Holidays in Europe in in Feb/March can be so cold and drab. Mrs Bilbo does not like to ski but enjoys warm spas. Which would you go to?

Anywhere in Hungary? Or do you have a city/town in mind?

Well we have tried spas in Eger and Miscolc but anywhere. What I would like is a number of different types.

hi bilbo'

does it have to be hungary? Karlovy Vara in the Czech republic [Karlsbad in an earlier life] looks lovely, and there are several in Germany and of course France.

google may be a help here, i believe.

Not a bad idea Karlsbad, I just enjoyed the Hungarian ones pretty well and at least the local wine is very drinkable .

How does Karlsbad work, one central spa and a load of hotels or any particular hotel spas worth visiting?

sorry bilbo, I'm afried that all my info is 2nd hand - i remember watching a TV programme about it. However, I goggled it, and found this hotel, which provides spa facitlies, as well as the ones at the central spa building:

http://www.bristol.cz/www/lecba.php?jazyk=en&htl=1

there are some other lovely hotels as well and other spas nearby.

We loved Széchényi Spa in Budapest. Fabulous old building, tons of pools to choose from (inside/outside and many temperatures). It's the largest public bath in Europe.

More info and pics from our Budapest trip at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/

How about the cave baths in Miskolc..here's the link, just a place I really enjoyed...

www.barlangfurdo.hu

click on flag to see the site in English.

Have a blast! But I too LOVED the Szechenyi in Budapest for staying in a big city...

Yes I liked the cave baths too. In a been there done that sort of mood. Any other ideas?

hi greg,

thanks for the link. who knew that this sort of place existed? [well obviously you did!]

I had to go back to the Hungarian [which I totally lack] to get access to the hotel sites but it all looks very interesting. DH would love to explore Hungary outside Budapest where we went a few years ago in the winter so this could be good base.

do you speak any hungarian? if not,how did you manage?

Bilbo, How about Heviz and the Balaton area? I don't know if you have been to that area...I can give you many other ideas let me know some more specifics of things you may be interested in and I will try to help you.

ann, I do speak Hungarian and so I manage easily but I have found that most of the areas (esp. touristy) and people in their 20's and 30's can manage some English in Hungary.

Balaton yes, but I was not looking for spas at the time. Heviz not at all. Specifics, well something as interesting as the caves would be great but unlikely I guess.

Ann I find many Hungarians will speak a little English if not a little German will do and I've also used French and Italian. Patience is the key

The website: itthon.hu has tons of spas listed, hoping that will help. I am going to email my aunt in Hungary and see if she has any recommendations for you.