Natural wellness oases in the midst of untouched nature
Sanus per aquam – healthy through water, the ancient Romans already knew that. And where hot water bubbles up from the earth, rest and relaxation are not far away. Tuscany is one of the regions in Italy with the most thermal springs. Whether in the northwest on the edge of the Apuan Alps, south of Siena in the Crete Senesi, in the southern Maremma or at the foot of the extinct volcano Monte Amiata - many of these natural wellness oases are located in the middle of untouched nature and are still a real insider tip.
Recharge your batteries before the long winter
Thermal baths can work wonders to strengthen your immune system for the winter. The beneficial effect lies in the interaction of warmth and weightlessness. If the body is surrounded by warm water, the body temperature rises, the blood vessels expand, breathing becomes deeper and more vital oxygen can be absorbed. The carrying capacity of the water also reduces body weight by around 90 percent, so that the pressure on muscles and joints decreases. In addition, the warm water relaxes the body and stimulates the release of endorphins - the body's natural pain fighters. Tuscany's thermal springs contain sulfur, iodine, bromine and other trace elements that can have a positive effect on rheumatic diseases, metabolic disorders, inflammation and skin problems. That's why bathing in the thermal springs of Tuscany is also ideal for prevention.
The thermal springs of Tuscany
In addition to official thermal facilities, which are often included Wellness Hotels There are numerous natural sources that can be used completely free of charge:
Not far from the sea in the Maremma, on the main road from Grosseto to Siena is the Petriolo thermal baths. In addition to a hotel with a thermal center, you can relax in natural tubs in the hot water and enjoy the wonderful nature.
The Terme di Saturnia is one of the most famous thermal springs in Tuscany and for guests of the Agriturismo Saturnia it's right on the doorstep. Dante already raved about the sulfur springs and the “Cascate del Molino” (also called “Cascate del Gorello”), a fantastic waterfall, in his “Divina Commedia”.
Probably the most spectacular sources Bagni San Filippo are located at the foot of Monte Amiata in the province of Siena. The small thermal bath is one of the oldest spas in the world fed directly from a hot spring.
According to legend, they were Bagni Chiusini Founded in San Casciano dei Bagni (in English: Baths of San Casciano) by the Etruscans. There are more than 40 springs in the town with an average temperature of 40 degrees, which bring the third largest amount of thermal water to the surface at more than five million liters.
The thermal resort is in a scenic location between San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza Bagno Vignoni with its ancient thermal pool in the historic center. Although you are no longer allowed to swim in this pool, there is a natural bathing area fed by a small thermal stream just below the town. For your wellness holiday we recommend the chamante Bed & Breakfast Hotel Castel del Piano.
Wellness and vacation
Do you want to really switch off on your vacation and let yourself be pampered from head to toe? Then we recommend you:
The Grotta Giusti, the thermal grotto, in Monsummano. It is a true gift of nature. On the way to the deepest part of the cave you pass “Paradiso” (Heaven), “Purgatorio” (Purgatory) and “Inferno” (Hell), where it gradually gets warmer. In Limbo (limbo) there is a small lake with a constant water temperature of 36 degrees. As early as the 19th century, Giuseppe Verdi described the thermal grotto as the “eighth wonder of the world” and it continues to enchant visitors to this day.
or the Terme di Sassetta, a stylish wellness facility with its own thermal water source, just a five-minute walk from “Holiday home Sassetta", a holiday home in a beautiful hillside location in the middle of a nature reserve.
By the way: In Rapolano, a well-known spa town in the Crete Senesi, you can relax in the wellness centers of the two thermal baths vacation on the farm combine perfectly with relaxation – even into the evening hours.
