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The new

6 theme- and health worlds covering an area of more than 32,000 sq. meters

Europe's most modern alpine health and leisure world covering an area of more than 32,000 sq. meters has opened.

With such features as six adventure and vitality worlds, a glass sky bar with a unique 360° panoramic view of the mountains, a multimedia adventure dome, oversized water slides, geysers, a sauna world with a mountain lake of its own and with its outstanding architecture, the Alpen Therme Gastein has set new standards.

The new Alpen Therme in Bad Hofgastein started its trial run on December 25 with a soft opening (the official opening took place in June 2004). Upon completion, it sets new standards as Europe's most modern alpine health and leisure world: six adventure and vitality worlds, spread over 14,000 sq. m. with a unique 360° panoramic view of the mountains and a 18,000 sq. m. park create a completely new dimension in relaxation, regeneration and recreational fun.

The project conceived by Mag. Michael Schafflinger, Managing Director of Alpen Therme Gastein together with the architect Martin Kohlbauer, who also designed the Galaxy 21-Tower, the Sophien Hospital and parts of the Gasometer in Vienna (the office buidling "The Eagle and the Ant) started an innovative trend in Europe: a "Sensual Spa" with a unique leisure world designed to thrill children and families, combined with a state-of-the-art health and performance testing centre up to NASA standards developed by physicians and scientists - and located in the midst of the spectacular mountain scenery and glaciers of the Hohe Tauern range.

The adventure dome - a pool with multimedia projections, several glass cubes illuminated by coloured lights, an outdoor sauna world with a mountain lake of its own and the only sky bar of its kind in Europe - a rooftop bar completely encased in glass with a panoramic view of the Alps - make Alpen Therme Gastein one of Europe's most modern recreational facilities. Reconstruction was completed in only one year and cost about 25 million Euros.

In an effort to harmonize the facility with the surroundings, mainly natural materials from the Alpine region were used for construction. Thus, the water from the Gastein springs, natural stone and wood become the symbols of the new thermal spa.

"Water holds a prominent place in the fields of health and beauty" says Managing Director Michael Schafflinger in explaining the philosophy of the dual approach focused on recreation and health. "At the same time, the fun and sports factor of water is important for families, youngsters, athletes and trendsetters. We have combined both and thus meet all demands."

The adventure worlds of Alpen Therme Gastein are subdivided into six areas:

• Leisure Area
• Adventure Area
• Sauna World
• Ladies Wellness and Beauty
• Fitness World
• Taste World

The six theme worlds in detail:
 
1. RELAX WORLD: The Leisure Area

The leisure area is an oasis of rest and relaxation. Its sensual design with panoramic glass fronts rising up almost ten metres offers a fascinating view of the Alps and thus integrates nature into the harmonious interior. Several zones for relaxation were spaced at different levels. The water attractions are designed exclusively for rest , regeneration and wellness.

Lighting plays a special role in the leisure area. A curved canopy of light creates a playful "celestial body" with electronically controlled lighting in the full colour range. Atmospheric lighting creates a meditative space for rest and regeneration.

As an oasis of relaxation and well-being, the new leisure area has several pools with a water surface of approx. 750 sq. meters. Geysers and water jets, energizing water massages and comfortable air bubble beds create the ambience necessary for the visitor to feel at one with himself.

In the mineral spring basin where the water flows from a rock grotto at a temperature of 40° C the power of thermal water can be felt intensely. The activity basin is perfect for subaquatic physical exercises.

The integrated outdoor thermal and athletic pools covering an area of over 400 sq. meters can be used all year round.

2. FAMILY WORLD: The Adventure Area

In the 12 m high adventure dome at the centre of "Family World" visitors feel transported to such exotic places as the jungle of Thailand or the North pole. A high-tech video system creates different moods and lets the swimmers escape into another world.

Fun is at the core of the adventure area. The Lazy River flow channel, the "Black Hole", a 110 metre rafting slide with a water curtain and changing light projections and the translucent speed slide promising a fast pace and fun are the main attractions.

A bridge is suspended above the water surface and can be used like a catwalk for shows and animations.

The little ones are also taken care of: with a wading pool, a changing area and a playing area for babies and toddlers.

3. SAUNA WORLD: The Hottest Village in the Alps

Working up a sweat while enjoying a breathtaking view of nature - this relaxing type of sauna experience can only be found in the new Alpen Therme. The sauna area with its three transparent glass cubes illuminated in different colours at night is located right at the centre of the spa park. It houses several spacious sauna chambers, steam baths and whirlpools.

The outdoor area can be accessed through a covered walkway. The cave sauna with its black rock surface, a classical Finnish sauna and a loft sauna offer perfect relaxation. 

The two small mountain lakes are a special feature: one has cold water for cooling-off, the other fairly hot thermal water. The terraced resting areas offer a view of the unique mountain panorama.

The interior of sauna world is comprised of a sauna with coloured lighting, steam grotto, Finnish sauna, infrared cubicle and as a special treat a "Laconium".

From the benches arranged between the columns of the glass roof and a spacious nudist zone visitors enjoy a breathtaking view of the Alpine scenery.

4. LADIES WORLD: The Beauty Oasis

Ladies world is an oasis for body and mind. At the centre of this sensual refuge for women are the sauna facilities with sunbathing terrace and a panoramic view of the surrounding Alpine landscape. A tea bar and a large room for personal grooming after a sauna session make this a very feminine place. In ladies world women can enjoy the perfect beauty service as well as relaxing massages, the tropical sun in the solarium and the sauna area reserved strictly for women.

New beauty treatments as well as the finest beauty and skin-care products by Phytomer, !QMS, Braukmann, Horst Kirchberger and Art Deco are available to choose from. There is also a high quality but affordable young line of cosmetic products by Bernard Cassiere.

Every treatment and care program is customized by cosmetic experts and carried out with a view to the individual needs of the customer: ranging from alternative body peeling on Hamam beds, Thalasso therapies and evening primrose oil packs on the soft pack bed to various kinds of cosmetic treatments to baths in the Caracalla tub and La Stone massages. Access to beauty world is not limited to visitors of the thermal centre. The new beauty and vitality area is also open to lifestyle-conscious men.

5. SPORTS WORLD: The Fitness Centre

Test your health with a check-up. The new centre of sports medicine offers a comprehensive service for recreational and competitive athletes at the highest academic level - from performance diagnosis to individual consultation on training. The latest in fitness equipment and a special sports program get anyone's body back into shape.

In the fitness world visitors will find not only professional advice according to sports science but also a varied range of training programs. The innovative fitness concept centres around customized programs with variable daily and weekly modules as well as a wide range of individual training units with personal coaches.

The fitness centre is accessible both from the outside and from inside the thermal centre. On more than 500 sq. metres floor space visitors will find top of the line equipment; the 100 sq. m. training gym is the perfect venue for fitness classes

Since its start, the sports and fitness centre headed by Dr. Johann Zeibig has aimed at becoming one of the leading facilities of its kind in Europe. Leading physicians and scientists treat and train clients at the highest academic level and offer a variety of top medical services: everything from anti-aging programs to super health check-ups.

The goal is to make clients aware of their bodies in a playful manner and to help the sporty client achieve the desired level of performance by means of innovative programs which can be maintained in everyday life.

Sports physiology, nutrition, far eastern medicine, mental training and the facilities of the thermal centre - they all combine to create a personalized program without neglecting fun and pleasure. The individual attention by a resident physician as well as the perfect infrastructure create an ideal setting for visitors to optimize their athletic performance.
The highlights are performance physiology, sports science, mental traing, weight reduction, alpine and high-altitude medicine, power diagnosis, acupuncture and bio-feedback. In the performance tests the main focus is on prevention.

6. TASTE WORLD: Sky Bar and Restaurant

A place to enjoy not only exquisite food but also equally fine architecture: the glass sky bar with a 360° panoramic view located on the roof of the thermal centre is unique in Europe. It is also the perfect venue for events.The terrace restaurant and café serves small culinary treats and a light wellness cuisine; a vitamin corner offers healthy refreshments.

For further information contact:

Gasteiner Thermenbetriebsges.m.b.H.&Co.KG
Mag. Michael Schafflinger
Manager
Sen. W. Wilfling Platz 1
5630 Bad Hofgastein
Tel. 06432 / 82 93-100
Fax 06432 / 82 93-14
e-mail: michael.schafflinger@kur-vitalzentrum.com
www.alpentherme.com

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