TravelWorld International Magazine Fall 2022
The magazine written and photographed by North American Travel Journalists Association members.
The magazine written and photographed by North American Travel Journalists Association members.
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FALL INTO WELLNESS AT<br />
GREEK THERMAL SPAS<br />
Story and Photos by<br />
Alex Kallimanis<br />
Sweeping views<br />
of the Aegean Sea<br />
from atop Kavala’s<br />
Acropolis Castle.<br />
With peak summer travel in the rearview<br />
mirror, autumn is a wonderful<br />
time for a wellness trip in the cradle of<br />
western civilization. Early fall means the<br />
Aegean and Ionian Seas are still an ideal<br />
temperature for swimming along sandy<br />
beaches and rocky coves - sometimes<br />
adjacent to an archeological site like the<br />
Sanctuary of Hera, along the Corinthian<br />
Gulf.<br />
The ancient Greeks enjoyed taking to<br />
the waters, including thermal baths,<br />
over 2,500 years ago. Remnants of<br />
Ancient Greek bathhouses can be found<br />
at archeological sites around Greece,<br />
like Philipi in Kavala and Pella (the<br />
birthplace of Alexander the Great).<br />
The tradition of public baths continued<br />
during Roman and Ottoman<br />
38<br />
occupations, while spreading across<br />
Europe. Visitors today can enjoy a<br />
wealth of thermal Greek spas around<br />
the country. Several are members<br />
of the European Historic Thermal<br />
Towns Association (EHTTA), which<br />
encompasses 49 members in 17 countries.<br />
“Historic Thermal Towns” is a designated<br />
Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.<br />
Loutraki Thermal Spa is an EHTTA<br />
member located in the lovely seaside<br />
town of Loutraki, 50 miles (81 km) west<br />
of Athens, near Corinth. 3,000 years ago<br />
the community was called Thermae, and<br />
ancient Greeks bathed in the thermal<br />
waters to heal and rejuvenate.<br />
Large indoor and outdoor pools at<br />
Loutraki Thermal Spa feature waterfalls<br />
and jets to massage your back. Alternate<br />
between the warm and cold pools for<br />
maximum effect at reducing stress,<br />
improving blood circulation and<br />
treating other ailments. Then enjoy the<br />
sauna and steam bath (Hammam).<br />
The nearby Drinking Therapy Center<br />
is gorgeous. Ornate tile frescoes inspire<br />
visitors immediately upon entry.<br />
Thermal water is sourced naturally<br />
at an optimal 30 degrees Celsius. It’s<br />
packed with minerals ideal for flushing<br />
toxins from internal organs and aiding<br />
digestion.<br />
The beautiful 5-star Club Hotel Casino<br />
Loutraki features tall palm trees<br />
alongside olive trees dating over 1,000<br />
years old. They magnificently adorn<br />
a gorgeous seaside infinity pool right<br />
along the beach.
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