Brits can now book a seven night wellness retreat with sauna infusions, shows and rituals
- Dolce Vita Hotels launches sauna retreat 20-27th October 2024
- Led by Sauna Master World Champions
- To include sauna infusions, sauna shows and rituals
- It comes as sauna culture heats up in the UK
- FREE to guests of Dolce Vita Hotels
8th August 2024: Sauna culture is catching on in the UK, with community saunas popping up in popular hotspots like Brighton, Kings Cross, Stratford and Hackney. Even offering the traditional Aufguss – a German term translating to “infusion” which describes a multi-sensory wellness ritual – Brits are starting to understand the humble sauna isn’t just about sweating out toxins.
And this trend is here to stay. At the UK’s first ever Sauna Summit in May 2024, the Sauna Society revealed that more than 30 sauna pop-ups have appeared already this year, with the sense of community being at the heart of its rapid growth.
The Aufguss offers a physical, mental and emotional sauna experience and is performed by a sauna master or ‘Aufgussmeister’. Following in the footsteps of countries like Finland, Germany and Italy, the UK hosted their first National Aufguss Championships just last year. The Aufguss World Championship then sees sauna master’s from around the world showcase their skills in performing the Aufguss ritual, where they are judged on their creativity, skill, knowledge and showmanship.
Now, Brits can experience a Sauna Retreat led by Sauna Master World Champions with Dolce Vita Hotels, a collection of four family-run wellness hotels in wellness hotspot, South Tyrol. The retreat – Sauna Around Week – will take place 20-27th October 2024 with traditional Aufguss, sauna shows and rituals performed daily. The best part? It’s free to guests who are staying with Dolce Vita Hotels.
How it works:
In a stellar line up, this year will be led by two Sauna Master World Champions, Michael Niedermair, the reigning Italian Sauna Master Champion and two-time World Vice Champion from South Tyrol, supported by Kasia Klajn, former World Champion. Sauna events will take place across each of the five and four-star Dolce Vita properties ALPIANA, Preidlhof, Lindenhof and Feldhof, located in Lana and Naturno.
Through their inclusive hotel hopping concept, which allows guests to use the facilities of each hotel, free of charge, guests can move freely between properties to see the champions in action whilst staying at just one. Each hotel is just a short walk or drive away making it easy to transition between them.
If you can’t make it this year, don’t panic, as Dolce Vita Hotels hosts the Sauna Retreat annually in April and October, with Dolce Vita Hotels also home to two Sauna Master World Champions who work at the wellness hotels.
Explaining what’s involved in a sauna infusion and sauna show, Sabrina Telfser, Sauna Master and Spa Manager at Preidlhof Luxury Dolce Vita Resort says:
“A visit to the sauna has many benefits from strengthening the immune system, circulation training to relaxation of the body and mind. According to sources, the origin of saunas dates back to the Stone Age and over the centuries that followed, different types of saunas have developed. We have the Finns to thank for the tradition of sauna infusions (called “Aufguss”). The sauna plays an important social role in their culture and others.
During an Aufguss, water and ice with essential oils are poured onto the stones of the sauna oven. The steam produced increases the humidity in the sauna and makes the heat more intense. By using different rhythmic movements of a towel, accompanied by background music, the Aufgussmaster creates an intense and enjoyable multi-sensory experience. Many sauna visitors forget about the heat during the Aufguss and therefore stay in the sauna longer. It takes approx. 10-13 minutes and can be optimised and intensified by using essential oils and aromatherapy during sweating. In the Aufguss, we use various utensils to distribute the air, in particular special towels and fans.
There is a wide variety of different types of Aufguss and rituals in the sauna; classic, relaxing, themed, show, singing bowl rituals, incense rituals, scrub in the steam bath and so on. At Preidlhof there are between 3-6 different infusions every day, from the classic Aufguss to a scrub in the steam bath to themed or special show Aufguss. The show Aufguss is a special kind of ritual. It’s like a short theatre play in the sauna. The sauna masters tell a story with the help of scenography, costumes, utensils, fragrances and music. It’s a truly emotional and enriching experience. There has even been a World Championship for show Aufguss for many years”.
What does it take to be a Sauna Master and Champion:
Sabrina continues: “About 10 years ago, I completed my training as a sauna master. After the basic training, I have attended various further training courses in this field over the years. In Italy, there are various ways of training to become a sauna master. The sauna masters are then certified by the Italian Sauna Association AISA. Aufguss masters are determined at national qualifying rounds in the participating countries and then take part in the Aufguss-World-Championship. I was able to take part in 2018. It was a great experience.”
With a combined 38 pools, 32 saunas, 28 rest rooms and 5 SkySpas, Dolce Vita leads the way when it comes to award-winning wellness. With expansive spa areas offering extensive facilities, from infinity pool panoramas to sauna towers, each property offers a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation in nature.
South Tyrol is well and truly on the wellness map, and Dolce Vita Hotels are the ideal spot to embrace sauna culture whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or would like to embrace your inner sauna master. Find out more here.
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