To wish that spas were like those in the Netherlands or Germany.

[ForalltheSaints]

DP and I lived near Rotterdam for a few years. We loved visiting the local spa, especially in the winter. A relaxing sauna, swim, and sometimes a meal. Conveniently located (the one we usually visited was a tram ride, the other we went to occasionally a bus ride from the local station), spacious, comfortable.

Since we came back to England we miss such facilities. I don't know if they ever existed or did the prevelance of American attitudes to such matters in England stop them ever being built. If like us, you think it is unpleasant to have a sauna with a swimming costume on, the only options are tiny places, remote ones, or places which are quite frankly full of men looking for something other than quiet relaxation. There is one hotel in Birmingham with a spa that fits the bill, but that seems about all.

AIBU to want a spa such as one we used to visit in the Netherlands? We go back maybe once a year.

I miss it too. I used to catch the tram to go here and it only cost a tenner for 2 hours of extreme relaxation in beautiful surroundings.

www.neptunbad.de/sauna.htm

Twas wonderful.

Don't know if I'd go to one in the UK though. The attitude to nakedness is different here.

You can go naked at the spa in Harrogate, or at least a couple of women were when I went for the ladies only session once. I'm not sure if nudity as permitted during mixed sessions.

I'm a half way prude.

I wouldn't mind a cheery 'good morning' next to Jan from finance. But I wouldn't want to inflict my pastey glow in the dark flesh on anyone else.

If I was a F&B colour, I would be 'British Blue' (off the scale white, never seen sun since c1984).

I'm in Austria. Loads of lovely spas here. Quite a lot of houses have a sauna too; we have a dry one and a wet one in the cellar.

YANBU I think its more of a continental thing. The Brits prefer to keep their nakedness for when they go out in town of a Saturday night

Theres a type of polite order that seems to apply in the "natural" family spas you are talking about in The Netherlands and Belgium. Its a very safe, relaxing atmosphere. I think its kind of based on everyone knowing how to behave. In Southern Germany and Austria they seem to go more in for summertime naked swimming in lakes. My friend is a lawyer in Munich and would often describe how she would stop off at a lake on the way home from work for a naked swim!

Thanks for all your responses- just agreed over the weekend on another trip to Germany in the autumn, and know there is a spa nearby.