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The problem with visiting Italian spas that are not through-the-roof expensive is that there is almost no information in English. I thought I’d narrowed my search for an Italian spa to visit down to the spa towns of Viterbo, Tivoli or Ischia – all Italian spa towns complete with hot springs – but then Fiuggi came into play.
![Woman Search for an Italian spa, a statue](https://wanderingcarol.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Woman_453x600.jpg)
The search for an Italian spa – Fiuggi
Fiuggi is a major Italian spa centre and – this is the big draw – Fiuggi cured Michelangelo’s kidney stones! How can you not want to go to a spa that cured Michelangelo’s kidney stones? Michelangelo said (not to me, obviously, so I can’t confirm this) that his kidney stone was the only stone he couldn’t love. Isn’t that priceless? As priceless (well, maybe not) as one of his sculptures.
Only, I don’t have kidney stones but I was thinking that perhaps a trip to Fiuggi could cure something else. Something I didn’t know I had, or maybe it could prevent kidney stones that I might have gotten had I not gone to this historic Italian spa town.
![Man The search for an Italian spa, fresco of a male](https://wanderingcarol.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Man_600x453.jpg)
Where is the Italian spa town of Fiuggi?
Fiuggi is about two hours out of Rome and I even found the hotel I wanted with a stellar spa package. The Hotel Ambasciatori (doesn’t that just roll off your tongue?) and here’s the deal:
6 nights with Full board + wellness center + free wifi + cloud bath treatment (25mn) + aromatic massage (50mn)
Price: 599€
Don’t ask me what a cloud bath treatment is but I’m sure I could use one. It’s probably extremely beneficial for preventing future kidney stones. The deal seemed wonderful to me so I thought I had made my decision, then I stumbled onto a forum discussing the Italian spa town of Fiuggi that said the spa baths weren’t baths at all, but more like a spa park, where you walk around and drink the water.
The waters of Fiuggi
The mineral water in Fiuggi is said to be a rare breed of water with a low mineral content that acts as a diuretic and somehow magically dissolves kidney stones. Only, as I mentioned before, I don’t have kidney stones. Nonetheless, it sounds like an excellent Italian spa.
![Famous Mud The search for an Italian spa, mud bath](https://wanderingcarol.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Famous-Mud_453x600.jpg)
Fiuggi’s other claim to fame
In addition to curing kidney stones the water at the Italian spa town of Fiuggi also acts as a detoxificant and we can all use a good detox holiday. Am I right? But the thing is, I really like to bathe in thermal (hot) water as well as drink it. I’m a bit of a water hog that way. So maybe Fiuggi isn’t right for me after all, and it’s back to square one of my search for an Italian spa.
![Beautiful Italy The search for an Italian spa hotel](https://wanderingcarol.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Beautiful-Italy_453x600.jpg)
The search for an Italian spa gets obsessive
I swear, I’m waking up in the night going over the pros and cons of each spa town in Italy, while knowing really nothing about them. Without Fiuggi I have to start all over, and soon I’m going to need an extra spa holiday just to recover from the stress of booking a spa holiday in Italy.
Wandering Carol eventually finds her spa. In fact, since this was written she’s found quite a few. Here’s a sample:
Montegrotto, Italy
Want help? Check out How to Choose a Spa in Tuscany
Read more about spas at The Spa and Spa Travel
Hi Jody – I am just heading to some Italian spas alone next week so I will let you know about that. It depends on your budget. If it is tight then the Czech spas or Hungarian spas are good, but they can be confusing for a solo traveller. If you have some money to spare, Mii amo in Arizona is incredible and has a communal table for spa goers. As for Europe, it really depends on your comfort level. Fonteverde is pricey but I have heard great things about it. It is in Tuscany. Last year I went to Montegrotto terme near Venice – it was fun but I did not really meet other people.
Hi, new to reading you column. I have question Carol…I would like to spa but I will be travelling alone. Which do you see as the most comfortable for a single woman. Europe preferable. I would appreciate this if you have time. Thank you