The Municipality of Varna is located in northeastern Bulgaria, the administrative center of Varna region, with a population of more than 330,000 people. Varna is the third-largest city in Bulgaria – recognized as the maritime capital of the country, combining sea charm, rich cultural heritage, and modern urban life.

Varna region, with its 32 km of coastline, is known for its favorable climate, natural resources, and the sea, which creates excellent conditions for tourism and balneotherapy within the four seasons. In 2026, Varna will celebrate the 105th anniversary of its designation as a seaside resort.

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The advantage of the region is that, in addition to its luxurious infrastructure, it also boasts a wide range of specialists trained at the internationally recognized Medical University of Varna in the field of “Rehabilitation, Thalassotherapy, Wellness, and SPA” – a program designed to meet the rapidly growing needs of the healing and wellness markets in Bulgaria and the specific demand for highly qualified professionals in the sector.
There are a total of 25 certified centers in Varna:

• Balneotherapy (Medical SPA) – 8
• SPA – 10
• Wellness – 7

Varna is a city where the sea and mineral water come together in a unique way. As Bulgaria’s third-largest city and the major tourist center of the Black Sea coast, Varna combines 7,000 years of history with a modern lifestyle. Sea, nature, culture, and well-being have merged here into a harmonious overall experience.

Even in ancient times, the healing power of mineral water were combined here with physical activity and regeneration. This tradition still forms the basis of the region’s balneological culture today.

Varna is considered one of the richest regions in Bulgaria in terms of water resources. The calcium-magnesium-rich, lightly mineralized thermal waters with temperatures between 40 and 60°C are ideal for prevention, therapy, and sustainable recovery. Traditionally, these thermal waters are used to support treatment of cardiovascular diseases, disorders of the endocrine system, the musculoskeletal system, as well as functional disorders of the nervous system.

Varna offers first-class SPA and wellness infrastructure with more than 25 certified SPA, wellness, and balneotherapy centers. In the renowned SPA resorts of St. Constantine and Helena, Sunny Day, Golden Sands, and Riviera, modern SPA and balneological centers offer a variety of health and relaxation programs based on natural healing resources. Coastal thermal pools and elegant water facilities connect the regenerative power of thermal springs with the freshness and vastness of the Black Sea.

Tourists can benefit from a wide variety of regenerative treatments in the rehabilitation centers:

• Detox programs: using eastern practices, massages, and natural detoxifying products such as algae, herbs, and Black Sea salts;
• Mud therapies: relieve joint and muscle pain and activate metabolism;
• Rebalance programs: combines immersion in mineral water with guided physiotherapy exercises;
• Healing massages with magnesium oil: relieve muscle tension and promote blood circulation;
• Therapies with natural ingredients: grape cures and wine therapies, as well as treatments with honey, yogurt, and essential oils, specifically promote health and beauty and support natural regeneration processes;
• Individually tailored wellness and health programs: customized treatments for sustainable reduction of stress and exhaustion, strengthening the immune system, and enhancing overall well-being.

Varna – an accesible destination for recreation and exciting experiences

Varna`s excellent accessibility is ensured by a well-developed, multimodal transport network, integrating railway and bus terminals, as well as efficient road connections linking the airport with the city and the nearby seaside resorts.

The railway station
The Varna Railway Station is among the first railway stations built in Bulgaria, dating back to 1866.

Varna airport
Varna Airport is located just 8 km of the city centre. It facilitates convenient access for hundreds of thousands of visitors to Varna and its resorts, while offering high-quality services. Varna Airport welcomes tourists year-round, thanks to the expanded and optimized flight schedules of a number of airlines—there are year-round flights to five cities in Germany, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Vienna, Brussels, London, Eindhoven, Bergamo, as well as multiple daily flights to the capital Sofia.

Port Varna
Port Varna East is located in the Bay of Varna, only 1 km from the city’s central area. The largest port in Bulgaria and the country’s maritime gateway to the world.

The bus station

The new Varna bus station was officially opened on 1 June 2024. The building features a modern design and high functionality, with 12 departure sectors, 30 bus parking spaces, as well as a 24-hour waiting area and an on-site food and beverage establishment.

Varna Resorts

In and around Varna are some of the most beautiful beaches in Bulgaria — expansive stretches of golden sand, refreshing greenery, crystal-clear sea waters, and a rich variety of seaside resorts, recreation zones, and places dedicated to relaxation and recovery.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the seaside resorts of Sts. Constantine and Helena and Golden Sands were developed in their modern form. The magnificent beaches and contemporary hotels have since attracted visitors from all over the world. In 2025, Bulgarian recipients of the prestigious Blue Flag international award rank among the world’s best beaches and marinas. Among them are the beaches of the Golden Sands and Sunny Day resorts.

The resorts “Saints Constantine and Helena“, “Sunny Day“, “Golden Sands“, and “Riviera” offer unique opportunities to combine the sea breeze with the healing power of the mineral water. The pools and water facilities located along the coast combine the benefits of sea water and climate with those of thermal springs. In modern SPA centers, you can enjoy a variety of cosmetic and medical treatments using another natural resource – the mud from the lagoon.

Sts. Constantine and Helena

Bulgaria’s first seaside resort, Sts. Constantine and Helena, has been known for more than a century for its beautiful coastal scenery and unspoilt natural surroundings. Today, it continues to attract visitors with its picturesque shoreline, cosy beaches, and clean air. Enriched by the healing power of the sea and the mineral springs found throughout the resort, it offers health, vitality, and well – being.

Golden Sands

A modern resort with more than 65 years of history and tradition. Located 16 km north of Varna, Bulgaria’s maritime capital, it is nestled within the cool forest of the nature park bearing the same name and lies just steps away from its iconic golden sandy beach. One of the resort’s greatest assets is its abundance of healing mineral springs.

This special edition embodies our core values: Health, Quality and Innovation.

From thermal water, climate therapy, and thalassotherapy to mineral waters and modern medical spa trends, the magazine highlights how Europe’s medical spas play a vital role in prevention, resilience, and sustainable wellbeing.

In the foreword, ESPA President Dr Siyka Katsarova underlines that today, more than ever, medical spas are not only places of recovery – they are strategic health infrastructures supporting prevention, rehabilitation, and long-term well-being.

Edited by Csilla Mezősi with contributions from leading spa experts across Europe, this anniversary edition celebrates three decades of European Spas’ commitment to advancing spa medicine and natural remedies, and connecting a diverse network of innovators, practitioners, and destinations.

Inside, readers can explore presentations of European Spas’ 18 National Members and 8 Advisory Members, showcasing the rich diversity of Europe’s medical spa landscape.

…and discover our shared vision for a future where natural remedies, science, and sustainability drive Europe’s approach to health and wellbeing.

Winner of the ESPA Innovation Award 2025 in catergory Innovative Medical Spa

Q: “What’s the single most important practice or insight from your Anitsress Centre that could help anyone dealing with chronic stress?”

If I had to choose just one thing, it would be sleep. Because everything in our wellbeing begins there. When your sleep is in order, your entire system recalibrates. Sleep is the time when the body repairs tissues, restores the nervous system, balances hormones and clears metabolic waste from the brain. After a night of deep, restorative sleep, your “internal battery” is full and you don’t need to push yourself through the day with sugar or caffeine.

And perhaps the most transformative change is this: good sleep gives you back your clarity of mind. With clarity comes perspective. You can think, choose, and make decisions that support your life rather than drain it.

When you’re chronically tired, everything becomes survival. You don’t have the energy to move your body, cook real food, be patient with your children, complete meaningful projects or create anything new. You cannot learn, because your brain simply doesn’t have the capacity – it’s exhausted.

As a business coach, I always start by asking my clients about their sleep. If their sleep routine is broken, we don’t move forward until it’s restored. There is no strategy powerful enough to compensate for a brain that is running on half-capacity. And this is exactly what chronic stress does. It makes people operate at 50% of their true potential.

So for anyone dealing with stress, burnout or overload, I always return to the same foundation:
restore sleep first, and everything else becomes easier, clearer and more achievable.

Q: “Your centre addresses stress at a systemic level rather than just offering relaxation. What’s the difference between temporary relief and lasting change?”

Temporary relaxation is what most people reach for when they feel overwhelmed. Treatments as a massage and sauna, quiet moment for meditation. It soothes the nervous system for a short while, but the underlying imbalance remains untouched. Stress returns the moment you step back into your routine.

Lasting change works differently. At our Antistress centre we address stress at a systemic level: sleep quality, nervous-system regulation, inflammation, metabolic balance, emotional patterns and daily habits. When these foundational systems begin to recover, the body no longer reacts to life with constant tension. Energy stabilises, sleep deepens, and the mind becomes clearer and more resilient.

So the difference is simple: temporary relief helps you feel better for a moment; systemic care helps you function differently every day. One is a pause. The other is a reset.

And lasting change isn’t created by treatments alone. It happens when a person understands why stress shows up in their life and how their own thoughts, habits and emotional reactions keep the body in a continuous state of strain.

That’s why mindset work and education are at the heart of what we do. I personally lead many of our lectures, where we explore how stress affects the nervous system, hormones, sleep, digestion and long-term health. And, even more importantly, which everyday habits and thinking patterns quietly push us toward burnout.

When people begin to recognise these patterns, something shifts. They stop fighting symptoms and start changing the mechanisms behind them. This is where true transformation begins: with awareness, new knowledge and the courage to build habits that support a long, healthy and genuinely happy life.

Q: “Stress-related issues are at epidemic levels across Europe. What patterns are you seeing in people who come to you?”

Chronic stress is no longer something people “feel”. It’s something that shows up in every system of the body and in the way they live day to day.

1. Poor sleep quality
Almost every guest tells us the same story: “I fall asleep exhausted, but I don’t wake up rested. I am tired all the time.” Light, fragmented sleep keeps the nervous system in a constant state of alertness. When sleep is not restorative, the whole body struggles. For us, sleep is often the first indicator that something is very wrong.

2. Overeating and weight gain
Stress-driven eating is extremely common. When the body is in survival mode, it naturally seeks quick energy.  Sugar, snacks, emotional eating late in the evening. People blame themselves, but in reality, it’s not a lack of willpower. It’s a dysregulated nervous system you have to deal with.

3. Low productivity and mental fatigue
Many guests describe feeling like their brain has “lost its sharpness.”
Concentration is weak, tasks take longer, creativity drops, and even simple decisions feel heavy. This isn’t laziness. It’s what chronic stress does to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for planning, memory and focus.

4. Negative self-talk and loss of confidence
One of the most painful patterns we see is how stress alters people’s inner dialogue.
When we ask how do they feel, they begin to speak about themselves in critical ways:
“I’m not doing enough… I should be stronger… I’m failing.”
People believe what they tell. But this isn’t their true voice. It’s the psychological effect of exhaustion and long-term dysregulation. When people recover, their self-compassion, clarity and confidence naturally return.

This is the heart of our work: helping people live longer, healthier and happier lives.

It is more than “just a work” for us.
It is our mission.
A mission we care about deeply and one that gives us real meaning every single day.

More information: https://narvajoesuu.ee/

1. This has been one of the largest investments in Europe’s spa and wellness sector in recent years. What was the driving vision behind this project, and what message do you hope it sends about the future of urban wellbeing in Europe?

The driving vision behind De Montel – Terme Milano was to create a new benchmark for urban wellness in Europe, and we wanted it to be one that is authentic, sustainable, and deeply rooted in both nature and history. This is not just a spa; it is the only facility in Milan with certified natural thermal water, sourced from a 396-meter-deep artesian aquifer. Rich in sulphates, bicarbonates and minerals, this water offers proven therapeutic benefits and connects the city to its ancient thermal tradition, dating back to Roman times.

We wanted to demonstrate that wellness can – and must- be part of the urban tissue. 

The project is also a model of environmental innovation: it operates with zero emissions, uses solar panels and rainwater recovery systems also contributing to reforestation in the Milan metropolitan area. Through the international Reinventing Cities programme, we addressed ten climate challenges, from energy efficiency to sustainable materials.

This investment sends a clear message: Europe is ready to lead a new era of urban wellbeing, where health, sustainability and cultural heritage converge to improve quality of life for all citizens. 

2. Traditional thermal spas are often located in the countryside or mountains. You bring that experience to millions of city residents every day. How does this urban setting change the way people experience and value thermal therapy?

The urban setting transforms the way people engage with thermal wellness. At De Montel we’ve made genuine thermal therapy accessible within the daily rhythm of Milanese life. No need to travel to remote locations: residents can now integrate wellness into their routines, whether before work, after a stressful day, or as part of a weekend ritual.

What makes this experience truly special is the Terme di Saturnia Method, which we have brought into the city. This method is the result of decades of expertise developed at one of Italy’s most iconic thermal destinations. It includes exclusive treatment protocols, sensory ceremonies, and skincare products enriched with Saturnia Bioplancton and freeze-dried thermal water. These elements offer antioxidant, detoxifying and regenerative effects, ensuring that every treatment is both scientifically effective and emotionally restorative.

The urban context also enhances inclusivity. De Montel is designed to be fully accessible, with lifts and pool hoists for people with disabilities, and partnerships with local associations to ensure that vulnerable groups can benefit from the healing power of thermal water. For us, the thermal therapy needs to be a modern, democratic and essential service for city living.

3. Beyond the beautiful architecture and wellness experience, what kind of wider impact do you anticipate for Milan’s economy, the local community, and Europe’s position as a global spa destination?

De Montel is a catalyst for urban regeneration and a strategic asset for Milan’s future. The restoration of the historic Art Nouveau stables – abandoned for decades – has brought new life to the San Siro district, creating over 100 jobs and attracting both local and international visitors. The project was developed with a €57 million investment through the ESG Infrastructure Fund by Azimut Group, in partnership with Terme & SPA Italia.

The impact goes far beyond wellness. We’ve created a multifunctional space that blends architecture, nature and technology. The centre includes 10 thermal pools, advanced hydrotherapy circuits, saunas, hammams, and relaxation areas, all designed with sustainability in mind. Over 3,000 plants have been planted within the park, and 350 trees will be added to the Milan hinterland over the next decade.

On a European scale, De Montel positions Milan as a leader in sustainable wellness tourism. 

By combining the excellence of Terme di Saturnia with cutting-edge urban design, we offer a replicable model that we hope will inspire other cities to follow our path because it is a new chapter for Europe’s spa culture that embraces innovation, inclusivity and environmental responsibility. 

Wellandia is a complete universe – Wellbeing 360° – where customers can discover verified centers and clinics, carefully selected medical spas, relaxation spas, wellness packages, and trustworthy information on relaxation, nutrition, exercise, recovery, sleep, and modern wellness technologies. In addition, Wellandia serves as a valuable resource for spa professionals, a platform for career opportunities and education programmes for excellence in Spa – https://wellandia.eu/en/spa-professionals/

Ioana Marian founded despreSpa.ro in 2010 with the goal of sharing everything she had experienced and felt about the spa’s benefits. She emphasized that the spa is not merely a moment of pampering — it is true health in every sense of the word.

After 15 years of exploring the world of spa and health together, despreSpa.ro has evolved into Wellandia – a new name with the same dedicated team, vision, and values: promoting relaxation, natural resources, physical activity, personalized nutrition, advanced technologies, and recovery, all to inspire your journey toward well-being.

Recognizing excellence: ESPA Award winners receive 12 months of complimentary support and acknowledgment for their spa centers.

As part of its collaboration with ESPA, Wellandia will grant the winners of the 2024 and 2025 ESPA Innovation Awards a complimentary 12-month Exclusive Membership. This package includes access to a specialized recruitment platform for the European spa industry, extensive promotional opportunities, and dedicated educational programs for spa managers, therapists, and reception teams — all designed to foster excellence and growth in spa and wellness businesses.

The Exclusive Membership package includes (but is not limited to):

• Unlimited job postings for spa or balneary therapists, receptionists, and spa managers.
• Gamified career progression tools for employees.
• Free experience exchange programs with other Wellandia spa partners — available to therapists as well as teams of spa managers, head therapists, and head receptionists.
• Online promotion: a dedicated page on Wellandia featuring monthly offers, articles, and more.

More details on the Exclusive Membership are available here:
https://wellandia.eu/en/colaborare-wellandia/

Contact:
Ioana Marian
Founder of Wellandia (formerly despreSpa.ro)
Email: office@wellandia.eu
Website: https://wellandia.eu/

The largest urban thermal park in Italy, spanning over 16,000 square meters, has been inaugurated. The project blends wellbeing, sustainability, and innovation for urban regeneration, involving a €57 million investment and creating 100 new jobs.  

De Montel Stables, designed in the 1920s in Milan, have been transformed into a grand thermal park, with water drawn from a depth of 400 meters. The restoration of the Art Nouveau buildings took three years of work, resulting in a 16,000-square-meter complex, including 6,000 square meters of indoor space, ten pools, and a capacity for up to 700 visitors.

The €57 million project was made possible through the “Reinventing Cities” initiative and was funded by private investments.

Massimo Caputi, President of De Montel-Terme Milano, Federterme and Saturnia Terme

“The opening of De Montel-Terme Milano is a concrete example of a successful public-private collaboration for urban regeneration and the enhancement of historical heritage,” said Massimo Caputi, President of Terme & SPA Italia. “We are returning to the city an extraordinary place where health, wellness, and architecture come together. The thermal waters of De Montel, rich in precious minerals, are a natural resource that we put at the service of the community. This project continues the vision developed at Terme di Saturnia – a temple of longevity in the heart of Maremma – bringing a contemporary approach to urban thermalism, with a focus on quality, inclusivity, and sustainability. A heartfelt thanks to the Municipality of Milan and all the partners who made this significant achievement possible.”

Sustainability and Urban Regeneration

A strong emphasis has been placed on environmental sustainability. The center features solar panels, rainwater recovery tanks, and advanced thermal management systems. Additionally, the project has contributed to urban forestry initiatives, minimizing emissions and promoting a positive environmental impact. De Montel-Terme Milano is a prime example of how the restoration of an abandoned site can bring cultural and social value back to the city.

Revitalizing the San Siro District

The restoration of the former De Montel Stables is a strategic intervention for the revitalization of the San Siro district. The newly developed thermal center combines health, leisure, and local enhancement. 

For more information, please visit their website

In breathtaking valley cutting deeply into forested hills, dwells a fairy-tale town.

The most famous Czech spa, Karlovy Vary.

Fabulous town houses, impressive buildings of hotels and spa resorts. No matter if you are walking along the colonnades and sipping on the healing water from one of the Karlovy Vary springs or walking along a spa path on forested slopes, you are following in the footsteps of Goethe, Beethoven, Schiller, Wagner and Chopin. Whichever lookout tower you may be viewing the town from, Karlovy Vary will make a great impression on you.

This is so, because Karlovy Vary is a place where time simply does not matter. You will immerse yourself here in blissful tranquility and timelessness, you will breathe the same air as those who came here for treatment hundreds of years before you and in fact you yourself may not be certain which era you have left behind you to get into this enchanting spa.

And yet Karlovy Vary is also a modern town offering vibrant entertainment and providing excellent cultural opportunities. It is a place where you can go on a shopping spree, enjoy peaceful relaxation as well as indulge in some sporting activities and set out to explore several remarkable tourist destinations. To put it simply, Karlovy Vary is superb, unique, renowned, regal – and also obviously relieving and healing.

Natural Healing Resources

Hot mineral springs were known in this piece of land as early as the Middle Ages. Today there are 15 warm mineral springs producing water with properties especially suitable for drinking, bathing and irrigation. They are of a similar composition but owing to the varied temperature and CO2 content their healing effects are quite different.

Main Points of Interests in Karlovy Vary

The town and the surrounding area offer countless opportunities for walks, trips as well as exploring and sightseeing. Most attention will deservedly be captured by the colonnades, mainly the most famous of them all, the Neo-Renaissance Mill Colonnade designed by the distinguished Czech architect Josef Zítek, who also participated in the construction of the National Theatre in Prague. You will also be fascinated by the Art Nouveau Chateau colonnade, a modern Hot Spring colonnade in front of which the powerful Carlsbad thermal spring with a capacity of two thousand litres per minute shoots up into the open area, or the Sadová colonnade, which is hidden under an iron construction.

Medical Conditions Treated in the Spa

It is very well-known that Karlovy Vary springs are beneficial in the treatment of digestive conditions – diseases of the stomach, oesophagus, intestines, gall bladder, liver, and pancreas, along with metabolic disorders – diabetes, obesity, gout, as well as musculoskeletal diseases and even periodontitis. Excellent results have been recorded in treatment of conditions after oncological and neurological diseases.

Terme Tuhelj Glamping Village, Slovenia

Comments from the jury: Glamping Village Terme Tuhelj, part of the Terme Tuhelj Resort is surrounded by green nature. It is the first 5-star glamping park in Central Europe and one of the few in the EU that innovatively combines outdoor, glamor and health experiences.

Special Jury Awards – Innovative Spa Destination
Slovenia Green Wellness Route, Slovenia
The Slovenia Green Wellness Route cycling route created by the Slovenian Tourist Board and the Slovenian Spas Association connects 11 green-certified destinations, and Slovenia’s incredible natural spa resorts.

Study made by ETC- MONITORING SENTIMENT FOR DOMESTIC AND INTRA-EUROPEAN TRAVEL: