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God created this spectacular spa, Terme di Saturnia just improved it a littleBy Madelyn Miller
Take a perfect setting with a natural thermal bath. Add a luxurious hotel, a highly trained medical and aesthetic staff and add a restaurant worthy of many stars. Sound like a fantasy? It becomes a reality at Terme di Saturnia.
Perhaps it helps that the spa is owned and managed by one of the most successful multi-industry factory owners in Italy. They seem to know how to keep up the quality control and manage to create a consistently perfect experience.
Three thousand years ago, Etruscan warriors bathed here, to help their wounds heal. Although the jabs and wounds of modern life are different, the waters are still as soothing. Soaking Up Serenity
The large thermal pool is the center of the property. You can gaze upon it from the glass enclosed dining room, and the complex is created around it.
To Eat Or Not To Eat ... That Is Not the QuestionIf you want to make your stay at Terme di Saturnia a calorie conscious one, you can easily choose to dine from the delicious diet section of the dining room. The offerings are so appealing, that even those of us not trying to diet wanted to sample some of the offerings. The thick, creamy coups did not seem like “diet” food at all. But the most amazing low calorie offering is the selection of calorie-reduced cocktails, all with less than 90 calories. Made from intriguing ingredients like arugula, carrots and pineapple juice, and presented in wine goblets, they are a satisfying and healthy treat. My Mother Said Breakfast Was the Most Important Meal of the Day
But the show stopper is the center table laden with what looks like the desserts at a Bar Mitzvah or wedding. I loved the Nutella pie and the yogurt cake. In my four day stay, I did not even have a chance to try all the cakes at cookies they offered at breakfast. That is not a typo. BREAKFAST.
The Doctor is Always In
The spa director personally escorted me to a staff dermatologist to consult on what they could do to help. A few soaks in the sulphur warmth of the thermal bath helped both the pain and peeling.
Dinner is Served
The bountiful buffets of breakfast and lunch are topped off by a sophisticated choice of gourmet food at dinner. Villa Montepaldi, their fabulous restaurant, could hold its own against any top cosmopolitan restaurant. On our last night there, my host ordered a diet meal. The four-course was so delicious I never would have guessed it was low calorie unless they had told me in advance. Terrific Treatments
Since Terme di Saturnia is a medical facility as well as a spa, take advantage of their expertise and have a ski analysis with a cosmetologist. I learned the Ph of my skin, its sensitivity to the sun and what I needed to do to slow the aging process. The process was very scientific and light years ahead of anything I have ever experienced in either a dermatologist’s office or spa.
My favorite spa treatment was a Multivitamin Oxigenating Treatment. The combined action of oxygen aerosol therapy and vitamins is an effective anti-aging action. After the treatment, two of my traveling companions commented on the improvement in my skin. And I certainly felt younger after all the attentive pampering of my skin. Another great skin treatment is their Gomage and Thermal Plankton Treatment. The plankton mask treatment is preceded by a careful and delicate peeling of the entire body, which leaves the skin in an excellent condition to fully absorb the moisturizing qualities of the thermal plankton.
The Stone Therapy involves deep penetrating heat, with heated stones, using different temperatures on the body to create relaxation and stimulate healing. Perfect for balancing all levels of emotional, mental and physical energies. The Energetic Rebalancing Therapy involves essential oils used together with the particular enveloping movements to encourage deep relaxation, yet at the same time stimulate the awakening of vital energy. But I know that the biggest results came from the thermal waters. I became addicted to dunking my body into the waters, and began planning my day around when I would jump in. Since you should only stay about 15 minutes at a time, there was a lot of soaking and showering between meals. You Will Probably Never Want to Leave the PropertyBut if your curiosity about the gorgeous country side peeks your interest here are a few nearby things to visit.
You can easily walk to Saturnia Village from the resort, and after the uphill hike you will have an appetite worth of the Enotecca Dei Due Cippi, da Alessandro. It is hard to believe that such a delicious meal can come from such a tiny kitchen. I feasted on assorted bruschetta, creamy carrot soup, a cheese plate with five dipping sauces (honey, red pepper jelly, chocolate olive, wine jelly and onion jelly).Their legendary apple dessert—almost a bread pudding topped with sliced apples and drizzled with caramel sauce—was the grand finale. Thank goodness it is easier to walk downhill after this kind of meal. For More Information on Terme Di Saturnia
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TM
This lucky body has been rubbed and bathed and massaged
in some of the most beautiful places in the world. But it is hard to think
of anyplace that combines all the elements, natural and man-made, so
effectively.
It all starts when you enter the sleek, modern setting,
and are greeted by a staff who speak many languages, reflecting the
diversity of their guests. As you walk down the spacious hall ways to the
elegant rooms, you begin to realize what a special place this is.
At
Saturnia, the breakfast offerings would really wow my Mom. Ten different
breads, including Tuscan, whole wheat and many rolls, 4 organic jam flavors
(I loved the Plum and Peach) 3 different kinds of croissants (including
chocolate, cream and jam-filled)
There are nurses and doctors on staff and they are
always there to supervise medical treatments. I had a very, very bad sunburn
when I arrived which was peeling and painful.
There are so many wonderful
things to tell you about Terme di Saturnia, that you might have thought I
was not even going to describe the treatments. I have merely saved the best
for last.
I also had a fitness evaluation by Rocco, a trained
physical therapist. The educational background of everyone I worked with at
Terme di Saturnia was impressive.
Other interesting treatments are the Shiro Bliss
therapy which leaves the hair very oily as it moisturizes the scalp.
Try
dinner in Manciano, a closeby ancient village. I enjoyed a
reasonably-priced, typically Tuscan meal at Osteria L”Antica Compagnia. Try
the Acquacotta-- vegetable soup with the egg in the middle. The filets at
this restaurant are also delicious. I ordered vin santo with cookies for
dipping for dessert—but the Lemon sorbet might be an even better choice.