Incredible Swimming Pools.
Photos Coming soon!
INCREDIBLE SWIMMING POOLS
We love to swim, and although we prefer the ocean or a lake, there are some incredible swimming pools out there. Just one list of a few in which we’ve had the pleasure to take a dip.
1. The Ancient Pool in Pamukkale, Turkey — Imagine swimming above and through the columns of ancient temples (mossy and slimy, but incredible). This was sun-hating Annabella’s dream come true since we swam there at night by the light of the moon (wearing crazy boxers shorts purchased at a street market in Ankara that were marked “large” but nearly but the circulation out of your thighs: we tossed the shorts after our swim)
2. The Blue Lagoon, Iceland – Since it is man made, we will categorize this as a pool. The silica in the water makes it a blue color, and it is naturally warm from geothermal activity. Getting in and out is minor torture when you go there in the winter (and the outside temperature is in the 30s), but it is a slice of heaven when you’re inside. IcelandAir lets you book tours that give you a stop at the lagoon en route for your flight back to the USA. If you bring an old bathing suit, you can just leave it behind. You can get treatments here and purchase their beauty products. They also rent/sell swimsuits.
http://www.bluelagoon.com/
3. Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – There is the indoor spa pool, somewhat reminiscent of an ancient Roman bath, with its columns. Outdoors is the generally normal swimming pool made magnificent by its setting in the Rocky Mountains. Find a time when you have the pool to yourself, and it will be a experience you’ll never forget.
http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings/
4. Giardini Poseiden (Poseiden Gardens), island of Ischia, Italy – Ischia is a volcanic island with natural thermal pools. The Giardini Poseiden is a resort with 22 swimming pools of different temperature water and different amenities (a stone pool where the stones below your feet massage you as you walk, a pool with a stone throne where you sit while water cascades over you, waterfalls that massage you as the water falls on your back). There is a restaurant (it’s Italy, after all), a private beach where you can rent a chair and umbrella for the day, and a whole array of therapeutic and spa treatments. http://www.giardiniposeidon.it/
4. Infinity Pool at the W Hotel, Hong Kong – This rooftop pool overlooks all of Kowloon Bay. If you venture to the rooftop at the right time you can see the nightly light show in the bay. Amazing views any time.
5. Indoor/Outdoor Pool at the Sheraton, Colonia, Uruguay – Colonia is along the La Plata River, so the hotel has created a beach like feel with a sandy poolside and beach umbrellas (you have a view of the river from the pool). There is also a zen-like spa pool which starts inside (with Asian statues adorning the poolside and comfortable spa chaises) but you can swim under the glass doors to the outdoor pool which has a view of the river.
6. Pools of Budapest, Hungary – Bathing has been a centuries-old tradition in Budapest, and visiting the baths is a relaxing experience for visitors. There are the luxurious baths of the Gellert or the traditional Turkish baths. The Kiraly Baths were built in 1570 and have different days for men or women. The Szechenyi Baths are more of a swimming pool set up. There are others, and you can find details here: http://www.budapesthotels.com/touristguide/ThermalBaths.asp
7. Hyatt Regency, Maui
Yes, if you go down the rock slide over and over and over again, you WILL wear out the seat of your bathing suit. If you have done that, then you’ll have to go into the grotto where there is a swim up bar, and you can drown out the sorrow of your ruined swimwear in there. Several fantastic pools at this terrific hotel.
http://maui.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/activities/pool/index.jsp
8. Underground River, Xcaret, Cancun, Mexico – While this isn’t exactly a swimming “pool,” it is indeed a swimming adventure. It’s also ideal for those who want to keep out of the sun because so much of it is shaded by the stone walls. They give you a vest, and you float down a cool river while relaxing and enjoying the wonderful weather. There are other pools (you can swim with dolphins) and a private beach. This is an “Eco Theme Park” with an aquarium, a place to relax in a hammock, educational displays (like the lovely Butterfly Pavilion), and there is a big live entertainment extravaganza each night. You can easily book a full day tour from any of the major hotels in Cancun (it’s not cheap, but it’s worth it, and the restaurant food there is pretty decent, too). They have “lock bag” for your stuff. http://www.xcaret.com/