Beauty treatments, massages, leisure activities, and world-class menus are
usually included in the Italian spa experience. The popularity of Italian
Spa Towns and natural hot springs (terme) is once again on the rise. Many of
the traditional locations have been either building new facilities, or
modernizing the still surviving spa palaces of the early 20th century.
No matter what part of Italy you are Traveling in, there is some sort of spa
treatment available in this geologically active part of Europe. Whether you
are looking to relieve a particular ailment, just want a day to relax (or
shop), or are simply curious about these natural hot spots, there is a place
for you in Italy.
Principal thermal spas grouped according to
region
The most famous spa in Abruzzo has been dispensing
treatment for over four hundred years. The twin springs located in this
medieval village are known for a high sulphur content and alleviation of
breathing, digestive and arthritic conditions. Caramanico Terme, where
nature and health live tuned
together, is a little and nice
medieval town in the hearth of the
National Park of Majella (Abruzzo)
at 650 metres of altitude.
From
1576, the precious sulphur and
mineral springs allow Caramanico
Terme to be one of the most
exclusive place of well-being and
health, assuring an important
activity of prevention, cure and
rehabilitation. Mild climate, thanks
to the nearness to the sea, the
excellent oxygenated and the
particular geographic position make
this place a desirable destination
for a naturalistic holiday.
The Island is home to natural hot springs, geysers and fumaroles
with very popular spa centers located in Cavascura, Sant'Angelo and Barano.
The spa resorts on Ischia offer mud treatments, mineral water baths and
vapor inhalation therapies.
Also popular are Ischia's caves, which are
naturally heated by volcanic activity and can be like a dry sauna or like a
humid Turkish bath.
Contursi
The thermal baths,
insecurely linked to
notices by Roman
writers, were
described in a
manuscript Balnea
Contursi of
1231. The fifteen
thermal springs,
with varying mineral
content, have
retained their
curative reputation,
for bathing, both in
warm pools and in a
cold plunge, and for
drinking.
Southeast of Bologna lies this small town surrounded by
mountains, forests and streams. The springs here contain a wide variety of
essential minerals and produce waters that are said to aid in the prevention
of illness as well as treatment. The spa facilities at Bagno di Romagna are
some of the most comprehensive in Italy and include a full range of
treatments such as therapeutic mud, thermal baths, inhalation therapy, cave
treatments, nasal, and ear and throat therapies among others.
Brisighella
This spa town is home to
sulphurous springs that have been
dispensing its treatments for over a century. Besides a wide range of
treatments, including the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, the town is
surrounded by beautiful countryside of the Apennine foothills. The ancient
cobbled streets of Brisighella are home to a well-known medieval festival
every summer.
This former Roman town was built close to hot sulphur springs
that were used until the Middle Ages. With the re-emergence of spa therapy
in the late 19th century, the town became a popular tourist destination.
Today the spa treatments, especially the stress relief programs, are
complemented by a series of footpaths through the beautiful countryside.
Lignano
This seaside spa town is located on a peninsula within the Marano
Lagoon. Lignano has become a very popular seaside resort with plenty of
shopping and nightlife in the summertime and is home to modern spa
facilities located right along its beach. Inhalation treatments here are
known for using sulphurous water, seawater, or a combination of both.
Spa treatments are available in this charming medieval hill town
and its large spa house is packed during the summer months. The waters here
are famous for treating kidney stones, including the ailments of Popes and
European royalty. Fiuggi is only a short distance south of Rome.
Bagni di Tivoli
Just outside of Rome is town of Tivoli, famous for
Hadrian's Villa and for the therapeutic springs that made Tivoli a popular
resort in the late 19th century. The hot sulphur springs, known locally as
Acque Albule have been praised for their healing properties by Virgil and
Strabo in ancient times and were once home to the extravagant Agrippa Baths.
Today the waters can be ingested to treat gastrointestinal disorders or
used in inhalation therapies for the nose and throat. Both the sulphurous
waters and mud are used in soothing baths for arthritic and skin disorders.
Close to Parma is a gorgeous valley lies the spa town Tabiano Terme, known for the most sulphurous waters in Europe. For
centuries, the local inhabitants used these springs to treat their ills and
today they are used especially to treat the lungs, ears, nose and throat.
Besides these specialties the year-round Tabiano di Terme offers a full
range of modern spa therapies.
Bormio
Situated in a basin where three
valleys join, the Valdidentro,
Valdisotto and Valfurva, at the
northern entrance of the Valtellina,
along the road leading to the
Stelvio mountain pass, Bormio is a
renowned spa town, and a winter
resort all surrounded by beautiful
mountains, where all winter sports
can be practised also thanks to the
modern facilities for curling and
ice-skating, and trekking,
mountaineering, horse-riding in the
summer. The spa waters are located
at 4 km for the town, in the hamlet
called Bagni di Bormio, and have a
temperature from 38 to 41ºC.
Acqui Terme lies in the heart of the
Turin-Genoa-Milan area, in the rare
and wonderful Monferrato landscape
"rejoicing with castles and
vineyards" according to the poet
Carducci. The attractions are
diverse: thermal baths, wine and
food, outstanding cultural and
historical heritage, together with
tourism dedicated to sports and
hiking.
Acqui’s thermal baths, and their
excellent therapeutic properties,
were already well known in Roman
times. The
Roman baths were destroyed by the
Barbarian invasions and only in 1480
-with the help of the municipality-
a thermal establishment has been
constructed. With the “Belle Époque”
came the golden era for the thermal
spa town.
The sulphurous water is credited
with its restorative properties and
treatments including mud baths draw
tourists annually.
This charming fishing port is home to an open-air thermal pool as
well as a modern spa facility open from spring to fall. Ancient legend
attributes the local thermal caves of Monte Kronio to Dedalus (creator of
the mythic labyrinth) and today the caves are used to help in reparatory
treatment. The spa facilities offer treatments using sulphurous waters as
well as salt-water treatments containing bromide and iodine for inflammatory
conditions.
Aeolian Islands
The Terme di San Calogero on the island of Lipari has been
popular since the Ancient Greeks and can still be enjoyed today among the
ruins. The hot springs on the island of Volcano are known for their very hot
water and mud that relieves arthritic conditions and skin problems,
especially psoriasis.
Home to nine spas and over six hundred years of
tradition that hark back to the golden age of thermal baths. The spas are
virtual palaces with marble columns, spacious halls and relaxing gardens
that take you back to the early 20th century. The waters of the local
springs contain several minerals and are known to treat liver and digestive
disorders.
Terme di Saturnia
Located in Tuscany, has an elaborate leisure complex of
four outdoor thermal pools complete with a modern fitness center, hair
salon, tennis courts, golf range, and art gallery. Dating back to the time
of the ancient Etruscans, the spa received its name after the Etruscan
goddess Aurinia.
The Romans later changed her name to Saturnia, hence the
spa's name. In line with the
Italian belief in the wellness of the entire being, Terme di Saturnia offers
water therapies, beauty treatments, diet plans, fitness regimens, and stress
therapies.
Thought of by many as the oldest spa in the world, is home to
130 thermal springs. Legend has it that the son of the sun, Phaeton, warmed
the waters when he had fallen. Located close to Padova in the Veneto, this
small town is also near transportation hubs in Treviso, Verona, and Venice.
Montegrotto Terme
Located in a beautiful setting of hills and parks in the Euganian hill area, known for its therapeutic mud baths and a distinctive
line of hotels. Nearby ruins, dating back to the time of Julius Caesar,
provide an interesting outing in between treatments.
