Wellness in Slovenia

Wellness in Slovenia

A further look at Slovenia's resources for health and healing

by margaret korošec, september 2004

The healing powers of Slovenia's thermal and mineral waters have been well documented throughout history, some even dating back to Roman times. In addition to the benefits of the natural springs, all of the Slovenia's major health resorts now have some type of wellness program and many have invested quite a bit of design and money into specialized wellness centers, encompassing classical massage techniques, complementary therapies from the Far East, beauty, stress-reduction, nutrition and weight-loss programs, to name just a few. The options are really endless.

In the summer edition of Ljubljana Life, our Healthy Living Guide briefly introduced a couple of Slovenia's oldest and more well-know spas, namely Rogaška Slatina and Radenska. In this issue we'll take a closer look at a selection of some other popular destinations that are designed to pamper your body, mind and spirit into a state of wellness.

Just a few minutes drive from Rogaška Slatina, the community of Podčetrtek in the far east of Slovenia boasts a "healthy and unpolluted environment." Indeed the Olimia Thermal Spa, which is located there, is a gem that offers healing thermal waters and aqua-parks, along with a wide range of massage, beauty services and fitness classes. They even have a specialist for those with allergies using bio-resonance therapy. The surrounding hotels have nature trails just outside the backdoor and biking trails surrounding. Nearby Olimje has a monastery that claims to have the third oldest pharmacy in Europe. The monks still prepare pure tinctures and creams from herbs gathered nearby.

A short walk away from the monastery is a family run chocolateria – absolutely delicious! Also a short drive away, to Kumrovec in Croatia, is Tito's birthplace. In addition to the home of Tito, the city has purchased most of the surrounding homes and buildings and it is a wonderful open-air museum depicting life in the times of Tito. You can even sit in the large wooden bowl that was used to make bread, which Tito is said to have stolen and used as a sled. It is a real treat to visit this area.

Another option just 30km outside of Ljubljana is the Snovik Thermal Spa, a new "world of pleasure" spa set in a beautiful valley just beyond Kamnik. Here you will find large indoor and outdoor pools, a wide selection of lounge areas inside and outside near the pools or on the surrounding grass, large water slides, and nice children's pools both indoors and out. Several types of massage are offered, as well as a solarium, sauna and water aerobics. Unfortunately, there are no accommodation facilities at the spa, but they are planning to open a nearby apartment complex next year. Until then the town of Kamnik can provide accommodation options, and is itself also worthy of a peek and a walk through the cobble-stoned streets.

The Hotel Golf in Bled, now owned by Sava Hotels and Resorts, runs the živa Wellness Center, which has just opened its doors in September 2004. It has 2 large indoor thermal swimming pools, a children's pool and a smaller outdoor pool. The motto here is "divine relaxation", which one can easily achieve among the pools, 4 saunas and surrounding cooling areas. There is also a sunroom and areas offering herbal baths. With a view of Bled, you may enjoy music or raindrop therapies, meditation or a hot stone massage. Family friendly, high-end wellness and just an hour-long drive from Ljubljana.

The Balnea Wellness Center opened in 2003 and is located within the Dolenjske Toplice Health Resort. Three thermal springs and beautiful surroundings complement the offerings of this modern wellness center. Visit the Laguna for thermal water pools and whirlpools. The Oaza gives one the opportunity to relax and cleanse the body in the Finnish saunas and Turkish or Japanese baths. One can also lounge in the misty air of the tropical garden. For the final top off of your wellness experience, visit the Aura and select one of the many massages offered. The resort also offers a wide range of other activities and outings from archery to underwater massage, so be sure and inquire what is on the agenda before your visit.

The Terme Čatež Thermal Spa calls their program, "wellness in the heart of thermal springs." This is a classical health spa, and the largest natural health resort in Slovenia, with programs dedicated to rest and relaxation. The springs are among the hottest in the country. Bask in Roman-Irish baths, enjoy Finnish sauna or Turkish baths as well as an array of massage techniques. They boast eleven outdoor and five indoor thermal water pools, complete with whirlpools, wave pools, water slides, slow river and more. In addition there are such activities as tennis, squash, bowling, boating, fishing or biking along 97km of trails. An 18-hole golf course is also located at nearby Mokrice Castle.

Terme Palace Portorož offers more than just outstanding healing thermal waters. It is comprised of five individual "wellness" centers, each with a different focus. If you are looking for fango (saltpan mud) and algae therapies or brine and sea water baths, visit the Thalasso Center. The Massage Center offers a complete selection of massage techniques. Therapies and services for the face and body are located within the Medical Beauty center. A Physiotherapy Center offers services as the name states, and finally there is the Thermal Recreation Center with covered swimming, several saunas, and a tepidarium, sun terrace, fitness studio and children's play area. Within close range you can also enjoy tennis, practice your golf swing at the driving range or play mini golf. A walk along the beautiful Adriatic shoreline at sunset would complement any day of wellness and calm the spirit.

Portorož is also the home of the Wai Thai center for traditional Thai massage, located within the Morje Hotel. Highly trained Thai massage specialists treat you to different types of traditional massage, recommended especially to suit your personal needs. You can also experience the floating chamber, a steam sauna or solarium. The beauty center here also offers natural treatments for body, face and hair.

Between Portorož and Koper one will find the Strunjan Health Resort, part of the Krka Zdravilišča group that also owns Dolenjska Toplice. They have specialized in Seaweed treatments and thalassotherapy, which is a combination of therapies using seawater, sea fango, Mediterranean climate and seaweed. They also offer custom designed programs to meet your health and beauty needs.

With over fifteen natural thermal and health resorts and additional wellness centers at other locations, you will certainly find a program and atmosphere that suits your needs. The Slovenian Tourism website lists and links all of the Thermal Health Spas and Wellness centers. So take a moment to reflect on your needs and wishes, outline a perfect weekend for you and your family and make the call to reserve the perfect health and pampering treatments for your wellness experience.

Margaret Korošec, a YogaFit instructor in Ljubljana, can be reached at [email protected]

Slovenian Tourism

www.slovenia-tourism.si

Terme Olimia

Atomske Toplice d.d.

Zdraviliska cesta 24

3254 Podčetrtek

03 829 7000

www.terme-olimia.com

Thermal Spa Snovik-Kamnik

Molkova pot 5

1240 Kamnik