Thermal Spa Towns in France

Thermal spas towns can be found all over Europe, and France boasts more than 50. These are places where water is believed or has been found to have special healing qualities. The benefits of going to the “spa” have been touted for centuries and dates back to the time of the Romans. We still can experience their benefits today in a variety of places found all over the French countryside.

Evian-les-Bains

Evian-les-Bains might sound familiar and it should. It is home to the popular Evian mineral water. People all over the world rave about the benefits of Evian’s bottled water. One can only imagine the therapeutic effects of visiting the actual place where this mineral water originates. It is situated at the base of the Swiss Alps and carries with it all the charming characteristics that this mountainous region has to offer.

Vichy

One of the most famous spas found in the Vichy region is Les Celestins. Vichy is located on the banks of the Allier River. The thermal waters of Vichy have been cited even in the Medical world as having therapeutic properties. Their benefits have been recorded back to the days of Napoleon. If it is good enough for Napoleon it seems like it would be something that could benefit the slightly less sleep deprived or inclined to world domination. Further proof can be found in the 13,000 visitors who come to Vichy each year and the thousands more who use the skincare line of the same name. Many try the “Vichy Shower”, a treatment that can only be found in the region. It consists of two people massaging you while your body experiences the benefits of Vichy water.

Dax

If you like having options in your choice of spas then Dax is the place for you. It boasts eighteen different spas to choose from. This makes it one of the most popular destinations for thermal spas. Here you might find yourself in an aero bath having your muscles relaxed with bubbles, or experiencing Peleotherapy from mud actually found in the region. These are just two of a wide range of options available. One popular spa is the Thermes des Arènes. This particular spa specializes in rheumatology and is the ideal place for people experiencing difficulty with their circulation.

Néris-les-Bains

Some things seem to get better with age like a fine wine or even certain cheeses. It is the passage of time that gives them their taste and adds to their worth. Situated in the heart of France, in the Central Massif region, is a thermal spa town known for, well, its age. Néris-les-Bains has been in existence for some 2,000 years and clams to be the oldest spa in France, first inhabited by the Gauls. A popular tourist attraction with casinos, tennis courts and villas, this spa specializes in treatment of stress, back pain and nervous system disorders.

Saint-Gervais-les-Bains

Saint-Gervais utilizes its snowy region to benefit the recipients of its spa treatments. The Monte-Blanc spa is one of the most popular and boasts a variety of treatments from the application of aromatic oils to volcanic clay applications. Not only is this a popular spa destination, but it has a medicinal side as well. Here you can find a therapy even to assist individuals in their effort to quit smoking. The health benefits from this treatment have the potential to even save a life.

Written by: Molly Photo Credits: jodastephen / sardinista / oiseau / DidierTais / lassi kurkijarvi

France Travel Series : A Love Affair to Remember

There is an often good-natured battle between my adopted Italy and her long-time rival, France, and as a writer and travel consultant living along Italy’s southern shores, I rarely get to write about my first love –France. No, France doesn’t win the battle of emotions inside my heart … Italy’s top place is safe and secure. Rather, France was my first love and like anyone who has loved and lost, I’ll never really let go. France was the setting for my first expat experience, my first ever international travel experience and yes, the place where I met the man who’d one day become my husband.

My mind is filled with memories from the time I spent in France, but my favorite experience and one I return to often is of the City of Lights herself … in one of my favorite neighborhoods, sitting underneath the protective shadow of one of the city’s most famous monuments-Notre Dame.

Photo Credit : Divillysausages on Flickr.

You see, contrary to popular belief, Mickey Mouse does not pay well, so my two closest friends and I created our own magic outside of our day jobs at Disneyland Paris. We’d take the Metro the 20 minutes or so into the heart of the city, stop by a wine shop for a six franc bottle of vin rouge and buy equally expensive gyros on the pebble-stone streets of Paris’ Quartier Latin.

With our hands full of tzatziki-covered fries that had been stuffed inside our sandwiches, we walked across the busy street to the Ile-de-la-Cite and through the main square of Notre Dame. Underneath the church, on the stairs that lead to the River Seine, we’d perch our vin du jour and watch the tourists-because we lived there, remember … we weren’t tourists!-passing on the riverboats. Sometimes they’d wave to us and we’d nonchalantly return the gesture, in a move that was decidedly not French but what we hoped passed as such by the masses from the boat.

I’ve returned to Paris a couple of times in the ten years since this ritual became a memory and on each occasion, I’d insist my travel companion join me on those stairs.

They’d go through the motions, drink the what is now much more than six franc wine and let me talk about my days as an expat in Paris … but somehow it was never the same.

Next year, our group is holding a reunion and I’ll be back in the City of Lights with those same two friends who haunted the stairs with me in Paris’ medieval center … and this is one experience I can’t wait to reenact.

They say you can’t go back and I now know-ten years older and hopefully somewhat wiser-that things won’t be the same. But I hope, that for just a moment, we’ll recapture that magic. Because if Paris can’t do it … no one can.

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Cherrye Moore is a Calabria travel consultant and freelance writer living in southern Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI.com and about living and traveling in Calabria on her own site, My Bella Vita.

Travel Tip Tuesday : 6 Reasons Italy May Not Be For You

Normally I would be the first one waxing poetic about why you should take a trip to Italy. That being said, I have come to the realization that Italy may not be for everyone {shocking, I know!}. This Travel Tip Tuesday I wanted to flip the script and talk about how to know if Italy should be on your destination list.

Before you decide to make Italy your next vacation, check out these six reasons Italy may not be for you.

1. You think that Pizza Hut and Olive Garden are REAL Italian food. Will you be upset and turn your nose up at fresh, authentic food only available in Italy? Will you whine and complain about the fact that delicious Italian food doesn’t taste like your favorite salt-laden dish at the Olive Garden or that Italy’s pizza doesn’t have a stuffed crust? Italy may not be for you.

2. You must have modern conveniences. Are you used to having excellent wi-fi and having elevators at your disposal no matter where you go? Don’t think that Italian’s laundry blowing in the breeze on a clothes line is charming? Italy is an ancient country, full of history – and as such doesn’t always have updated or the latest and greatest in technology, equipment or appliances. If this will bother you, Italy may not be for you.

3. You must stick to standard operating hours. Used to hitting the bank or running errands during lunch hour? Want the flexibility of having a late lunch or early dinner at your favorite restaurant? Italy has different operating hours than the U.S. Stores, banks and post offices generally close from around 12pm-3pm and many restaurants have strict lunch and dinner hours, which may require you to put some effort into planning your day. If you refuse to adjust your schedule and expect otherwise, Italy may not be for you.

4. You hate graffiti. Perhaps you won’t find as much in the smaller village towns, but you should expect buildings in larger cities to be littered with graffiti. If you expect sparkling clean surroundings free of artistic expression, like you see in the movies, Italy may not be for you.

5. You expect everyone to speak English. Not even remotely interested in learning a little Italian or bringing along an Italian-English dictionary? Are you just assuming that everyone in Italy must speak English and cop an attitude when someone doesn’t? Well, not only is that rude on your part, but it is unreasonable. Many Italians in larger cities speak English, but don’t expect to hold lengthy in-depth conversations in English. If you refuse to learn a bit of Italian {Italians actually love and appreciate when you try to speak their language} or will be annoyed at the locals when you can’t communicate, Italy may not be for you.

6. You live life in the fast lane. You have limited time in Italy and you want to make the most of it. You enjoy packing your itinerary chock full and running from place to place. You set aside exactly one hour for a museum visit and count on having quick, sit-down meals - no more than 30 minutes. Italians live life at a slower pace and often enjoy 2-3 hour meals. If you can’t relax, slow down and enjoy the moment, Italy may not be for you.

So, have you decided that Italy is definitely for you? If so, click here to see how I can help plan your trip!

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And speaking of Italy, lets see what travel tips Cherrye has for us today?

Leaning Towers in Italy

Perhaps the most famous iconic structure in Italy is the leaning tower of Pisa. The tower is usually a staple tourist destination and people often will plan their vacations just so they can make a trip to Pisa for a glimpse of it. Yet many will be pleased to hear that there are other leaning towers throughout Italy—the tower in Pisa is not the only one!

The Tower of Pisa

Even though almost everyone has heard of this famous tower, not everyone knows the story behind it. The people of Pisa began building the tower in 1173 as a luxurious bell tower, solely to represent the wealth of the city. Once its third storey was constructed, however, people had to stop working because it was sinking into the ground (which is actually the reason why it leans). For the next 90 years, the tower remained untouched until it was finally completed in the 14^th century. Today, people can walk up its interior spiral staircase of 294 steps, or even just appreciate the beautiful Romanesque architecture from the outside. If you go to the tower of Pisa, you’ll definitely need a few pictures!

The Tower of Vernazzano

This tower is located in the region of Umbria and Lake Trasimeno. I actually mentioned it once before in my article about lakes in Italy. The tower of Vernazzano stands in the upper part of the village. It is what remains of a castle, which due to erosion and landslides was abandoned by the Italian people. Then a 1753 earthquake caused the lean that you can go and see today. Its incline, come to find out, is greater than that of Pisa. Because of this, the tower is held stable by cables, and so tourists can only see it from the outside, as they cannot walk up to its top floor. This surely does not detract from its beauty, however, and many people hike up to the leaning tower of Vernazzano just to admire its aesthetics.

Torre delle Milizie (Tower of the Milices)

Also known as ‘Nero’s Tower’ because it is said that the Emperor Nero watched the fire of Rome from the top (though not proven yet), Torre delle Milizie stands with a slight lean in Rome. It is attached to the Imperial Fora’s Trajan’s Market. This 50 meter square tower leans because of an earthquake in 1348, which also caused the upper floor to crumble. The structure itself, though, dates back to around 1198. And it allegedly continues to lean further as time goes on.

The Asinelli and Garisenda Towers in Bologna

Bologna has quite a few towers, and so because of this larger population, it makes sense that a couple of them have become leaning towers. Both the Asinelli and Garisenda are known by one name as “The Two Towers.” The Asinelli is taller, while the Garisenda leans further. Both were constructed around 1109 and 1119, though no one knows for sure due to lack of documentation. The Asinelli began leaning because of being struck multiple times by lightning, which damaged it by causing small fires and collapses in the tower. The Garisenda, on the other hand, was actually lowered in height in the 14^th century because of a change in stress on the ground which left the tower at a dangerous slant. It was originally only 10 meters lower than the Asinelli. Now it stands at 48 meters. Both towers act as important symbols of the city of Bologna.

Campanile of San Nicola

The Campanile of San Nicola, or bell tower of Saint Nicholas, is right next to the famous Saint Nicholas Church in Pisa. It is actually the second most famous bell tower in the city after the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Campanile of San Nicola, octagonal in its shape, tilts slightly because it is buried under the surface of the road. The structure is decorated exquisitely with sandstone, marble columns, granite, and grey limestone throughout. On the inside, is an elegant spiral staircase which utilizes some of these materials as well in order to create a beautiful unity in the tower. In fact, it was actually constructed with the intention of referring to the Tower of Babel.

Have you ever visited one of these towers? Why not tell us about it in the comments?

Written by : Stephanie Photo Credits : McPig / WikimediaCommons / Chingers7 / Tristam Sparks / GiovanniV

Travel Photo Friday : Foggy Boboli Gardens

This month’s Travel Photo Friday shot was submitted by Joshua Forest.

Joshua writes :

I really like the foggy photos of the Boboli Gardens because you almost never see them that way. Usually the pictures you see are all of the perfect weather, sunny and amazing. Italy continues to amaze me, no matter the time of year. You can see how the vines haven’t sprouted yet, but everything is still so green.

I so agree Joshua. This is one of my favorite photos featured on Travel Photo Friday.

Do you have a favorite travel photo you’d like featured in Travel Photo Friday? Just send it along with a description to mymelange {at} yahoo {dot} com.

See you on May 7th for our next edition!

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