Spa Tourist Information

General summary of the city:Villa de la Reine Marie-Henriette (wife of Leopold II,
The little town of Spa with a population of less thanBelgium's second king). The villa now houses the
11000 is a city of many distinctions. It is located inpolice station, the court and two museums. One of
the Belgian province of Liège. People who live inthe museum display horses. The horse incidentally
Spa are proud of their little town because it has beenwas the most important animal during those times on
acknowledged with many "firsts" in the world. It iswhich aristocrats and eminent people would come to
Europe's oldest health resort. It is the world's firstvisit Spa. The second museum "Musée de la
casino. No prizes for guessing that the word "spa" inVille d'Eaux" houses painted wooden objects that
English originates from this place in Belgium.serve as souvenirs of Spa. Interesting the word
The thermal springs in Spa, well known by the 16thsouvenir has found its origins in Spa.
century came to be the pride of the upper class byTo get a slice of history, especially the World War,
the late 18th century. Kings and people of highyou should visit the Hôtel Brittanique. Once upon
esteem like Tsar Peter of Russia, King Leopold II ofa time, the headquarters of the German Kaiser during
Belgium, Emperor Joseph II of Austria and writers likethe occupation of the First World War, it is now a
Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo came to take theboarding school. The evenings can be spent in grand
waters of Spa. With a fascinating and lengthy history,style in idyllic surroundings as you take a walk along
Spa was nicknamed as "The Cafe of Europe" due tothe Seven O' Clock Park. It is also known as the Park
its remarkable flow of visitors who came from nearRoyale. By the way, you also cannot afford to miss
and far to get treated by the natural waters of Spa.other delights like a ride in the sight seeing train and
Today the town has become eponymous with anyvisiting the Sunday flea market.
place having a natural source of water, believed toFood and Drink:
have therapeutic and health boosting properties.You have heard it all along that Belgians take to beer
Though Spa does not attract as many importantlike fish to water. However the fact is a bit
personalities and celebrities now, its bottled mineraloverrated because Belgians like healthy drinks and
water "Spa" is one of the major sellers in Benelux,beer is a favorite of many. However nobody can
Denmark and the UK. Spa boasts of a fabulousdeny that there is no substitute in the world to the
countryside. Renting a mountain bike is common herehealthiest drink in the world-water! Spa is the proud
as is cross-county skiing and ice-skating in winter. Spamanufacturer of one of the most famous brands of
is also well known for the Circuit demineral water in the world, called SPA. There is
Spa-Francorchamps, which hosts the annual Formulaanother famous brand of mineral water called
One Belgian Grand Prix. A pride of Belgium, this town"Chaudfontaine", named after the adjoining town of
is also known as the "Pearl of the Ardennes."the same name.
Places of interest:The SPA water was already being exported in the
Thermes de Spa is a famous Spa center that can16th century and one of the chief patrons was the
pamper you and cast your worries and stress awayking of France, Henry III. A water exporting
as you surrender yourself to the peace and pleasurecompany called SPA-MONOPOLE was formed just
of the elaborate Turkish baths, the royal Jacuzzi, theprior to the First World War. It still commands a
grand swimming pools and the mud baths to tonemonopoly as the only exporting company of quality
your face and improve your complexion. Indulgingand healthy spa water.
yourself in the Spa will not only relax you and calmPeople in Spa actually like to drink to their health (no
those nerves but you will also feel healthy becausepun intended) whether it is mineral water or beer. As
the natural water has therapeutic properties to curefar as dishes are concerned, the citizens patronize
you of illnesses like swelling joints, blood pressure andthe regular Belgian variety. They love their fries with
rheumatism.mussels, eel in green sauce, rabbit with plums and
The famous Leopold II gallery is a typical late 19thmeat balls with "rabbit sauce."
century gallery that can be found in most healthHotel and Accommodation:
resorts. There are a total of 160 columns to supportRadisson SAS Balmoral
the metal roof with a wooden ceiling. Initially, it wasRadisson SAS Palace Hotel
wonderfully decorated and lit with gas lanterns.Hotel le Relais
The Laundry museum consists of 25 rooms whichHotel Villa des Fleurs
depicts the evolution of washing machines fromHotel La Heid des Pairs
Antiquity to the present era. You will be amazed toEntertainment:
see the functionality of ancient washing machines,The Grand Prix of Belgium enlivens the three 'e's in
the ironing method and the processes involved withthe minds of people-excitement, emotion and
washing clothes during the ancient times. You alsoentertainment. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit comes
get to learn about the history of the soap and thealive as the stirring of the F1 cars echoes through the
laundry industry.Valley of Ardennes. It is not just a sporting event,
The parc de sept heures (The seven o' Clock Park)but it is a time for great vacation as people from
is quite famous for tourists as it is an age oldnear and far flock to Spa to watch the thrill unfold. In
attraction. For more than three hundred years, therefact the Spa-Francorchamps circuit is one of the last
have been visitors who have come here for theirtrue natural circuits for F1 races with some part of
evening walks past sunset.the track making use of the public highway. The
There are numerous famous 'pouhons' in SPA. Alatest information however, is that the local
'pouhon' is the native word for 'water well'. Two ofauthorities are performing some maintenance and
the famous wells are the 'Pouhonrepair work in Spa Francorchamps. Hence, the Belgian
Prince-de-Condé' and 'Pouhon Pierre Le Grand'.Grand Prix will not feature this year in the Formula
The second one was named after the Russian TsarOne World Championship. However the race is very
Peter the Great, who had visited Spa to take themuch expected to be there in the year 2007
waters of the Spa to his place.Another entertaining event in Spa is the Francofolies
Things to do:de Spa. This is the most important musical event of
The old-fashioned town offers the tourists a lot ofthe French speaking populace in Belgium. It is a fun
leisurely pursuits. The abundant landscape and thefilled event which calls for family and friendly
charming beauty of the city is a treat to the visitors.gatherings. There is a sense of euphoria and
Interesting restaurants and shops offer things whichwell-being as smiles and pleasantries are exchanged in
surprise tourists pleasantly. If you are taking a tourSpa, in the whole of summer.
to watch the Pouhon Pierre Le Grand, then you mayWho can forget the casino of spa? For the gambling
as well go inside and look at the large painting whichaficionados, this is the casino to be, to play in the
shows the pictures of the guests which were thereoldest casino in the world. The prince-bishop of Liege
during the time of Tsar Peter the Great.started this casino in the 18th century. If you are a
You can also come to the Bath House for healing andshopping fanatic, then you can head off to the flea
curing baths. There are baths in water containingmarket of the Leopold Gallery on Sunday morning.
carbonic acid which is therapeutic and there are alsoThey are open up to 2 pm in the afternoon. Spa is a
different kinds of beauty treatments and healthtown which promises an environment fostering
massage given for to relax the tension in differententhusiasm and exhilaration.
parts of the body. You can also take a stroll to the