Inside Germany: Embracing 'Kur' culture, Heated Rivalry fandom and spring scenes

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might've missed. It’s published each Saturday by The Local's Editor or one of the team. Members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

How I found 'the cure' to the stresses of German life

It was at Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof that my Scottish friend who was visiting for a few days got her first proper taste of German culture.

"Zug fällt aus!" the board declared, confirming that our train was cancelled. 

"Germany is not efficient," I muttered, as we sat on a platform bench waiting for the next train, surrounded by pigeons.

"This is eating into our sauna time," my friend said, and she was right. 

We were eager to get to our destination: Bad Saarow, one of Germany’s famous Kurorte or spa towns, around an hour’s drive southeast from the capital or a little over two hours on trains (without delays).  

Specialising in natural health remedies, such as purified air and salt water, Germans have been enjoying Kurorte – which translates literally as "cure places" – for centuries. 

Today there are around 350 of these special wellness-focused areas across Germany. To become a state-recognised Kurort, a city or municipality needs to meet strict inspection standards for health-promoting infrastructure.

You can even be prescribed a Kur by your doctor in cases of illness or burnout that is covered by health insurance. 

READ ALSO: How to take a German wellness retreat for burnt-out parents

Bad Saarow, which sits on the shores of Scharmützelsee, has long drawn visitors looking for rest and recuperation. 

In the early 20th century it became a fashionable retreat for wealthy Berliners who flocked there for its mineral-rich thermal springs and therapeutic mud treatments. 

Today, it remains one of the region’s best-known wellness destinations, and is home to the sprawling SaarowTherme. 

When we eventually arrived – around an hour and a half later than planned – the stress of Berlin and Deutsche Bahn trains quickly faded. 

We were visiting Hotel Esplanade, one of the town’s hotels on the shores of the lake that has its own wellness centre.

After checking in and dumping our bags in the room, we were ready for the next – and much more pleasant – taste of German culture: the spa.

READ ALSO: Germany's best cure towns for wellness and why you should visit

Wrapped in fluffy white robes, wearing slippers and clutching our towels, we made our way to the wellness centre. Other guests were already heading off to get ready for dinner, leaving the facilities to us and just a couple of others. 

We immediately headed to the outdoor "brine swimming pool" that promises to promote blood circulation and relieve muscle tension. It was so warm that it felt like submerging in a cosy bath. And the drizzly April weather made it even more fun. 

But another cultural clash was looming... This one I had prepared my Scottish friend in advance.

"The thing about Germany is you have to be naked in the sauna," I said before booking the hotel. Germany is known for its relaxed attitude to public nudity. It is after all the home of FKK or free body culture and most spas are fully or partly "textile free".

“I’m okay with that. I’ll give it a try,” my friend had said. 

After nearly 10 years in Berlin, I’ve become fairly comfortable with Germany’s casual attitude towards nudity – a world away from Britain, where being naked tends to be treated as either mortifying or vaguely scandalous. So I was beyond proud of my pal for taking to this culture like a true German, without batting an eyelid.

Our favourite was the Finnish sauna hut outside where the temperature went up to over 80C. We had the whole sauna to ourselves and enjoyed the quiet time.

The next day we spent a few more hours in the spa, dipping into the brine pool again and heading back into the saunas and the steam room. 

After a few hours my skin felt amazing and I was super chilled out. 

Sadly, we had to head back to Berlin and leave the beloved spa behind as our budget only allowed for one night. 

However, now I realise that the best way to deal with the stresses of German life – whether it's Deutsche Bahn delays or letters from the Finanzamt – is to embrace the Kur culture.

My Scottish pal and I are already planning our next visit.

READ ALSO: 'Comfortable in my own skin' - Foreigners react to public nudity in Germany

Blooming country 

After a short trip back home to Scotland, I'm delighted to find that spring is in full swing in Berlin.

Fresh green leaves are growing on the trees on my street, and the cherry blossoms are out. 

Elsewhere in the country, there are beautiful scenes. In Schwaneberg, Saxony-Anhalt, the tulip fields have burst into vibrant colours. At the "Spezialkulturen Degenhardt-Sellmann", visitors can visit and pick their own tulips. 

Where to get your Heated Rivalry fix

Be honest: are you obsessed with Heated Rivalry? Do you have the steamy, ice hockey romance on HBO Max starring the dreamy Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams on repeat? Do you go around saying "I’m coming to the cottage?"

If so, you are not alone. I am also a superfan. 

And it appears Heated Rivalry fever is sweeping Germany, too. You can indulge your obsession here in a few different ways.

A number of club nights have been springing up such as HudCon, the Heated Rivalry Night. The event happens all over Germany. It's scheduled to come to Berlin on April 30th and is in Munich on May 1st. 

Now if you actually want to see some ice hockey in action, check out a German Ice Hockey League game. 

It's been difficult to get a ticket this season to see the Eisbären play in Berlin given their popularity and the fact they’ve made it to the playoff finals. 

Still, you could purchase a Heated Rivalry-inspired shirt from the Eisbären Berlin team store. The question is are you Team Rozanov or Team Hudson?