escapades
Soak It Up
Hot Springs and Bathhouses In between touring, hiking, or sightseeing this spring, take advantage of a bathhouse or natural hot spring to soothe your travel-worn muscles. Check out these particularly appealing options to help you soak in the surrounding culture. —Dana Kendall and Tara Walker
Chena Hot Springs
Xcaret Temazcal
Steal away late at night to this hot spring that lies at the heart of the beautiful forested valley near the Chena River. Here you can watch a mesmerizing display of the northern lights. Most often viewable from August to April—in total about 200 nights a year—the aurora borealis can be seen from either the outdoor springs or the indoor tub observation areas. The hot spring, far away from any city-light pollution, is at the end of a 60-mile scenic roadway. Take this chance to swim beneath the northern lights and to catch a glimpse of Alaskan moose, beavers, bears, and woodpeckers.
Found in Guatemala and Mexico, the temazcal (steam house) is the Mayan’s version of the Finnish sauna. The whole experience takes place in a stone hut and involves pouring aromatic water over hot volcanic stones. After the sauna portion, you can take a dip in a cool freshwater pool. Check out the Xcaret Temazcal located on the Riviera Maya in Mexico. It’s the perfect place to sweat out impurities and relax with friends and family. You are provided with a fresh towel and bottled water, but bring your own bathing suit.
Fairbanks, Alaska
▶▶
$10
▶▶
www.chenahotsprings.com
80 ▶ spring 2013
Riviera Maya, Mexico
▶▶
576 pesos ($45)
▶▶
www.experiencexcaret.com/xcaret▶ -activities/xcaret-temazcal-a-ritual▶ -to-mind-and-soul-purification
Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa Reykjanes, Iceland
Perhaps no other hot spring has such a captivating harmony of natural beauty and complementary architecture. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located in an Icelandic lava formation between the Eurasian and American tectonic plates. You can spend an afternoon soaking in the clean blue water, which is said to produce healing effects for skin conditions. You are even provided with white silica mud to exfoliate your skin. A 40-minute guided tour gives you the full story of how this wonder of the world was formed. ▶▶
35 euros ($45)
▶▶
www.bluelagoon.com