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God created
this spectacular spa, Terme di Saturnia just improved it a little
By Madelyn Miller
Take a perfect setting with a natural thermal bath. Add a luxurious hotel,
a highly trained medical and aesthetic staff and add a restaurant worthy
of many stars.
Sound like a fantasy?
It becomes a reality at Terme di Saturnia.
This lucky body has been rubbed and bathed and massaged in some of the
most beautiful places in the world. But it is hard to think of anyplace
that combines all the elements, natural and man-made, so effectively.
Perhaps it helps that the spa is owned and managed by one of the most
successful multi-industry factory owners in Italy. They seem to know how
to keep up the quality control and manage to create a consistently perfect
experience.
It all starts when you enter the sleek, modern setting, and are greeted
by a staff who speak many languages, reflecting the diversity of their
guests. As you walk down the spacious hall ways to the elegant rooms,
you begin to realize
what a special place this is.
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Three thousand years ago,
Etruscan warriors bathed here, to help their wounds heal. Although the
jabs and wounds of modern life are different, the waters are still as
soothing.
SOAKING UP SERENITY
The large thermal pool is the center of the property. You can gaze upon
it from the glass enclosed dining room, and the complex is created around
it.
TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT…THAT
IS NOT THE QUESTION
 If
you want to make your stay at Terme DI Saturnia a calorie conscious one,
you can easily choose to dine from the delicious diet section of the dining
room. The offerings are so appealing, that even those of us not trying
to diet wanted to sample some of the offerings. The thick, creamy coups
did not seem like “diet” food at all.
But the most amazing low calorie offering is the selection of calorie-reduced
cocktails, all with less than 90 calories. Made from intriguing ingredients
like arugula, carrots and pineapple juice, and presented in wine goblets,
they are a satisfying and healthy treat.
MY MOTHER SAID BREAKFAST WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY.
At Saturnia, the breakfast offerings would really wow my Mom. Ten different
breads, including Tuscan, whole wheat and many rolls, 4 organic jam flavors
(I loved the Plum and Peach) 3 different kinds of croissants (including
chocolate, cream and jam-filled)
But the show stopper is the
center table laden with what looks like the desserts at a Bar Mitzvah
or wedding. I loved the Nutella pie and the yogurt cake. In my four day
stay, I did not even have a chance to try all the cakes at cookies they
offered at breakfast. That is not a typo.
THE DOCTOR IS ALWAYS IN
 There
are nurses and doctors on staff and they are always there to supervise
medical treatments. I had a very, very bad sunburn when I arrived which
was peeling and painful.
The spa director personally
escorted me to a staff dermatologist to consult on what they could do
to help.
A few soaks in the sulphur
warmth of the thermal bath helped both the pain and peeling.
DINNER IS SERVED
The bountiful buffets of breakfast and lunch are topped off by a sophisticated
choice of gourmet food at dinner. Villa Montepaldi, their fabulous restaurant,
could hold its own against any top cosmopolitan restaurant.
On our last night there, my host ordered a diet meal. The four-course
was so delicious I never would have guessed it was low calorie unless
they had told me in advance.
TERRIFIC TREATMENTS
There are so many wonderful
things to tell you about Terme DI Saturnia, that you might have thought
I was not even going to describe the treatments. I have merely saved the
best for last.
Since Terme DI Saturnia is a medical facility as well as a spa, take advantage
of their expertise and have a ski analysis with a cosmetologist. I learned
the Ph of my skin, its sensitivity to the sun and what I needed to do
to slow the aging process. The process was very scientific and light years
ahead of anything I have ever experienced in either a dermatologist’s
office or spa.
I also had a fitness evaluation by Rocco, a trained physical therapist.
The educational background of everyone I worked with at Terme DI Saturnia
was impressive.
My favorite spa treatment was a Multivitamin Oxygenating Treatment. The
combined action of oxygen aerosol therapy and vitamins is an effective
anti-aging action. After the treatment, two of my traveling companions
commented on the improvement in my skin. And I certainly felt younger
after all the attentive pampering of my skin. Another great skin treatment
is their Homage and Thermal Plankton Treatment. The plankton mask treatment
is preceded by a careful and delicate peeling of the entire body, which
leaves the skin in an excellent condition to fully absorb the moisturizing
qualities of the thermal plankton.
Other interesting treatments are the Shiro Bliss therapy which leaves
the hair very oily as it moisturizes the scalp.
The Stone Therapy involves
deep penetrating heat, with heated stones, using different temperatures
on the body to create relaxation and stimulate healing. Perfect for balancing
all levels of emotional, mental and physical energies.
The Energetic Rebalancing
Therapy involves essential oils used together with the particular enveloping
movements to encourage deep relaxation, yet at the same time stimulate
the awakening of vital energy.
But I know that the biggest results came from the thermal waters. I became
addicted to dunking my body into the waters, and began planning my day
around when I would jump in. Since you should only stay about 15 minutes
at a time, there was a lot of soaking and showering between meals.
YOU WILL PROBABLY NEVER WANT TO LEAVE THE PROPERTY
 But
if your curiosity about the gorgeous country side peeks your interest
here are a few nearby things to visit.
Try dinner in Manciano, a closeby ancient village. I enjoyed a reasonably-priced,
typically Tuscan meal at Osteria L”Antica Compagnia. Try the Acquacotta--
vegetable soup with the egg in the middle. The filets at this restaurant
are also delicious. I ordered vin santo with cookies for dipping for dessert—but
the Lemon sorbet might be an even better choice.
You can easily walk to Saturnia Village from the resort, and after the
uphill hike you will have an appetite worth of the Enotecca Dei Due Cippi,
da Alessandro. It is hard to believe that such a delicious meal can come
from such a tiny kitchen. I feasted on assorted bruschetta, creamy carrot
soup, a cheese plate with five dipping sauces (honey, red pepper jelly,
chocolate olive, wine jelly and onion jelly).Their legendary apple dessert--almost
a bread pudding topped with sliced apples and drizzled with caramel sauce--was
the grand finale. Thank goodness it is easier to walk downhill after this
kind of meal.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TERME DI SATURNIA
www.termedisaturnia.com
Also See:
Dallas-based
Madelyn Miller is the executive editor of Travellady.com,
an online travel publication featuring worldwide destinations.
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