A little known fact about Tuscany is probably that there is a multitude of freely accessible natural hot springs. Of course, there are spas and thermal baths all over the world and the Romans were well-known for their love of public bath facilities but when one thinks of such places today, Iceland and Japan come to mind, not Tuscany. Yet, there are plenty of towns in Italy that still run highly popular outdoor baths fed by natural hot springs. One such town is Bagni San Filippo in the Orcia Valley near San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza. Here you can venture into the wilds of the forest to enjoy the hot springs, or take a more luxurious approach at a nearby hotel. Find a luxury villa in the Orcia Valley and you can unwind in a hot spring in Bagni San Filippo.
If you're interested in trying out the spa route or visiting the hot springs in the area, the resort of Terme San Filippo offers access to a restaurant, swimming pool, hotel, spa and wellness centre – all in one location. The spa and beauty treatments make use of all-natural sulphurous water, its sediments and mud and are especially therapeutic. Thermal treatments available at the resort include baths, mud baths and various kinds of aerosol inhalation and the spa offers various treatments for face and body and a line of beauty products. The swimming pool features a waterfall and waters which are rich in sulphur, calcium and magnesium and are heated to 40 degrees.
For nature lovers, however, the Fosso Bianco is the perfect place. This is an area in the woods above the village where there are several hot springs in a series of pools. You can swim comfortably here all year long and enjoy the special limestone formations which surround the springs and have inspired the such evocative names as 'the white whale' or 'the glacier'.
The first pools and limestone formations are quite close to the town but, in order to to see the famous waterfall and swim in the white sulphurous waters, you must venture further. This will take you along picturesque path through the forest, with the sounds of the waters bubbling around you.
Entry to Fosso Bianco is free but you will have to pay to use the resort facilities. Neither are especially busy for hot springs in the area and are the perfect place to unwind on a vacation in Tuscany!
The first pools and limestone formations are quite close to the town but, in order to to see the famous waterfall and swim in the white sulphurous waters, you must venture further. This will take you along picturesque path through the forest, with the sounds of the waters bubbling around you.
Entry to Fosso Bianco is free but you will have to pay to use the resort facilities. Neither are especially busy for hot springs in the area and are the perfect place to unwind on a vacation in Tuscany!
Photo credits
picture 1: Udo Schröter / CC BY 2.0;
picture 2: Ligadue / CC BY-SA 4.0;
picture 3: Ligadue / CC BY 3.0
picture 1: Udo Schröter / CC BY 2.0;
picture 2: Ligadue / CC BY-SA 4.0;
picture 3: Ligadue / CC BY 3.0
