Terme di Saturnia - Wellness and dolce Vita in Tuscany

*Promotion*

Wellness and dolce vita

Do you sometimes feel like going to a place where you can find peace and relaxation? I have found it. The Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort in the southern Maremma (part of Tuscany), with its thermal spring and numerous wellness facilities, is perfect for switching off in wonderful nature. Here you can do a lot for your health and, of course, enjoy some "dolce vita."

Beneficial thermal water

Even the Etruscans saw the steaming springs as magical places, and the Romans appreciated their natural healing powers. Around 500 litres of sulfurous water at 38 degrees Celsius flow out of the thermal spring every second. In Saturnia, this water comes to the surface, where it pours into the river Gorello. It then ends up in the large basin of the Terme di Saturnia. The mix of hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and mineral salts helps, among other things, with skin diseases, arthrosis, and muscle problems and is pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory. 

Right next to the spa is the luxurious spa and wellness centre, Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort, where I could enjoy a few days of relaxing treatments and exquisite gastronomy. Admittedly, it would be best if you first got used to the smell of sulfur. Fortunately, it only haunts hotel guests in certain areas. 

Health through Ayurveda

Federica Bucciotti, marketing manager at Terme di Saturnia, and medical director Manela Scaramuzzino gave me an overview of the extensive complex, its many facilities and their new Rebalance programme. ​I immediately put on a fluffy bathrobe (the "uniform" of most hotel guests) because I already have the first treatments afterward. First, I go for an Ayurvedic consultation with the Indian therapist Shajeer Kizhakkekara,  who palpates my wrist and ankle. After a short conversation, he directly tells me some of my weak points. Ayurvedic medicine divides people into three constitutional types; I am a so-called Vata type. Ayurveda is aiming at balancing the five natural elements - earth, fire, water, air and space/ether. 

Despite my weaknesses, Shajeer tells me that I am a very creative person who has been spoilt by luck and will probably live to a very old age. I believe him! He advises me to do nasal rinses and intensive breathing exercises in the morning, for which he even sends me soothing Indian music. My to-do list for my personal well-being is getting longer and longer - let's see if I can manage it all. Following the inspiring conversation, I got a holistic massage tailored to me. What a fantastic start to my short stay at Terme di Saturnia!

Palate pleasures in the Terme di Saturnia

The gastronomy at the chic Restaurant 1919 surprises me. Almost perfect service and delicious dishes. The organic egg in a crispy pastry shell is so tasty. Of course, I treat myself to Italian pasta for the main course. I save the glass of wine for dinner - I once heard that one should not drink alcohol after an Ayurveda treatment. In principle, however, health and pleasure are not mutually exclusive at Terme di Saturnia. The following day I also get my beloved espresso for breakfast from the rich buffet.

How to strengthen the pelvic floor

A medical check-up and a 30-minute session on a so-called Emsella seat are scheduled on the second day. The latter is supposed to stimulate the activity of the inner organs and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles through electromagnetic energy. The treatment is painless; you only feel a slight vibration in the pelvic area. What a lot there is!

Off to the golf course

Afterward, I enjoy a second massage with Valeria, who knows which weak points to target - wonderful! Perfectly relaxed, I let Federica Bucciotti and Procolo Sabbatino, the friendly golf manager, show me around the fantastic 18-hole golf course. "We only use natural means for lawn care here. After all, the golfers come into contact with the grass about 100 times," Procolo explains.

At the Trattoria Stellata, the former clubhouse on the 70-hectare golf course, I enjoy a Maremma specialty - gnudi (a kind of pasta) with spinach and ricotta, simply delicious! The olive oil is from our own production. "We are well booked all year round," Federica tells me. "The winters are very mild here, so many regulars come to stay with us even in the cool months." On this sunny day in December with up to 14 degrees C, I think of the cold back home.

Enjoying a thermal Bath

For the following day, there is lotus-flower-scented water in my room, which I drizzle on my face on Shazeer's advice. Then I do more breathing exercises with Shazeer before breakfast to start the day stress-free. I use the rest of the morning for a 15-minute bath (recommended maximum time) in the pleasantly warm therme, followed by a tour of the facility. The relaxation rooms with their individual cabins are particularly appealing to me.

The relaxing day is rounded off with a foot reflexology massage. It is always amazing how therapists discover (and treat) weak points in your body with just a few movements - I should treat myself to this more often!

Walks, Bike Tours ... and even more Wellness

What a wonderful day in the middle of December! We go for a guided morning walk right after breakfast on the last day. A mystical mist lies over the golf course, and the sun slowly rises over the rolling hills.

The surrounding medieval villages such as Montemerano and Manciano are well worth seeing.I explored some of them on one of the hotel's e-bikes, which was an exceptional experience. In half a day, you can see a lot of historical sites.

Let´s get cold!

If you want even more activity, enjoy the well-equipped hotel gym. This time, however, I preferred more treatments - such as cryotherapy. Equipped with ear protection and gloves, I go into the cold chamber for a few minutes. "Don't touch anything and dance and sing best," the lovely lady recommends. I limit myself to wild movements to reduce the feeling of cold, and afterward, I feel like a million bucks. The cryotherapy should have a rejuvenating effect, so I am very hopeful!

After that,  I go for an "earth-and-water" massage with Liana. I was allowed to choose the "oriental dream" oil beforehand. "This oil is chosen by people who know what they want," Liana explains. ! have no doubt about that!

An intensive body peeling followed by a shower and massage is the last item on the programme. This time I even let myself be persuaded to put on thong-like panties. It's just as well that no one but the masseuse Catia sees me now.It was worth it - my skin feels velvety and relaxed. After that, I am ready to enjoy the farewell dinner at the Trattoria La Stellata.

A perfect combination: Rome and the Terme di Saturnia

A word about the rooms at Terme di Saturnia: there are 124 in total in four categories. My deluxe room was extremely spacious and comfortable. WiFi works flawlessly and is free of charge throughout the hotel area. Room rates start at EUR 350 per night (including breakfast - as of December 2022). I combined my stay at Terme di Saturnia with a few days in Rome, just under two hours away by car. If you decide on this combination, I recommend the chic, iconic Hotel d'Inghilterra in a prime location in the Italian capital. Like the Terme di Saturnia, it belongs to the luxurious Starhotels Collezione. The history of this hideaway for the international jet set dates back to the 16th century. I enjoyed refined cocktails and a wonderful last dinner before my flight back home. 

With many resolutions, I return home from Fiumicino airport. On the day of departure, the sun shines from the Tuscan sky. I will miss it at home, just like the excellent food, the efficient treatments, and the warm hospitality at Terme di Saturnia.

Terme di Saturnia

Natural Spa & Golf Resort
58014 Manciano (Grosseto)
Tel.: +39 0564 600111

www.termedisaturnia.it

"My stay at Terme di Saturnia was an invitation of the hotel. However, this did not influence my evaluation in any way."