Back In Riva

Photos of museum in Bregenz, Austria and a chapel on the way back to Riva by P. Zumthor.



I'm sorry I haven't been able to keep as updated as I would've liked during my travels; we had difficulty getting internet and if we did we either had to pay or it was generally awful. I will try to write a little about the trip in future blogs, but there is too much to do all at once.

Yesterday and today we spent at the thermal baths designed by Peter Zumthor in Vals, Switzerland. (We left Zurich in the morning and stopped in Bregenz, Austria to see a museum and also went through Liechtenstein.) It was incredible. It is right in the Swiss Alps, so obviously the views were incredible. The baths are so relaxing. There are quite a few, separated, but all in one room (sort of?). There is a average temperature pool that is more like a swimming pool, a ridiculously cold 50 something degree bath, a "fire bath" at 108 degrees (where I spent most of my time), an "isolation" room that has a bar you can hold on to and just let yourself float with jets on the bottom for your feet and periodic soft music playing, a bath with flower petals, an outdoor bath, saunas at varying temperatures, and all kinds of spa treatment areas. It was an amazing experience and I can't imagine Zumthor designing it better! If you want to see the website to see some photos (as we couldn't take any inside) here it is...

http://www.therme-vals.ch/?__locale=en

In addition to the amazing facilities, the dinner and breakfast were incredible, especially the breakfast. They have a huge spread of local organic products (grains, fruits, cheese, breads, meats, etc...) It was a great relaxing way to end out trip!



Photos at Vals (the bath house and one of the views).