thermae

An architect from ancient Rome finds himself in hot water in modern-day Japan in the new animated series “Thermae Romae Novae.”

Bathing is among our oldest self-care rituals: The ancient Greeks regularly soaked their aching muscles after workouts at the gymnasium, and the Romans constructed elaborate thermae — multiroom public bathhouses — throughout their empire from 27 B.C.

The resort Adler Thermae in Tuscany, Italy, opened in 2004 with 90 rooms, and in 2016 added a 20-acre vineyard filled with Sangiovese grapes.

I also enjoy the Thermae Bath Spa, particularly during chilly evening visits, when Bath’s twilight glows through the steam from the rooftop pool.

And the corner room had tall windows along two walls, with views of the rooftop pool at the neighboring Thermae Bath Spa, the spires of the Bath Abbey and surrounding verdant hillsides.