In Italy, there is no edge more gracious than Tuscany amid the burned fields, whose yellowness dilutes the green cypresses and poppies Alost, twisted road - past the villages, sheep herds, vineyards ...
And now one can see Pisa and Florence, which are rich in masterpieces of the Renaissance. However, Tuscany is capable of not only inspire, but also healthier.
The hot springs have made the region a major Italian health resort and its most famous SPA-Resort - Montecatini Terme. This is a quiet small town, set in lush gardens, where the hotel even more than the homes of ordinary Italians.
It is not surprising that there is big set of shops, restaurants, bars and discos that literally come to life in the evenings under the influx of tourists from around the world. However, despite the seeming democracy resort still retains the patina of elitism - in the second half of the XIX century Italian aristocrat, obediently following the fashion of treatment on the waters that swept Europe, settled in Montecatini. The streets of the town still remember the great Italians such as Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Luigi Pirandello - the list is endless. There were here and monarchs - for example, Grace Kelly with the royal family of Monaco. And in the most luxurious hotel in Montecatini Grand Hotel & La Pace died Christian Dior.
By the way, in the Grand Hotel & La Pace Nikita Mikhalkov were filmed "Dark Eyes" with Marcello Mastroianni in the lead role. Guests are taken now. However, many hotel interiors have been preserved in its original form, as well as the facade - a magnificent example of Art Nouveau, which is dominated by the architecture of Montecatini Terme and its appearance gives its own unique charm.
Living Water in the heart of the city
Yet the history of the resort began long before the appearance of Art Nouveau in architecture and art . Ask an indigenous person, where the historic center of Montecatini and it will show you on a nearby hill, like a crown surmounted by a small medieval fortress . Behind its walls hides the eponymous town of Montecatini, only to the definition of the Alto, which translates from Italian as "Supreme Montecatini" . It was there, on the hill where today you can climb the historic funicular, first settled montekatintsy: nisin was heavily waterlogged, and despite the healing springs, completely uninhabitable . Everything changed in the second half of the XVIII century, when the Grand Duke of Tuscany Pietro Leopoldo of Lorraine undertook irrigation bogs . He not only sponsored the study of treatment options, but also on their funds organized the construction of baths, one of which - Terme Tetuchchio - became a symbol of both the Montecatini and Europe as a whole hydrotherapy . At the same time around the term it was defeated prominent park area exceeds 460 thousand square meters - a truly green heart of the city, whose vessels poured living water .
Dirt with chocolate
The secret of the miraculous source, making their way to the surface from a depth of almost kilometer through the deposits of limestone, clay and jasper, hidden in a unique combination of different salts and trace elements. The water temperature ranges from 24, 5 to 33 ° C, 5 ° C
However, the drink and its refrigerated - depending on the medical requirements. The range of diseases for which a use montekatinskih water is very wide: it is a problem with intestinal motility and the outflow of bile, dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, metabolic disorders, arthritis, dermatitis, disorders of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Thanks to them, cleans, restores electrolyte balance of the body.
But the magic is not only drink mineral water - baths in Montecatini offer a range of treatments based on it: baths, showers, massages, body wraps, inhalations, aerosols. Excellent proven itself and the local cosmetology. A particular success using anti-aging program: the mineral substances contained in the water, promote the rapid regeneration of skin cells and saturate it with oxygen.
Montecatini is 11 thermal spas, and each has its own specialization . Those who come here are not treated, but simply freshen up and cool off, choose "Excelsior" - one of its four floors allocated for SPA-procedures . The center boasts not only the palace interiors and outstanding facade in the style of Belle Epoque, but also the presence of the indoor pool, filled with thermal water, saunas and a whole gallery . Purely montekatinskie "ingredients" - mineral water and dirt - are combined with essential oils, algae and sea salt . Sweet tooth probably will like SPA-program "Chocolate pleasure", which includes peeling on the basis of chocolate mousse, face mask of tiramisu serum and body wraps from certain varieties of Italian chocolate (250 euros) . Here you can taste and exotic massages - such as Hawaiian, or "Lomi Lomi": in particular it will be appropriate after a busy day of sightseeing tours in Tuscany, since fatigue and tension in the joints, while providing a relaxing and invigorating effect (EUR 70) . For complete relaxation accept ozonated thermal bath, which normalizes blood circulation
circulation and eliminates stagnation of fluid in the tissues (25 euros).
Painful delight
In Montecatini easily turn into sybarite . The reason for that, and pleasing to the body and soul SPA-procedures, and abundant Tuscan cuisine with the renowned Chianti (red wine), and the general atmosphere of relaxation - so long, and lose waist . So do not be lazy - go on excursions: What is a day spent in Florence - from the main cities of art . "Flower" capital of Tuscany is peerless: there were more than 100 cases of so-called "Stendhal syndrome", who first described the disease state of delight caused by the architecture and the city museum collections . The pulse quickens at the sight of Florence Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, both grand in scale and sophistication in the details of external decoration . A narrow streets of the city-museum - a revived Renaissance: Dante lived there, worked there Michelangelo here - Boccaccio . The queues at the Uffizi Gallery, of course, make you nervous, but still worth seeing "Spring" by Botticelli with his own eyes, and then come out with a clear conscience on the embankment of the Arno and make a lovely picture of the Ponte Vecchio - Old Bridge, built in the XIV century jewelry shops and workshops several floors .
Field of Dreams
You can not escape and Pisa - for at least the 'classic' photos with the world famous tower. At the cathedral and baptistery, it forms the magnificent architectural ensemble - no wonder the area in front of them is called the Square of Miracles! By the way, with the field of miracles in the fairy tale about Pinocchio this place has nothing to do. Or rather - stories of Pinocchio: the wooden boy was Italian! Not only that - the Tuscans, and very close to the town of Montecatini Terme is Collodi, where he was "born." And if you are traveling with children, be sure they were brought back: amusement park "Pinocchio" you see a performance in the theater of puppets, look in the shop for their production, to ride on the old carousel and visit the house of butterflies.
Raznotsvete cities
"Mash" can be in and around Montecatini Terme to go swim in the Tyrrhenian sea, play golf among the olive groves and even participate in the race. But with a strong desire - to go to the very north of Tuscany, and to look into other Italian region of Liguria, where there are an amazing place - the Cinque Terre, which is little known Russian tourists and a group of five miniature multicolored cities, some of which huddle on the rocks, others come close to the sea. Do not forget comfortable shoes to stray on the streets and mountain paths, - however, it is enough to admire the stunning views of the Cinque Terre from the hill, and then relax on the beach.
Where to live?
Home comfort
Hotel La Pia (50 euros) at home simple and cozy, despite the proximity to the central quarter of Montecatini Terme, always quiet; of the views of the tiled roofs of the city, the blue sky and the hills surrounding the thermal spa. There is nothing superfluous, and at reasonable prices.
Shine Center
Hotel Columbia (from 80 euros) Located on the main shopping street of Montecatini, earning it four stars - behind the facade in the style of the classic Art Nouveau hides elegant interiors, everything sparkles, including smile and courteous staff. At the hotel is a wellness center.
Ease of savings
Surrounded by green gardens, unfussy, but nice and cheap hotel Parma E Oriente (from 39 euros) located within walking distance from the thermal SPA-centers of the city and major attractions. Incidentally, the hotel has a swimming pool.
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