It is true, the holiday season has just finished, but there’s always room for a brief escape from daily stress, perhaps for a nice weekend getaway! Our peninsula is particularly rich in places that focus on the psychological and physical well-being of the person, by devoting attention to healthy eating, natural health remedies, holistic attention to the body and pleasant regeneration. Even a short break can be a real blessing for body and spirit, and in this regard, here are some tips to spend a weekend to be pampered by the harmony of the senses.

The first stage of our journey into wellness is Merano, the beautiful Tyrolean city that boasts one of the most modern spa facilities in Italy, a complex design structure that uses for all treatments the natural and traditional products of the region, such as apple, whey, wool, herbs and hay, and the essential oil of pine. Elements that are an integral part of the atmosphere of Trentino, and that characterize a stay in this town surrounded by snow-capped peaks. It is warm and cozy atmosphere that also dominates at Residence Segattini in Riva del Garda, surrounded by extensive green spaces for quiet walks, which could be defined the kingdom of wellness! For here we find the center of “Body and Soul”, a space dedicated to the person, which includes a well-equipped gym where you can move in a cozy atmosphere. Moreover, a sauna and physiotherapy treatments are available on request.

casciana_termeLet’s continue our journey in the Veneto region, more precisely in Abano Terme, the main center of the Euganean Thermal Baths together with Montegrotto, located in what once was a volcanic area. It is one of the most popular spa resorts, particularly for the beneficial properties of the hot springs that gush out of the ground at a great depth, enriching so precious minerals for health. A stage alongside may be a cultural excursion to the nearby cities of Padua and to the romantic city of Venice, with a further step in invigorating at the Farmhouse La Barena, in the seaside resort of Jesolo: it offers its guests a spa with treatments using herbs such as rosemary oil by and lavender oil for a relaxing massage and delicious natural herbal teas with mint and mauve, with panoramic views of the lagoon of Venice.

We will now move to the Alta Valtellina, in the province of Sondrio, the headquarters of the prestigious Terme di Bormio, fed from the source Cinglaccia where the water flows therapeutic, at the natural temperature of between 37° and 40° C. It offers diverse relaxation treatments that benefit of the beneficial effects of these waters rich in iron, accompanied by honey beauty treatments, physiotherapy and rehabilitation in thermal water, as well as panoramic saunas, emotional showers featuring color therapy and aromatherapy to restore the well-being of the organism. An ideal destination to enjoy the full benefits of the mountain air and the spa is the Farmhouse Ca’ Dla Pia, in Cosio Valtellino, immersed in a large, lush forest within the Regional Park of Orobie, where winding paths meander between the peaks, valleys and lakes. In this farm that respects the traditions of the past, the owners are dedicated to the cultivation of medicinal herbs by purifying properties, and they produce high-quality artisan honey… because even eating plays its role in well-being!

Staying in Lombardy, Brescia is a popular destination for spa tourism: overlooking the shores of Lake Garda, we meet the Terme di Sirmione, which have salsobromoiodic sulphurous water of exfoliating, soothing and re-mineralizing properties, in the setting of a small town which is a refined and romantic destination in all seasons, wrapped in the quiet atmosphere of the lakeside landscapes. Further west we find the Boario Thermal Baths, which include a wet area with sauna, turkish bath, Mediterranean bath, Kneipp and ice falls, swimming areas and whirlpool areas to be pampered by the bubbles. Relaxation is guaranteed with a stay at the Farmhouse Macesina in Bedizzole: if the time spent at the spa were not enough, this facility features an on-site spa with turkish bath, aromatherapy and color therapy, and massage service on request (no-stress, holistic, relaxing neck treatment, reflexology)… who could ask for more?

We now move to the south, in the province of Pavia, in Salice Terme, in the municipality of Godiasco. The locality, which in Roman times was known as a spa with the name of “locum salis” , because of its characteristic sulfur water, excellent for skin care, is located within a large park, where the poet Ada Negri used to sit a long time ago. A short distance away lies the Farmhouse Torrazzetta in the small town of Borgo Priolo. For those who do not want to give up the care of the body at 360°, the flagship of this facility is the kitchen (reported in the best gourmet guides), which offers authentic flavors and traditional recipes reinterpreted with creativity by using only organic products and whole grain flours, combined with the excellent wines that can be tasted in the beautiful “cellar of the pilgrim”.

We now move to Emilia-Romagna, where we meet the famous spa towns of Salsomaggiore (the historic home of the “Miss Italia” contest) and Tabiano Terme, both in the province of Parma in an excellent position to take advantage of a little excursion to explore the many castles and ancient fortresses that dot the Apennines in the territory of Parma and Piacenza. Not far away we report the presence of Farmhouse Casa Nuova, a haven for those who love healthy and natural foods: berries, honey, essential oils, spirits, vegetables, fruit, jam and mustard are some of the delicious organic produce offered. In the ancient stone farmhouse, a typical “tower house”, the fireplace warms the hearts in this organic farm in a beautiful glade.

Tuscany as well is a region particularly rich in thermal waters and spas: just to name a few, the famous Terme di Casciana, in the province of Pisa, are indeed evocative because of the presence of a large hot spa pool (500 square meters) inserted in a beautiful landscape, a beautiful hydrotherapy in a relaxed atmosphere. Another popular destination for tourists in search of wellness is Bagno Vignoni, a tiny village in the province of Siena, made unique by the so-called “Square of Springs” in the center of the village, a rectangular basin dating back to the sixteenth century, which contains a source of steaming hot spring water that comes from the underground aquifer of volcanic origins. The thermal baths of Bagno Vignoni, known since Etruscan and Roman times, were visited by various characters, such as Catherine of Siena, Pope Pius II, and Lorenzo de’ Medici. The water comes out of the spa bath and then heads towards the steep escarpment of the Natural Park of the Mills: here are four medieval mills carved into the rock that were very important for the local economy since the perennial hot spring ensured their operation even in summer when other mills in the area were stopped because of the dry river.

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Ideal for a relaxing weekend out is the Farmhouse Podere San Giorgio, in Radicofani, in the heart of the Val d’Orcia, a few kilometers from Siena, Chianciano and Lake Bolsena and bordered by the Via Francigena. Still in Tuscany, we mention the Calidario for a blast from the past at the Etruscan Thermal Baths in Venturina, in the province of Livorno, and finally the Terme of Saturnia: a collection of sources which, according to legend, were formed at the point where Jupiter hurled a thunderbolt to Saturn, following a violent quarrel between the two deities. Not far from the beautiful spa resorts for a pleasant stay in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, we find the Farmhouse Podere l’Aione, located in Scansano (Grosseto), in a panoramic position overlooking the green Maremma and the Tuscan Archipelago, in direct contact with nature, in a strategic location to walk in complete relaxation. Here the art of beekeeping is practiced, with the possibility to buy honey and other natural products.

We close this review dedicated to wellness with a stop in Lazio: here there are the prestigious Terme di Viterbo, which include several spring waters, including the Terme dei Papi (a pool of over 2,000 square meters fed from the source Bellicame), and the so-called “Puddles” , sulphurous springs already known in Roman times and immortalized by Dante and Michelangelo in their great works. The water from the springs out of two pools of smoky hot water coming down from the slopes of the hill in the pools at different temperatures. The high temperature of the first pools makes them a popular destination especially in the winter, thanks to the evocative atmosphere of water and steam. A special feature: the swimming pool is open all year round, even at night for a healthy bath under the stars. Only 8 km from the spa resorts we suggest, for a relaxing weekend, the Farmhouse Montigliano, in Viterbo, a true oasis of tranquility just a few steps from the natural hot springs and surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and chestnut trees… Wellness from every point of view!