You’re not content with the run-of-the-mill. New and exciting always trumps boring and dependable. Sitting still is akin to torture, being cooped up at home may as well be solitary confinement. You’re constantly looking for a new challenge, something that pushes the boundaries.
Sound like you? Congratulations. You’re a bona fide thrill seeker. And as a thrill-seeker, you’re into different kinds of travel. If you’re looking to break out of the normal, this is the kind of stuff you want to do:
- Hiking. Awesome views that make you feel like you’re in a movie, and a physical challenge that will push you to your limits. Machu Picchu is a personal favorite, as it also includes some of the most stunning archaeological sites on the planet. Hiking also makes it super easy to stick to those pesky social distancing rules.
- Motorbike Tours. Forget sitting in a boring bus. Motorbike tours give you the chance to see the world with the breeze against your face and the full control of some serious machinery. The Ho Chi Minh Trail is epic, although not for the faint-hearted. But it’s a guaranteed adventure.
- Casino Trips. My guilty pleasure, where I like to think I look like James Bond, but Pee-Wee Herman is probably more accurate. Covid-19 has meant loads have been shut, but the leading Macao casinos are finally opening their doors once more. During this time I’ve been pleasantly surprised by online providers, but can’t wait to hit a real blackjack table again. Double down or nothing.
But even though these trips are high on the thrill factor, you’ve probably heard of them before. I’m going to open your eyes to a brand new way to get that excitement fix. Beer spas.
What Are Beer Spas Anyway?
When I first heard of the concept of a beer spa, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Surely it doesn’t mean to literally bathe in beer? But yes, that’s exactly what it means.
In 1997, a glorious German genius Susanne Taschner discovered that bathing in beer is incredibly satisfying. It relaxes the body. It’s pure goodness for the skin. And the mind gets an injection of the good stuff as well.
Bjórböðin Spa: Árskógssandur, Iceland
Iceland should be on your bucket list no matter what. Jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery, friendly folk, quaint fishing villages, and a very cool capital. But let’s keep the focus on what’s important: beer.
The Bjórböðin Spa in Árskógssandur offers hot tubs constructed from Kambala wood, ridiculous views, and delicious food. Oh, and the hot tubs are full of beer with extra hoppy goodness. And if you want to, you know, drink beer, every tub has beer taps so you can drink and soak at the same time.
Hop In The Spa: Oregon, USA
There’s every chance you’re an American, which is why I’m including the very first beer spa in the good old US of A. It may be a little easier to stick to local destinations, especially during Covid-19.
Guests enjoy their beer soaks in beautiful cedar tubs, and you can also choose your own background music as you relax in the hoppyness. Hop In The Spa also offers a Germanic angle; you can enjoy German beer and pretzels to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger.
Thermal Beer Spa: Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is an awesome destination when it comes to thermal bathing. It’s essentially the global capital for it. But the Hungarians haven’t stopped reinventing themselves, with the Thermal Beer Spa the city’s latest addition.
The Thermal Beer Spa is ideal for a romantic trip, with each wooden tub having space for two individuals. The proprietors have really nailed the experience, with a tranquil atmosphere and herbal scents relaxing the body and mind. Hungarian lager is also very much worth a taste!
And Some That Didn’t Quite Fit In…
I’ve given you my top three, but the truth is that there are more worth beer spas out there. Honorable mentions go to the Starkenberger castle, a real medieval castle turned brewery in Austria. The BrewDog beer hotel in the UK is the first of its kind, entirely dedicated to beer, and it naturally also offers beer hot tubs. And I also love the Misugi Resort in Kyoto, Japan, with its water being supplied by the Hinotani Onsen, a hot spring located on the resort itself.
In short, there’s plenty out there for us thrill-seekers to explore. Convinced? It’s your turn. Get started on booking your next (beery) adventure.