Travel PR’s top Therma Tourism ideas for 2025

These are trips that revolve around the use of natural hot springs, thermal waters, and geothermal spas for relaxation, health benefits, and therapeutic treatments.

Could this be the year you try Therma Tourism? Here are Travel PR’s top suggestions for 2025:

EUROPE

Sophia Loren’s answer: Ischia, Italy, from £1,286 pp with Kirker

‘Ischia’s thermal waters are not just a luxury but a gift from nature. They soothe the soul and heal the body.’ With that the experience of iconic Italian actress, Sophia Loren, Ischia, it seems, is unlikely to disappoint. Volcanic in origin, this Italian island is known for its pretty coastal and hillside villages as well as for its thermal springs, rich in minerals such as sulphur, sodium and chloride, said to help with skin conditions, respiratory issues, and muscle pain. Stay at the five-star San Montano Resort & Spa to enjoy panoramic views across the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius and Capri from the hotel’s many terraces. There are two large outdoor swimming pools, one of which is heated by a volcanic spring, and there is a string of small pools and Jacuzzis, each at a different temperature from the next. A three-night stay costs from £1,286 pp (two sharing), including return flights, accommodation with breakfast, return transfers by car and ferry / hydrofoil, and the services of the Kirker Concierge. Call AITO* member Kirker on 020 7593 2288; www.kirkerholidays.com.

Five-star, 12th century Cistercian monastery – Spain, from £1,596 pp with Sunvil

Overlooking the River Douro, Castilla Termal Valbuena – in the village of San Bernardo, in the region of Castilla y Leon – is set within the best preserved 12th century Cistercian monastery in Europe. There is a state-of-the-art spa, its thermal, mineral-medicinal waters originating from a spring 386 metres beneath the monastery. Active pools of water provide Jacuzzis, decontracting jets, water curtains and cannons. The hotel itself is a fascinating fusion of contemporary and medieval, its soaring ceilings and impeccably preserved cloisters in glorious, understated harmony with exceptional up-to-the-minute facilities. Sunvil’s three-night getaway costs from £1,596 pp (two sharing), including return flights (Gatwick to Madrid), B&B accommodation, car hire for the duration, unlimited access to the thermal pool, a Tasting Menu dinner, a wine experience, and a religious art restoration workshop visit. Call AITO* member Sunvil on 020 8758 4722 (www.sunvil.co.uk).

A unique haven for wellness seekers in the North Atlantic – Faroe Islands, from £88 pp at Hotel Foroyar

Hikers come from all over the world to discover the thrilling wilderness of the Faroe islands. Sculpted by wind and water, this archipelago – made up of 18 volcanic islands – offers a real sense of tranquillity and renewal in equal measure. Offering a chance to reconnect with nature, hike amongst some of the most rugged, remote landscapes in the world. Discover the raw beauty of Bøsdalafossur, a 30m waterfall surrounded by dramatic seacliffs. After a long day hiking and touring the islands, sooth aching muscles at Rib 62’s outdoor sauna and hot tub, or head to the sanctuary that is the Ress Spa at the stylish Hotel Føroyar. They offer some amazing contrast therapies, such as the ancient bathing ritual of Rasul (DKK 800 / £90 for two), combining the health enhancing properties of heat, steam and mineral-rich mud. Now the spa is being extended to include an outdoor bathing area with a steam bath, sauna and warm and cold pools, all with amazing views of the capital, Tórshavn, and the ocean. Stay at Hotel Føroyar, with rooms starting from DKK 740 pp / approx. £88 pp per night (two sharing, room only). Return flights from Edinburgh start in April 2025 and cost from £200 pp with Atlantic Airways. See AITO* member Visit Faroe Islands www.visitfaroeislands.com.

WORLDWIDE

Soothing sulphur spas on the Caribbean’s nature island – Dominica, from £2,080 pp

Known as the nature island of the Caribbean, Dominica is dotted with rivers, waterfalls, lakes and hot springs. With nine volcanoes on the island, one of which is active, sulphur springs are heated naturally and are a popular way to relax and unwind. The sulphur content of the water is known to help aches and pains and provide anti-inflammatory benefits to the body, as well as soothe the mind. The small community of Wotten Waven, east of Dominica’s capital, Roseau, is best known for them, with enterprising villagers setting up their own open-air sulphur springs and mud pools. Many are set amongst tropical flowers and trees, some are open in the evening so you can bathe under starry skies with tree frogs for company, and another on the island has wild rabbits roaming and a heart-shaped tub. Sunvil (www.sunvil.co.uk; 020 8568 4499) has a seven-night stay at the ocean-facing four-star Fort Young Hotel and Dive Resort in Roseau on a room only basis (two sharing), including BA flights via Barbados, 23kg of hold luggage pp and transfers, from £2,080 pp. Sulphur spa access is usually priced around $10 US dollars pp. Visit Discover Dominica (www.discoverdominica.com).

Mountain air and soothing springs in the Japanese Alps – from £290 pppn with Hoshino Resorts

Japan is a country known for its natural onsen (hot springs) which play an important part in Japanese culture and tradition, as well as providing numerous benefits for the body and mind. KAI, by Hoshino Resorts, is a leading brand of luxury boutique hot spring ryokan (inn), with properties across Japan based around natural hot spring sources. KAI Alps, located at the foot of the Japanese Alps, three-hours by bullet train from Tokyo, is surrounded by magnificent mountain views and lush countryside. The hotel’s magical outdoor hot spring baths are fed with pristine hot spring waters and offer views of the mountains and a larch tree forest, blanketed in snow during the winter months. The indoor baths are made from fragrant hinoki wood. After a restorative soak, guests can book a relaxation massage or enjoy a traditional Nagano meal in the restaurant (the Nagano region is known for its mineral-rich water and soil, and culinary creativity), where dishes include yuki-nabe, a sukiyaki dish (served from a Japanese hot pot) in which a mountain of edible white foam slowly dissolves into soup, evoking the image of snow melting in the spring. Stay overnight from 56,000 JPY / approx. £290 per room per night (two sharing, with breakfast and dinner), including tax and service charge. Contact KAI Alps https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/kaialps/

Volcanic hot springs and wellness in Bali – from £490 pppn with HOSHINOYA Bali

Bali is an island of natural wonders, from its diverse landscapes and dense rainforests to majestic waterfalls and towering volcanic peaks. One lesser-known experience not to be missed is a visit to the rejuvenating hot springs at the foot of Mount Batur. Soak in the mineral-rich hot water heated by the active volcano and take in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lake. After a peaceful soak in the springs, guests can return to the tranquillity of HOSHINOYA Bali, to continue their wellness journey with the hotel’s carefully crafted Holistic Ritual at Sacred Valley. This unique programme is designed to purify, soothe and rejuvenate the body and mind through daily movement and mindfulness, traditional Balinese rituals and experiences and a carefully curated menu of locally sourced foods. HOSHINOYA Bali costs from £490 per room per night, based on two sharing on a room-only basis. The Holistic Ritual at Sacred Valley programme costs from £950 (based on a five-day itinerary). To book contact HOSHINOYA Bali.

Thermal bush spa experience  –Tanzania, from £6,000 pp with Expert Africa
The Ruaha River is the most dominant geographical feature of Tanzania’s best kept wildlife secret, Ruaha National Park. On the banks of this river, you can bathe in natural pools of volcanic hot spring water. Having been analysed by a French laboratory, the water – rich in sulphur and iodine – has been found particularly good for skin conditions. Expert Africa’s eight-day Topi Fly-in Safari spends four nights at Jongomero Camp, the luxurious wilderness retreat linked to the thermal star, and three nights at sister property Siwandu, an equally remarkable property with a glorious lakeside location within Nyerere National Park. The trip costs from £6,000 pp (two sharing), including accommodation with full board, most drinks, guided safari activities, park fees, and transfers. International flights can be arranged at additional cost. Call AITO* member Expert Africa on 0203 405 6666 (www.expertafrica.com).

*AITO is The Specialist Travel Association: 100 specialist independent holiday companies and 75 specialist independent travel agents, together providing an unrivalled collection of holiday ideas covering every corner of the world. Consumers booking with AITO members can be assured of high-quality holidays, excellent personal service and financial protection. Visit www.aito.com for further information.

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