VILNIUS - Just when I'd reached my wit's end for something unusual to do on a weekend night out, I hit on the Bathhouse Valley. Just a few minutes' drive from the fourth-largest Lithuanian city, Siauliai, this amazing recreational complex lies between Gudeliai lakeshore and Ramuose River next to the town of Sniuraiciai. The outdoor hot tub in the star-lit night, drinks and a chat with my friends was exactly what I was looking for.
Ten of us went to the Bathhouse Valley. As soon as we jumped out of the van, we saw a huge complex of wooden cabins with torches all around. Strange-looking outdoor tubs and the smell of the red smoke from the chimneys made the place quite mysterious in the twilight.
Grazina and Gintautas Karmazinai, the hosts, greeted us and showed us to the cabin that would be ours for the evening. The first floor was one large room, with a cozy attic on the second. It was plenty of space for all of us, but we didn't stay indoors for long 's the pleasant sound of splashing water quickly led us to jump into our swimsuits and put the outdoor tub to the test.
Karmazinis said he wasn't sure in which country the tub bathhouses had originated, but that the practice was common in Japan and Scandinavia long ago. "I heard that a similar bathing tradition was popular in Zemaitija as well, so we don't have to look far. Its origins can be found even in our country," the host said.
Karmazinis said that the temperature of the tub's water has to be at least 42 degrees Celsius. "Forty-eight degrees was the highest temperature somebody ever [with]stood," he said. Although the discrepancy of air and water temperatures is best experienced in cold weather, the host said that it is no less refreshing in summer. "It is especially fun on cold or rainy summer nights," he added.
We didn't have to worry about the hot tub getting cold. Karmazinis was constantly adding firewood to the stove beside the tub. The host dripped on some ether oil once in a while as well, so the water smelled a bit like paradise. I wondered if life could ever feel better.
After relaxing in the steaming tub, we jumped into the ice-cold water of the outdoor swimming pool. I have to admit it was cold, but I was totally enthralled by such simple and refreshing fun.
I was surprised how hospitable the Karmazinai were. "We want our guests to feel like home," they said. They provided us with all we needed to fix our own meal. We grilled fish on the fireplace near the tub and gathered around with cups of hot tea. With good munch, perfection was achieved.
The price for a hot tub and a cottage for three hours was only 300 litas (86.89 euros), but like us, you may find yourself paying 50 litas per hour to linger a little longer. But even still, it was nothing, as we were a crowd of ten.
If you have more traditional friends, you can mix and match two different types of bathhouses 's three-hour sessions that include Russian bathhouses and outdoor hot tubs are also available for 450 litas. Each extra hour would be 50 litas as well.
The Bathhouse Valley also offers bike rental and provides all kinds of other outdoor sporting equipment 's even hot-air balloon rides. I would recommend it for families, small groups of friends, or a romantic night out for couples. It is better to reserve your bathhouse in advance.
Bathhouse Valley (Pirciu Slenis)
www.pirciuslenis.lt+370 614 46630.
