Who doesn’t love a bit of pampering? Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself into the local culture or the hot springs of your holiday destination, these are the treatments and experiences everyone needs to try at least once. 

Hammam, Turkey 

The ultimate Turkish experience? A traditional hammam visit. Step inside one of these bathhouses, dotted around the country, and you’ll instantly feel at ease. The marble and mosaic tiles, intricate rooms for different treatments and multiple saunas… yep, this is every spa specialist’s dream. The treatment itself is done in a steamy room where you’ll be scrubbed top to bottom with a traditional deep-cleansing loofah. Besides feeling squeaky clean and rejuvenated, your skin will tan-ready too (although don’t forget SPF!). 

Fango therapy, Italy  

You might recognise it by an English translation – ‘fango’ means ‘mud’ in Italian! But don’t be mistaken – it might not be the soak in a bath you see in the films. In Abano Terme (the little village around 45-minute drive from Venice where this treatment comes from), the volcanic mud is heated and applied to an area of your body to increase blood flow, improve skin health and provide overall relaxation.  

Beer spa, Prague 

Soaking in a beer-filled tub while sipping on ice-cold pints? That’s what dreams are made of in Prague. The hoppy ingredients in the water are thought to hydrate and nourish the skin as well as relieve your muscles and offer a soothing experience for the mind. But let’s be honest, most of us would do it just to be able to say ‘I’ve taken a beer bath’… 

Thalassotherapy, France 

Offered at most seaside resorts in France, thalassotherapy uses saltwater, seaweed and all the beneficial minerals the ocean can offer you to improve circulation, alleviate any pain and revitalise your skin and body. There are different forms too – we’re talking anything from mud wraps to water-based exercises AKA hydrotherapy.  

Thermal baths, Budapest 

Spa time is as essential to a Budapest break as snapping pics of the grand Parliament building or hopping on a Danube cruise. Besides offering tranquil treatments and plenty of soaking spots, these old thermal baths are a thing of beauty too! Admire the intricate architecture inside and out, then spend the day unwinding. The most iconic Széchenyi Baths even have thermal bath parties during the summer. Bucket list = updated.  

Geo-thermal spas, Iceland 

Like your spas al fresco? Welcome to one of the many wonders of showstopping Iceland – its geo-thermal waters. Soak in the mineral-rich, naturally heated swirls while they do their skin-nourishing tricks on your body, then stop by the mask bar to grab a deep-cleansing face mask. Oh, and if the thought of a bar got you excited for some bubbles of a wine variety, there’s one of those here too.