wellness spa

I haven't been there myself, but recently I was reading an article in Hidden Europe magazine about the spa towns of western Bohemia in the Czech Republic. Google tells me that there are several such towns, and they have their own website: http://www.czechtourism.com/a/west-bohemian-spa-triangle/ Less well known than Baden Baden, developed in the 19th century when this was part of Austria-Hungary. The article described Karlovy Vary as the largest and 'glitziest' with life there less exclusively focused around the spa, Mariánské Lázne (formerly known as Marienbad) as having once been very popular with European royalty and as having the best scenery and Františkovy Lázne as the smallest. The article also mentioned Heviz in Hungary. They say it has Turkish influences, so maybe that's somewhere that would have the hammam you are looking for. Try http://www.heviz.hu/en

Take a look at the Bogn Engadiana Scuol in Graubunden (near the Engadine villages of Samadan, etc. on the Bernina Express route). Www.engadinebadscuol.ch You can travel this way between Zurich and Lake Como, or take a slight detour on your way up,to Austria. They offer Roman-Irish baths which is the Baden-Baden style. Click on " Römisch-Irisches Bad" and you will see no swimsuits in the photos.

Well you aren't going to fine the same Baden Baden "freedom" in the mixed facilities in Budapest but you will find a unique part of Central European culture, tradition and architecture in the various city bath houses. Where else could you soak in a 16th century thermal pool? http://www.spasbudapest.com/