inside a metal cage. While the floor was made from local moisture-resistant heartwood pine, the benches consist of alder. A custom battery-operated heater provides the electricity that is necessary to heat the sauna.

Although the Wasteland park and most of its installations (including an observation tower by the Oslo School of Architecture and Design) are freely accessible, those who want to visit the Crystal Sauna will have to book their visit. The building allows for a maximum of 12 people at a time and costs 1,000 SEK (€91) for a two-hour session. Upon arrival, guest will be met by two hosts who will provide a brief tour of the area and inform them of the rules and practical information.

L’article Crystal-shaped sauna transforms former industrial site in Sweden est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Saunasaari, or “sauna island”, can be reached from Helsinki’s Market Square in minutes via a water taxi. Matching wooden cottages form a quaint wellness village on the island’s shores, which boasts uninterrupted panoramic views of the city’s entire eastern profile.

Making Saunasaari a stand-out experience is the island’s large traditional smoke sauna, the only such sauna in Helsinki. It sits alongside two traditional Finnish wood-fired hot tubs, called palju; separate male and female changing cabins; and several separate saunas. Paths gently wind between them and to the refreshing waters of the Baltic Sea.

Launching the venture, Nina Stenros, one of Saunasaari’s creators, noted how important the connection with the capital is, saying: “the Finnish archipelago, traditional smoke sauna, open-fire cooking, and genuine hospitality are all deeply rooted in our identity. We wanted to create an experience where visitors can step into that world without leaving Helsinki.”

The Finnish capital’s foodie reputation is not left behind either. Nina and partner Riky Stenros, are combining a restaurant experience with the island’s saunas, so visitors can indulge their skin, their senses, and their stomachs thanks to a char-grilled dinner menu cooked at the island’s summer kitchen called ‘Rök.’ They also offer a full dining hall capable of accommodating large dinner parties and a smaller, more intimate dining space.

A package including boat transfer, and a ‘sauna and dine’ experience gives access to two smoke saunas and the palju, for €128. Guests can also reach the island with their own boats. For private events, the entire island can be rented out. Reservations can be made for Fridays and Saturdays until the season ends on the 8^th of August.

Saunasaari taps into two wider travel and trends: the success of the spa and wellness sector which is currently valued by the Global Wellness Institute at a record $6.8 trillion, and is growing at around nine percent annually; and the premium leisure experience market, which is performing so well it is credited with propping up aviation during the recent oil crisis, has been recognised as a key area of growth in the US hotel sector, and even has luxury goods brands like LVMH partnering with Orient Express to launch the world’s largest mega yacht.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MyHelsinki (@myhelsinki)

While observing the shore from the exclusive distance of a luxury sailing vessel may be one way to travel, Stenros also emphasises that authenticity is a vital part of what visitors want. “Fresh air, the beauty of the archipelago, local food, respect for traditions and the scientifically recognised health benefits of sauna culture are all becoming more relevant than ever. At the same time, visitors want experiences that feel real. They want to understand how people actually live, eat, and relax in Finland rather than simply observing it from the outside.”

L’article Finland opens new “Sauna Island” with unique smoke sauna and dining experience est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Sometimes, you don’t have to travel to a faraway destination in order to calm down and enjoy some quality time. Staycations have been popular for a while now and aren’t going anywhere, especially since they’re the perfect way to complete a busy summer break schedule.

Those who are still in search of the perfect place to escape to every now and then, a location nearby that still feels like a real break from the daily hustle and bustle, will certainly find what they’ve been looking for at Thermae Boetfort and Thermae Grimbergen. Located at a stone’s throw from Brussels, they are ideal both for a quick break and for an entire day of relaxing, sunbathing, and swimming.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Thermae Boetfort & Thermae Grimbergen (@thermaecom)

In the summer of 2026, this is more true than ever thanks to Thermae’s five-visit summer pass. From 15 June to 18 September 2026, the pass allows for five entries at a discount of up to 26% compared to the usual entry rate. And, as if that weren’t enough, the pass also gives holders a 10% discount on all massages, facials, and body treatments. However, as the summer pass will only be valid until 18 September 2026, you’d better make the most out of it while the promotion lasts.

Thermae Boetfort five-visit summer pass

At Thermae Boetfort, visitors will find a large selection of saunas, steam baths, and events in a stunning location year-round. However, during the summer months, the outdoor offer is without a doubt the most popular one. Luckily, with a large centuries-old park, an exterior swimming pool, multiple jacuzzis, and plenty of sunbathing loungers to choose from, there is always something to stay occupied – unless doing nothing at all is exactly what you’re craving for.

The five-visit summer pass for Thermae Boetfort can be bought exclusively at the reception of Thermae Boetfort for €169, a discount of up to 26% compared to the €204.50 to €229.50 one usually pays for five-day entries, amounting to €33.80 per spot. As the pass is not registered in the holder’s name, it can be used for entry for more than one person, at the same time or not.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Thermae Boetfort & Thermae Grimbergen (@thermaecom)

Thermae Grimbergen five-visit summer pass

At Thermae Grimbergen, the offer is just as tempting. The on-site saunas range from 55°C to 85°C, and the Roman steam bath is an unmissable experience. Outside, visitors get to enjoy a set of swimming pools, jacuzzis, and plunge baths – all in a green and relaxing park, of course, and with the option of enjoying a delicious cocktail or mocktail at the same time. The natural swimming lake and its accompanying next-door sauna make for the perfect summer break entertainment, whether you’re enjoying a bit of me-time or taking a dip with friends. The five-visit summer pass for Thermae Grimbergen can be bought exclusively at the reception of Thermae Grimbergen for €142 euros, a discount of up to 26% compared to the €179.50 to €194.50 it normally costs to buy five-day passes, which breaks down to €28,40 per entry. Again, the pass is not personal and can be used by multiple people (at once).

L’article Thermae launches five-visit summer pass est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Spending a couple of hours, or even an entire day, at these wellness destinations is always a treat.
And while there is no need for an excuse to book a bit of me-time, those who are still looking for a reason to
go are in luck. The new 80-minute Deep Relaxation Face Ritual is the perfect opportunity to relax, whether it
is to prepare for an event, to take a much-needed break from daily life, or just because you can.

Not only is the treatment offered exclusively at Thermae Boetfort and Thermae Grimbergen, but it was also
custom-developed for the company. The goal? To restore the skin to top condition in a gentle way.

According to Thermae, the Deep Relaxation Face Ritual is suitable for all skin types. It cleanses and deeply
nourishes the skin, while reducing eye puffiness and dark circles. Moreover, it decreases fine
lines, minimises enlarged pores, firms the skin, and restores a beautiful glow in five steps.

1. Warming ritual and lymphatic drainage massage

The treatment begins with a gentle warming ritual to open up the skin and melt away any tension. During a
light lymphatic drainage facial massage using slow, rhythmical movements, and the removal of waste products
and excess fluid is stimulated.

2. Fruit-acid peeling for instant glow

Next follows a mild but effective peeling with fruit acids. The peeling removes dead skin cells and other
impurities without damaging the skin barrier. The gentle treatment refines skin texture, promotes a clearer
complexion, minimises enlarged pores, and ensures a beautiful glow. Not unimportantly, the peeling
stimulates cell renewal, meaning the effect will last quite some time.

3. Collagen infusion with massage

A powerful collagen-rich serum is massaged into the skin during an extensive massage. During this massage,
the use of warm hands and cold crystals is combined for a firming effect. The massage hydrates the skin, reduces redness, and boosts cell renewal.

4. Scalp massage with argan oil extracts

The scalp massage, using a scalp serum with argan oil extracts, is the moment to really let go of any tension.
Pressure points on the head, around the temples, and in the neck are stimulated for the best results, while the
argan oil extracts nourish and soften the scalp, stimulating blood flow. Meantime, a collagen sheet face mask
provides extra firmness and hydration.

5. Cold finish with ice globes

The end of the treatment consists of a massage with day cream using ice globes, small liquid-filled balls. The
cold reduces puffiness and dark circles under your eyes while yet again boosting blood flow and firming the
skin. The result will show immediately.

Those who feel tempted to book their 80-minute Deep Relaxation Face Ritual can do so by phone or online. While choosing a time slot, it is worth noting that your hair might look a little messy afterwards.

L’article Thermae introduces new 80-minute deep relaxation face ritual est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.