This is me in Tallinn, one of the stops on my Eastern Europe crusade!
A popular tradition in Eastern Europe and Russian culture is the bathhouse or banya? It involves lots of steam, a high heat and an invigorating beating with birch leaves and branches!
An integral part of the Russian banya is the birch broom. The leaves of the birch branch add to the experience and used properly provide the perfect massage to compliment the effects of the humidity of the banya.
After the heat phase many take an icy cold shower or immerse themselves in an icy water bath. In winter, many hardy banya veterans will leave the banya and immerse themselves in a snow bank.
Every element of the banya is invigorating, so take advantage of the opportunity and enjoy! Though one point to remember; leave your modesty at the door?
Eve Pope, Adventure World
