Saunas usually offer a “view” of their wooden walls, and that’s it. A mobile sauna has been operating in different places in Budapest for two years now, and year three has just begun near the Citadel on Gellért Hill, so you can take in the fantastic view while you sweat.
The outlook over Europe’s mightiest river is not so surprising when you consider that the owner of the sauna-in-a-minibus is the VaLyo Organisation, which is active in environmental protection and urban planning, especially concerning the Danube.
The name VaLyo is composed of the Hungarian words “város” (city) and “folyó” (river). The aim of the organisation is to teach Budapest citizens to love the Danube and to see it as an important part of their city. For this reason they organise many different projects each year, and apart from the mobile sauna these include an annual three-week festival and different competitions.
The sauna is small, holding up to six people, but it has all that is needed, with a changing room and a cold shower. The visitor only needs to bring towels, bathing costume and slippers. Visitors must register beforehand on the internet so that the sauna will be heated on time. The price is HUF 10,000 for 90 minutes, whether for one person or six.
Good for your health
Independent of possibly the best view in the city, going to the sauna is good for your health because, for one thing, it can increase your body resistance against catching a cold. This is the right time of year, then, for such a visit.
As during a session your body temperature may reach even 39 degrees Celsius, it has a similar effect to fever. Cells responsible for the immune system become more active and thus can better fight against infection.
However, saunas improve beauty as well: pores are cleansed, dirt is washed away by the sweat and it even helps in slimming. The cold shower at the end is very good for relaxing the muscles. Circulation, respiration and metabolism are also stimulated. Adding up all these positive effects, a visit to a sauna should certainly make you feel better.
See www.valyo.hu/sauna/, where bookings may be made.
