Italian Spas
By Leah Marie Armstrong . Leah’s from Canada and lives in Portofino, Italy. She’s married to an Italian Captain, who presently works on cruise ships. She is an avid Blogger, Painter and runs a Bed & Breakfast on Portofino Mountain. She spent her earlier career in the cruising, travel and hospitality industry and has a passion for photography, olive picking and Slow Cooking.
fter exploring all the medieval villages I could muster, I'm happy to say that now I take my holidays like a local. Italians live hard and play hard but when it comes to kicking their feet up, they know exactly where to go and make the best of a relaxing holiday. My advice is to follow their lead.
I've had the good fortune to experience Spas and/or Termes in Belize, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Canada, on cruise ships and now in Italy. Here is a short list of where I've been in Italy and what I thought about my experiences:
I've had the good fortune to experience Spas and/or Termes in Belize, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Canada, on cruise ships and now in Italy. Here is a short list of where I've been in Italy and what I thought about my experiences:

Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany
I really liked this terme because it has some unique rooms and caves that are used for treatments. It’s also quite small which made the experience more personal. The hotel connected to the spa offers a meal plan where they feed you to the gills with Tuscan delights.
The best treatment was when they wrapped me up in warm blankets and served herbal tea in the ancient stone tower. The tower, with its vaulted ceiling and slat windows, cast a calming pink glow on the rounded walls and lulled me to sleep with a stillness that shed all my stress away. The only disappointment was the massages. I asked twice for deep tissue and instead they just rubbed faster. Più forte means stronger but I guess with my Canadian accent something got lost in translation but the rest of the experience was awesome.
Rapolano Terme, Tuscany
With three outdoor pools and one connected to an inside pool, this place is huge. Even in December, we opted for the outdoor pools because they were less crowded. The treatments were wonderful! I had two massages and felt like rubber afterwards. The downside was that the place was crowded and it was difficult to get a deck chair. (We were there during the Christmas break). Overall, I would recommend this Terme and would go again but not during peak season.
I really liked this terme because it has some unique rooms and caves that are used for treatments. It’s also quite small which made the experience more personal. The hotel connected to the spa offers a meal plan where they feed you to the gills with Tuscan delights.
The best treatment was when they wrapped me up in warm blankets and served herbal tea in the ancient stone tower. The tower, with its vaulted ceiling and slat windows, cast a calming pink glow on the rounded walls and lulled me to sleep with a stillness that shed all my stress away. The only disappointment was the massages. I asked twice for deep tissue and instead they just rubbed faster. Più forte means stronger but I guess with my Canadian accent something got lost in translation but the rest of the experience was awesome.
Rapolano Terme, Tuscany
With three outdoor pools and one connected to an inside pool, this place is huge. Even in December, we opted for the outdoor pools because they were less crowded. The treatments were wonderful! I had two massages and felt like rubber afterwards. The downside was that the place was crowded and it was difficult to get a deck chair. (We were there during the Christmas break). Overall, I would recommend this Terme and would go again but not during peak season.
Prè Saint Didier, Valle D'Aosta, Italian Alps
A slice of H-E-A-V-E-N! The pools were awesome, the treatment rooms were great and the service was fantastic! We got a package that included robes, slippers, a towel, a locker, lunch and a fango (mud) treatment and it was well worth the money. We spent the entire day there and never got bored. Poolside, you have a spectacular view of snow-capped mountains. I can’t wait to go back!
A slice of H-E-A-V-E-N! The pools were awesome, the treatment rooms were great and the service was fantastic! We got a package that included robes, slippers, a towel, a locker, lunch and a fango (mud) treatment and it was well worth the money. We spent the entire day there and never got bored. Poolside, you have a spectacular view of snow-capped mountains. I can’t wait to go back!

Lago delle Sorgenti, Acqui Terme
We spent the day at this spa and what a glorious day it was! Their two large pools with cascading water gives you an immediate shoulder massage. There is an unusual basin you stand over and breathe for purification and a circular bricked vat that you submerge yourself into wearing an unusual straw hat.
The steam room is lined with mosaic tiled benches that hug you into place while ambient lights fade in and out in a rainbow of colours. We enjoyed a session of Tibetan bells, brass bowls struck with a soft mallet and placed near you as they resonate vibrating sounds. The whole experience was intoxicating.
There are several areas to relax. The outer decks have softly padded, round wicker beds for two and inside there are lounge chairs near a soothing waterfall or a room that features a “gong” which again plays into the Tibetan theme. There is also an outdoor jacuzzi, sauna and café for tea or a light, healthy lunch.
The spa has a boutique feel to it although the property is quite large. The staff were nice and also spoke English. I had a sports massage and it was pure bliss. It's close to Genoa so I will definitely visit again soon.
Montecatini, Tuscany
Famous forty years ago, the town is centered around the natural springs and terme buildings. Unfortunately, most of them are undergoing renovations and are closed. Terme Redi has the only thermal pool and they were closed until 4 p.m. and the next morning they were closed until 1 p.m. because of classes.
We booked a couples massage at Excelsior Terme, which was nothing remarkable. Tettuccio Terme, pictured below, is the most photographed, and it is truly lovely. I took photos of the famous fountain and we drank thermal water which isn't very tasty but is supposed to be good for you.
We spent the day at this spa and what a glorious day it was! Their two large pools with cascading water gives you an immediate shoulder massage. There is an unusual basin you stand over and breathe for purification and a circular bricked vat that you submerge yourself into wearing an unusual straw hat.
The steam room is lined with mosaic tiled benches that hug you into place while ambient lights fade in and out in a rainbow of colours. We enjoyed a session of Tibetan bells, brass bowls struck with a soft mallet and placed near you as they resonate vibrating sounds. The whole experience was intoxicating.
There are several areas to relax. The outer decks have softly padded, round wicker beds for two and inside there are lounge chairs near a soothing waterfall or a room that features a “gong” which again plays into the Tibetan theme. There is also an outdoor jacuzzi, sauna and café for tea or a light, healthy lunch.
The spa has a boutique feel to it although the property is quite large. The staff were nice and also spoke English. I had a sports massage and it was pure bliss. It's close to Genoa so I will definitely visit again soon.
Montecatini, Tuscany
Famous forty years ago, the town is centered around the natural springs and terme buildings. Unfortunately, most of them are undergoing renovations and are closed. Terme Redi has the only thermal pool and they were closed until 4 p.m. and the next morning they were closed until 1 p.m. because of classes.
We booked a couples massage at Excelsior Terme, which was nothing remarkable. Tettuccio Terme, pictured below, is the most photographed, and it is truly lovely. I took photos of the famous fountain and we drank thermal water which isn't very tasty but is supposed to be good for you.
Would I recommend Montecatini? Well, maybe if you are passing through, it could be a nice day trip. To stay, I would suggest you wait for them to finish all the restorations before considering a longer stay.
As you can imagine, taking a camera into a terme is hardly a top priority so I took only a few random photos. However you can go to their web sites and check them out for yourself.
Happy Terme Tripping!
As you can imagine, taking a camera into a terme is hardly a top priority so I took only a few random photos. However you can go to their web sites and check them out for yourself.
Happy Terme Tripping!
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Want more of Italy? See Bordighera and Bordighera and Genoa and Lake Como and Photographic Holiday and Radda and Sardinia 1 and Sardinia 2 and Skip the Bucket List and Style & Culture