Over the weekend Vienna experienced a arctic winds – literally. Winds from the North Pole swept down upon us and dropped temperatures significantly, forcing us to spend the weekend indoors.

The husband and I decided to use gift vouchers we had been given for a local spa. Now, if you are European this will need no translation. If you are not – a ‘spa’ literally means a complex with a HEAP of indoor swimming pools (and few outdoor ones) and several saunas complete with people lying around there all day as if they were at the beach. Except that they were indoors and walking around in bathrobes. Strange.

I was skeptical to say the least. I had no idea what to expect when we walked in the door. I was happily surprised to find though, that our vouchers entitled us to VIP status. Yep, I was a VIP in a bathrobe.

As a VIP we were taken upstairs to a private area, complete with lounge beds sectioned off from each other with sheer curtains one might find on a tropical resort. Upon opening my complimentary goody bag, I immediately donned my fluffy bathrobe (WITH a badge telling me to relax!) and my blue plastic thongs. I was also given a magazine and 2 bottles of mineral water. Fancy!

I kicked back with my magazine and free wifi (there was absolutely no reception in the building) and began my task of relaxing. This was helped by the delivery of our ‘morning snack’ – breads and dip. Delightful!

If I wasn’t on my lounge chair, I could be found in one of the many pools. I even tried the indoor/outdoor pool – yes, you literally swam out of the building where the rest of the pool is outside. I didn’t last long though, as keeping my head out of the water when the temperature is only 8 degrees is not pleasant. I guess that is why they play music underwater – to encourage you to keep your ears warm. I avoided the saunas – too much nakedness for me.

I was pleasantly surprised by my spa day. Word to the wise, for those not in the VIP area, BYO bathrobe.