The original spa town — the Belgian Ardennes hill resort that gave its name to the entire concept of wellness
Spa is the Belgian town that gave its name to every 'spa' in the world — its mineral spring waters were celebrated across Europe from the 14th century, drawing kings, tsars, and emperors to its bathing houses. Today the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps F1 circuit wraps around its forested hills, making it a dual pilgrimage for wellness seekers and motorsport fans. The Ardennes scenery is spectacular, the beer is excellent, and the baths are still running.
Spa's iron-rich Pouhon spring was known to local populations before Roman times, but the town's fame exploded in the 16th century when its waters were promoted as curing everything from plague to gout. Peter the Great of Russia visited in 1717; Victor Hugo wrote there; its casino (Europe's oldest, 1763) drew aristocrats from across the continent. The word 'spa' entered English as a common noun via this town, the only place name to become a universal English word.