Beautiful images of the planet's best hot springs and al fresco bathing spots

Daily Mail ^ | 17 February 2018 | Dailymail.com Reporter

[mairdie]

There's nothing like a bath at the end of a long day, and it's a tradition with some serious clout behind it.

The ancient Greeks used 'the water cure' to promote their vision of healing the mind and body in tandem, while in the 19th Century, 'taking the waters' became something of an obsession.

Doctors on both sides of the Atlantic prescribed hydropathy as a cure for everything from ulcers to hysteria, as well to-do urbanites flocked to al fresco hot spots. And it wasn't just quackery, either; even with the advances of modern medicine, recent research shows therapeutic bathing to be a powerful elixir.

[mairdie]

[fella]

There are hot springs that will cook the meat right off of your bones.

[mairdie]

Silent movie sirens come back into the spotlight in a stunning collection of colourised portraits

[mairdie]

Touching photo of gorilla hugging the man who saved her from becoming bushmeat wins wildlife photograph of the year

[mairdie]

Breath-taking underwater footage shows Tony the four-month-old hippo riding on his mother's back so he can come up for air

[mairdie]

'Missy Elliott's dog has more style than I do!' Rapper's tiny Yorkshire Terrier Hoodie takes social media by storm with his incredible designer outfits - including his very own GUCCI vest

[Jamestown1630]

Owl is precious.

[mairdie]

Paw-five! Miki the gentle lion grabs her best friend Camila the chocolate labrador's paw and gives it a kiss

[mairdie]

He's a big teddy bear! The incredible moment animal sanctuary owner cuddles up to 1,400-pound, 10-foot tall beast who just needed cheering up

[mairdie]

The hedgehogs with no PRICKLES: Completely bald hoglets are found wandering the streets after losing all their spines through 'shock attack by a cat'

[mairdie]

Can you see it? Incredible optical illusion tricks your brain into thinking the exact SAME photos of a street are taken at different angles

[mairdie]

PING

[Rushmore Rocks]

Your wonderful pictures always brighten my day. Thanks and blessings to you.

[mairdie]

You know that you’re always at the top of my mountain, Rushmore. Letting me know you like them makes it so worthwhile. Thank you.

[windcliff]

Wow those are great.

[trisham]

Thanks for such beautiful pics!

[mairdie]

Thank YOU for enjoying them with me. That’s what makes it fun.

[trisham]

I hear you, sweetheart. :)

[Wuli]

I have been to the Blue Lagoon Spa in Iceland. Five stars.