crosscheck

We're headed to Milan, Camogli (LIguria) and Rome in September. Thinking of a thermal bath experience in between Camogli and Rome. A few questions:

- Is it worth the schlep to Fonteverde, a spa resort in Southern Tuscany with killer views and outdoor baths? (Would mean driving with our friends from Camogli to Lucca, then taking two trains to Chiusi and then a 20 minute ride - essentially a whole day of travel.)

- Also considering Saturnia - shorter train ride and longer drive. We can't rent a car that day in Lucca because we'll be arriving on a Saturday pm after the rental car offices have closed - would have to go to the Pisa airport to get a car.

- How are the bath resorts and bath towns closer to Lucca? (Bagni di Pisa, Montecatini Terme, Bagni di Lucca, Grotta Guisi)

-And...will it be too warm to sit in hot springs in mid September? The last time we were in Lucca in September we encountered scorching days.

Appreciate expert opinions!

kawh

we loved the water at Saturnia-- but the actual spa was closed when we were there. but those natural springs, and the setting, can't be beat.

have not been to the one near pisa... please post here if you go.

montecatini terme is really mostly for tasting the waters, and taking small baths in private rooms. i had a nice bath and mud treatment there-- but it's a typical italian health spa (covered by medical insurance, i think.)
BUT we do love montecatini. it reminds me of what i think Palm Springs must have been like in the '50s.

grotta giusti is a special treat. it's not cheap... but it is magical walking through the cave with a warm robe on and sitting in the natural steam bath with water dripping. and their big pool is crowded, but lovely.

we absolutely love hot springs and try not to miss an opportunity as we travel.

if you ever get a chance, go to Bagni Vecchi in Bormeo. magic waters, gorgeous surroundings, and in a less explored part of italy.

crosscheck

Thanks, kawh. Extremely helpful. Wish we had enough time to go to Bormio! Looks absolutely spectacular.

As much as we'd love to see Saturnia, I'm not sure if its worth spending a whole day getting there, especially because September might be too hot for a full day in a hot spring. So we're leaning toward Bagni di Pisa (Grotta Guisti is sold out). Not sure whether to stay there or just do the day spa visit. Did you visit GG just for treatments or did you stay over?

kawh

We have been to gg a few times, but never stayed...mostly because we love staying in Montecatini...or Lucca... ( gg isn't really in a cute town center) ...but also because it didn't get great reviews, and was quite expensive. Not sure if that's still the case.)

Other possibilities are...Sirmione lake...out of Milan... And viterbo...west of Rome. Viterbo has a very posh pool as well as 'wild baths' and is a short drive from Civita Bagnoregio, which is worth seeing. We're Nuts for thermal waters!

mama_mia

I did not take the waters in Montecatini Terme, but I agree that it is a nice town to visit. I love medieval through baroque architecture, but I thought the liberty/art nouveau style of Montecatini Terme made for a "refreshing" change.

crosscheck

Thanks for the input, kawh and mama. Have either of you ventured to Bagni di Lucca? That also looks lovely. We big fans of thermal waters as well and I'm now realizing that we need a month in Tuscany to check them all out.

We're now thinking of staying with our friends in Lucca and going to Bagni di Pisa for a day spa experience. We're not going to have a car - if we did we'd probably check out both GG and Montecatini. But BdP seems to tick more boxes...a grotto, various terme pools, mud treatments (which interest us), easy to get to by train or taxi, all in a sweet village with Tuscan views. Still deciding - Will report back.