Modern day Tyrol consists of the country of Tyrol (North Tyrol and East Tyrol) in Austria, the Italian region of Trentino, the provinces of Bolzano-Bozen (Alto Adige/Sudtirol or South Tyrol), and the three communes of the Italian region Veneto.
Relying on the natural Alpine beauty of the Tyrol region, the Tyrolean spa improves circulation, cleanses and purifies the skin, strengthens immune function, detoxifies the body, relaxes and soothes muscles, and rejuvenates the spirit.
Sauna Characteristics
The Tyrolean sauna, which is considered a dry heat form of thermotherapy, consists of a wood-lined cabin maintained at 65 degrees Centigrade (80-100 degrees Fahrenheit) with 15 percent humidity. The cabin, which is modeled after the traditional European wooden or “Stube” room, emits a refreshing fir scent. Typically, a 15-minute Tyrolean sauna is followed by an invigorating ice shower. Alternately, guests may be able to cool off in the spray of a mineral rich waterfall or a stroll through an ice grotto.
Precautions
Tyrolean spas and similar heat treatments should be avoided during pregnancy, in individuals with heart or respiratory problems, in patients with diabetes or infection, in individuals with fever, and in patients under treatment for any other conditions without the approval of their physicians.
Saunas can cause dehydration. It’s important to drink adequate water before and after a Tyrolean sauna. Alcohol should be avoided. Some spas recommend avoiding facials or waxing after saunas because skin may be tender following heat treatments.
Spas of the Tyrol Region
Spas in the Tyrol region offer skiing during the winter and hiking trails during the warmer months. The Tyrolean sauna is a central feature at spas of the region.
One of the most celebrated Tyrol spas, the Merano Thermal Baths, is located in Merano in South Tyrol Italy. Here, the baths are surrounded by a Mediterranean park landscape. With 8 different saunas and 25 swimming pools, the Merano Thermal Baths boasts a central Spa and Vital Center where Tyrolean apples, grapes, sand and herbs are used in the spa therapies.
At the Andrea and Walter Hopfner Sport and Wellness Hotel in Kitzbueheler, Austria the Tyrolean sauna includes features of color and light therapy to enhance the sauna’s holistic benefits.
In Tyrol’s Alpine region, the Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol in Telfs-Buchen Austria offers a Tyrolean Sauna Village as part of its wellness center. Located at an altitude of 1,300 meters of Seefield’s High Plateaue, the sauna cabins have windows that look out over the mountainous region.
In St. Johann, South Tyrol Italy, the Alpen Palace Deluxe Hotel and Spa Resort is known for its Wellness Center. Located in the Ahrn Valley of the South Tyrolean Alps, the hotel is surrounded by a 7.5 acre park with facilities for skiing, snow shoe hiking, ice skating, sledding and sleigh rides in the winter and hiking, cycling, Nordic Walking, para-gliding, horseback riding, canoeing, bowling, rafting, and golfing in the summer.
Besides its Tyrolean sauna, the Wellness Center has a brine pool and salt graduation tower, herbal baths, a waterfall, a hydro-massage shower, a separate children’s pool with a water slide, and an outdoor pool with air massage.
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