VIDEO LINK HERE.

1. Originality

Hotel Planinka is located just 11 km from the town of Kuršumlija, at an altitude of 442 meters above sea level, in the expanded basin of the Banjska River valley. The hotel is nestled among linden and pine forests in what was once a Roman and royal spa, now known as Kuršumlijska Spa. Together with Prolom Spa and Lukovska Spa, Kuršumlijska Spa forms the spa triangle of the Toplica region in southern Serbia, making it a unique air and spa destination. This was further confirmed by the selection of Kuršumlija Municipality as the best spa destination in Serbia in 2019, as part of the EU initiative, the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) by the European Commission. The Municipality of Kuršumlija was recognized as the best tourist destination in the category of “Health and Wellbeing Tourism” and has been part of the prestigious European EDEN network ever since.

2. Impact and benefits

On the EDEN initiative website: Here is the link to the EDEN initiative website for potential text updates and to access the EDEN video: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/tourism/awards-and-outreach-activities/eden_en
Winner in the ‘Health and Wellbeing Tourism’ category
In the south of Serbia, Kuršumlija is a small municipality that offers a preserved oasis of nature, with grasslands, hills, and volcanic geysers beneath which lie warm springs of medicinal mineral waters. Kuršumlija, with its three rivers (Toplica, Banjska, and Kosanica), three spas (Prolom, Lukovska, and Kuršumlijska), and the unique geomorphological phenomenon of Devil’s Town, is an ideal escape from the city to rest in nature. In addition to the natural beauty of the Radan mountain and the surrounding spa area, Kuršumlija boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage (around 70 churches, two medieval monasteries, and towers), justifying its epithet as ‘ideal’.
Devil’s Town is a globally recognized natural and cultural monument and a rare natural phenomenon. It consists of 202 earthen figures, which are unique landforms, and two highly acidic springs with high mineral content. Devil’s Town was the highest-ranked European candidate in its category, among 77 candidates for the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Serbia.
Kuršumlijska Spa has a rich spa heritage, spa culture, and a long tradition of using thermal waters for therapeutic purposes. The spa heritage, culture, and tradition in Kuršumlijska Spa date back to Roman times. Kuršumlijska Spa has been known for its healing thermal springs and the therapeutic properties of its thermal waters since Roman times, when it was known as Aqua Bas – Aquarium Bassuanae. Numerous archaeological finds (coins, altars, milestones, a monument depicting the goddess Hygieia, a tomb, and other artifacts) testify to the existence of a significant Roman settlement in the area of Kuršumlijska Spa. The altars dedicated to the goddesses of healing waters, the Nymphs, and Hygieia – the goddess of health and medicine – highlight the Roman spa heritage, culture, and tradition, as well as the existence of a spa treatment center during that time. The Roman bath, which dates back to this period, has been restored on two occasions up to the present day.
The healing properties of the thermal waters and the long and rich spa culture are further emphasized by the fact that during the reign of the Karađorđević dynasty (Royal times), by decree of King Alexander I Karađorđević in 1929, Kuršumlijska Spa was granted the status of a health resort of exceptional significance, when the thermal water of Kuršumlijska Spa was declared “publicly beneficial and healing water.” Due to its excellent air quality, Kuršumlijska Spa was declared a climatic health resort in 1956, and in 2023, it was also designated as an air spa.
In addition to its healing waters, Kuršumlijska Spa is also known for its healing mud, which, when combined with the healing waters, is used not only for rehabilitation but also for prevention in innovative medical-wellness programs. It is also used for complete relaxation and achieving balance of mind, body, and spirit in innovative preventive wellness programs.
The unique climatic factors, combined with innovative medical, medical-wellness, and wellness programs featuring healing thermal waters and mud, contribute to the quick recovery of guests who come for rehabilitation, as well as to the complete relaxation and revitalization of wellness guests, whose primary goal is prevention.
Kuršumlijska Spa is also known for its innovative medical-wellness treatments, which combine medical procedures with wellness treatments for wellness guests who seek health assessments and medical recommendations.
Wellness guests at Kuršumlijska Spa also enjoy the benefits of the innovative forest wellness program (forest medicine-bath), a leading global wellbeing trend, as well as a mindfulness program. Guests are guided through the forest wellness program by internationally certified forest wellness guides.
The thermal mineral water, with a temperature of 35°C in all pools, allows for bathing and enjoyment in the fresh mountain air throughout the entire year.
To provide guests with a unique spa experience, Hotel Planinka prepares local specialties from the Toplica region in a traditional way. The recipe for the traditional dish proja (traditional cornbread) was included in the wellness cookbook for Global Wellness Day (GWD), “Wellness Food Around the World E-Book,” and was featured on its cover with preparation instructions. We also offer guests the unique craft Prolom Beer, made with the healing Prolom Water, as well as bottled Prolom Water.
For a complete spa destination experience, we organize numerous excursions to nearby spa destinations, cultural and historical monuments, and the natural monument Devil’s Town (including tours to Lukovska Spa, Prolom Spa, and a visit to the first endowment of Stefan Nemanja).
The spa not only provides rehabilitation and wellness services but also offers an entertainment program in both indoor and outdoor play areas for our youngest visitors.
For all nature lovers, we have provided a large number of health trails.
Medical examinations and treatments at Kuršumlijska Spa can be conducted on weekdays, weekends, and holidays, and the hotel offers 24-hour healthcare services.
Impact and Benefits
Kuršumlijska Spa features several different sources of healing thermal mineral waters, with temperatures ranging from 14 to 64°C. The thermal mineral water used in the medical block of Hotel Planinka and in the pools belongs to the category of highly mineralized, mildly acidic, sodium bicarbonate hyperthermal waters.
According to the Institute, the healing thermal waters of Kuršumlijska Spa are considered to be very high quality mineral waters from a balneotherapy perspective, thanks to their favorable anionic-cationic composition, temperature, and the presence of dissolved hydrogen sulfide. The water is well-mineralized, containing over 2 grams per liter of dissolved solid substances, and has exceptional hyperthermality, allowing it to be cooled to desired temperatures for application, depending on the indications for use. It contains significant amounts of dominant sodium ions, bicarbonates, as well as considerable amounts of carbon dioxide, exhibiting therapeutic effects, especially in the treatment of rheumatic, neurological, and ischemic diseases of peripheral circulation.
For treatment and prevention, medicinal mud is also used, made by combining high-mineral-content soil with thermal water. The soil is finely ground, sieved, and mixed with the medicinal water, then applied to the affected joint areas. The mineral mud has notable therapeutic effects and is beneficial for various ailments.
In addition to natural balneological factors (water, mud), we also utilize well-known physical therapy modalities as part of the balneophysical treatment: various types of electrotherapy procedures (TENS, IFS, GAL, DD, Polarized Light, H-therapy), ultrasound therapy, TECAR therapy, laser therapy, magnetotherapy, the method of mechanical spinal decompression, and kinesiotherapy (exercises aimed at increasing the range of motion in joint segments and strengthening gross muscle strength), all with the goal of providing the most effective and comprehensive balneorehabilitation treatment for our guests.
Thanks to the unique characteristics of the thermal mineral waters, balneological knowledge, and medical research, the following indications for treatment in Kuršumlijska Spa have been established:

1. Inflammatory Rheumatism:
   • Rheumatoid arthritis (in remission)
   • Ankylosing spondylitis (early stage)
2. Degenerative Rheumatism:
   • Spondylosis (ossification) of the cervical and lumbar spine
   • Discartrosis, herniated disc with or without radiculopathy (e.g., lumbosciatica, cervicobrachialgia)
   • Gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis
   • Osteoarthritis of the small joints of the hands and feet
3. Extra-articular (non-joint) Rheumatism:
   • Fibrositis
   • Tendinitis
   • Bursitis
   • Epicondylitis (“tennis elbow” and “golfer’s elbow”)
4. Metabolic Bone and Joint Diseases:
   • Osteoporosis
   • Gout
5. All Types of Sports Injuries
6. Post-fracture Conditions and Post-surgical Interventions on the Bone-Joint System
   • Conditions after hip and knee prosthesis implantation
   Additional Diagnostic Examinations:
   • Examination by the spa physician (a Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a General Medicine Specialist)
   • Ultrasound examination of the abdomen and musculoskeletal system
   • Ultrasound bone density measurement – osteodensitometry
   Guests who wish to unwind from everyday stress have access to Wellness and Spa facilities, which include a total of 8 pools filled with thermal water. These include a semi-open pool, 3 children’s pools, 2 indoor pools, and 2 infinity pools with views of the Spa river and lush forests bathed in all shades of green. The facilities also include 4 Finnish saunas, an infrared sauna, 2 salt rooms, a steam bath, a cold cave, tepidariums, a relaxation room that prepares the body for another round of wellness treatments, a bucket shower, and dry and wet Kneipp paths.
   Soaking in thermal mineral water at a temperature of 33-35 degrees Celsius positively impacts the nervous system, metabolic processes, and overall fitness. Due to its balneological properties, the thermal mineral water of Kuršumlijska Spa has a multifaceted beneficial effect on health. When combined with massages, facial treatments, and body treatments, it provides complete relaxation for the mind.

3. Sustainability

The Municipality of Kuršumlija has been recognized and awarded as a sustainable spa tourist destination under the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) initiative. This initiative rewards and promotes sustainable tourism practices in smaller tourist destinations. Since 2007, the initiative has aimed to foster sustainable tourism destination management models across Europe by selecting and promoting EDEN destinations.
Hotel Planinka is highly committed to renewable energy sources and energy savings to contribute to global environmental preservation.
The hotel has been renovated using materials that help maintain the building’s thermal efficiency. Thermal mineral water, with a source temperature of 67 degrees Celsius, is used as the primary energy source for heating and air conditioning the hotel, wellness center, and medical block. The water is circulated through heat exchangers to heat the entire building without the need for additional energy sources. After its temperature has been utilized, the remaining water is directed to the wellness center pools and used for medical hydrotherapy. Hotel Planinka also uses heat pumps as a source of heating and air conditioning, again utilizing thermal mineral water. The hotel and its surroundings are illuminated with LED lights to reduce electricity consumption and mitigate global warming.
In Kuršumlijska Spa, we prioritize recycling by separating all types of glass and plastic for recycling. Special attention is given to wastewater treatment through a BIO disc system, which purifies all wastewater from our hotel.

MORE INFORMATION

Kosovska 38 Kuršumlija, Toplički

www.planinka.rs

kursumlijskabaja.rs

Alma Health & Spa Retreat 4* is the newest premium spa holiday venue in Romania, located in south-east Romania, in Lacu Sărat Resort, Brăila county, on the shores of a millenial healing mud and saltwater lake.

Our property includes a 4* hotel with 185 comfortable rooms and apartments, a top-notch wellness & spa center using the healing mud and the hypersaline water from the Salt Lake, a private beach with outdoor saltwater and freshwater pools, restaurants and bars and a modern event facility.

The heart of the hotel is Alma Health Center, based on a unique, holistic concept that combines natural healing and wellness therapies with high-end rehabilitation technologies for faster and long term health benefits, to stay healthy and young for longer. As well, we our wellness facilities are beneficial in prevention and relaxation, from couples to families, from individual leisure guests to corporate groups.

Alma Health & Spa Retreat’s mission is to restore people’s health and revive the quality spa tourism in the Lacu Sarat Resort, so it regains its glory from the Belle Epoque times when it used to be famous across Europe for the healing results as well as for the holiday atmosphere.

1. Originality

The originality of our spa hotel consists of the synergy between wellness and health facilities, between traditional and modern, between the unique local natural resources and the high-end technology to treat, heal and relax our guests, in a holistic approach, body-mind-soul.

Its various facilities were built to serve the needs of all ages in a healthy way. The outdoor Alma Health & Fun open during the summertime includes an aquapark for kids, saltwater and freshwater pools and direct access to the salt lake for mud therapies. The saltwater pool uses the saltwater pumped directly from the lake so that guests benefit from it in a premium way.

The indoor facilities with free access for all hotel guests, combine the specific local saltwater pool automatically pumped from the lake, with the classical wellness ones such as freshwater vitality pool, sauna, hydromassage Jacuzzi and saline room with Himalayan salt walls.

Alma Health Center is one of the largest and most modern balneary venues in Romania, blending the wellness and the medical spa in a unique integrative way thanks to the unique natural resources and the ultimate technology. It features 2,500 sq.m. area and 60 individual therapy rooms, including 19 automatic bathtubs for saline mud baths, Dry Floating deep relaxation beds, Vichy showers, relaxation room, 3 underwater shower tubs, 3 hydromassage tubs, 2 physiotherapy rooms, 8 individual massage rooms and a spa therapy room for couples with 2 beds and a Jacuzzi, 2 Jacuzzis, one of which overlooks Lake Sarat, dry and wet saunas, Hammam, 2 saline rooms with Himalayan salt, individual cabinets VACUMED, TECAR, SIS, EMSELLA, Shockwave, Laser, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, low and medium frequency electrotherapy, vitality indoor pool, with a depth of 1.3 m, heated water and water jets for hydromassage, as well and the swimming pool with salt water automatically captured from Lake Sarat and heated to 37 degrees.

2. Impact and benefits

The Alma Health & Spa Retreat innovation concept integrates health, relaxation and social interaction in all its facilities following the mind – body – soul concept of wellbeing.

• health therapies are integrated with relaxation rituals and outdoor pool sessions during the summer
• social events are organized during public holidays and wellness options are integrated
• all hotel guests benefit from access to the wellness facilities, indoor and outdoor saltwater pools and direct access to the salt lake for ointments with mud and cold baths in the saltwater lake
• packages including accommodation and balneary therapies include access to wellness facilities
• guests receive personalized recommendations both from the balneologist not only for the treatment of ailments, but also for prevention and relaxation
• the use of natural resources – water and sapropelic mud is complemented by therapies that use high-performance technologies for quick and long-lasting effects
• the synergy of natural elements can be found both in the spa area and in the spa area, where VOYA cosmetics are used for the first time in Romania, a unique brand, internationally recognized for its organic products, based on hand-harvested seaweed from the Atlantic Ocean.

3. Sustainability

Built on the shore of a salt lake – natural therapeutic lake, considered a protected natural area and in a resort where natural resources – water, lake mud and air are the essential natural factors for which Salt Lake belongs to the category of balneary-climatic resorts, Alma Health & Spa Retreat follows and promotes the principles of sustainable tourism.
The entire Alma Health & Spa Retreat project has been designed with care for natural resources, the environment and guests.

Alma Health & Spa Retreat is directly connected to Alma Health Center, forming a unique retreat where the focus is on both health and wellness. The medical treatment base is specifically designed for guests who seek prevention and medical rehabilitation. The spa offers a range of therapies that leverage the natural resources of the area, including the therapeutic saltwater and sapropelic mud, essential for treating various ailments and promoting overall health. On the other hand, the wellness area within Alma Health Spa is tailored to those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. This space is ideal for couples, families, and individuals who are on leisure vacations, offering them a serene environment to unwind and restore their energy.

The buildings of the complex follow the principles of smart buildings where the temperature is digitally controlled and automatically balanced in all spaces, so that the comfort of the guests is maximum with an optimal consumption of resources.

In order to harmoniously integrate nature into the hotel premises, but also to increase the relaxation of the guests, fresh plants decorate the Alma Health & Spa Retreat premises, including preserved mosses and plants.
To protect the environment, messages in the rooms and bathrooms urge guests to postpone the change of linen and towels, and hotel information for guests is presented in digital format on TV (digital guest directory).
To support the local community, the menus in the resort’s restaurants include fresh ingredients purchased from local producers (cold meats and cheeses, vegetables and fruits). Also in support of the local community, most of the resort’s employees are locals, and during the summer, in the beach area, they work with pupils and students from high schools and faculties in the Brăila-Galați area.
Selective waste collection procedures are implemented in all Alma Health & Spa Retreat premises.

Sustainability is also found in the holistic approach to health practiced in the spa center, where guests are guided towards prevention and a body-mind-soul approach.

At Alma Health Center, salt water and sapropelic mud are automatically collected from the Salt Lake, and at the end of the therapies they are recycled, returning to the lake through an automatic system of pipes and pumps. Similarly, the salt water from the indoor and outdoor pool, captured from the Salt Lake, returns to the lake automatically, without undergoing any alteration of its composition. The bathtubs in the mud bath therapy rooms are washed only with clean water, which is then disposed of in separate sewer lines.

In the spa area, the use of VOYA products, a brand with an international reputation for its emphasis on sustainability, brings added value and emphasizes Alma Health Center’s choice to be a sustainable brand. The algae in the VOYA range are harvested by hand to protect the ecosystem and not disturb the aquatic life around the Irish Atlantic coast where they are harvested.
In the outdoor area, the water from the showers is heated with the help of solar panels, because in this area we can take full advantage of solar energy – the Lacu Sărat resort rivals the seaside in terms of the number of sunny days a year. Thus, we continue to honour our commitment to protect the environment, reduce electricity costs and achieve energy independence of the resort.

MORE INFORMATION

Com Chiscani, Aleea Centrala, Nr 5, Statiunea Lacu Sarat

almaretreat.ro

1. Short Description of your Spa Hotel

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Fruske Terme in Vrdnik, Serbia is strategically located between the two biggest cities in Serbia, Belgrade and Novi Sad. Because of its location our hotel is the perfect destination for business travellers, couple retreats, friends and families. The hotel is a part of the biggest hospitality investment in the country, which was awarded for “The best tourism investment in Serbia in 2019”.
The hotel has 201 contemporarily designed, elegant and comfortable rooms and suites, all with private balconies overlooking Spa Vrdnik and National Park Fruška gora, the oldest national park in Serbia.

2. Originality

The location of the hotel in National Park Fruška gora with its beautiful mountains landscape is perfect for people looking for unforgettable moments in the breath-taking scenery. People looking for relaxation can use water-related activities and spa within the hotel or enjoy its surroundings. The wellness and spa centre offers 11 pools (5 indoor and 6 outdoor), with healing thermo-mineral water, 12 types of saunas and steam baths, and fitness facilities. The area provides not only a wide array of activities, animation programs, and water slides but also helps to regain the peace and serenity expected from a perfect holiday getaway. During the summer months, guests can enjoy Thermal Riviera with a capacity of over 1000 sunbeds, carefully designed to meet the highest standards and expectations.
A wide range of massage, body, and facial treatments, such as medical mud, carbon fit, lymph drainage, and non-invasive mesotherapy performed by well-trained professionals and therapists will ensure the best level of rest for every visitor. 
The thermo-mineral water, that is used for all of the pools, as a natural healing factor with unique properties and active substances – sulphur, sodium, calcium, magnesium and hydro-carbonates has a strong positive impact on bone and joint system, rheumatic symptoms, skin conditions and it helps wounds to heal – e.g. encourages the epithelialization.
The hotel F&B department is using all the local products produced by local small suppliers and the owner company has its own production of beer and Serbian national drink called „rakija“ and there are plans for bottled water production.

3. Impact and benefits

The hotel’s Spa is something that resort’s offer makes special and unique. We are proud that our spa center has something to offer for everyone, starting from the youngest ones, couples or the ones that require peace and just want to enjoy thermal water in the pools, to the ones that are lovers of the nude spa. Among many awards, hotel outdoor pools complex received the prestigious design award at Piscine Global Europe, Lyon, France “No1 Pool Design Award 2022 – Sport & Leisure”.

4. Sustainability

As every Mövenpick property, the hotel implements a wide range of eco-friendly solutions in the area of ESG and sustainability. The resort and hotel are built following a vision to maximize sustainability and usage of renewable energy with the main goal of preserving natural resources in the National Park Fruška gora for future generations. The hotel garage is using solar panels as the main power source and offers car electric chargers free of charge. The latest technology in preserving energy and water is already implemented in the building project. Led lights, insulation materials for preserving the energy, sensors for the room control systems, installation of HVAC energy saving equipment, hybrid devices, allowing simultaneous preparation of heat and cooling energy, and the use of geothermal potentials. The hotel is using eco-friendly products in all processes and recycling all kind of waste. Zero % one time use plastic policy is implemented in the hotel. Organic waste is used for composting the fields.

MORE INFORMATION:

Staza Zdravlja 39, Vrdnik

Serbia

www.frusketerme.com

We implemented the sustainable practices. The heating and air conditioning of the entire hotel building is carried out through solar and photovoltaic installations of the DAIKIN VRV systems which successfully reduce the energy consumption and the environmental footprint.

The mission of hotel Casa di Fiore is each guest to feel a warm attitude and personal attention, that will make him feel special. The desire of the team is to provide a different, real and exciting
holiday for every connoisseur of good and quality food, of comfort and harmony, of rich SPA programs and of warm mineral pools.

1. Short Description of your Spa Hotel

Casa di Fiore Spa & Medical is a five-star beachfront hotel in Kranevo, Bulgaria. The natural healing factors are the mild climate and the sea itself.
According to modern medicine our medical and SPA centre offers all recognized balneological and physical applications. Our highly trained therapists take complete care of our guests with combination of signature treatments, hydromassage baths with lavender essential oils from our region, mud treatments with seaweed and body massages. They are capable of healing both the body and soul. Supplied with mineral water, hotel Casa di Fiore SPA & Medical attracts its guests with all year-round outdoor and indoor pools, among which salty pool, aquatonic pool, hot pool, swimming pool and children’s pools.

The idea of the overall hotel concept is to achieve a peace of mind and sense of recharge, which is enhanced by the hotel’s beautiful year-round blooming garden and natural landscaping throughout the hotel. The completeness of the hotel experience is attained by the tasty and variety of homemade food prepared with fresh local products from our farms. Casa di Fiore SPA & Medical is a synonym of a bliss vacation filled with many positive emotions, spa adventures, wonderful views and delicious food.

2. Originality

3 Best Products:
Thermal water:
The thermal-mineral water extracted from 1200 m depth that supplies the outdoor and indoor pools at hotel Casa di Fiore Spa & Medical has a beneficial effect on the skin as calming and anti-inflammatory effects and helps restoring vitality and health.
Thalassotherapy:
Our thalassotherapy Spa Treatments have a revitalized effect for the body and soul with the purest mineral water for hydrotherapy that is simply unique combination with Black sea coast and mud by nature to achieve the endless moments of pleasure and relaxation.
Food Temptation:
Quality food with guaranteed origin from own farms is the main priority of the hotel. The wide variety of dishes served at the restaurant are homemade prepared with fresh local products daily delivered from our own farms.

3. Impact and benefits

We do attract the guests with the integrated hotel smart concept which is helpful to easily access the rooms, restaurant, beach and SPA; cashless payment with a bracelets. For further benefits of the guests we have an interactive hotel menu and descriptions on TVs connected directly with the hotel PMS system.

4. Sustainability

We implemented the sustainable practices. The heating and air conditioning of the entire hotel building is carried out through solar and photovoltaic installations of the DAIKIN VRV systems which successfully reduce the energy consumption and the environmental footprint.
All construction materials have a high energy-efficient value.
Over 80% of the hotel’s hot water use is heated by sunlight and hydro modules that use waste heat from the hotel’s entire VRV air conditioning system.
For the water purification in the pools we have built an innovative technology with an infrared path which, with the help of ultra-violet lamps kills the harmful bacteria and the usage of chlorine is minimum.

Electric cars are used daily to transport all employees. We have electric charging stations at hotel parking which are on a disposal for all the guests.

MORE INFORMATION:

7 Kraybrezhna Street, Dobrich

Bulgaria

www.casadifiore.com