Natural Hot Springs in Tuscany

I am currently in Tuscany visiting spas...yes, I think I have one of the hardest jobs in the world:) Anyway, last Sunday a new dear friend of mine, Birgit (pronounced Bear-get), a lovely German woman whom I met in my Italian class in Siena, introduced me to Bagno di Petriolo. This is a place in nature...in the woods and hills about 45 minutes outside of Siena where there are natural sulfur hot springs. I was so ecstatic that Birgit shared this place with me! It was a bit too cold to get in the water that day, so we just soaked our feet. It was also a Sunday and very busy with many people. This wonderful place in nature is no posh spa, but the simplicity of it is quite refreshing.

Yesterday, me and five other women that I have met through school (one from Switzerland, another from New Zealand and a couple of Americans) all took a little trip to the natural hot springs. After taking a short bus ride, we hiked for about 15 minutes down to the water. It was a beautiful day and we all soaked in the springs. They were so HOT, but so relaxing. We used the mud which we scooped from the bottom floor of the pool and piled it on our faces. Sulfur is a great detox and very good for the skin (especially for acne). After about an hour, we hiked back to the bus stop and came home. It was such a great afternoon with these women, although we all felt very tired and relaxed...and dehydrated! Today I am still feeling the effect of the sulfur. If you are in Tuscany, I highly recommend visiting this place in nature, it's definitely not frequented by many tourists which is nice! Unfortunately (or fortunately) a large hotel is being built at the top of the hill from the springs so I think that in about a year, the atmosphere of the springs will change and take a different shape, inviting more tourists and money. I am very happy I was able to experience it before it changes.