TRAVEL
Salt of the Earth
WORDS: Phil Hawkes PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied
This nature-based, unique wellness resort in Mazovia, Poland can help side effects from cancer treatment and other medical issues
The first thing I notice on arrival at EVA Park Life & Spa is the spectacular glass framed, enclosed spa pool. It’s the most visible hub for various treatment programs designed to help people recovering from many types of illness including some cancers such as mine…a metastasised melanoma. Often, it’s the side effects of cancer treatment such as skin complaints or respiratory conditions that are difficult to deal with, even when in remission.
At EVA Park, “brine” (salt/mineral water) is sourced from 1,750 metres below ground and constantly bubbles up into the pool at a constant temperature of about 35 degrees, certainly comfortable enough to spend at least half an hour swimming or immersed. There are also brine and freshwater Jacuzzis to relax in while you read, meditate or, if you really must, check your emails or finances!
That’s not all. There’s a “saline graduation tower” aka “Inhalatorium” in the nature park outside and if you haven’t seen one of these, it’s because this is an ancient healing treatment found only in a few countries; EVA Park is the only one of its kind near Poland’s capital, Warsaw.
I found this most useful for breathing exercises, with the brine and mineral water pumped up into a thatched courtyard and delivered to the atmosphere via a fine mist spray to be inhaled. You can sit and read, or meditate, or exercise in the courtyard for as long as you like although there are some medical precautions to follow.
Those are two of the resort’s major inclusions in carefully designed programs for guests. You may first have a consultation with one of their specialist doctors who will
advise which treatment is appropriate for you. My program recommended some physiotherapist (medical) massage which of course was welcome after many hours of flying and jetlag. I arrived with some lumbar pain, but this was quickly alleviated after two sessions. In fact, I have not had any back issues since leaving Poland.
There’s also a wellness/beauty spa in the resort building, offering a whole range of spa packages including cosmetology, facials and body shaping. I was not brave enough to try that one!
Resort rooms and suites are all comfortable, airconditioned and ensuite, of course, and the bathrooms with full bath plus separate shower are spacious and modern. As you’d expect, everything is spotlessly clean.
The in-house restaurant’s food and beverage is in line with healthy eating, and you can enjoy the local Polish beer or a selection of wines if you wish…but in moderation! For a change of diet, there are two other restaurants and a delightful bakery nearby (highly recommend the cheesecake), plus the charming little village of Konstancin about a kilometre away which has an assortment of shops and cafes including an excellent Italian restaurant. In fact the entire neighbourhood is pretty classy, with well-kept villas dominating the scene. You may find yourself checking local property prices, as I did!
Simple exercise like walking is something I do regularly at home, and the nature park around the Konstancin-Jeziorna area is exactly what I need as a daily routine. My visit was in Spring and as you can imagine, trees, flowers and shrubs were just coming into their joyous prime. There’s a stream and a small lake where you can sit and rest for a while as you indulge in a bit of people (and dog) watching.
How to get to Warsaw, and EVA Park
From Australia it’s fairly easy to include a stopover in Warsaw on your way to or from other parts of Europe. There’s a one-stop option via Doha or Dubai, or several other options via Hong Kong, Bangkok or Singapore.
From Warsaw Airport you can take a taxi or call an Uber using your Australian account.
Ride sharing is unbelievably cheap in Poland…the 30-40 minute trip costs only
AUD 20-25 depending on traffic.
