Beer Baths a Hit at Czech Spa

If a pint of Czech beer sounds good, just imagine a tub-full. A spa in the Czech Republic is offering visitors "beer therapy" which involves soaking in the stuff, and reaping the supposed health benefits.

Published

4 months ago

Categories

Lifestyle

Topics

Travel & Tourism, Europe

Places

Czech Republic, Prague

Transcript

SCRIPT: This, is a hotel with a difference. Instead of ordering your beer by the pint, here it comes by the tub! The hotel and spa in the western Czech village of Chodova Plana is a beer lovers' paradise, where you can sip beer and soak in it too -- and it’s a big hit. SOUNDBITE 1: Monika Krauskopfova, a client living in the region [Czech, 10 sec]: "You can smell it's beer, it's very different from your typical bubble bath, little bits stick to your skin." The tub is filled with a rich, relaxing and rejuvenating mixture of herbs, and equal parts heated mineral water and dark beer from the local Chodovar micro-brewery. A nurse specialising in beer-therapy makes sure the suds are just right. SOUNDBITE 2: Hana Pelanova, nurse spa Chodova Plana [Czech, 15 sec]: "The water contains minerals and thanks to the beer bubbles, it penetrates the skin. It's good for the hair, nails, exfoliating the skin and above all for blood circulation. ' While there's no scientific proof the treatments work, clients swear by them. They're also working wonders for the town's economic health. Each year around 10,000 tourists from across the globe visit this unique spa. The demand is also has business booming at the Chodovar brewery. SOUNDBITE 3: Mojmir Prokes, director of the Chodova Plana spa hotel [Czech, 14 sec]: "I ​​think guests who take classic water procedures, gas injections etc.. are very happy to visit our hotel to try something different. With our size, we are no critical competition for big spas. ' But it's still better book in advance. Despite it being pricey -- about 33 dollars for 20 minutes in the tub -- the spa is usually booked solid and no one seems to be able to resist yet another free pint. SHOTLIST: Prague, 13 January 2013 SOURCE: AFPTV - A nurse from the Chodova Plana spa fills a bathtub with beer (3 shots) - The entry of Chodova Plana village (1 shot) - A client immersed in a beer bath, drinking a beer (2 shots) SOUND 1 - Various shots of the process of preparing the beer bath (4 shots) SOUND 2 - Wooden plaque/sculpture of a woman in a bath of beer hung at the entrance of the hotel (1 shot) - Various shots of Chodova Plana village with advertising for beer spa (2 shots) - Tourists pay their bill at the reception of the hotel (1 shot) - The hotel manager (left) takes a Chodovar beer by a fountain at the local brewery where the beer is made (2 shots) SOUND 3 - Various shots of a client sipping his pint in the bath (3 shots)