In the latest Long Read on the Outside Podcast, Europe’s wellness giant is building Roman Bath-inspired health centers across the globe. Will its stadium-sized spas be a hit in the USA?
Published August 19, 2026 04:13PM
Health spas in the United States are small, expensive, and often exclusive. In Europe, spa culture is supersized, egalitarian, and designed to accommodate the masses. Therme, a global giant in the industry of wellness, has built a handful of stadium-sized spas across Europe. Now, the company is eyeing Dallas and Washington D.C. for expansion. In the latest Long Read on the Outside Podcast, we travel with writer Bill Gifford to Bucharest, Romania, to try out relaxation in the style of the Roman Baths. Are Americans ready to rest and relax at this scale?
