Even in ancient Rome, the properties of healing hot waters were highly appreciated and widely used in the treatment of various diseases.
Currently, you can count about 400 Italian resorts with thermal springs. They are scattered throughout the country from Tuscany and Lombardy to Sicily and Basilicata. In place of natural springs, SPA hotels and resorts have been built, which have a developed infrastructure that allows not only to improve the body, but also to explore the main tourist attractions.
In this review, Blogoitaliano prepared a selection of the best thermal springs in Italy, which are popular both in summer and winter.
Montecatini Terme
Montecatini Terme - the world famous Italian resort with thermal springs. It is located in the north of the country, in the picturesque region of Tuscany, about halfway between Florence and the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Montecatini Terme thermal water is recommended to treat skin diseases, metabolic disorders, diseases of the bone, digestive and respiratory systems. Particularly beneficial effect of the local thermal spring water has on the liver and stomach.
This was noticed back in the 20s of the last century by numerous prominent artists and politicians. Thanks to this influx of eminent guests, Montecatini Terme has gained fame as the most fashionable thermal resort in Italy.
Montecatini is a small town, however, there is everything for a good rest. Also, this thermal resort of Italy is suitable for lovers of combined tours. Very close to here are first-class ski slopes, and the sea, and the cultural centers of the north of the country.
The resort does not have a strictly therapeutic regimen, so you can choose any hotel in the town to stay and improve in a single thermal park. Most of them are quite expensive. Those who are trying to save money are advised to look for housing in advance. Previously, booking allows you to find reasonable prices even in luxury hotels. The most popular Montecarini Terme hotels:
- Hotel Montecatini Palace *****
- Grand Hotel Croce Di Malta ****
- Hotel Ercolini & Savi ****
- Grand Hotel Tettuccio ****
You can get to the Montecatini Terme thermal springs from Florence, where the nearest airport is. The distance from Florence to Montecatini is 44 km, it is easiest to overcome them by rail (Montecatini Terme stop) or by taxi.
Well, those who do not want to bother with organizing their trip can book a ready-made tour in Montecatini Terme. As a rule, flights, accommodation, meals, insurance and transfers are already included in the tour.
Abano Terme
Another famous Italian resort with thermal springs - Abano Terme. It is located in the Veneto region, 40 km from the city of Venice in the Euganean Hills Natural Park.
The mineral waters of Abano Terme are rich in bromine and iodine salts and in their composition have no analogues in the world. Water and therapeutic mud of a thermal spring treat diseases of the joints and bones, upper respiratory system, inflammatory gynecological and dermatological diseases, as well as relieve stress, slow down the aging process and contribute to weight loss.
Abano Terme has all the conditions for recreation, active sports and cultural enrichment, and in the immediate vicinity of the resort are such famous cities as Venice, Padua and Verona.
Fountain in the center of Abano
The peculiarity of the resort of Abano Terme in Italy is that there is no single health center. Each hotel has its own wellness center: its own wells, therapeutic mud and independently develops treatment programs. And if water and healing mud are the same everywhere, then wellness programs can differ markedly. Carefully consider the choice of a hotel in Abano Terme, so that the conditions of its treatment are the most optimal for strengthening your health!
Hotel Due Torri in Abano Terme
The most popular Abano Terme hotels:
- Hotel Due Torri *****
- Hotel Terme Helvetia ****
- Hotel Abano Astoria ****
- Hotel Aqua ***
The nearest airport to the Abano Terme resort in Italy is Venice. The distance from the airport to the city is 60 km. You can overcome them in half an hour by train or pre-booked a transfer. Also nearby are the airports of Padova, Treviso and Verona.
Fiuggi
Another famous thermal resort far outside of Italy is located in the Lazio region, 80 km from Rome, in a small town called Fiuggi.
Fiji Thermal Spring
The mineral composition of Fiuggi sources is unique. This water has neither taste nor smell, but the rich content of molecules of humic and fulvic acid is able to dissolve and remove toxins from the body and all kinds of stones. Therefore, two health centers available in the city primarily specialize in the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system and the general cleansing of the body of toxins. Fiuggi's healing water also helps with diathesis and gout, blood pressure disorders and is used to recover from chemotherapy.
View of Fiuggi
In his spare time from wellness treatments, you can slowly walk around the medieval part of Fiuggi, admire the old churches, monasteries and magnificent mountain landscapes. If you wish, it will not be difficult to go to the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea (in summer), to the ski resorts of Campo-Stafi and Campo-Atino (in winter) or to Rome, where you can walk endlessly at any time of the year.
Popular hotels of the Italian thermal resort of Fiuggi:
- Grand Hotel Palazzo Della Fonte *****
- Ambasciatori Place Hotel ****
- Silva Hotel Splendid ****
- King Hotel ***
The nearest airports to Fiuggi thermal springs are in Rome. The distance from Ciampino Airport is 80 km, from Fiumicino Airport 100 km. You can overcome them in an hour by train (Anagni-Fiuggi station), by taxi or by car, which can be rented directly at the airport.
Bormio
Speaking about the thermal resorts of Italy popular in winter, you should not ignore Bormio, located in the Lombardy region. Bormio is not only thermal, but also one of the best ski resorts in Italy.
Water in seven Bormio thermal springs changes temperature depending on the time of year. It is warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The resort specializes in treating the digestive organs, the musculoskeletal system and the genitourinary system, vodka helps restore and regenerate the skin, improves well-being in diabetes and metabolic disorders.
Thermal spring in Bormio
Bormio is located in the Alps at an altitude of 1225 m above sea level and offers clean mountain air, hiking and a first-class ski slope.
Popular hotels in Bormio:
- QC Terme Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi *****
- QC Terme Hotel Bagni Vecchi ****
- Miramonti Park Hotel ****
- Hotel San Lorenzo ****
Bormio is not only a thermal resort, but also a ski resort
Bormio is far from major international airports. The nearest ones are in Bergamo (170 km) and Milan (Linate 210 km, Malpensa - 236 km). In winter, at the height of the ski season, the shuttle MT Bus runs from Bormio to Milan. The trip will take about 3 hours. If you plan to visit the thermal springs of Bormio when the season ends and the shuttle no longer runs, you will have to travel with a transfer. From Milan we take a train to the station of Tirano, and then by local bus or taxi. The distance between Bormio and Tirano is only 30 km.
From Bergamo, despite the fact that this airport is closer, it is not very convenient to get to the thermal resort. Have to do a few transfers. The best option is to order a transfer or rent a car.
If an independent trip to Bormio seems too complicated, you can always choose a ready-made tour, which includes flights, accommodation, meals, insurance and transfer.
Monsummano Terme
Monsummano Terme thermal springs are located in Tuscany, not far from the Montecarini Terme resort described above. The uniqueness of Monsummano Terme lies in the fact that the healing waters here fill the natural caves, creating a special microclimate that best contributes to the treatment of asthma and bronchitis.
In addition to respiratory diseases, Monsummano Terme thermal waters help in the treatment of bones and joints, the cardiovascular system, various skin diseases and metabolic disorders.
Some procedures have contraindications, so before you go down to the grotto, you must undergo a comprehensive examination!
The town of Monsummano was completely unknown to the world until 1849, until the Italian satirical poet Giuseppe Giusti discovered a healing grotto on his estate. Therefore, the grotto with a thermal spring is often called the Justi Grotto, and its premises, divided into three parts, received specific names: Hell, Purgatory and Paradise.
Justi Grotto in the territory of the SPA center of the same name
Near the source, its owner built a wonderful hotel for friends and acquaintances, which eventually grew into a luxurious spa center.
Grotta Giusti **** - the only hotel that allows you to organize free access to the thermal spring in the grotto of Jutsi. Some of its rooms have a private bathroom with healing thermal water.
The path at Monsummano Terme is similar to the path at Montecarini Terme, as these resorts are very close by. We fly by plane to Florence, then by train to Montecatini Terme, and then by local bus or taxi. If you rented a car at Florence Airport, take the A11 motorway to the Montecatini Terme turn, then follow the sign for Monsummano Terme for another 4 km.
