I'm planning my third trip to Italy and on this one, I think I might like to visit a thermal spa. Any recommendations? Any warnings? I will be travelling with my mother and my aunt; we'll only have a day or two to spend at a spa.

Hi Lisa. I would suggest that you look into Montecatini . My daughter and I spent an afternoon there. She went to the spa and I just hung out. She loved it. The town of Montecatini is lovely. I have talked to people who have actually stayed there and they said it is very nice and not that expensive. The spa treatments were reasonable too according to my daughter. Telephone numbers I found in the Fodor's Guide. I called to make the appointment. I originally had a little difficulty getting someone on the phone whith good English, but was able to understand them enough to know when to call back. The person who scheduled the appointment did speak very good English. I think you will like this town very much. I believe they have several facilities that provide different services.

Thanks for the recommendation, Sherry! Montecatini sounds like it's just what I'm looking for in a spa. I searched for Montecatini online and have already found some information. I'll tell my mom to look it up in her Fodors Italy book. <BR> <BR>For anyone else who happens to read this, I recommend visiting these two sites for more information: <BR> <BR>http://www.termemontecatini.it/ <BR>http://www.comunemontecatini.com/

Never heard about Bagno Vignoni in South of Siena ?? Wounderfoul place with hot Spa. There is also a new nice small hotel called La Locanda del Loggiato. see www.loggiato.it

I stayed in Bagno Vignoni in 1999. They have a great pool fed by thermal springs. They also still have the Roman bath full of hot water and use original aquaducts.

Where is Bagno Vignoni south of Sienna. I can't find it on any of my maps. www.loggiato.it doesn't help either. Is it near S. Quirico d'Orcia? <BR>Rhonda

Yes. Is six Km away from San Quirico d'Orcia. The right name is Bagni (not Bagno) Vignoni. Sorry, ciao.

Hi--Just spent a night in Bagni Vignoni about a month ago. Stayed at a hotel called the Posta Marucci which had its own huge hot-sulphur-spring-fed swimming pool. It's a funny little town, not much else there just a few hotels and restaurants and the amazing piscina in the middle of the town square. The hotel offers breakfast, half or full board. We had breakfast and dinner there--breakfast was great, dinner was so-so. I'd recommend trying out another restaurant in town for dinner. A single room, breakfast and dinner cost about 150.000 lira. (approx $75.) And it's a quick drive from there to Montalcino, Pienza, Monte Olvieto Maggiore monastery, etc. If you want I'll email you the phone number of the hotel...

Lisa, There are at least a dozen good spa towns in Italy. Several are in the thermal area of south Tuscany and include Bagno Vignoni, Chianciano Terme, <BR>Saturnia et al. I just returned from staying at Bagno at the Posta Marcucci. It is a nice hotel in a great location but does not have the full spa facilites you will find in Montecatini or Montegrotto di Terme near Venice. Look at Saturnia as well. Lots of good press on this one.

The island of Ischia is full of natural hot springs and baths.....hundreds of hotels, and beautiful settings...also, you don't have the myriads of tourists that trample Capri......

Lisa,have youever heard of the island of Ischia which is adjacent to the Isle of Capri and accessible by ferry or hydrofoil from Naples? This island is FAMOUS for natural thermal spring, fango or mud treatments and related health spas. It is Italy's secret. <BR>Most tourists are German who visit this island. Americans usually go th Capri,but the locals are friendlier and less pretentious than the Caprese people. We stayed at the Hotel Regina Isabella where my husband took the "treatments" for 3 days. The food was out of this world and the service so accommodating. Look into it !

Are there any spas within a short train or bus ride from Siena for a day trip?

Less that 30 minutes by bus, there is a thermal Spa called Bagni di Petriolo,on the way from Siena to Grosseto, Very nice hot-pool in the countrysite.

Is anyone familiar with the hot bath and mud bath spas in Sicily or the Aeolian Islands? We are visiting in just over a week and are interested in a spa day.

I will be in the Naples/Sorrento area in just over a week. Has anyone been to the Terme Stabiane in Catellammare di Stabia?

Hi Shery,<BR>We are going to be in Montecatini for a week, for an art course rather than the spa, but I would like to know more about the treatments you had there--was it soaking, mud baths, or other specialties, in addition to drinking the water? Additionally, did u have any ill effects from drinking the water?<BR><BR>Any tips specifically about the Montecatini experience would be most appreciated. Many thanks.<BR><BR>RobynFrance

Hi Bryan,<BR>Terme Stabiane in Castellammare di Stabia are very nice and very good for health care.<BR>They are located nearby Pompei and are close to Naples, Capri, and Penisola Sorrentina.<BR>I suggest it.<BR>Have a nice trip.

Does anyone have spa/hot springs suggestions for south of Florence, in the Montelupo Fiorentino/Empoli area? Thanks.

Any others?<BR><BR>

I've never been to a spa and wonder if anyone can tell me what the procedure is if you go to a spa for the day - not necessarily for the treatments, but to use the various pools. What kind of choices are there? Can you rent a suit?