In our area, there are beautiful opportunities for those looking for thermal centers to relax for a day or to undergo a multi-day thermal treatment to rejuvenate. These are places that best embody the acronym "spa," which stands for "Salus per aquam," meaning "health through water." Originally, only places that use thermal waters or their derivatives and have recognized therapeutic efficacy can use epithets such as "terme," "termale," "acqua termale," "fango termale," "idrotermale," "idrominerale," "thermae," and, of course, "spa."

Today, the term "spa" is often used for all facilities that have a pool where treatments like massages or aesthetic treatments are offered as well.

Here are the main opportunities available in our area:

Montecatini Terme - Terme Tettuccio:

The waters of Montecatini Terme have purifying properties and are recommended for the entire digestive system. The treatment that can be done here is hydrotherapy, which involves drinking the water. The place to undergo these treatments is the Tettuccio establishment.

Also in Montecatini Terme, at the Terme Redi, there is an indoor thermal pool that uses pleasantly warm thermal water, particularly recommended for winter or the shoulder seasons.

Another truly captivating place is the Grotta Giusti Spa, located in Monsummano Terme. Here too, natural thermal water that flows from the ground, naturally warm, is used. At Grotta Giusti, there is an outdoor thermal pool with various hydro-massage stations. It's especially enjoyable in winter, although on extremely cold days, the water may not be sufficiently warm. However, the unique feature is the Thermal Grotto. Details can be found in the specific article.

A place that fully meets the expectations of a modern Wellness Center is Asmana, which I will discuss more extensively below.

Many people, however, would like to visit the Terme di Saturnia. And who can blame them! They are truly splendid and unique, but it takes at least three and a half hours to get there. It's not impossible to do it in a day, but it can be quite demanding. Additionally, the waters of the Terme di Saturnia are very hot, so it's preferable to visit in the winter or during the shoulder seasons when the temperature is still quite cool.

The cure par excellence is the water drinking cure with the famous drink symbolised by a glass, but there are also irrigation cures, baths, mud baths, massage, hydromassage and physical therapy.

The main therapeutic advantages are in treatment of the digestive apparatus, especially constipation, liver and bile duct illnesses, metabolic disorders and dismetabolic arthropathy. 

The spa complex consisted of nine establishments, one in correspondence with each of the 9 different springs originally present, but today only the Terme Tettuccio are used, after having conveyed the four waters today available to this establishment.

The mineral spa waters spring out of a depth of about 2000 m at a rate of 1800 litres per minute, with a maximum temperature at spring level of 33,5 °C and the waters reach the surface both as

permeation springs and wells. All the springs are situated at the foot of the Panteraie hills, probably the original location of the waters. The physio-chemical composition varies from spring to spring, according to the concentration of the saline content in the thickness of the earth‘s crust, which enriches the water as it rises towards the surface. These are strong (Leopoldina), medium (Regina) and weak waters (Tettuccio, Rinfresco) and belong to the salt-sulphate-bicarbonatesodic group used for drinking (water cures). 

The thermal waters of the Tettuccio spring (weak) are physiologically similar to body fluids, and as they have a lower salt content than the blood they are easily absorbed, providing a detoxilying effect on the liver, stomach and intestines. 

The Regina waters (medium) are partly expelled and partly absorbed by the intestines and decongest the organs of the digestive system. 

The Leopoldina waters are strong and are completely expelled by the intestines, due to the high concentration of sea salt which favours intestinal functioning. 

The Rinfresco waters (weak) influence the function of the kidneys. However the use of all four types of water is recommended to benefit from the rebalancing properties.

www.termemontecatini.it

The Terme Redi, in via Marconi 2, just a few steps from the center of Montecatini Terme, have a pleasant thermal pool open to the public.

It is fueled by the Leopoldina thermal water, at 33.5°. It is an indoor pool, with a main pool with two water jets and two vascular paths, always fueled with Leopoldina water, one with hot water and one with cooler water, to improve blood circulation in the lower limbs. 

The structure, especially inside, resembles the 1950s spas, both in the changing rooms and in the pool environment, and although it requires some improvements, immersing in the wrapping hot water is very pleasant, especially when the outside temperatures are cold. The large windows allow external light to illuminate the environment with natural light, creating a pleasant play of colors especially towards sunset.

In addition to the circulatory system, Leopoldina thermal water has a toning effect on skin and muscle masses, and the high salt content also facilitates all movements, promoting gymnastics in a simple and natural way. 

Considering the thermal and chemical qualities of the water, the Health Management recommends a stop in the thermal pool not exceeding 60 minutes.

At Terme Redi, various therapies can be undergone for respiratory system issues, rheumatism, and the after-effects of accidents, surgeries, or excessive exertion during sports activities. In particular, mud therapy and  irrigation cures,  massage, hydromassage, beauty treatments, inhalant cures for nasal blockage, ozone baths and physical therapy.

Thermal muds are derived from the maceration of virgin mud (paleo-marine clay) in Leopoldina thermal water.

The pool is open for collective balneotherapy every day eccept Wednesday and Sunday, preferably by reservation. Check the opening hours on www.termemontecatini.it or calling +39 0572 7781. 

For information:

Terme Redi, Via Marconi 2

Tel. +39 0572 7781

info@termemontecatini.it - www.termemontecatini.it

It is one of the most exclusive spas in the world.

It is in Monsummano Terme, in a eighteenth-hundred century residence, old house of the Giusti family, with a century-old park. Here there is Grotta Giusti Spa & Hotel, a luxury 5-star hotel with one of the biggest thermal swimming pools in Europe. 

A stretch of water of 750 square meters, a large spectacular fall, underwater hydro-massages in four big shells where waters invigorate. 

The pool is only one of the gems of Grotta Giusti, as it houses a modern wellbeing centre offering traditional and oriental treatments.

However it is the thousand-year old cave that makes it unique. It is a natural cave where the humid warmth wraps everything up and recalls the labyrinth of Dante’s Hell. A natural heaven full of stalactites and stalagmites with in the middle a mirror of thermal water creating a natural healthy and detoxifying sauna with its steam: the “Eighth Wonder of the world”, as it was described by the Maestro Giuseppe Verdi during his visits, and still today it is a rewarding experience.

Kings and princes stopped here. The fame of these unusual “steam baths” crosses national borders and many foreigners have started coming to Monsummano, especially the French and the English. 

The story of this exclusive place goes back to 1849 when some workers, working on Giusti’s property, found by accident warm steams coming out from the ground. They enlarged the small hole and, to their great astonishment, saw this hidden place: the Grotta. 

The mild temperature made Giusti to use it as a treatment. Now, like at the time, it is easy to be enchanted by stalactites and stalagmites, by mysterious distorted shadows the lights cast far, by bodies moving in the underground warmth of the mount … An unreal silence wraps and leads to Heaven, Purgatory and Hell (the three areas) in an atmosphere full of charm. The temperature rises slowly to 34°C in the Hell and makes the “thermal steam bath” pleasant for everybody for about 50 minutes. Do not miss it …

Further info: www.grottagiustispa.com

In the surroundings of Prato there is a very special wellness center since a few years. Immersed in a tropical setting of palm trees and other green vegetation, wich along with the gurgling water in the background, you will immediately feel immersed in the atmosphere of relaxation, in an oasis of peace and quiet that characterizes Asmana. Here you can take care for your body and dedicate time to yourself in a total way in a magical mix of quiet, water, warmth and tranquility.

At Asmana you will find the hammam, the saunas, the chromatic waterfalls with the splendid water games, the outdoor pools with heated and salted water, the indoor pools, the rooms for absolute relaxation, different from each other, each dedicated to a specific theme.

Rituals are offered in the saunas and hammam, in which music, steam, essential oils and the experienced staff will create a magical atmosphere around you, allowing you to experience a sauna as you have certainly never done before. An herbal tea is offered at the end of the ritual.

Inside the Asmana there is also a bar and a self-service restaurant where you can enjoy a meal comfortably seated in a bathrobe by the pool.

Outside there are beautiful gardens, with deck chairs for sunbathing.

It is truly the ideal place to regenerate and arrive at the end of the day totally relaxed.

There is no need to book in advance, just bring a swimsuit, a bathrobe, slippers (flip flops) and two large towels (one to use in the sauna, on deck chairs or loungers, the other to leave in the locker for after shower).

If you haven't remembered to bring these things with you, or you prefer not to take everything with you, you can always rent them at Asmana at reasonable prices. For example, towels cost € 4, bathrobes € 8, slippers € 8 (and you can take them home with you as a souvenir!). If you also need a swimsuit, you can buy it at the reception.

Upon arrival, you will receive a bracelet to pay for extra services, snacks, lunch or anything inside the center, without having to carry your money, as well as using it to close and open the locker. At the end of the day, at the exit, all the extras can be paid.

To enter the Asmara you must be over 18 years old and even mobile phones are not allowed and must be placed in your locker room box.

For more information ☞ https://www.asmana.it

Entrance tickets and Opening hours ☞ https://www.asmana.it/prezzi-e-orari/ 

Nestled among the gentle hills of Tuscany, approximately a three-hour drive from our area, Bagno Vignoni stands as a unique thermal gem. Here, the rarefied atmosphere is infused with the warm vapors rising from the grand water square, making it a timeless experience. Visiting Bagno Vignoni is akin to crossing a magical portal that leads to a distant era, an immersion into a world outside of time.

At the heart of this extraordinary town lies a Renaissance square unparalleled in Italy: a warm thermal pool stretching 49 meters in length and 29 meters in width, precisely constructed above the original thermal spring used even by the Romans. The thermal waters flow steadily at a constant temperature of 52°C, making them the hottest in all of Tuscany and renowned for their healing properties. These alkaline waters, rich in sulfate, bicarbonate, and minerals, are a boon for the skin and particularly effective for treating skin conditions, as well as therapeutic treatments for the skeletal system (such as arthritis and osteoporosis). They induce a relaxing effect on muscles and an overall sense of well-being, thanks to their high temperature.

While direct bathing in the central square pool isn’t allowed, just beyond the center of Bagno Vignoni, you can enjoy the benefits of the thermal baths outdoors for free. By following the small canals to the left of the main square and then the path leading to the hill, after a short walk, you'll reach the first rectangular pool at the beginning of the gorge. Here, the water isn’t as hot as the source at the top of the hill. Further downstream, the water in the smaller pools becomes progressively cooler and is suitable for those with low blood pressure or those who don't particularly enjoy hot water. It's important to note that there are no bathrooms or changing facilities available in this natural setting.

For those who prefer a more organized experience, there are opportunities to indulge in a day of relaxation at one of the city's wellness centers.

The Saturnia Thermal Baths, located in Tuscany, are a tourist destination of great charm and allure. The place is famous for the presence of natural pools, fed by hot springs, where visitors can immerse themselves and enjoy the benefits of thermal waters.

The therapeutic properties of the waters, which spring from a source that is at a temperature of 37 °C, are numerous. The water contains a large amount of sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonates, elements that give it anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, eutrophic, and draining properties.

The thermal waters of Saturnia are a true cure for the body and mind, a place where you can find moments of absolute well-being and relaxation immersed in nature. The beauty of the place, where nature and history merge, makes the experience even more unforgettable and not to be missed.

As the temperature is quite high, it's perfect during the mid-seasons or in the winter period. Recently, the municipality of Saturnia has built changing rooms and showers in a small hut near the natural thermal baths, making it easier for visitors to change. 

But Saturnia is not just a place to enjoy a day of relaxation immersed in thermal waters. The scenic beauty of the place is extraordinary, with the green hills of Maremma in the background of the majesty of the natural pools. Moreover, the proximity to the historic center of Saturnia, an ancient village nestled among the hills of Tuscany, makes the experience even more fascinating.