Traveling can take a lot out of you. The flights, moving from city to city, trying to see everything — it can be exhausting. KPLU travel expert Matthew Brumley says when he's on the road, he looks for opportunities to rejuvenate at spas and saunas. He estimates he’s been in about 70 of them, in 10 different countries.
His first time visiting a sauna was when he was living in Denmark, and some friends invited him to go with them to Sweden in the winter.
They were having dinner, “and then they looked at each other and said ‘OK, now we go to the sauna,’” Brumley said. “Everyone just got into the sauna naked. I’m wearing my Hawaiian shorts that went down to my knees – I wasn’t, at that time, comfortable with that.”
He got over it. And Brumley says people should try to push themselves outside their comfort zones to do the same. He says if you follow the lead of the group at a sauna – when it comes to clothing or even conversation levels, you should be fine. Nudity at a spa does not carry a sexual undertone.
“It’s all about restoring yourself,” Brumley said. “It’s all about regaining a sense of balance and having a beautiful day with your family.”
Three To Explore
Sauna Van Egmond, Haarlem, The Netherlands. Plenty of places to relax, eat, drink and smoke at this spa at the end of a side street in Haarlem, just west of Amsterdam.
The Grotta Giusti, Tuscany region, Italy. This thermal cave was discovered in 1849 by quarry workers. It’s divided into three areas, called Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell (based on the temperature).
Rudas Baths, Budapest, Hungary. Established in the 16th century, during the time of the Turkish occupation, these baths offer an octagonal pool, and a swimming facility. There’s also a drinking hall with water from three different springs.
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“Going Places” is KPLU’s weekly exploration of travel. Matthew Brumley is the co-founder of Earthbound Expeditions on Bainbridge Island, which provides small group travel for clients including KPLU.
