Spa town

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This article is about a town frequented for health reasons. For for other uses, see Spa (disambiguation).
Main article: Mineral spa
Taking the waters at Bath became a fashionable means of leisure
Taking the waters at Bath became a fashionable means of leisure

A spa town, or simply spa, is a town frequented mainly for health reasons, to "take the waters". The word comes from the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d'eau (town of water). The term spa is used for towns or resorts offering hydrotherapy which can include cold water or mineral water treatments and hot thermal baths.[1]

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[edit] Australia

Most of the mineral springs in Australia are in the Central Highlands of Victoria, although there are a few springs in South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Most are within 30 km of Daylesford, Victoria: the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs call themselves the 'Spa Centre of Australia'. [2]

[edit] Croatia

See: List of spa towns in Croatia

In Croatia, the word Toplice implies a spa town.

[edit] Germany

See: List of spa towns in Germany

In Germany, the word Bad implies a spa town.

[edit] United Kingdom

See: List of spa towns in the United Kingdom

Some but not all British spa towns contain "Spa", "Wells", or "Bath" in their names, e.g., Matlock Bath. Some towns are designated Spa Heritage Towns. Both English towns granted the title "Royal", Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells, are spa towns.

[edit] Other countries

See: List of spa towns

[edit] See also

Health Portal

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Healing Waters; Investigative Files (Skeptical Briefs June 2005). Retrieved on 2008-02-03.
  2. ^ http://www.mineralwater.vic.gov.au/quicksite/?id=tourism#activities Victorian Mineral Water Committee Tourism information