Spa Alpentherme, Central Austria

The 36,000 sq m resort, in the spa town of Bad Hofgastein in the Gastein valley, is contemporary and colourful with four “water worlds”: family-friendly, relaxation, sauna and a women-only space. There are steam rooms, cool swimming lakes, a lazy river, thermal pools and, of course, mountain views. Don’t miss the Gastein cure, which uses water from a thermal spring that is rich in naturally occurring radon. Soak in a pool of the healing water (from €15) to “restore rhythm to the vegetative nervous system, stimulating the metabolism and cell renewal”.
Book it A pass to the Alpentherme costs €34.50 a day or €28.50 half-day (less for kids), royal spa columbia
Stay The Aurora Apartments and Hotel has apartments sleeping two from €36 room-only,

Hotel Heliopic, Chamonix, France

A modern spa in an Alpine chalet opened in 2014, this hotel is next to the Aiguille du Midi cable car station, which takes tourists to Mont Blanc viewing complex. The basement spa has a swimming pool, ice grotto, Jacuzzi with mountain views, steam room, sauna and relaxation area with hanging pods and a fireplace. Treatments use French brand, Nuxe. Book in for a massage using Huile Prodigieuse products (from €55).
Book it Doubles from €103 B&B, spa treatments start from €55,

Towns and cities Szechenyi Baths, Budapest

With more than 100 thermal springs, Budapest is often called the spa capital of Europe. Szechenyi Baths are the largest in the city, with 15 indoor pools and three large outdoor ones. The latter sit in a quad of yellow and white neo-baroque buildings; inside it’s all vaulted ceilings with mosaic tile art, statues and painted windows. Treatments are simple: a massage from £19 – the wine cream massage is a Hungarian speciality – or a pedicure from £9.
Book it A day pass with massage starts at £35,
Stay The Danubius (which has its own spa pool) has doubles from £82 B&B,

Löyly, Helsinki

Combining eco-credentials, spa and minimalist design, Löyly is a public sauna on the waterfront in Helsinki. There are two 20-person saunas, a traditional smoke sauna and a wood-burning sauna, both with direct access to the Gulf of Finland for cooling off between sessions. The wood-slatted terraces protrude over the water, giving the impression of being on the deck of a hip cruise ship. The restaurant has modern takes on Finnish classics, including reindeer, salmon soup and elk.
Book it A two-hour pass to the saunas is €19, loylyhelsinki.fi
Stay Hotel Helka in the city centre has doubles from €115 B&B,