EUROPE


NISYROS, Greece


Aimed at: volcanic energy seekers Highlights: crater walks & timeless villages Health benefits: joint pain relief & stress reduction


Less than five miles in diameter, Nisyros is tiny compared with the better-known islands of the Dodecanese. Fertile volcanic soil makes it greener than most places in the Aegean, and far quieter too, with only two main coastal villages of clustered whitewashed houses, Mandraki and Pali. Serene as it may appear, Nisyros has fire in its


belly. A Unesco Global Geopark, it’s home to the active Stefanos volcano, whose vast caldera can be entered on foot. Inside, sulphur crystals crust the ground and steam rises from hissing vents, a constant reminder of the seething forces below. Those geothermal energies have long been linked


with healing. Local legend says the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates sent patients here for help with rheumatism and arthritis. The historic public spa has closed, but in the village of Emporios a sauna — freely accessible and formed by geothermal steam channelled into a simple stone chamber — offers an intense but restorative experience.


HOW TO DO IT: Stay in Mandraki or Pali, which has low-key home rentals such as Amaranti House n’ Art starting from €130 (£100) per night.


SAAREMAA, Estonia


Aimed at: slow-living devotees Highlights: juniper saunas, mud wraps & nature walks Health benefits: respiratory improvement & skin renewal


Saaremaa, the largest island in the Western Estonian Archipelago, lies south west of Tallinn, across the Suur Strait. Sparsely populated and low lying, it’s home to quiet walking trails, spa hotels and nature- based wellness retreats such as HOIA Nature Spa, which draws on local plants, peat and sea air. The island’s main town, Kuressaare, is easily


reached by bus. Protected areas include Vilsandi National Park, a refuge for migratory birds like Steller’s eiders. The wider archipelago is a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, safeguarding peat wetlands and alvar forests of spruce, pine and birch. With 40% of the island forested, air quality is exceptional. Since 1824, when the therapeutic properties of its


mineral-rich mud were first documented, the island has attracted those seeking restorative treatments. Today, therapists draw on seaweed and grasses from the shoreline, alongside the enduring ritual of the sauna: hot steam, juniper whisking, a cold plunge and rehydration — deeply grounding and calming.


HOW TO DO IT: HOIA offers igloo hut stays that include sauna and hot-tub access. Prices start from €180 (£155) per night. hoianaturespa.com


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