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Toph
Yamanouchi, Japan
Japanese macaques (a.k.a. snow monkeys) have enjoyed the steamy onsens (Japanese for “hot springs”) that they’ve dominated the place. All we humans can do is watch—but in Yamanouchi town, there are traditional (no swimsuits) communal onsens awaits you.
Best Time to Go: Winter, when the simian-filled springs are steamiest and skiers can hit the slopes at nearby 1998 Nagano Olympics site Shiga Kogen.
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PamukkaleDenizli, Turkey
Considered as the Sacred Pool, Pamukkale means “Cotton Castle” in Turkish. as you float in spring-fed water that’s a relatively refreshing 94°F under the cerulean Aegean sky and down at 2 century old Greek and Roman antiquities scattered on the pool’s floor.
Best Time to Go: Year-round, but early fall is particularly lovely
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Dolores, Colo.
This restored ghost town, located at 8,600 feet in the San Juan Mountains near Telluride, offers six ways to soak in waters ranging from 85°F–106°F. The most authentic (and hottest) is under the stars at the source; the most private is the king-bedded Well House cabin for two.
Best Time to Go: Year round
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Atacama Desert, Chile
In the midst of the mountain desert in South American region provides a dramatic backdrop for eight secluded pools named for the term “hot water” in the indigenous Kunza language. Thought it is not really hot at 91°F, they do have a brilliant blue-green color and an ultrarelaxing aura.
Best Time to Go: Year-round, but the weather is best from October to June
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Banff Upper Hot SpringsAlberta, Canada
Set amid the glacier-studded panoramas of Banff National Park, the spring-fed pools are serviced by a retro-rustic 1930s bathhouse with splendid views of Mount Rundle. You can hike the steep 3.5-mile trail up Sulphur Mountain before relaxing soak.
Best Time to Go: Year-round, but for fewer crowds and peak foliage visit in the morning during early fall.
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Waikato, New Zealand
you have to dig your own “hot tub,” which for two hours before and after low tide will fill with spring-fed water and also bring a bucket to add cold seawater to regulate the temperature, which can emerge at a scalding 147°F.
Best Time to Go: Year-round, but summer (December to March) is ideal.
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Grindavik, Iceland
Healing power on a massive scale—literally, as its real purpose is to supply hot water and electricity to 45,000 Icelanders—this lagoon just outside Reykjavik holds 1.6 million gallons of 99°F–102°F geothermal seawater laced with silica, minerals, and algae.
Best Time to Go: Year-round, but Iceland’s winters are notoriously glum with just a few hours of daylight, while summers are 24/7 celebrations since the sun barely sets.
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Calistoga Hot SpringsCalistoga, Calif.
Located in Napa Valley: Calistoga’s mud baths are as free-flowing as Merlot. You'll find an array of spas—from frayed-at-the-edges to five-star—offering 80°F–102°F geothermal pools and volcanic ash mud pits.
Best Time to Go: Year-round.
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Chena Hot SpringsFairbanks, Alaska
Rock Lake is part of the 105-year-old Chena Hot Springs Resort; located 60 miles from Fairbanks, it has 80 rooms and suites, plus an indoor springs-fed pool, a spa, an ice museum, and dogsled tours.
Best Time to Go: Year-round, but the northern lights are most spectacular from September to March.
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Thermae Bath SpaBath, England
Enjoy a splash of history at Britain’s only natural thermal springs—the water is believed to have fallen as rain 10,000 years ago—which have vanquished stress for everyone from conquering Celts and Romans (their ancient baths are now a museum) to politicians and poets. Although the water surfaces at a red-hot 113°F, the spa’s intimate Cross Bath and rooftop New Royal Bath are a comfy 93°F.
Best Time to Go: Year-round,
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