Page 42 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter/Spring 2026

T R AV E L S L E U T H
Inside the
THERMAL THERAPY TREND
FROM ICELAND TO CANADA,
TRAVELLERS ARE TURNING TO
MINERAL-RICH WATERS AND
SAUNAS FOR RESTORATIVE ESCAPES
BY KATERYNA TOPOL
kind. But even after we built bathtubs and
The experience of bathing is as old as human-
elaborate showers, we continually search for
opportunities that take us out of our homes
and into hot water. Spa culture is at its peak with
luxury hotels worldwide integrating thermal
therapy into their offerings. The spa is a place you
go to relax, but the truth is, hot water is not only
good for the soul but for your overall body health.
Tradition as Old as Time
Passive heating practices, like saunas and baths,
date back 10,000 years and have been in cultures
for millennia, from Indigenous peoples of North
America to the Ottoman Empire, including
ancient Japan and across Nordic countries.
In Iceland, the benefits of a hot soak are well-
documented, tracing back to when Vikings first
arrived on the island. Icelandic thermal pools are
a part of the community and a place where people
come to socialize, much like pubs and cafés in
other countries.
Benefits of Passive Heating
Passive heating, or thermal therapy, most
commonly includes saunas and hot baths. In some
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DREAMSCAPES WINTER/SPRING 2026