A Wellness getaway does not necessarily mean leaving your pet at home. ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea welcomes stays with dogs and cats upon request, making it an attractive choice for travellers looking for a pet-friendly Wellness hotel in Altea, Spain.

Set in a privileged Mediterranean location between the sea and the mountains, ZEM focuses on wellbeing, recovery and longevity. Guests can combine their stay with access to Spa and Fitness areas, outdoor swimming pools, Mediterranean Experience activities and a selection of personalised treatments and rituals.

The possibility of travelling to Altea with a dog or cat is a valuable advantage for guests who consider their pets part of the family and prefer to enjoy their holiday or Wellness retreat together.

Pet stays are available upon prior request and confirmation by the property, and specific conditions or additional charges should be checked when making the reservation.

At Máxima Bienestar, we can help organise your stay at ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea and check the relevant pet-friendly conditions in advance.

Would you like to walk the Camino de Santiago and earn your Compostela while enjoying comfortable accommodation and proper recovery after every stage? Máxima Bienestar offers a different way to experience the Camino: active days on the trail followed by relaxing evenings in a thermal Spa.

From 11 to 17 October 2026, participants will walk approximately 110 kilometres through Galicia, starting in Ourense and finishing in Santiago de Compostela. Throughout the six-night programme, accommodation is provided at Balneario de Laias 4*, a thermal hotel surrounded by Galician nature and overlooking the Miño River.

Each day combines activity and recovery: breakfast at the hotel, a guided walking stage, lunch in an authentic local restaurant, followed by a return to the hotel for thermal pools, Spa time and wellness treatments. Dinner and a comfortable night’s rest prepare guests for the following day’s route.

The programme includes six nights with full board, daily access to the thermal facilities, three hydromassage baths, three hydrotherapy sessions, one recovery massage and one sports leg massage, as well as guide assistance, transfers, a support bus, four excursions and medical insurance.

The walking route includes Ourense – Cea (22 km), Cea – Oseira – Dozón (21 km), Dozón – Silleda (29 km), Silleda – Vedra (20 km) and Vedra – Santiago de Compostela (18 km). The final day brings participants into Santiago de Compostela, with the opportunity to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass, receive the Compostela certificate and celebrate the journey with a special dinner.

This programme is designed for travellers who want an organised Camino de Santiago in Spain while enjoying nature, history and Galician gastronomy without giving up comfort and wellness.

Walk the Camino. Discover Galicia. Recover in thermal waters. And arrive in Santiago de Compostela.

Emerging naturally at 47.3 °C and with a history dating back to Roman times, the thermal waters of Laias remain at the heart of one of Ourense’s traditional spa destinations

The story of Balneario de Laias begins with its water. According to the Vademécum de las Aguas Mineromedicinales de Galicia, the thermal springs of Laias are believed to have been used since Roman times, forming part of Galicia’s long-established thermal tradition.

In 1877, Nicolás Taboada Leal referred to the historic baths of Laias in his work Hidrología Médica de Galicia. More organised use of the springs began in the mid-19th century, when several stone bathing pools were already used for thermal bathing.

The spa went through several transformations. In 1975, the original baths were submerged following the construction of the Castrelo de Miño reservoir. A new establishment opened in 1977, and after another period of change, the present Hotel Balneario de Laias was inaugurated in 2001.

Natural thermal water at 47.3 °C

The documented analysis of the Laias mineromedicinal water records a natural spring temperature of 47.3 °C. The water is described as colourless, odourless and tasteless.

Its mineral composition shows a particularly significant presence of sodium, together with potassium, calcium, lithium and magnesium. Its natural temperature and mineral profile make the water suitable for a variety of traditional balneotherapy and hydrotherapy techniques.

How are the thermal waters of Laias traditionally used?

The spa documentation highlights their traditional use as part of programmes focused particularly on the musculoskeletal system, including muscular discomfort, knee and hip osteoarthritis, cervical and lumbar conditions, certain tendinopathies, myofascial syndromes and fibromyalgia.

The water is also included as a complementary element in selected dermatological and healthy-ageing programmes aimed at maintaining mobility and physical function.

At Balneario de Laias, the mineromedicinal water is used through different techniques, including hydromassage baths, thermal pools, therapeutic jets, circular showers, hydrotherapy, aquatic physiotherapy and shower massage.

Today, Laias Caldaria Hotel Balneario 4* combines this thermal heritage with comfortable accommodation, Galician nature and wellness experiences beside the Miño River.

It is a destination where thermal tourism in Galicia can be understood through its most important natural resource: the water itself.

Set in historic Peñaranda de Duero, Burgos, Castilla Termal Palacio de Avellaneda 5* occupies the magnificent former Palace of the Counts of Miranda, a 16th-century Renaissance building recognised as a protected cultural landmark.

The character of the palace has been carefully preserved while introducing contemporary five-star comfort. Its 80 rooms and suites are designed as peaceful, light-filled spaces connected with the surrounding town, with views towards Plaza de los Duques de Miranda, the Collegiate Church of Santa Ana and the historic landscape of Castile.

A central part of the experience is the hotel’s Spa & Wellness area, a peaceful retreat created to slow down, relax and restore balance. Personalised treatments and wellness experiences make it possible to combine cultural exploration of Ribera del Duero with genuine time dedicated to wellbeing.

Gastronomy is equally important. The hotel’s culinary philosophy celebrates local and seasonal produce, giving Castilian tradition a sophisticated contemporary interpretation. And in one of Spain’s most celebrated wine regions, Ribera del Duero wines naturally play a leading role in the dining experience.

The destination itself is worth exploring. Peñaranda de Duero offers a medieval castle, Renaissance architecture, traditional wine cellars, local gastronomy and an authentic glimpse of Castilian life.

The hotel is also Dog Friendly, allowing guests to discover Ribera del Duero together with their dog, subject to the property’s current pet accommodation conditions.

Castilla Termal Palacio de Avellaneda 5* brings together a luxury historic hotel, Spa & Wellness, fine dining and wine tourism, offering a distinctive way to experience the heart of Ribera del Duero.

On 24 and 25 September 2026, Ourense in Galicia will once again become an international meeting point for thermal tourism, Wellness and health travel with the celebration of Termatalia 2026 at the Expourense exhibition centre.

One of the key events will be the 7th International Congress on Water and Health, bringing together professionals and experts to explore the present and future of thermal waters, thermal medicine, Wellness and health tourism.

One of the main themes will be water, health and longevity, with a focus on thermal medicine, hydrology and prevention. The programme will also explore the latest developments in Wellness and wellness tourism, including new trends, professional experiences and innovation.

Artificial intelligence and innovation will form another important part of the congress, with discussions on applied AI, research and new technological solutions for the health, hospitality and tourism sectors.

The programme will also address the future of thermalism, looking at the evolution of wellness tourism and the growing potential of geothermal resources.

Termatalia continues to bring together professionals, destinations, thermal resorts, Spa and Wellness hotels, health centres, institutions and specialists in thermal and wellness tourism, creating an international platform for knowledge exchange and new approaches to prevention, longevity and holistic wellbeing.

The full programme for Termatalia 2026 and the International Congress on Water and Health is available on the event’s official website.

Sometimes the best gift is not something you can wrap, but the opportunity to slow down, recharge and dedicate time to yourself.

With Máxima Bienestar, you can purchase a gift certificate either for a chosen amount or for a specific stay, Wellness programme or experience.

The certificate can be created for a particular thermal resort, Spa hotel, Wellness centre, Thalasso destination or retreat from the Máxima Bienestar collection. Alternatively, you can choose a fixed-value certificate and allow the recipient to select the destination and programme that suits them best.

A thermal getaway, a Wellness weekend, Spa treatments, massages, a recovery programme, a retreat or a complete wellbeing journey can all become a meaningful and memorable gift.

The Máxima Bienestar team can help you choose the most suitable option according to the occasion, personal preferences and budget.

A Máxima Bienestar gift certificate is a way to give relaxation, experiences and valuable time for oneself.

To request a certificate, simply contact us with the desired amount or the experience you would like to give.

The Gran Hotel Balneario de Puente Viesgo in Cantabria bases many of its thermal and wellness programmes on its own mineral-medicinal spring water.

The spring was officially declared of Public Utility in 1869. Its water naturally emerges at a constant temperature of approximately 33.8°C, with a pH of 7.4 and medium mineralisation, including a dry residue of around 1,278 mg/l.

According to its predominant ionic composition, the water is classified as sodium chloride-rich, with bicarbonates, calcium and magnesium also present, together with dissolved nitrogenous gases.

This mineral profile forms part of the spa’s historical identity and supports the different applications used within its thermal wellness programmes.

Under professional supervision, these mineral-medicinal waters have traditionally been incorporated into programmes focusing on the musculoskeletal system, physical recovery, certain respiratory conditions, peripheral circulation, relaxation and stress management.

Thermal water in different forms

At the medical thermal centre, the water is used at controlled temperatures through different hydrotherapy and balneotherapy techniques.

These include bubble baths and hydromassage, thermal pools and water circuits, as well as specialised thermal showers and pressure jets.

Inhalation techniques such as inhalations, aerosols and nebulisation are also used, together with complementary treatments including thermal mud and parafango applications.

Spaces such as the Templo del Agua and the Circuito Cántabro integrate thermal water into a broader experience of relaxation, movement and wellbeing.

Puente Viesgo is therefore an excellent example of thermal tourism in Spain, where spa heritage, professional thermal care and contemporary Wellness come together around one essential natural resource: water.

Located in La Hermida, Cantabria, at the foot of the Picos de Europa, Balneario de La Hermida 4★ has a long thermal tradition. The use of its springs for wellbeing purposes was already documented in the mid-18th century, while a dedicated bathhouse with guest accommodation was built beside the spring in 1842.

The heart of the experience is its mineral-medicinal thermal water, which naturally emerges from three springs at around 60°C, with a flow of approximately eight litres per second. Its physicochemical profile is described as hyperthermal, sodium-chloride and highly mineralised.

Today, this thermal heritage is combined with contemporary Wellness, hydrotherapy and relaxation experiences, including thermal circuits, massages and body treatments. A particular highlight is the Cueva Termal, opened in 2021: an outdoor thermal area surrounded by mountains, with different pools and spaces using water at around 38°C.

Its location also makes La Hermida an attractive destination for combining thermal tourism in Spain, nature and Wellness. Cantabria has a strong spa tradition, with many of its historic thermal centres located in or close to remarkable natural landscapes.

Balneario de La Hermida offers a different way to experience northern Spain — through thermal water, mountain landscapes and time dedicated to rest and wellbeing.

The Camino de Santiago, or Way of St James, is not a single trail but a network of historic pilgrimage routes leading to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia and its famous cathedral.

For centuries, these routes have connected different parts of Europe and have become one of the world’s best-known pilgrimage journeys.

Today, the Camino goes far beyond its religious origins. Travellers come for the history, landscapes of northern Spain, cultural heritage, gastronomy, nature and the unique experience of walking day after day.

Many sections of the Camino form part of UNESCO World Heritage. Historic churches, monasteries, bridges, villages and towns still reflect the centuries-old movement of pilgrims across Europe.

Yet perhaps the greatest attraction is the journey itself. Each day brings new landscapes, encounters and experiences, until the route reaches its symbolic destination: the square in front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Pilgrims who meet the official requirements may also receive the famous Compostela certificate.

Camino de Santiago — with a different level of comfort

Not everyone wants to carry a heavy backpack, change accommodation every night or sleep in traditional pilgrim hostels.

That is why Máxima Bienestar offers a different way to experience the Camino — combining active walking with thermal recovery and comfortable accommodation.

This autumn, we are creating a small group to walk more than 100 km of the Camino de Santiago through Galicia.

Throughout the programme, guests stay at Balneario Laias 4★. Mornings begin with breakfast followed by the day’s Camino stage. Days are filled with Galician landscapes, history and gastronomy, while evenings are dedicated to thermal waters, recovery treatments and rest.

The programme includes 6 nights’ accommodation, full board, daily access to the thermal area, hydrotherapy and massages, a professional guide, transfers, a support vehicle, excursions and insurance.

The journey concludes in Santiago de Compostela, with the opportunity to obtain the Compostela for participants who meet the official requirements.

A journey everyone experiences differently

For some, the Camino is a physical challenge. For others, it is an opportunity to slow down, reconnect or discover authentic Galicia.

Our format allows you to experience the journey without giving up comfort, quality rest and physical recovery after each active day.

Camino by day. Thermal recovery in the evening. And more than 100 km along one of the world’s most iconic routes.

Máxima Bienestar is now forming its group for the autumn departure. Places are limited — contact our team for dates, the full programme and participation details.

Lobios Caldaria Hotel Balneario 4★ is located beside the Baixa Limia–Serra do Xurés Natural Park, close to the Portuguese border. Its wellness concept combines traditional balneotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage and recovery in a peaceful natural environment.

One of Lobios’ defining features is its hyperthermal mineral-medicinal water, which emerges at temperatures above 70°C. The water is very lightly mineralised, alkaline and characterised by a predominance of bicarbonates and sodium.

At the thermal centre, the water is used through a variety of treatments, including thermal pools, individual baths, hydromassage, thermal showers, water jets and aquatic physiotherapy.

Treatments worth experiencing

Hydromassage Bath
An individual bath using mineral-medicinal water and hydromassage jets, designed to relax the muscles and ease accumulated tension.

Termarium Aquis
A complete thermal circuit combining dry and humid heat, aromatic showers, jacuzzi, a relaxation thermal pool and heated loungers.

Full Vitalising Massage
A more energising full-body massage designed to restore tone and a feeling of lightness.

Full Relaxation Massage
A gentle full-body treatment focused on deep relaxation and switching off from everyday stress.

The thermal experience can also include parafango, thermal showers and jets, physiotherapy, dry and humid heat treatments, beauty treatments and medical consultation.

Lobios Caldaria offers an authentic interpretation of Galician thermalism, where mineral-medicinal water remains at the heart of every wellness experience.

A journey is about much more than the hotel, thermal resort or Wellness programme you choose. History, architecture, gastronomy, nature and local culture can turn a wellbeing break into a much richer travel experience.

That is why Máxima Bienestar is expanding its collaboration with official professional guides in different regions of Spain.

Our guests can complement a stay at a thermal resort, Spa hotel, Wellness centre or retreat with private tours, gastronomic routes, historic city walks, cultural experiences or excursions focused on the natural surroundings of the destination.

Depending on the region, we can help select the most suitable professional guide and type of experience. Our collaborating guides work in different languages, allowing each visit to be adapted to the guest’s preferences.

Another way to make your journey personal

Guide recommendations and assistance in selecting a guide are provided without an additional Máxima Bienestar service fee.

Tours and guiding services are paid directly to the professional guide according to their official rates and conditions.

A journey with Máxima Bienestar can therefore combine Wellness, thermal experiences, culture, gastronomy, nature and authentic local experiences within one carefully planned stay.

Máxima Bienestar is more than finding the right Wellness destination. We also help you discover the place you are travelling to.

With the arrival of the harvest season comes one of the most inspiring times of the year to explore Spain’s wine regions. Vineyards and wineries prepare for the new harvest, while wine, gastronomy and local traditions take centre stage.

It is the perfect season to discover Castilla Termal experiences in destinations such as Ribera del Duero, Ribera Soriana and Rueda, where each getaway offers the chance to connect with the landscape, local flavours and the culture of wine in an authentic and elegant way.

Among the featured experiences is Entre Aguas y Viñedos, a getaway that combines accommodation and breakfast, a visit to a local winery and a gastronomic experience with wine pairing. It is a wonderful way to enjoy the world of wine while also embracing relaxation, thermal wellbeing and a slower pace.

Harvest season is much more than a time of year — it is an invitation to enjoy the essence of each destination, savour local gastronomy and combine wine, nature and wellness in one memorable escape.

ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea becomes a double finalist at the Destination Deluxe Awards 2026

Mediterranean longevity, science-led wellbeing and the Prime Longevity Programme have earned ZEM two prestigious international nominations

ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea 5★ Grand Luxury has been named a finalist in two categories at the prestigious Destination Deluxe Awards 2026, which recognise leading Wellness destinations, Spas, retreats and longevity programmes around the world.

ZEM has been shortlisted for Wellness Retreat of the Year, while its Prime Longevity Programme is a finalist for Wellness Program of the Year.

The clinic is also participating in the People’s Choice Award 2026, with voting open until 31 August.

Discover Mediterranean Longevity

ZEM’s philosophy is built around the concept of Mediterranean Longevity — a combination of advanced science, personalised diagnostics and the principles of Mediterranean living.

Its approach goes far beyond a conventional Wellness stay. The focus is on improving sleep, increasing energy, strengthening resilience, supporting metabolic health, maintaining a healthy weight and enhancing long-term quality of life.

Each programme is designed around the individual guest and may combine medical assessment, nutrition, movement, restorative therapies, Wellness treatments and lifestyle guidance.

When more time off does not mean deeper recovery

ZEM also explores an increasingly relevant question: why can we sometimes return from a holiday feeling more tired than rested?

Later nights, travel, changing routines, heat and constant stimulation can affect the way we sleep and recover. Even when we have more free time, the body may still struggle to fully switch off.

At ZEM, rest is considered an essential part of the body’s ability to restore, regulate and adapt. Sleep quality, circadian rhythm and nervous system regulation therefore play an important role within its approach to health optimisation.

Health Optimisation Expert Natalie Lefevre, reflecting on her stay at ZEM, highlights this integrated vision in which body, mind and wellbeing are understood as part of the same journey.

ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea represents a contemporary approach to Wellness and longevity, bringing together advanced science, Mediterranean living and deeply personalised care.