Bare all and...RELAX

Experiencing a German spa where you're expected to go nude isn't so bad, says Catherine Lawler

Girls’ getaway 

It’s one thing to lose weight to wear a bikini on holiday… but quite another to remove it in a German sauna. When agreeing to a girls’ weekend in the Black Forest, I was aware of the culture of being naked in the sauna, but had certainly not committed to this bit. However, I also didn’t want to look out of place wearing a swimming cossie. Would I be ridiculed for being so obviously British?

Getting acquainted

We were staying at Eden Hotel, opposite the thermal spa in Bad Krozingen, near Freiburg. It’s easy to reach by flying directly to Basel in Switzerland then hopping on a train. And if you’re used to paying UK spa prices, you’ll be pleasantly surprised – it cost less than £500 for three nights, including flights, bed and breakfast, entry to the Vita Classica spa each day, plus a full-body aroma-energy massage.

The spa is vast, with themed gardens, six indoor pools and two outdoor ones, with a series of waterfalls, massage jetsand whirlpool baths. Much to my relief, you’re required to wear a costume in these areas.