In the last few years, Italy has had tourists coming from all over the world to visit some of the most beautiful Italian places. When I ask my foreign friends where they went or wish to go, I always hear the same routes: Rome, Florence, Venice, and Amalfi Coast… Please, do not get me wrong, all these are amazing places, but you can take time to go to different paths, with less crowd, and still discover fascinating sites.

TERME DI MERANO, TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE

It is a natural spot located in Merano, Alto Adige. Its real popularity started in 1870 due to the visit of the Empress of Austria Elizabeth, better known as Sissi. The Empress brought her daughters and especially Valerie, who was not very well, to improve her health condition.

You can have a steam bath mixed with mountain herbs. At Trauttmansdorff there is the Finnish sauna considered the biggest and well equipped in Alto Adige. Lastly, the Snow Room, which only the bravest guests may accept to get into because this special room is set at -10° C.

BAGNI VECCHI, LOMBARDIA

The Bagni Vecchi, or “old baths” with their wealth of history, are located along the main road leading to the Stelvio. The Goth historian Cassiodorus admired their therapeutic virtues; as well as Leonardo da Vinci who mentioned the unique waters in his Codex Atlanticus.

The nine natural hot springs on the slopes of Monte Reit reach temperatures between 37 and 40°C.

Terme Bagni Nuovi Thermal Center offers a new relaxation experience: with its water rich in sulfurous mud, the infinity pool with panoramic views of the Alps, the large outdoor pools, saunas, waterfalls, and many other attractive services for those seeking moments of complete wellness surrounded by the nature of the Stelvio National Park.

TERME DEI PAPI, LAZIO

Romans built and established the thermal area in the old Etruscan village called Surrena, better known today as Viterbo.

In Medieval times, the hot springs were a mandatory destination, especially for popes used to visit due to the excellent mineral salts of wellspring Bullicame, whose temperature reaches 58°C. This special thermal spot is completely dug in the rock and has also a Turkish bath with natural waterfalls that keep the site a humidity of 100%.

SATURNIA TERME, TUSCANY

The springs are located in the municipality of Manciano in Italy, a few kilometers from the village of Saturnia. It was reported through a legend that Saturnia thermal sites were formed by lightning bolts. It was a fight between Jupiter and Saturn who missed the other god’s bolts, causing the formations. The springs that feed the baths, cover a vast territory that stretches from Mount Amiata, the Maremma at Roselle (Terme di Roselle), and Talamone (Terme dell’Osa). The chemical mix is sulfur, carbon, sulfate, bicarbonate-alkaline, and earth, with the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas and carbon dioxide.

It is a place that is better to visit in late Fall till early Spring, so you can enjoy the amazing landscape and more space because of fewer visitors.

TERME DI CAVASCURA, CAMPANIA

It’s situated 300 meters from the beach of Maronti and is accessed by several little waterfalls that open into a small bed among the tuff walls of the hill.

These terms are well known since the ancient Greeks who spotted and colonized the beautiful island. Romans, then with their engineering developments, brought the Cavascura hot springs to today’s splendor.

Interesting and picturesque is the play of colors that can be observed entering; violet predominates; In the gloom of caverns restful guests bathe in real contact with nature. Then there is a hot shower that comes down the mountain like a waterfall and a natural sauna dug in the cave that over time formed the hydrothermal basin. These springs, are a wellness center where you can also enjoy mud baths and showers, a natural sauna, and massages.

Have you ever thought that Italy holds a unique hot springs record?  Thermal water can be found underground throughout almost all of the Italian peninsula. I would recommend October to March the best months to enjoy these enchanting natural spots. So, kindly, accept my modest hints, and you could have the most surprising spa vacation at a lesser cost than the average “hot places”.

Antonia L. Mosca