The clear air and fragrant, springs and streams at high altitudes, the leaves of the trees. The thermal baths of San Filippo and Bagno Vignoni, San Casciano dei Bagni, Petriolo Saturnia and several swimming pools. The slow passage of time, the rhythm marked by church steeples, the cycles of harvesting and curing of the wood. The paths in search of medicinal herbs and wild orchids.
Air, fresh water, woods, hot springs and medicinal plants
Monte Amiata has an abundant supply of fresh water. Two of its springs, one at Santa Fiora the other at Vivo d’Orcia supply the provinces of Siena, Grosseto and Viterbo. Other hot springs rise from deeper within the volcano and feed several thermal spas: Bagni di San Fillippo, with its calcareous limestone encrusted cascade (Balena Bianca, the while whale), unique of its kind;the ancient baths at Bagno Vignoni; on the opposite side of the mountain the famous spa at Saturnai looking out over the Maremma; the baths of Petriolo, beside the road to Siena, and finally the baths at San Casciano in the ValD’Orcia.
The woods are another of Amiata’s features and thanks to the work of the Consorzio Forestale dell’Amiata, these were the first in italy to receive a certificatefor sustainable forest management under the PEFC scheme.This recognition, quite apart from rewarding the responsible management of our woods andcreating a much greater awareness of environmental sustainability, served to promote the whole area and helped to bring the quality and value of local products to people’s notice and create a direct link between the product and the environment.
Monte Amiata is also rich in medicinal plants which grow more profusely than anywhere else. Aurelio Visconti is the expert and in his workshop in Abbadia San Salvatore he makes liqueurs either by maceration of infusion. Antonella uses her detailed knowledge of these herbs in her cooking at the ‘Ristoro del Parco Faunistico”.
Introductory courses to Ki Control, in order to find new energies for daily living are of great interest: we often neglect our psychological and physical needs, thus creating many problems.These courses are run by processionals and enable you to develop a deeper awareness of yourself and your body.
Relax in Monte Amiata’s hot springs. This tour has been organised to suit those who have only limited time available.It is a relaxing stay featuring visits to hot springs in the area.
Arrival
Arrival at the hotel in the late afternoon and a cocktail to welcome you. Dinner with traditional dishes from the area which go well with wines from Montalcino, Montecucco, Scansano and Monrtepulciano. After dinner Cesare Moroni will give a talk with slides about the area.
Abbadia San Salvatore and the hot springs at San Filippo
After a short walk in the woods surrounding the hotel we shall set off for Abbadia San Salvatore, where we shall visit the medieval village, the splendid Abbey and the MiningMuseum which illustrates the epic cultural history of the people of Amiata in the last century. Next we shall visit Aurelio Visconti’s herbal liqueur workshop.He is a great expert on the medicinal plants found on Monte Amiata, and makes several liqueurs using the old recipes handed down from the Abbey’s Cistercian monks. Lunch will be at a traditional restaurant, the “Gatto e la Volpe” (The Cat and the Fox). In the afternoon we shall go to the hot springs at San Filippo.Relax and rest in Amiata’s hot waters.There is also a delightful walk along the sulphurous stream that flanks the little hamlet. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner will be followed by an evening of music.
Castiglion D’Orcia and the hot water springs at Bagno Vignoni
Leave for Castiglion D’Orcia and a visit to its characteristic square called the Piazza del Vecchietta.A visit follows to Rocca a Tentennano - the old bastion of the Salimbeni family. After that we shall go to Bagno Vignoni for lunch.The afternoon will be spent bathing at the spa. Return to the hotel.
The Hot Springs at Saturnia
After breakfast leave for the main hot water spring at Saturnia. The beautiful sulphurous pool is memorably tranquil. In the late morning leave the pool to eat in a typical restaurant. After a visit to Saturnia itself, return to the hotel. Final departure.