While in Tbilisi, Georgia I had a unique spa experience early one mid-November morning. During a recent #EWBC post-conference trip sponsored by the Georgian Wine Association, we were given the option of an early morning trip to a sulfur bath. Since my interests include Spaswinefood I just had to go, even though my primary goal for going to Georgia was to better understand qvevri wine making. Yes, even though it meant an early rise for an already somewhat over tired body, how could I pass up this unique opportunity.
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| Wine bloggers check out Tbilisi sights © Spaswinefood |
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| Tbilisi, Georgia © Spaswinefood |
When you think of an early
morning spa experience in a foreign setting you might not think first of a
sulfur bath. In fact your question might be “What is a sulfur bath? ”. Here is a brief description of a
sulphur bath. Mineral waters contain salts and sulfur compounds. Many tourist
centers have often developed around mineral water sites. When the site is
primarily used for bathing, therapeutic or recreational reasons it is called a
bath. Many of these mineral water sites have been used since ancient times. The
sulfur bathhouses in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia is one such example. In today’s
Tbilisi the sulfur bathhouses are located in the old city.
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| Window onto Tbilisi, Georgia © Spaswinefood |
In the end four of us (two
men and two women) turned up at 5:30 a.m. to go for sulfur baths. On the plus
side we were also fortunate that your hosts transported us to and from the bathhouse.
When we arrived at the bathhouse we were shown where to go for our spa treatment.
There were separate rooms for men and women. My friend and I settled into the
bath for an early morning soak in hot mineral water.
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| Tbilisi sulfur bathouse © Spaswinefood |
Later we were given a scrub down, or massage. The scrub down was followed by some soaking time in the hot water.
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| Tbilisi sulfur bathouse © Spaswinefood |
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| Tbilisi sulfur bathouse © Spaswinefood |
Our treatment concluded with a brief cool down in cold water.
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| Tbilisi sulfur bathouse © Spaswinefood |
Soon we were back on the bus
heading back to the hotel. It was just in time for a quick breakfast before leaving
on a full day of touring Georgian wine country. The four of us agreed that it
was a wonderful way to start the day. My only wish is that I get more time for
the next sulfur bath experience. However, if you have not had such an
experience you might consider giving it a try. I
invite you to join me in my travels in Georgian wine country and elsewhere
in search of the best in Spaswinefood. You may
also visit my travel column at
the Examiner.
Sharon
November
2012
Tbilisi,
Georgia
©
Spaswinefood
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