A day at the Spa...

A place so famous and special that its´ name has become a noun, Spa (http://www.spa-info.be/) is situated in the Belgian Ardennes mountaines, 1 hour-drive away from Brussels and approximately the same from Aachen.

This small city ows its´ worldwide fame to 3 things:

• of course, the wonderful hot springs which have been converted into 800 sq meters of pool and therme (http://www.thermesdespa.com/2008/index.php)




• it is home to the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, held traditionally in the month of August on the Circuit de Spa Francorchamps




• Agatha Christie decided to make it the birth place of her most famous character :)

Anyway, if you are not lucky enough to get your hands on some extremely expensive tickets to the Formula 1 event, you should head there to indulge yourself in the exquisite pleasures os the Spa for a day or a week-end.

For accomodation you can do no better than the Radisson Palace (http://www.radissonsas.com/cs/Satellite/Page/seo/RadissonSAS/hotel/en/hotelCode--LGGZH/useSeo--false/) which is connected to the Thermes with a private funicular so you can go have a swim directly in your bathrobe and slippers from your room! The hotel offers a few packages including accomodotion, dinner (the restaurant is typical French cuisine with very good service) and spa treatments which are excellent value for money.

Besides enjoying the (indoor and outdoor) heated pool, jacuzzi, saunas with panoramique views, hammam or just relaxing under the warm light of the infrared lamps, you must also take advantage of the excellent facilities offered by the beauty center of the Thermes: book in advance for a hot-stones massage or one of the tens of aquatic massages.

Enjoy!
Feel free to comment, sharing your experiences or asking questions or recommendations.