Spa
General Summary
Spa is a small town with a big reputation. Home of Europe’s oldest health resort, it contributed a new word to the English language. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was a popular holiday retreat of the aristocracy, and to this day it’s still a favourite destination of the rich and famous of Europe.
It was the Romans who first discovered the health-giving properties of the natural springs in the town, and by the Middle Ages was attracting people from far and wide seeking cures for ailments of all descriptions. It earned the nickname ‘the Café of Europe’ when it became a holiday playground of the European aristocracy in the 18th century.
It’s a pretty town in the heart of the Ardennes, set among rolling hills and valleys, where centuries of grandeur are reflected in the elaborate architecture and lavish interiors of the buildings.
The word ‘spa’ conjures up images of health, relaxation, pampering and enjoyment, and this is exactly what the resort town has to offer, plus a whole lot more. As well as health and beauty treatments galore, visitors can also relax and detox in the surrounding Ardennes countryside by hiring a bike or going for a hike along the numerous paths and trails.
No upmarket resort would be complete without a casino or racing circuit. Spa, of course, offers these in real style. Its splendidly glamorous casino claims to be the oldest in the world, while the Formula One Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps winds its way through some of the most beautiful countryside scenery in Belgium.
It was the Romans who first discovered the health-giving properties of the natural springs in the town, and by the Middle Ages was attracting people from far and wide seeking cures for ailments of all descriptions. It earned the nickname ‘the Café of Europe’ when it became a holiday playground of the European aristocracy in the 18th century.
It’s a pretty town in the heart of the Ardennes, set among rolling hills and valleys, where centuries of grandeur are reflected in the elaborate architecture and lavish interiors of the buildings.
The word ‘spa’ conjures up images of health, relaxation, pampering and enjoyment, and this is exactly what the resort town has to offer, plus a whole lot more. As well as health and beauty treatments galore, visitors can also relax and detox in the surrounding Ardennes countryside by hiring a bike or going for a hike along the numerous paths and trails.
No upmarket resort would be complete without a casino or racing circuit. Spa, of course, offers these in real style. Its splendidly glamorous casino claims to be the oldest in the world, while the Formula One Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps winds its way through some of the most beautiful countryside scenery in Belgium.