The healing power of heat has been felt ever since the Romans built settlements around hot springs 2,000 years ago. It would come as no surprise to our ancestors, then, that a growing number of travellers are opting for wellness holidays over action-packed itineraries. Google searches for saunas, spas, and hot springs are on the rise, and according to luxury travel provider Scott Dunn, 81% of Brits are planning to slow down on their next trip.
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Gísli S. Brynólfsson, travel expert and Global Marketing Director for Icelandair, tells Metro that the rise of the new wellness trend known as ‘therma tourism’ is a response to an increasingly chaotic world. ‘Hot springs and spas offer the perfect antidote to daily stress. It’s a combination of the restorative power of natural landscapes with a sense of tranquillity,’ he says.
![[The world?s 9 best destinations for ?therma tourism?]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236914791-9a85.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘This rise in popularity is driven by a growing awareness of self-care, and a renewed appreciation for the health benefits of traditional bathing cultures.’. Metro‘s travel insiders have rounded up our top picks of the world’s finest geothermal wonders to inspire your next getaway (and best of all, some are free).
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Hammam is a traditional Moroccan cleansing ritual that uses hot steam to detox the body. Where better to try it than in the country’s most vibrant city, Marrakech?. Hamman Rosa Bonheur is run by Samira, who runs a ‘Woman in Solidarity’ network to help women get into work.
![[The world?s 9 best destinations for ?therma tourism?]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236917154-2c42.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
