So we went on another wine tasting adventure. As you know you could do that everyday here in Tuscany. But, during this tasting we discovered a winery named Villa S. Anna in Montepulciano. A winery that has some fantastic wine and has a woman’s touch. It is owned and operated all by woman. All but the actual harvesting of the grapes during the session. This winery has been owned by the same family for 200 years!
These old cellars have some very different characteristics. One of the cellars actually has a slimy film on the walls that pulls the color of the grapes from the gasses during the fermentation period. It is quite a beautiful place!
On the road to Saturnia
Off to our newest destination Saturnia. We really should have been driving an all terrain vehicle for this treck across the mountains. I thought Montepulciano was an eye opener but this was crazy! We drove on long stretches of gravel roads and what was paved was collapsed off the sides and sunken craters in the middle. Never again in my life did I think the GPS considered this a road. But at the end of our 2 hour journey, she said, “you have reached your destinations”. The Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort.
Saturnia
I have to say what an experience it has been to visit this amazing place. I have been to many spas, but none come close to this place. Everyone is supplied with fresh white bathrobes and slippers daily. That is basically your attire for the day. You can go to breakfast and lunch, and even the bar in your robe. Around the pool, you wear your robe, as you stroll about from place to place. It is, “what you do”. Nobody is pretentious about anything. Walking about in your bathrobe with mud on your face is a normal thing to see. Nobody cares how they look, they are just enjoying there time at the spa.
Then, there is the thermal pool. The walls of the hotel are built around this deep sulfur spring. As everyone is wading in it with there noodles, waiting for a transformation of body and soul, like in the movie Cocoon. I have to say I haven’t received any super powers, but it does take you to a level of relaxation that you can’t believe, and makes your skin so soft.
Please go to their website and scroll down to their video of the pool. I could not do it’s justice. It’s worth a peek!
termedisaturnia.it (Check this web address)
This is a beautiful sulfur waterfall that is open to the public. People come from all over the world to sit in the cascading water and soak up the sun. It is all free! Just remember to bring your water shoes. It can get very slippery and hard on your feet.
Next stop Positano!
Ciao,
Lisa
Off The Beaten Trail 