Portugal’s Fountains of Well Being

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 00:00

For thousands of years, people believed that the pure waters of Portugal could heal the sick, calm the mind and soothe the soul. It is no surprise that these historic places for healing are still being used for rest and relaxation.  Today, dozens of historic spa resorts across Portugal are being reborn. Their waters and palatial spas are still intact, but now include modern treatments and a new focus on beauty. From the rolling hills in the north to the glistening white beaches in the south, spas like Luso, Porto Santo, and Curia are welcoming a new generation of spa goers with natural beauty, a rich heritage of luxury and an authenticity that adds to the experience.

A stay in one of Portugal’s spas allows you to enjoy one of the country’s greatest and purest natural assets -- its water. Since Roman times, the water in Portugal has been used for therapeutic purposes. Thanks to their purity, the rivers, lakes and streams remain a source of well-being even today.

Physical activity can also be good for the mind and body, and Portugal’s mild climate offers plenty of opportunity to head outside and get the heart pumping.  Many Portuguese spas offer swimming in both man-made and natural pools. Often, spas are located near the water, so why not try activities like canoeing or surfing.

If you like sports that won’t get you wet, play a round of golf or a few sets of tennis. Take the opportunity to get to know the areas where the spas are located, either on a relaxing walk, bike ride or boat trip.

Treat yourself a holiday of pure relaxation. Your body and soul will thank you!

Monfortinho Spa - As old as the first curative water treatments, the Monfortinho spa offers relaxation with easy access to natural and historic attractions. Located on a wind-protected plateau, the spa at Monfortinho boasts its own specific microclimate. Do as the Romans did 2000 years ago and enjoy the therapeutic properties of the Monfortinho springs or one of the spa’s hydro-treatments offered year round. Spa packages include complete treatments, combining physical relaxation and spiritual well-being. When you're not enjoying the offerings at the spa, visit the historic town of Monsanto, one of the most scenic and well preserved villages in Portugal.

Luso Spa - May to December is spa season in Luso. Located at the foot of the wooded hills of the Serra do Buçaco, the town was given its name after one of the most well-known springs in Portugal. The town is considered an enchanted place where Mother Nature asserts herself with all her force and beauty. The quality of the waters, as well as the top-quality beauty and health programs, are the main draw to the spa. But there are other complementary activities, such as hiking and cycling that make Luso a good choice for a well-rounded holiday.  Luso is a charming and welcoming town, where visitors feel at home. It has a number of parks and street cafés ideal for stretching your legs after a healthy lunch. Make sure you don't leave Luso without exploring the nearby Serra, where Portuguese and British generals joined forces to fight Napoleon’s invading armies.

Curia Spa - Make the most of a region full of natural beauty and history but spending your vacation at the spa in Curia. Besides its luxurious accommodations and the purity of its waters, Curia benefits from being one of the stops on the renowned holiday-travel triangle of Curia, Luso and Buçaco in central Portugal. Set in the heart of Curia Park, the spa is surrounded by rich vegetation that shelters visitors from outside noise and distraction. The Art Nouveau style Palace Hotel da Curia lends a distinctive air of history to the resort. Here, the visitor can experience true Portuguese hospitality and personalized service. Add a touch of charm to your relaxing holiday in a truly romantic setting.

Porto Santo Sands - An unpolluted beach of golden sand and clean, warm seawater make this island a veritable paradise. The natural conditions and isolation of the island of Porto Santo make it the ideal destination for a relaxing holiday. The sands and waters of Porto Santo are said to have healing qualities. Rich in iodine, calcium and magnesium, the natural resources combat the loss of mineral salts in the body due to stress and fatigue. The spa also offers many natural treatments at the only Thalassotherapy clinic in the archipelago. In addition to beauty treatments and massage, there are also preventative treatments to help cure bone- and muscle-related ailments and innovative methods for combating stress, fatigue and an excessively sedentary lifestyle.

Caldas de Monchique Spa - Caldas de Monchique is a relatively unknown jewel in the crown of the Algarve. Located in a green valley between the Serra de Monchique hills, this spa is a remote refuge in the bustling Algarve. The waters of the Serra have been used since Roman times as a treatment for bodily and spiritual fatigue and were once considered sacred. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the spa features traditional architecture and gardens full of fruit trees and hydrangeas. For a side trip between treatments, visit the nearby town of Silves, once the Moorish capital known for its fabulous castle of red sandstone.