by Stephen Williams
The thermal baths of Northern Italy, and Tuscany in particular, must have started a way of holidaymaking that is now one of the most luxurious and pleasurable that you could possibly indulge in.
Having discovered warm-water springs along the peninsula, the Romans exported the concept of using them to rejuvenate the body and the spirit in a communal way everywhere they went. Bath in the UK is a great example and is still working after two thousand years – they even named the town after the practice.
A visit to a spa is a popular pastime, and a day spent in the bubbling waters of any thermal bath is not just an indulgence, but actually good for you!
There are all sorts of treatments on offer, or you can just relax and enjoy the atmosphere just like you would on the beach. You get used to the smell of sulphur, honestly.
Modern resorts require payment to enter, but there are plenty of ancient springs that are actually free.
Take the Terme di Bagno Vignoni (try Villa Bandini) for example. They are off the beaten track and can be difficult to find, but if you can, they are fantastic. The fountain in the town square used to be where the bathing took place, but it’s been moved now to another location.
The one I have been to and enjoyed the most was Saturnia (try Casale Sole – it has a jacuzzi I practically lived in), not far from the Argentario peninsula in the Maremma region of Tuscany, convenient for our villas L’Acacia and Villa della Pia. Legend has it that the waters were created when Jupiter and Saturn threw thunderbolts at each other and some of them missed. More prosaically, they became a major attraction in the 1800s when the land was drained and the splendidly picturesque waterfalls came into being.The natural waterfalls are free, no payment required, but you have to be careful where you park – you might get a fine. If you like something a bit more modern (with easy parking) go to the spa resort next door where there’s a series of man-made pools using the water (and gas) from the springs.
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San Casciano dei Bagni (try Casa delle Piazze) is a great old-style spa with plenty of mud treatments – great fun. Rapolano Terme (try Il Leccio) is great for wine therapy -you’ve got to try it.
So go ahead and spoil your better half with a day of pure pleasure at the spa of your choice. Both of you will feel so much better, and it’s a day out for the kids too. They always love the water, don’t they, especially when it’s warm.
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