Thermal Baths--good for your health, great for your mind!
Written: Apr 23 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Relaxing and refreshing experience, inexpensive, long list of services
Cons: Many staff members don't understand English
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| AlexG's Full Review: Budapest |
Traveling can be exhaustive at times. Backpacking can be even more exhaustive without the luxury of a private bathroom. Or a clean shared bathroom. Or if you spend your nights in a tent, chances are you don’t even have an access to a daily shower and you have to rely on natural resources such as a river or a lake. Some people will probably tell you that Americans overestimate the importance of a shower and that it’s OK to go about your business showering once or twice a week. But, I’m not convinced.
August 4th, 1999. I arrived in Budapest from Krakow on the overnight train. Shower wasn’t an option. But, I already knew where I would take it that day. Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, many of which were built by the Turks, dating to the 16th century. Putting together my hygienic needs and the city’s baths assortment it became a no-brainer that I would spend a big part of the afternoon in bathing heaven.
It was an interesting experience. Hotel Gellert is one of the most famous, most beautiful and biggest baths in the city. The menu of services is 2 meters long--cold pool, warm pool, hot pool, tub bath, salt water pool, thermal pool, sauna, steam room, massage, pedicure, manicure, etc. By the way, Gellert baths, besides the pleasure factor, provide a wide range of therapeutic services, such as ultrasonic and inhalation, for people who are prescribed medical treatment.
I kicked off the afternoon with a dive in the outdoor pool, which was crowded with kids enjoying the artificial waves. I must admit that artificial waves were fun for me too. This outdoor pool (only open in the summer) is just a regular pool with water temperature kept at refreshingly cool level. After the waves got turned off (there is a time cycle) I jumped into a hot jacuzzi pool, which is also outside, adjacent to the big outdoor pool. Once inside, I checked out the salt water pool and thermal pool (with constant 44 Celsius or 111.2 Fahrenheit degrees temperature).
After spending much time (who keeps track?) in numerous pools, I spent some time in a sauna which has three sectors. First you enter a relatively bearable room, then you proceed to a barely bearable room, and then, if you can handle the heat, you proceed to the welcome-to-hell room.
When it comes to massages, women and men are separated. Masseurs work on men. Masseuses work on women. I can’t speak for the latter, but men lie on the table completely naked. I felt awkward at first, but then I thought, “what the heck, everyone’s doing it” and got my 15 minute massage. It felt really good. I wouldn't have minded an extra 15 minutes.
Lastly, for the first time in my life, I got a pedicure, making my experience complete literally from head to toes. I figured, why not? There were many miles of walking ahead, and keeping my feet in the best form possible seemed to make sense.
The price? Hmm...let me ask you first, how much do you think this would cost in the U.S. (assuming there is a thermal bath in your neck of the woods)? Ok, how does $10-12 sound? Not bad, ah? Yeah, I thought so too.
Budapest’s thermal baths was a memorable stop in the middle of my backpacking trip. I came out clean, refreshed and feeling good about myself.
That’s what I call 4 hours well spent. :)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
AlexG
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Location: New York, NY
Reviews written: 130
Trusted by: 239 members
About Me:
Alex has a voracious appetite for travel. Travel hasn't satisfied an appetite. It's created one.
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