We are thinking about a spa day near the end of our vacation. It sounds like many people use spas in the Netherlands. Further, it looks like most of the spas are for both sexes and it appears they are naked spas.
Is it customary for people to be naked at the spas?
Are both sexes present?
Anything else to consider for a spa visit?
yup
yup
don't worry, it is a non-issue.
assuming by "spa" you mean sauna.
Try Thermae 2000 near Valkenburg which is in Limburg near Maastricht and Aachen, one of my favourites. Textile in the pool, textile-free in the sauna area, as is the usual European custom. More sanitary when you are sweating. Be sure that always sit on a towel.
But Nigel, the puritanical upbringing that I received in the U.S. has taught me to be ashamed of my body because it is sinful. What should I do?
I would agree with Nigel, the general answer is, Yes. Spas are co-ed, maybe private dressing rooms, but maybe just a co-ed locker room. Saunas of course are nude, sit on your towel; Steam rooms, no towels; swimming, well no fabric; lounging on a chair, then a towel or robe is OK. I will also agree that it is no big issue for anyone else there; I have been in places that everyone else was much older, and others with a much more mixed crowd, but you will go basically un-noticed.
This is not a country specific comment as I haven't been to a SPA in the Netherlands. However, in coed (or even single sex) nude Spas, hot tubs, baths, beaches, gang showers, etc., the main thing to remember is that staring at breasts let alone gonads is rude. People tend to look primarily at each others faces, especially when in close proximity.
Thanks for the feedback.
One follow up question - if there is a pool, do you swim naked? (We are trying to pack lite and don't want to bring an unnecessary swimsuit - thanks!)
If the pool is in the Spa, then it is generally nude. There may be some places though that have pools where suits are worn and the Spa/Sauna area is separate (and nude) just depends on the place.
We had a great time in the Netherlands and did go to a spa/sauna where people are naked. It was a great experience. Thanks for the comments on my questions, as we knew what to expect and it made the day more comfortable.
I recommend going to a Dutch spa and we would do it again. However, some of the saunas (I think they had five different ones) were pretty warm and we enjoyed the cooler saunas (still warm) more.
