Europe’s historic baths and spas are the perfect blend of history and holistic care.

Far from the typical day spas one may find at a lavish hotel, the geothermal hot springs are eco friendly attractions that’ve drawn visitors from around the world for millennia. The Romans adored these hot springs so much that you can find their ancient bathhouses in Italy, Hungary, Britain, and beyond.

When energy efficient travel and eco friendly attractions are a priority of your vacation, Europe’s historic baths offer a way to visit eco friendly tourist destinations without sacrificing fascinating history and supreme pampering near the continent’s greatest cities.

Europe’s Historic Baths

Bath Spa | England

Britain’s city of Bath is one of the most historic, and eco friendly attractions in the UK. The fantastically preserved Ancient Roman Baths in Bath were constructed nearly 2,000 years ago and still fill with steaming water from the hot springs. Unlike other eco friendly attractions that allow you to dip into the soothing waters, the Roman Baths in Britain offer immersion only through touring the ruins and visiting the dedicated museum.

See Britain’s only natural hot springs for yourself on Luxury Gold’s British Royale, one of our luxury tours of England. This 10-day tour brings you to Bath where you can stroll the streets lined with Georgian architecture, visit the Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Room, and enjoy a Michelin-starred meal at Olive Tree Restaurant.

Szechenyi Baths | Hungary

Hungary embraced the continent’s hot springs long after the Romans left behind Budapest’s first baths. Popular sites like the Kiraly and Rudas Baths, the oldest thermal baths in the city, were built by the Ottoman Turks in the 1500s. The geothermal waters were used for royal ritual bathing, but now are open to the public. Baths like Szechenyi, however, highlight the popularity of Hungarian bathing culture in a more modern way. Only a century old, Szechenyi Baths is a gathering place for those seeking holistic aquatic therapies as well as those who just want to splash in the spring waters.

See Budapest’s baths from topside as you cruise the Danube on Luxury Gold’s Harmony of Central Europe tour. Two nights in Budapest will leave you longing to spend more time soaking up this city; though days exploring Prague, Vienna, Krakow, and Warsaw will leave you more than satisfied with Central Europe’s splendor.

The Blue Lagoon | Iceland

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is not only one of the most popular eco friendly attractions in the country, it’s also a world-renowned eco friendly attraction. While the Blue Lagoon is a man-made site, its geothermal water is actually runoff from the nearby geothermal power plant that settled in a lava field. Its iconic blue color is the result of the high concentration of silica in the water. Few visit for the science of the site; the Blue Lagoon’s milky waters set against a gorgeous Icelandic sunset are eye-candy for the camera, making its chief draw the obligatory photo op when traveling Iceland for the first time.

Pamukkale pools | Türkiye

If the Blue Lagoon is Europe’s most mesmerizing bath in the west, then the Pamukkale pools take that title in the east. The Romans used the Pamukkale thermal pools as a spa thousands of years ago and it was far from a fleeting trend. This UNESCO World Heritage Site sees the turquoise spring water cascade over white calcified formations, lending it an otherworldly appearance. The travertine terraces are shallow, making it ideal for visitors of all ages and abilities to enjoy. Near Turkey’s Cotton Castle, as it’s known, are other thermal spas and hot springs, including the ancient Cleopatra’s Pools.

Read next: This hotel has been the peak of luxury for over a century

Evia | Greece

The Greek Islands are far from hidden gems yet even one of the most popular eco friendly tourist destinations in Europe has a few secrets up its sleeve. Edipsos, or Aidipsos, is a spa resort town located on the northern part of Evia island. The thermal spas here have welcomed everyone from today’s celebrity royalty to historical figures like Constantine and Hadrian. Edipsos is home to nearly 100 hot springs, each with varying temperatures. The many resorts surrounding the springs offer holistic treatments just as unique.

Expert selected: The 4 best luxury hotel spas you can visit with Luxury Gold

Relaxation Beyond Europe

Tradition Soaking in Ginzan Onsen | Japan

Europe’s historic baths are soothing, though they’re not the only way to soak in serenity. Thousands of Japan’s natural hot springs, called onsen, offer traditional ways to engage with Japanese culture against amazing backdrops. Ginzan Onsen is one of the most picturesque, particularly in the winter when the stark white snow and wooden Taisho-Era architecture are illuminated by the flickering flames of gas lamps. This eco friendly attraction in Yamagata reveals a different face in the warmer months when the snow thaws and lush green hiking trails lead deep into the mountains.

Luxury Gold invites you to soak in the hot springs of Japan as you explore the classic tradition and exciting modernity of this wonderful country. The Majestic Japan tour includes a visit to the Oirase Gorge where you’ll enjoy a soothing Onsen bath before attending a private VIP sake tasting and brewery tour.

A haven of tranquility: Discovering the best luxury spas in Japan.

Join a Luxury Gold tour today to experience the best of Europe’s historic baths and natural hot springs around the world, in seamless style.

To dream of Iberia is to dream of passion, culture and exceptional cuisine. To elicit the true essence of Spain and Portugal, there’s no one quite like your Luxury Gold Travel Concierge.

More than a local expert, they live and breathe your destination. Offering a personal, tailored service, combined with a black book of contacts known only to locals, they make our limited-edition journeys exceptional.

Here, Travel Concierge Dom shares his passion for Iberia, what makes Spain and Portugal so unique and tells us how to savor the best of this exceptional region.

For travel inspiration read our destination guides: Spain and Portugal

Why Iberia has my heart

“My love of travel, and of Iberia, started young when I would travel to Spain on family holidays,” Dom tells us. “As a kid I loved the differences, the foreignness, the desire to explore another culture. And at that age it involved making friends with the local kids, joining in crab fishing on the beach, for example. Despite not understanding the language at the time, I found I had a natural ability to assimilate, and I developed a yearning to know and experience more.

“As I got older, I became addicted to seeing other cultures and comparing them to mine. Iberia was a natural gravitation. It’s sunny, the people are great. I’m really interested in the history and the culture, and I really enjoy sharing this love with others. My love of travel grew, ultimately leading me to become a Luxury Gold Travel Concierge.”

 Discover Iberia on: Spain & Portugal in Style

 An exquisitely crafted itinerary

“The Spain & Portugal in Style itinerary is so well curated,” says Dom. “You go from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, from Barcelona through Southern Spain and over to Lisbon. ‘You see the capital cities and all the big hitters, and there’s plenty of free time to appreciate what else each location has to offer as well.

“Harnessing the true passion of Iberia, a highlight for guests in Seville is a flamenco dance lesson and performance at the Christina Heeren Foundation. I’ve seen many flamenco shows but this is just another level of excellence. The dancing and the musicians, they are the top of their game, literally the best artists in the world.”

Read more about this exclusive flamenco experience: Discovering the Soul of Spain with Alexandra Hoffer in Seville

Spain and Portugal – alike yet unique

“The history of Spain and Portugal differs to the rest of Europe,” Dom explains. “These distinctive cultural influences, garnered from an eclectic peopling of Iberia, mean that today they have their own way of doing things. Both countries are very European, but at the same time there’s a unique look to their architecture, their food and so forth.

“Spain and Portugal then differ from each other, through influences from their respective explorations and empires. Portuguese also sounds very different to Spanish, and the people are often a bit more reserved, particularly compared to those in southern Spain.

“A key part of my role is to bring the history to life for guests, along with guiding them through the nuances and differences. I love sharing these stories as we travel between locations.

“As you cross the border and travel into Portugal, changes are subtle, such as seeing road signs in a different language. Then once you start to travel onwards through the countryside, the Atlantic influence reveals itself in the flora and fauna.”

You may also be interested to read: Connect With the Natural World Through These Exclusive Experiences

Iberian food culture – a perfect fit for small group travel

“On Spain & Portugal in Style we’ve got some outstanding restaurants, and many ways to enjoy food, from Michelin-starred dining to a cooking class,” Dom tells us. “Food in Iberia is such a big thing; the culture revolves around the cuisine and dining experience.

“I love how Luxury Gold guests really adopt the culinary culture of the places that we’re going to. Just like the Spanish and the Portuguese, we have long lunches and big sociable dinners.”

My foodie highlights – Spanish fine dining and local Portuguese fare

Credit: @lanticmoli on Instagram

“L’Antic Moli in southern Catalonia is definitely one of my highlights – Michelin-starred dining and a true Spanish cultural experience,” Dom says. “On my last tour we were there for three hours. Course after course of impeccable flavors and textures, and lots of talking; no one wanted to leave!

“In contrast, when we cross over into Portugal, we stop in a very small village called Serpa – the kind of place you wouldn’t know to go to. Here  as part of the itinerary, we experienced something very different in a local restaurant: Cante Alentejano polyphonic singing. The restaurant was rustic, with wooden tables and vegetables and meats brought out in big terracotta bowls, all accompanied by this wonderful authentic music. That is also one of my favorites and the contrasts just blow me away.”

Read more: Meet Michelin-star chef Vicent Guimerà of Spain’s L’Antic Molí restaurant

My favorite ingredients and dishes

“For me it’s all about the simple ingredients – the fresh Mediterranean salad for example is always a winner. I also recommend the tortilla (Spanish omelet) which I eat daily. In Spain you will find even the basic things are done in such a wonderful way. The Mediterranean diet is also of course very famous for its health benefits.

“My favorite Portuguese dish is a fish one, cod of course, the country’s specialty. There is a dish called ‘Bacalhau com natas’, a delicious combination of shredded cod with cream, sliced potatoes, onion and cheese, all baked in the oven, which is best washed down with vinho verde, green wine. And for dessert, the original, impeccable pastel de nata, custard tart. Yum!”

You may also enjoy reading: Cape expectations: how Travel Concierge Jameel makes South Africa sing

Savor seafood in Barcelona

“Both Spain and Portugal have some of the most incredible seafood in the world,” says Dom, “and a great place to indulge is Barcelona.

“I used to live in Barcelona, so I know it well, and I recommend guests head out the seaside neighborhood of Barceloneta. This old fishing village is now home to multi-million dollar yachts and some outstanding eateries.

“The 7 Portes restaurant, which is 186 years old, is the ideal place for old school Barcelona food. It is famed for its rice dishes and paellas, tapas and traditional cannelloni.

“One of my favorite seafood restaurants is called Botafumeiro which is also not far from our hotel. The dishes here include warm spider crab pie, a Botafumeiro-style Spiny-lobster and grilled Palamós shrimps.”

For more Barcelona dining recommendations: For Fine Dining in Spain, This City Sets the Gold Standard

Indulge in Gaudi

Of course, Spain & Portugal in Style about more than food. Visiting all the top sights, the tour starts on a cultural high. “Whilst there we visit Gaudi’s iconic Barcelona masterpiece La Sagrada Familia with THE best local specialist,” says Dom. This unique modern temple has been under construction since 1882 and is not actually yet finished.

“All I can hear is guests saying, wow, wow and everyone has really sore necks because you always looking up in wonder! We also visit Park Güell up on the hill where Gaudi’s architecture meets his inspiration – nature.

“There are so many more outstanding buildings from Gaudi in Barcelona. So, with their spare time I often advise guests to visit these – the Casa Mila, the Casa Vicens and many others.

“Continuing on an art theme of recommendations for guests, Picasso grew up in Barcelona and lived very close to the previously mentioned 7 Portes Gates restaurant. The Picasso Museum houses an extensive collection and is well worth a visit.”

Luxury Gold guests can in fact rest their sore necks from admiring Gaudi and all these art works by booking a ‘Bath butler’ at the five-star Ohla Eixample where we stay whilst in Barcelona. Coming back after a long day and finding the perfect bath waiting for you: salts, candles, relaxing herbal tea or a bottle of cava. Just one of the exceptional hotels that are a hallmark of every Luxury Gold journey.

You may also enjoy reading: Hiding in Plain Sight: Incredible Artworks You Can Discover at Luxury Gold Hotels

My hotel highlight – Evora’s Convento do Espinheiro

“Each of the hotels is fabulous, and has their own style, but the one that always amazes me the Convento do Espinheiro in Evora, Portugal,” says Dom. The stunning 15th century building and gardens was once a convent, with rooms featuring antique or 1950s-inspired furnishings.

“The cloisters and the chapel are still there, it’s quite remarkable. We have dinner in the Cellars where they used to make the wine and the olive oil. As well as the exceptional service, the uniqueness of staying in what used to be a convent is really special. You’d never think really to stay in in such a place.

Discover more of our exceptional hotels: 7 Luxury Gold hotels that have hosted royals, celebrities and more

Personalize your day in Madrid

A key feature on all Luxury Gold tours are the opportunities for guests to personalize their day with a choice of two experiences. These offer contrasting ways to explore and experience your destination, each carefully curated with the Luxury Gold guest in mind,

In Madrid guests have the option to visit the Prado Museum with an art historian, or to take a walking tour through Madrid’s Old Town.

“For art lovers, or just those with an interest in Spain and its history this is the one to take,” says Dom. “In European terms Italy and France are famed for their museums but Spain often gets overlooked. The Prado is a world class gallery, and you can learn about the history and story of Spain from these masterpieces. There are the Royal portraits from artists such as Velazquez and Goya. There are also many international artists on display, Titian and Bosch, for example. There’s even a copy of Mona Lisa from DaVinci’s workshop. Not a lot of people know that.”

“Then those who want to be a bit more active and see kind of the backstreets of Old Madrid and some kind of little secret corners there, the way to go would be The Walking tour. This is also the perfect opportunity to get churros, a highlight of any day!”

“In fact, on this day, people can do both experiences in Madrid if they want,” Dom adds. “This is one of the many benefits of our Spain and Portugal itinerary, and of small group journeys – the flexibility to adapt to how our guests may be feeling on any given day.”

You may also be interested to read: Why Spain Sets the Gold Standard for Art Museums

Visit Spain and Portugal or the ultimate luxury vacation with exceptional hotels and exquisite cuisine, on Spain & Portugal in Style, or choose from our worldwide collection of small group journeys.

From Uluru to the Kimberleys, Australia has no shortage of beautiful and ancient regions. But if we had to choose the most iconic Australian landscape, it’s got to be the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef in far north Queensland. As the only place on Earth where two UNESCO sites meet, this is where the world’s oldest rainforest and the world’s largest organism merge into one spectacular region. With its pristine beaches, ancient rainforest, and vibrant coral reefs, this enchanting region is a testament to the breathtaking biodiversity and cultural significance that defines Australia’s natural heritage. We take a look at why you can’t miss visiting this magical region when you visit Australia. 

Experience the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef on: Inspiring Australia

Photo credit: @tropicalnorthqueensland

Photo credit: @queensland

The Daintree Rainforest

The UNESCO-listed Daintree Rainforest is a living time capsule to the ancient origins of life on Earth. Believed to be 135 to 180 million years old, it’s the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. To put this in perspective, it predates the Amazon Rainforest by around 100 million years. It spans over 463 square miles (1,200 square km), making it four times the size of Malta. 

Home to over 30,000 species of plants and animals, this is one of the most precious natural habitats on the planet. You can find rare and prehistoric creatures that exist nowhere else, such as the endangered Southern Cassowary and the Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. You’ll also find 12 of the 19 primitive flowering plant families here. With miles-long beaches fringed with towering trees, lush greenery, and scenic hiking trails, it’s also one of the most peaceful areas and an absolute pleasure to explore. 

But one breathtaking landscape wasn’t enough for this area; it’s the only place on Earth where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meet. In Cape Tribulation, the emerald rainforest canopy gives way to the white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

We think you’ll also like: The irresistible lure of Uluru, Australia’s spiritual hub

Photo credit: @tropicalnorthqueensland

Photo credit: @tropicalnorthqueensland

The Great Barrier Reef

Stretching over 1,430 miles (2,300 km) along the Queensland coast, the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and largest living structure on Earth. It’s the only living organism that can be seen from space and is bigger than both Victoria and Tasmania combined! 

Home to a third of the world’s coral, this ocean wonderland plays a vital role in regulating the Earth’s climate. It’s also a stunning sanctuary for around 5,000 marine and mammals species, including colourful corals, dazzling fish, sea turtles, dolphins and dugongs. From the smallest seahorse to the enormous humpback whales, the Great Barrier Reef is home to the most remarkable biodiversity. You can go sailing, snorkeling and diving here and get a glimpse into an underwater world like no other.

We think you’ll also like: Budding Landscape Artists Will Find Endless Inspiration with Luxury Gold

Photo credit: @tropicalnorthqueensland

Photo credit: @tropicalnorthqueensland

Indigenous connection and conservation

The Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef are not only ecological marvels but also hold immense cultural significance for the Indigenous peoples of Australia. The Kuku Yalanji people have called the Daintree region home for over 50,000 years and have a deep spiritual connection to the land. Their stories, traditions, and knowledge have been passed down through generations, and they continue to play a vital role in preserving the region’s rich heritage and biodiversity. You can learn more at the Mossman Gorge Centre and take the Dreamtime Walk to explore ancient Indigenous sites.

The Great Barrier Reef also has a profound cultural significance for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. The story of the reef is told through Dreamtime stories and forms an integral part of their cultural identity. Indigenous communities have been actively involved in conservation efforts to protect this natural wonder for future generations.

We think you’ll also like: How We’re Setting the Gold Standard for Sustainable Luxury Travel

Photo credit: @tropicalnorthqueensland

Photo credit: @tropicalnorthqueensland

Conservation challenges

Despite their natural and cultural significance, the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef face numerous challenges, including climate change, habitat destruction, and water pollution. Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification are causing coral bleaching, threatening the reef’s delicate ecosystem.

This beautiful and ancient corner of Australia is a true wonder of our natural world and it is critical to preserve this irreplaceable region. The spectacular beauty and cultural importance remind us all of our responsibility to protect our planet through conservation efforts and sustainable tourism.

Photo credit: @tropicalnorthqueensland

Photo credit: @tropicalnorthqueensland

Experience the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef with Luxury Gold

You’ll explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef on our Inspiring Australia tour. Over three magical days, you’ll join a Local Expert for a fascinating exploration of Daintree National Park, learning about the Kuku Yalanji people and their relationship with the land, and cruise the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef. You can also visit the vibrant Kuranda village to take in the local culture and enjoy a seasonal meal at Reef House Restaurant overlooking the Coral Sea.