With a long history going back to the Romans, who built baths around thermal and mineral springs, Germany and Austria are home to some of the world’s best spa and wellness resorts. Spas known not only for their health facilities, many are also destinations for food lovers from around the world.
Europeans seem to understand the benefits of taking a spa holiday and know that good food is as much a part of the whole travel experience as is relaxation, clean air, mountains and rivers…all contribute to a sense of well being. They visit the spas to benefit both their body and mind.
Whether called a spa, wellness center, therme or bad, these modern spas have a variety of steam rooms, dry saunas, hot tubs, indoor and outdoor pools, cold plunges and relaxation areas as well as quiet rooms for spa treatments. Spa goers can totally unwind from the stress of their busy lives.
While on their holiday, they make every effort to enjoy the fresh air in the resort’s outdoor surroundings. They go horseback riding, play golf, hike, bike, and perhaps swim in the cold waters of a pristine lake.
.Just imagine a day where you receive a massage with hot stones then get wrapped in a thick terry robe and relax in a lounge that has floor to ceiling windows with views of a beautiful lake or mountain scenery. After a day of pampering, you dress for dinner at one of the resort’s gourmet restaurants and enjoy fine regional cuisine of the area.
If fine dining is as important to you as a relaxing massage or facial, then you will want to follow along over the coming weeks as my husband and I travel once more to Europe and visit “spas for food lovers”. This year, we will be staying at eight outstanding spa resorts, four in Germany and four in Austria.
While we enjoy traveling to many other parts of Europe, the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in Germany and the states of Tirol and Salzburg in Austria are more appealing to us than some of Europe’s more famous but overcrowded destinations. With their good roads, postcard vistas, pristine villages and friendly residents, these regions keep drawing us back for another visit.
Each of the fantastic resorts have something special about them…one is a restored 18th century German hunting lodge, one sits high up on a 4600 ft. plateau surrounded by the Austrian Alps, another has the largest private Lipizzaner stud farm in Europe with 40 white stallions, and another is a stylish lakeside retreat just 45 minutes from Munich. One thing they all have in common is beautiful spa facilities that focus on wellness. Each hotel has excellent restaurants, some accumulating many fine dining awards. Two of the spa resorts have well known restaurants that have been awarded three stars by Michelin.
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“Beauty, relaxation, vitality, joy and pleasure…they are a vital part of life”, is the philosophy promoted at Wellness-Residenz Schalber, one of the top rated spa hotels in Austria. That seems to sum up why spa holidays are enjoyed by so many Europeans.
Back Road Journal 
Looks and sounds wonderful.
Thank you Jovina, It will be a wonderful trip.
Wow, what beautiful scenery and Michelin starred food – you could be in heaven!
Hi Mad Dog, It will be spectacular if we are lucky enough to have sunny days. I’ve got my fingers crossed although we will enjoy the trip no matter the weather. You are right, it will feel like heaven. 🙂
Mine too – I hope it stays like that for the duration.
That’s the way to travel in style! Gorgeous scenery, then you pamper yourself — both in the spa and later at the restaurant. Love the pictures. Fun post — thanks.
Hi John, When we started going to Europe, we would be in a different small town every night and were exhausted at the end of the trip. This is now how we like to travel, rested and well fed. 😀
Such a great way to travel.
Absolute heaven Karen! I am super envious. You will have to enjoy a massage for me.
Have a beautiful time away.
🙂 Mandy xo
Thank you for your nice wish, Mandy. We really are looking forward to this trip. I’ll definitely think of you on a day I get a massage.
I might be able to fit in your suitcase Karen!!
In Salzburg, one of my most favorite places in the world, you must dine at
Monchsberg 32–overlooking Salzburg—I wrote a trip advisor review about our experience back in 2012 after our trip..“quite a journey only to be wonderfully rewarded”
If you’ve not had the pleasure, I highly recommended it as the views are stellar, the food equally as wonderful and our service made me want to take the young man home with us 🙂
Oh have a marvelous and invigorating time for me please!!!!
Hi Julie, Salzburg is such a lovely and very walkable town, I can see why it would be one of your favorites. I’ve heard of your restaurant recommendation and know right where it is…will try to make lunch there one day. I appreciate your nice wish and take care of yourself.
🙂 Safe Travels my friend!!
there is a lovely church near the restaurant …the chapel of St Blasiuskirche…
I wrote a post about it upon my return that year….https://cookiecrumbstoliveby.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/gratitude-grace-and-petitions/
A lovely respite….
I’m catching up on your posts right now, I’ll definitely go back and read it. 😀
just wanting to share a special place 😉
I so appreciate it, Julie. It is always nice to learn about a place that someone has been to and enjoyed.
like I say Karen…desperate times require desperate measures 🙂
Maybe I’ll just have another glass of wine instead 🙂
Absolutely agree Karen…..thank you for sharing your passions and knowledge with others!
Nice to hear from you Myriam and thank you for your lovely compliment. 🙂
I’m sold! This is a journey we must add to our bucket list. Great scenery, food, etc. What more could a girl ask for.
Hi Bobbie, I agree with you, what more could a girl ask for. I’m very lucky to have such a wonderful husband that enjoys traveling as much as I do. I would wholeheartedly recommend adding this journey to your bucket list. I’ll be writing about some of our favorite hotels and also some new hotels that are supposed to be wonderful.
I love these Spas and are always happy when I get to visit one. These are privately run spas but the Germans also have government run spas (not as fancy but nice) for their citizens to recover from a serious illness. My mom spent four weeks in one of them to recover from her heart attack. It’s paid for by their insurance if approved.
Have a wonderful vacation Karen.
Hi Gerlinde, We are looking forward to our vacation, thank you. Wasn’t it nice that your mother was able to recover at one of the government spas. We have been to a couple of the spas that are not part of a hotel and they are indeed very nice.
Have a wonderful trip, Karen, and look forward to reading all about it.
Thank you for your wish Kay, I know we will have a great time. I’m happy to know that you will be following along.
Looks out of this world Karen:)
Hi Monique, We are heading to a beautiful part of the world…really looking forward to the experience.
Perfect settings for a Spa! Looks amazing.
Hi Darlene, It would be hard to top some of these locations. We will be doing day trips to the surround areas as well.
I would love to spend a few days at a spa but generally they are quite expensive! Great post. Diane
Hi Diane, I’m happy to know that you enjoyed the post, thank you for your nice compliment. A few days at a spa is a great way to rejuvenate your body and will be much appreciated by my husband and I as there is nothing like them here. Where we will be staying, the price of the room includes all the spa facilities and food. 🙂
I need a spa holiday :-))
I know what you mean Angie, I’m counting the days until we start our holiday.
How wonderful Karen! It would be enjoyable traveling with you.
Hi Deb, Wish I could take all my blogging friends along in real life but I’ll do the next best thing and share our adventures with you on my blog. 🙂
I don’t know why we never took a vacation to a spa. I guess we found other ways to enjoy beautiful views and local food. Looks like we missed out on some good times 🙂
Hi Judi, For most of our years of traveling, we did the same as you. Now that we have discovered wonderful hotels with spas, we use them as our base. We do day trips in the countryside each day then return to the hotels in the afternoon for use the spas and finish the evening off with a delicious meal. Wish I has known about them earlier.
Me too Karen, especially since I am a rather young widow now …
This sounds great Karen. I have to talk my husband into doing this.
Enticing photos – and so true! Traveling from spa to spa seems a wonderful way to spend your vacation (and afterwards you check into another spa to loose some weight? 🙂
Thank you for your nice compliment Karin, I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos. We do think this is a nice way to spend our vacation. Now about loosing the weight, we’ll see. 😀
Bavaria & Austria are so beautiful. I can’t think of a more peaceful and serene spot to be pampered, then top off the day off in a fabulous restaurant. Lucky you.
Sam
Hi Sam, I totally agree with you on all points…we are lucky indeed to be making this trip.
Spectacular! Absolutely spectacular! I wish someone would invent a plane that would get me from Australia to these places in an hour or two!
Hi Liz, Spectacular is the perfect word to describe the regions where we will be visiting…makes the long nine hour flight worth it. If someone invented that plane, I’d be visiting your country as well which is half way around the world from us. 😀
Oh boy, oh boy, OH BOY! Time for vacation— I’m so excited to see where you take us!
Thank you for your enthusiastic comment Kelli, you gave me a real smile. I’m happy that you are looking forward to following along on this year’s vacation to Europe. 😀
Oh dear, Karen! You know I am about to be ‘cheeky’ in a nice way: so you take it off in daytime and put it on at night!! Hmm: not a bad way to go!!! That said: wish I could join you in this autumnal joint, tho’ I would probably order “Krug’ rather than The Widow!! Knowing both German and Austrian cuisine rather well, am not at all surprised at the plethora of luxury venues available after dear doc has said ‘this . . . or else’ 🙂 ! Am v much looking forwards to your trip and SO promise to be ‘good’!!!
Hi Eha, You gave me a chuckle. The food is going to be real good so let’s hope that as I put weight on at night that then I can actually take it off in the daytime. 😀 I’m happy to know that you will be following along on this year’s adventure. Thank you!
You have got some wonderful photos Karen. Look forward to hearing all about your trip this year! The scenery will be wonderful with the autumn colours just beginning now, and they are possibly further on down south than in our region. Have a great holiday!
Thank you for your compliment Cathy, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. Yes, we should see some autumn color…it is one of the things I miss since our move from New England. We are looking forward to visiting your lovely country and I’m happy to know that you will be following along, thank you.
You have me dreaming … And so envious! 😃
Hi Julie, It is going to be a dream vacation for us. I can appreciate how you feel as I felt the same way about your recent trip.
So looking forward to your travel posts, Karen! And it’s great to hear you enjoy Baden-Württemberg so much – we really do have lovely state 🙂 .
Thank you Kiki, I’m happy to know that you are looking forward to my travel posts. Your state of Baden-Württemberg has so much to offer…so much beauty, history and some of the best food in all of Germany.
I feel relaxed just looking at the pictures! Thanks Karen.
Hi Amanda, I’m glad that you enjoyed the post and photos. Thank you for your compliment.
You have picked some of the best states for those countries, I completely agree! Ah, the salt mines near Salzburg, mountains, hiking, biking, gorgeous views and so much more. Have fun and I can’t wait to see everything.
Hi Gretchen, I’m glad to hear that you agree with me on the states we have chosen to visit on this trip. It’s their natural beauty, history and good food that keep us returning to these areas. I’m happy to know that you will be following along…I hope the posts remind you of your recent trip.
I’m sold! I elect you to be my personal travel agent! Your recommendations are very appealing. Thanks, Karen.
Hi Rosemary, If you ever decide to make a trip to the regions we have visited, I’ll be more than happy to let you know what we think should not be missed. I believe you will enjoy seeing what we discover on this trip.
I’m ready for a vacation after looking at these photos!!!
Me too Mimi, just days away for us now. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the photos, thank you.
Sounds like a great trip Karen – do you need a bag boy?
Hi Larry, I believe it is going to be a great trip. I’ve got my bags almost packed. Even though small they will be heavy…you might want to think about that offer. 😀
Sounds like an idyllic, relaxing and delicious trip!
All of the above Betsy, I definitely agree with your thinking and I can’t wait. 🙂
Can’t wait to see them all, Karen. Despite flying over the Alps on a weekly basis, they’re definitely more spectacular from the ground. Have a wonderful time.
Hi David, I have to agree with you about the mountains being more spectacular from the ground…just hope we will have sunny and clear weather to appreciate all their beauty. I’m happy you will be following along, thank you.
Oh, my gosh, Austria and Germany have just moved up on my bucket list!! SO much fun!!!
Liz, Definitely move them up on your list…Austria and Germany are absolutely wonderful countries to visit.
Sounds like heaven…
Hi Julie, I have to agree with you. 🙂
Ah, a spa holiday in one of those lovely places sounds like perfect bliss. 😃
I’ve always wanted to visit Tirol in Austria, ever since I read the Chalet School series of books when I was a child. They were set in Tirol — the books were about a boarding school for English girls in the 1930s — and they made the Austrian way of life sound wonderful.
Have a great trip!
Hi Grace, I do hope you get a chance to visit the Tirol, it is such a beautiful part of the world and the people living there make sure that you enjoy every moment in their wonderful region.
Can I please crawl inside your suitcase Karen? I’ll even go on a strict diet and loose weight to be lighter…lol! I feel relaxed just looking at the photos in this post. I envy your trip and cannot wait to hear all about it when you return. Have a wonderful time! Safe travels!!!
Hi Debbie, I think I may have to buy a bigger suitcase as several of you have the same idea. 😀 Thank you for your nice wish and I appreciate that you will be following along on our holiday.
You are so right, Karen: it is hard to beat Austria, Germany and the Alps for sheer beauty and relaxation. We were lucky enough to spend some time in Obermoos, Tirol, last summer and this campsite in Austria was probably the best 4 days we’ve ever had whilts motorhoming: simply superb! Enjoy your treats and your food! 👍
It is a small world Fatima as we are staying for the third time at the Post Hotel Lermoos, which is just six kilometers away from Obermoos. It certainly is a beautiful part of the world, isn’t it. The last photo in the first photo gallery is from there with the Zugspitze in the background. I hope all is well with the two of you…I miss following along on your adventures. Thank you for your wish, I know we will have a great time.
Thank you, Karen. It sure is a small world. Wouldn’t it be nice if we happened to be in the same place at the same time. I am now blogging under the name of sayselltravels as I found the fee too high for a poor service (the app for tablets is not very good). I have started this new blog for free. I would love to see you there some time. All the best! 💟
Wonderful images, and the food looks amazing. What a great holiday.
Thank you for your nice compliment, Darryl. I know we are going to have a wonderful holiday and yes, the food will be amazing.
Oh how exciting for you and your husband, Karen, a spa and foodie holiday. It sure sounds heavenly!!! Wishing you optimum weather and relaxing moments. Have a ball!!!
Thank you so much for sharing the lovely pictures and sensational news!!!
Thank you Louise for your lovely wish and compliment, I appreciate your kind words. I’m happy to know that you enjoyed the post and photos.
I enjoyed viewing your gorgeous photographs…especially the churches.
Hi Kathy, Thank you for stopping by and your lovely compliment. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. There are some absolutely beautiful churches that we will be visiting on our trip. I’m always amazed at the small ones in the little villages…wondering how they raised the money for their magnificent interiors with so few residents.
Hi Karen, what a lovely vacation you have in store for yourselves, can’t think of a better way to enjoy life. Can’t wait to see more pics!
I need a get away to a spa. I love all the beautiful pictures. This would be a fantastic vacation!
I stay every year in Tokyo for 10-14 days and love the noise, the crowds, etc., so nothing to do with a calm spa 😉 but I love travelling to completely different destinations through your blog and find extremely interesting the way you spend holidays. Enjoy your stays in Germany and Austria!
What a beautiful post. I enjoyed it so much!
Looks beautiful there, Karen! Enjoy!
We just returned from a three week holiday in Europe, I could sure have used a few days in a spa. The weather just started getting chilly when we left Paris last Wednesday.
Postcard views indeed! How relaxing and delicious, all at the same time.
Great pictures… Soon I’ll be going for a weekend away and the images you posted make me eager to travel among our Alpine lands 🙂
What an beautiful experience! I traveled vicariously with you my friend! Thank you!! ♥
I’m having a stressful week with work so I’m going to close my eyes after looking at your pictures and pretend I’m there!
I’ve never been to a spa, I’d totally love the experience and the food of course!
Spa-ing is one of my favorite ways to pamper myself and I haven’t even visited these. Even in China we treated ourselves to foot and body massages several times. Never fails to revive me!
Looking forward to following along on your travel to Europe visiting “spas for food lovers”.
Wow oh wow oh wow – I’ve stayed at some lovely 5-star places with my husband – but NOTHING like this amazing resort. As, always your photos are wonderful. Thanks for ‘taking us along with you’!! ; o )
This is great! Such a beautiful place!