Well, after much reading and research, I think a spa day would be very relaxing on our 2011 Italy trip. I don't want a typical spa experience. We have plenty of amazing spas in the States. I want a natural, hot springs spa atmosphere??? It seems that Ischia and Tuscany are famous for some of these spas.

Saturnia looks awesome in the pictures(the steam rising over the hot springs), but it is just too far from my destinations. Is there something like Saturnia in Ischia or Tuscany?

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q...w=1639&bih=786

Thanks for your help!

Montecatini terme in Tuscany?

I haven't travelled enough of the world to know for sure, but I think it unlikely that anywhere would compare with the thermal spa gardens here on Ischia.

As well as just "come and enjoy" admittance, they all offer a range of beauty and therapeutic treatments, but 'Negombo' - between Forio and Lacco Ameno - is our favourite and we try to get there at least once each year...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/spagards

Peter

And perhaps therein lies the answer to your other problem - leave Positano a day early, catch the morning hydrofoil over from Sorrento, and have a stopover on Ischia... from where the station in Naples is much easier to get to!

Here's my take on the island:
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/allaboutischia

Peter

Montecatini terme looks very nice, however I think it will be a little far from Siena.

Negombo does look lovely and has many pools. Do you know if they have natural hot springs though? See link below...

http://www.discovertuscany.com/marem...-saturnia.html

The pools at Negombo are heated from natural springs.

The entire island is riddled with them. I will never forget the day we spent there--it was fabulous! The beach itself is worth the trip--a sandy cove rimmed by steep hills...

http://www.negombo.it/negombo-spiaggia.html

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/6-9-2/45586.html

The whole island is one volcano perched on another, with more thermal springs, fumarole and other signs of activity than you can count!

Indeed, the then-capital was carried away by the last eruption, back in the 1300s.

For more details, try..
http://www.terme.ischia.it/uk/

Peter

I agree with A_Brit_In_ Ischia... Ischia is a magical island! surrounded by sea, by gardens and hot springs everywhere.

You should go to "Sorgeto", a small natural bay of the sea where the rocks form small pools of sea water heated by hot springs that come out between rocks. Exciting bathe them at night.

I stayed in a beautiful 5 star hotel where many celebrities have been and in summer time you can often meet them!!! I saw famous actor and singer

The Hotel of Queen Elisabeth in Lacco Ameno go to see it !!
www.reginaisabella.it/eng