Discover the German Aufguss: Great Alpine Sauna Tradition October 26th, 2026 • by Kristin Calkins After the Hike, Meet the Sauna-Meister Forget everything you know about a hotel spa. In Austria and Bavaria, a whole new adventure begins the moment the hiking boots come off. The Art of Alpine Living is a new kind of Boundless Journeys adventure, pairing spectacular mountain hikes and authentic cultural encounters with something entirely different: time to immerse yourself in the region’s spa traditions, including the Aufguss, a beloved ritual where professional Saunameister circulates waves of fragrant, herb-infused heat throughout the sauna. Mornings are made for hiking through mountain meadows, following trails through grazing cows and stopping at traditional Alpine huts for lunch on a sunny terrace. By afternoon, you’re back at the hotel, primed for rest and relaxation. Trading Boots for a Bathrobe Slip into a robe, step into the spa, and prepare to be surprised. This isn’t a swimming pool with a sauna tucked into the corner. It’s an entire world devoted to the pleasures of alternating hot and cold-water circuits. Start with the pool. Ease onto a submerged lounger and let thousands of bubbles massage your back. Move to a series of underwater jets, each aimed at a different part of your body. Then swim outside, where warm water meets cool mountain air and the peaks rise beyond the pool’s edge. To be clear, you’re just getting started. Welcome to the Sauna Wing Beyond the pools lies another discovery: an entire wing devoted to saunas. There are traditional hot saunas, gentler versions infused with herbal aromas, steam baths, cold showers, and quiet rooms where guests recline beneath blankets. You notice a small gathering outside the big sauna. Something is about to happen. Inside, the Saunameister pours herb-infused water over heated stones. Steam rises, and with a practiced sweep of a towel, aromatic waves of heat circulate. The daily Aufguss is as much a social ritual as it is a way to relieve tension. One detail might catch you off guard: many traditional sauna areas are textile-free. Swimsuits are typically left outside, though towels are used for sitting or lying on the benches. It’s simply the custom here, and guests who prefer to keep their swimsuits on can enjoy the pools and other designated areas. After the heat comes the cold. A brisk shower, a snow shower, or perhaps a cold plunge, then a few minutes outdoors before settling into a relaxation lounge. This is a typical day here. Wellness Activities and Spa Treatments in Bavaria And it gets even better. You pick up the hotel’s daily activity schedule and discover there’s even more to explore. Perhaps tomorrow you take a crystal singing bowl sound bath, stretch your way through a yoga class, or join a water aerobics session. These activities are complimentary, as is access to the pools, saunas, and relaxation areas. Specialized treatments are available separately, and the menus offer intriguing choices. Imagine sinking into a warm bath enriched with creamy goat butter and aromatic Swiss stone pine, surrendering to a massage with heated Alpine herbal bundles, or being cocooned in a silky evening primrose oil body wrap. For something distinctly Bavarian, couples can unwind together with a traditional beer bath infused with hops and malt or indulge in a luxurious spa ritual with full-body massages, exfoliating scrubs, shared bath, and sparkling wine. You might book one of these extra treatments. Or you might decide that your afternoon is already perfect as is. There’s a Reason the Alps Do Things Differently What you’ve just experienced isn’t a recent trend. Austria and Bavaria have long embraced a culture of bathing, sauna rituals, fresh air, and outdoor activity. The connection to water is especially strong in mountain communities. It starts in Austria’s Bregenzerwald where we discover the cold-water tradition of Kneippen, the invigorating practice of wading barefoot through chilly mountain spring water. In the celebrated health resort town of Oberstaufen, we are introduced to traditional hot and cold therapies, as well as nutrition. Then, we soak in mineral-rich and hot brine pools with spectacular views of Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau. And unlike the American spa experience, which can feel like a decadent splurge, these traditions extend beyond luxury hotels. Public thermal baths and sauna complexes make them accessible to everyone. The facilities may be impressive, but the underlying idea is wonderfully straightforward: move, enjoy the water, warm up, cool down, and rest. We’re Just Scratching the Surface This is only an introduction to the Alps’ remarkably sophisticated wellness culture. Beyond the saunas and pools lies a fascinating world of herbal traditions, specialized treatments, and centuries-old approaches to living well. With The Art of Alpine Living, Boundless Journeys is opening the door to this world for the first time. And if you’re intrigued by what you discover, there’s plenty more to explore. Consider this your first taste of an Alpine tradition that could easily bring you back for a deeper dive. About the Author: Kristin is a former European tour leader who now develops new walking, hiking, and cultural journeys for Boundless Journeys.