Spa

The Romans came here to take the waters, and they were followed over the centuries by crowned heads, such as Marguerite de Valois, Christina of Sweden, and Peter the Great. Less welcome was Kaiser Wilhelm II, who established his general headquarters in Spa before fleeing to Holland in November of 1918 to abdicate control of Germany. By then the town was already past its prime. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it had been the watering place of international high society, and many gracious houses remain from that period. The pleasures of "taking the cure" in beautiful surroundings were heightened in those days by high-stakes gambling, playing pharaon or biribi for rubles, ducats, piastres, or francs. The Casino dates from 1763, making it the oldest in the world. Now, the glamorous gaming rooms support a number of cultural activities in addition to gambling. Those age 18 and older can pick up a casino pass at the tourist office, which allows for free admission into the casino. To get from the casino to the water springs, hop on the tourist train, which stops at all of the springs in town. The circuit takes 45 minutes and costs EUR 4.

The casino is only one of the many architectural gems that line the streets of Spa. These glorious buildings, and the rest of the town, are being lovingly restored, and this small city of splendor is once again becoming a destination for people of all ages and interests.