Forgo any inhibitions and don your birthday suit in Germany's thermal bath mecca. Caracalla spa has a variety of indoor and outdoor spas and saunas to keep you relaxed yet stimulated throughout the day. Nudity is the norm in the upstairs sauna level, so when in Rome. In January the bath’s central building and surrounds lights up at night, creating a glowing atmosphere. And if it snows during an outdoor bath session, even better for a magical winter break.

Römerplatz 1, 76530 Baden-Baden, Germany
+49 (0)7221 275940
www.carasana.de/caracalla.html
Google map: bit.ly/g51e8W

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Tassajara is the mountain retreat centre of the late great Zen Master, Shunryu Suzuki. In the summer it's open to visitors, and a day's visit to the Japanese style thermal baths here is unforgettable. Beautifully designed in every detail, the inside plunge pools of natural hot springs (separate pools for men and women, so clothes are optional) are properly hot and created to soothe both the body and the soul. Outdoor plunge pools too, sunny decks for relaxing, and the glorious cool plunge in the river, surrounded by trees and perfectly arranged boulders. You won't want to leave, which is why you can stay for a few days in the simple accommodation.

39171 Tassajara Road
Carmel Valley , CA 93924
www.sfzc.org/tassajara
Google map: bit.ly/hYVJ3V
+1 415.865.1899

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The largest alpine thermal spa in Europe, with 10 indoor and outdoor pools on four levels, ranging from blissfully warm to an almost-can't-stand-it natural cave watery sauna at 43 degrees. Water jets pummel and massage every part of your body. Family friendly, with a huge curly waterslide for children. And the view! At 1400 meters high, you can stare across the valleys to the Matterhorn as you soak away the days' hiking (summer) or skiing (winter). In a word (or two) watery bliss.

Burgerbad, Rathausstrasse 32, CH-3954 Leukerbad
www.burgerbad.ch/en/welcome.cfm
+41 (0) 27 472 20 20,
Google map: bit.ly/hFHLUE

Fly to Geneva and then the train/coach link takes you straight to Leukerbad.
Better still, do the whole journey by rail; eurostar, French rail to Lausanne, change for train to Leuk; a coach meets every train for the final stunning ascent into Leukerbad. Lots of hotels and self-catering to choose from.

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Bathe in the warm and yellowy waters of the sulphur pool in the beautiful park of Terra Nostra, surrounded by exotic plantings of primeval ferns, listening to the sounds of the peacocks. If you are lucky enough to be staying at the Terra Nostra hotel you can take a dip at anytime, otherwise you just pay a minimal fee for entry into this beautiful park. The locals in this area bathe in the warm waters of the Ribeira Quente and even cook their stews by burying them in the earth and letting them simmer. Also visit the more dramatic boiling geysers in the same town.

www.visitportugal.com
www.visitazores.com
Google map: bit.ly/ihYhFy

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In Japan, onsen (hot springs) are enormously popular and part of everyday life-their temperature and mineral content are regulated by the Government. My favourite is the town of Hakone, where you can relax in the one of the many bath houses on the picturesque mountainside. There are several "onsen ryokans", traditional Japanese inns which have their own hot springs even if you aren't staying, they will allow day visits. Many of the pools are outdoors in beautiful wooded surroundings, even glimpsing Mount Fuji on a clear day. The onsen at Hakone Kowakien Yunessun are split into two separate areas - one, a traditional, nude environment and the other, a family zone requiring costumes where you can experience the surreal sight of enormous bottles of wine and casks of sake dwarfing the bathers soaking in themed pools. In one pool, coffee is added so caffeine can stimulate the skin, and in another, green tea is believed to help weakened immune systems. Afterwards, you may be offered black eggs cooked in the sulphurous pools nearby; eating one is supposed to add seven years to your life.

www.yunessun.com/english/yunessun.html
1297 Ninotaira Hakone-machi Ashigarashimo-gun Kanagawa-ken , 250-0407 Japan
+81 0460-82-4126
Google map: bit.ly/hbn0Sh

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In the Japanese Alps you can combine the relaxation of the onsen, or hot spring baths, with the exhilaration of walking or climbing in the mountains. Mount Norikura is a straightforward hike to the top, and the reward is the plateau spread out beneath you in a full circle of splendour, soft blue cloud drifting and curling between the lower peaks as they roll towards the horizon.
Autumn is a great time of year to visit, and If you stay at a traditional ryokan guesthouse you can relax apres-climb by changing into a cotton yukata robe and heading down to the indoor or outdoor baths. The indoor baths are usually communal and segregated, but for a romantic sulphur dip for two there are usually small private baths outside where you can stargaze.
In the communal bath there is no room for inhibitions. You place your robe in a basket and head naked to the washing area, then take your place on a stool whilst you shower. After you’ve scrubbed the mountain earth from under your nails, slowly immerse yourself into the steaming cloudy cauldron of the onsen and make friends with your fellow bathers. I met Mitsuko and Hoshi, office workers from Tokyo, who head out to the mountains every autumn to climb the peaks and to watch the changing autumn colours that blaze across the lower slopes.
After the hot springs indulge in some perfect apres-climb food. This region is renowned for its superb soba noodles, and a steaming bowl of noodle soup has a feel-good factor bar none, feeling virtuous and tasting delicious.

Take the train from Tokyo to Shin Shimashima and then catch a bus up to the various resorts in the area.
Google map: bit.ly/fw85HI

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You're not short of thermal pools or baths in New Zealand, but to find one that's not heaving with people is harder. Kerosene Creek is off the beaten track, and is still completely natural - no museum, no gift shop, just a creek that's incredibly hot! Park at the edge of a little forest and a five minute walk will bring you to a section of a small river that looks no different than any other. Dip your toe in however and you'll see what it has to offer is very different indeed! A large section of water which sits just below a small fall, so creating a natural pool that bubbles up at a toasty 35 degrees. One downside is that you might come out smelling a little of sulphur, but on the up - you can stay there as long as you like and it's absolutly free!

35k south of Rotorua in New Zealand's North Island. Inbetween Rotorua and Taupo just off route 5.
www.nzhotpools.co.nz/hot-pools/kerosene-creek-waiotapu
Google map: bit.ly/fjwuQ4

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Hot water beach is the only place I've ever been where you can dig your own jacuzzi! A stunningly beautiful beach in it's own right, at low tide you'll see people head down to a section in the middle of the beach armed with spades and a bottle of wine. A few minutes digging and you'll have a personal little bath which draws from the hot spring below. It gets so hot it can burn your little bottom, but position your pool in just the right spot and you'll get the occasional input from the sea to maintain the perfect bathing temperature. An amazing spot to sit and watch the sun go down with a little tipple in hand.

Hot Water Beach is in the Corromandel Penninsular in New Zealand's North Island. It's just off Route 25, approx 12k south east of Whitianga.
Google map: bit.ly/hMQtHc

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Banos Colina is a natural hot spring in the Chilean Andes at the head of the Maipo valley, a short drive from Santiago. The water emerges from the rock and cascades down a series of pools, each slightly less hot than the previous one, so that you can find the temperature that suits you. There are simple changing huts, car parking, and at weekends and holidays, a masseuse is available. After a walk in the mountains towards the snowline, and a long, therapeutic wallow in the milky-blue water, what better way to end a day than a half-hour massage while you gaze up at the snowy peaks. You can also stop at a farm on the way up into the mountains, to buy freshly-baked bread and home-made cheese to keep you going all day. A memorable and totally refreshing day out in the mountains.

About 40 minutes by car from central Santiago.
Google map: bit.ly/hhirhz

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Hot Creek hot springs bubble up in the middle of a cold and rocky stream; as you bathe you can move from warm to cold water as the fancy takes you and find the temperature that is just right for you by just moving a few steps. The whole area is a geological wonderland, with dormant volcanoes, the mysterious heavily saline Mono Lake with its craggy tufa towers all add to the excitement and joy of the area. Hot Creek has parking and changing rooms, but is otherwise undeveloped. It is popular and there are signs warning you to avoid the areas of scalding hot water.

Hot Creek is located in a remote area, a few miles outside of the town of Mammoth Lakes. From US 395, go east on Hot Creek Hatchery Rd/ Airport. After less than a mile, you will see a sign to "Hot Creek Geothermal Area". The last mile or so, before the parking lot, is unpaved. For more information on hot springs in that area go to:
www.hotspringsenthusiast.com/CA.asp#HC
Google map: bit.ly/fKohVw

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Named after the Roman God Saturn and a handful of kilometres away from the perfect Tuscan hill town of Pitigliano, the small rocky village of Saturnia has a nearby hot spring and spa hotel. At no cost, you can wallow in the sulphurous spring water that gushes out at 37 degrees C and tumbles down a series of waterfalls. It gets busy with visitors, but there is always a quiet rock pool to rest in while you watch the Italians having fun. If you want peace and quiet it's worth getting up at dawn and revel in having the place to yourself.

www.termedisaturnia.it/en/
58014 Saturnia (Grosseto)
+39(0)564-600111
Google map: bit.ly/hPXrTo

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Baños is a small town not far from Cuenca in southern Ecuador, so named for its "baths", or hot springs. Nestling in the shadow of the active (and occasionally smoking) Tungurahua volcano are public pools where backpackers mix with Ecuadorian families immersing themselves in waters of varying temperatures - from cold to a scorchio 50C!
The perfect place to unwind and soothe aching muscles after a nearby jungle trek and/or exhilarating bike ride round a windy mountain road to the impressive Pailon del Diablo waterfall.

Termas de la Virgen or Piscina el Salado
Google map: bit.ly/fN5Xkq

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Cordoba is a fantastic place to visit. Its Great Mosque and Christian Cathedral, emotive synagogue, evidence of Roman occupation and the narrow streets and courtyards of the old town all provide the visitor with sights and smells in abundance. An afternoon in the Banos Arabes compliments the sensual charm of the city. The baths are an indulgent, relaxing and stimulating experience; for 41 Euro you can luxuriate in the warm, hot and cold baths, experience a traditional hammam massage and drink glasses of sweet peppermint tea and emerge ready for more sight seeing.

c/ Corregidor Luis de la Cerda, 51
14003 Cordova, Spain
+34 902 333 334
Google map: bit.ly/goX9mJ
www.hammamspain.com/cordoba/

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The hot springs are my favourite part about going to visit Arenal. My advice would be - don't skimp and go to the cheapest but also don't go for Baldi which is the most expensive 5* resort, mainly aimed at the American/gringo market. I would advise going to Tabacon which is really reasonable and also really plush with good facilities, wet bars, a disco and slides as well as the incredibly hot spring at 40 degrees! Last time I went was in an evening and I really think this is the best time to go to avoid crowds and hopefully get a look at the lava spewing from Arenal (it also means you don't feel too guilty about having a few cocktails!)

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An open-air bath on Margitsziget on the Danube. In a very beautiful green park with many nice and fun pools and thermal water.

www.budapestspahotels.com/thermal-baths-budapest

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When Banff National Park was created in 1883, the hot springs were the main attraction. Tired railway workers soothed their limbs in the hot mineral water and a spa was soon built to cater to tourists.

It's a national historic site where you can visit the caves.

www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/caveandbasin/index_E.asp

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