photo : 3BL Media
There are some really bad places in Austria, especially in Steiermark. Like Bad Bluman, Bad Gleichenberg, Bad Waltersdorf, Bad Radkerstein….
The Meaning of Being Bad
‘Bad’ means bath or spa and these ‘Bad’ places are mostly found in the Austrian region known as ‘Steirisches Thermenland’ . Steiermark has more spas than any other area in Austria. If a town is ‘Bad’, it has been officially recognised as having a spa with springs that are classified on the basis of the mineral content in the water.
Steiermark is a former volcanic zone, with hosts of hot springs that feed the spas for indoor and outdoor bathing all year round. The ‘Bad’ Steiermark towns have various themes like wellness, adventure and healing.
‘Bad’ Wellness
Some of Austria’s most famous wellness ‘thermen’ spas are located in the region. Wellness spas tend to have beauty treatments, saunas and swimming facilities that appeal to those who enjoy quality experiences in settings of natural and architectural elegance.
Wellness spas can be found in Bad Bluman (Thereme Bad Bluman); Koflach (Therma NOVA); and Bad Gleichenberg (Kurtherme).
‘Bad’ Adventure
These ‘Bad’ towns have spas that are particularly geared towards families with children and teenagers. Typically the spas have wave pools, toys and treatments that appeal to the young at heart.
‘Bad’ adventure spas include:
- ‘Therme Loipersdorf’, with an enormous 12000 sq mtr of indoor pools; 1500 sq mtr outdoor resting areas; pools, landscapes and a huge waterslide
- and the hip named H2O Therme, which specifically targets children and teenagers with toys and attractions.
‘Bad’ Healing
These spas characteristically have water that is known as ‘heilquellen’ – or curing water – which is a degree higher than ordinary mineral water. These waters are famed for their healing capacities and medical powers derived from the iron or salt content.
Less well broadcast is that they are also fantastically foul tasting!!
‘Bad’ healing spa towns include Bad Ausee, Bad Gleichenberg and Bad Radkersdorf. Other ‘Bad’ healing spas in the region are located near the towns of Einod, Waltersdorf and Loipersdorf.
