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DID YOU know that the word ‘spa’ comes from a European town by the same name that actually is responsible for wellness traditions?

Spa in Belgium is a small town sat in a valley of the Ardennes Mountains and is often known as the Pearl of the Ardennes.

It’s one of Belgium‘s most popular tourist destinations and with good reason, because the town is full of natural mineral springs.

Perhaps you also know the name of the town due to the racing Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, which hosts the annual Formula One Belgian Grand Prix.

But Spa’s spa history dates back a lot longer than the noise of a motor engine…

Way back in the 16th and 17th centuries, the town became known for its iron-rich mineral springs that people used to think could heal them of injuries and illnesses.

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The original experience in the town was ‘drinking therapy’, where people would drink a large amount of the iron-rich water, rather than bathe in it.

Then in 1717, Peter the Great of Russia visited and drank the water for a month and miraculously, was ‘cured’ of his severe health issues including liver and digestive problems.

This was the start of mass tourism heading to the town, with international visitors flocking to Spa for its healing waters.

This trend continued into the 18th century when Spa became a fashionable resort town known as the ‘Cafe of Europe’.

Many elite members of society would travel to Spa to treat health conditions but also participate a number of other activities including gambling.

Then in the 19th century, there was more of a focus on bathing as the town opened new thermal baths.

It’s because of the town’s long history and fame, that the word ‘spa’ was adopted into the English language and used widely as a term for a resort with therapeutic water.

Finally, in 2021, Spa was recognised as part of UNESCO World Heritage Site’s the Great Spa Towns of Europe.

Today, visitors can still relish in the benefits of Spa’s water.

One of the top spots for visitors today is Thermes de Spa – a resort which overlooks the town with peat baths, traditional copper baths, outdoor pools and relaxation experiences.

The spa experience includes a 70C sauna and a 40C to 45C hammam.

For those who want to embrace naturism, there is an area for this with a panoramic sauna, a hammam, a 36C hot tub, a 38C bath, a 20C cold bath and three foot baths.

There are a number of relaxation areas too including a red light therapy area and a blue light room, which if you spend 20 to 30 minutes in, it is equivalent of a day high in the mountains.

And of course, there are a number of baths as well.

The water for all of the spa comes from the Marie-Henriette Spring, which is the oldest of Spa’s waters dating back over 400 years.

If you fancy learning more about the history of the town, head to the Museum of the City of Water.

Inside, visitors can learn about four centuries of history in the town.

You can also venture into one of the first casinos in the world, which opened in 1763.

Many European royals used to visit Casino de Spa and visitors can still head there today.

For those who love being in the outdoors, there’s RAVeL trails, which are converted railway lines and a great way of seeing the Ardennes and its historic villages including Stavelot and Francorchamps.

Or if you prefer a bit of adrenaline, make sure to check out SpaForest, which is an adventure park with tree-climbing courses, ziplines and rope bridges.

When it comes to choosing somewhere to stay in the town, obviously a lot of the options include wellness facilities.

You could stay at the four-star Van der Valk Hotel Spa with direct access to Les Thermes de Spa thermal Baths.

A room costs from £80 per night.

Or you could decide to stay at the Radisson Blu Balmoral Hotel, costing from £97 per night.

It is surrounded by dense forest, features suites with separate living areas and has an indoor pool, sauna and a Turkish bath.

The easiest way to get to Spa from the UK is by flying to Brussels, which costs from £28 return.

From there, you can jump on a train which takes less than two hours to reach Spa, costing from £13.64 a-way.

Alternatively, you could get the Eurostar to Brussels and switch trains to reach Spa.

For more inspiration on destinations to explore in Europe, there’s one city with 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and it has been named the best destination to visit in 2026.

Plus, these are the 39 best European city break destinations – and the number one spot is very cheap.

IN a few years, Bedfordshire will be one of the top places to visit in the country when the UK’s first Universal theme park opens there.

But according to one local, there’s so much that you can do in the county already, especially its namesake town, Bedford.

Lydia Pettet has lived in Bedford for almost all of her life, and makes it her mission to get others to love Bedfordshire just as much as she does.

She shows the best of the county on her social media account lydeatsfood – and here are her top spots.

New Theme Park

Of course we have to start with the upcoming theme park.

In April 2025, it was announced that Bedford would become the location of Universal’s very first UK theme park.

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And work behind the scenes has already started as Universal has found a temporary headquarters close to its planned site.

The company has taken over the top floor of Bedford Borough Hall on Cauldwell Street, which is already home to Bedford Borough Council.

The US firm was granted planning permission in December 2025 to build a destination across 662 acres on a former brickworks at Kempston.

Once it’s fully up and running which is scheduled for 2031, the theme park is expected to get 8.5million each year.

Food

As for what to do now, some might be unaware that Bedfordshire has strong Italian heritage.

Back in the 1950s, Italians were recruited to work at the brickworks, the site of the new Universal theme park.

Lydia explained that many never left resulting in lots of incredible Italian restaurants popping up around the county.

Bedford in particular has some top eats. Lydia told Sun Travel: “If you come to Bedford, expect incredible Italian food. One of my favourites is A Casa Di Anna, which is run by a lovely couple called Stefano and Anna.

“We’ve got Santaniello Pizzeria which is one of, if not the oldest restaurant still open in Bedford.

“Its menu is very limited – it’s actually been the same for my entire life. Inside it’s got the classic plastic gingham table cloths and you can’t go wrong with the breadsticks, a margherita and finish off with a shot of Limoncello.

“Other modern Italian restaurants include The Higgins Pantry, which is inside the Higgins Museum. Or La Terrazza which is more date night, girls night vibes.”

Other must-try foods in Bedford include the ‘Bedfordshire Clanger’ – a half sweet, half savoury pastry that you can buy at the Gunns Bakery in Sandy.

Most interestingly, it has a speciality called ‘chocolate toothpaste’ which Lydia explained is an “old school dessert”.

It’s made from shortcrust pastry with a chocolate filling with a swirl of whipped cream on top.

Lydia added: “Every cafe in Bedford sells them – so I’d encourage every tourist to try one.”

Hotels

When it comes to where to stay in Bedford, Lydia recommends the newly renovated The Swan Hotel.

It was built in the 1700s and recently reopened in September 2025 after adding 24 rooms and a new fitness suite.

Lydia says it’s a great spot for those who want some “luxury“.

Inside are 137 rooms which range from the classic double all the way to the Junior Suite.

It has an on-site brasserie and restaurant in a pretty conservatory that looks over the River Ouse.

Depending on the time of day guests, or visitors, can pop in to munch on breakfasts, Sunday lunches, dinners and afternoon tea.

The hotel also has a Thermal Spa with pools and three experience showers from mist to a dousing bucket with cold water.

The vitality pool has massage benches, neck and body massage jets and air beds.

It has a traditional steam room, a Finnish sauna for relaxation, a steam lounger and a relaxation space.

Non-guests are welcome to use the spa too, a one hour session is £20, with two hours priced from £30.

Other packages include a traditional afternoon tea and two hour spa session for £48.

Activities

Every summer, Bedford Park holds the Bedford Summer Sessions – essentially a music festival.

The summer of 2026 will see Deacon Blue, UB40, Tom Grennan and Paul Weller take to the stage.

Single day admission starts from £58.80 per person, while a four-day festival pass is priced at £199 per person.

If you’re a fan of comedy, you might get the chance to see some big names in Bedford.

Lydia has seen the likes of Alan Carr and Joel Dommett on home turf before.

She said: “They test out material before heading to the big cities.”

If you don’t fancy paying for entertainment then across one weekend this year is the Bedford River Festival.

Lydia revealed “it’s the biggest free festival in the country after Notting Hill Carnival, this year it’s on between 18-19 July.

“It has live music and races down the river in boats. There’s lots of food, lots of gift stalls and they have a community stage with dance schools and choirs.

“Then we have the Bedford Italian festival which is held every year and Summer Sessions in Bedford Park.”

Throughout the rest of the year, the river is often used for watersports.

Popular activities on the river include canoeing and kayaking.

You’ll find Box End Park in Bedford, on the lake is a huge inflatable which opens from April 2026.

The lake is a popular spot for open water swimming, wakeboarding, water skiing and paddleboarding.

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