Top 5 Luxury Spa Towns In Sicily
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Anyone who is interested in a luxury holiday to Italy will
inevitably be drawn to the best spas and thermal baths the
country has to offer. Since Roman times, spas have been one of
the most popular forms of relaxation and socialising in Italy,
and today its thermal baths and spas have become so popular that
many holiday goers make them the centrepiece of their trip.
The best destinations for spa holidays in Italy are on the
coast or the small islands that surround the mainland, and
Sicily has some of the best thermal spa hotels in the region.
Most of the top luxury hotels in Sicily have some kind of spa
facility, and there are many that specialize in thermal
treatments. Sicily and the Aeolian islands have numerous active
and dormant volcanoes, and many spas take their spa water from
natural hot springs. This volcanic spring water has a
particularly high salt and mineral content, giving many health
benefits to those who bathe in it.
Just as important as the quality of a luxury spa hotel in
Sicily is its location. Some people want peace, quiet and
natural beauty after a spa session, others want vibrant city
life and an authentic taste of Sicilian culture as part of their
holiday. Here are five of the best spa towns in Sicily, from
bustling cities and towns to secluded island retreats.
Catania
Located on the east coast of Sicily, Catania is the island's
second largest city after Palermo. The source of Catania's hot
springs isn't hard to locate – the city sits at the foot of the
largest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna.
The proximity of the volcano has made the surrounding land
extremely fertile, and the spring water is of excellent quality.
Though earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have damaged the city
at several points in its history, many of the ancient buildings
remain intact. The city is also famed for its popular music
scene, and so offers both handsome architecture and a vibrant
nightlife. For people who want the bustle of an exciting city as
part of their spa holiday in Sicily, Catania is an outstanding
choice.
Vulcano
If you want a little more seclusion while on your luxury
holiday in Sicily, some of the best places to go are on the
Aeolian Islands, a small archipelago just off the north coast of
Sicily. Each island has some superb spa resorts, but perhaps the
best of them can be found on Vulcano.
As the name of the island suggests, several volcanoes are at
the centre of the island, giving rise to the hot springs that
are used by the spa hotels on Vulcano. The island is sparsely
populated, leaving plenty of untouched natural beauty to enjoy
between spa sessions. And for those who are looking for unusual
health and beauty treatments, sulphur mud baths are a particular
speciality offered by the spas of Vulcano.
Taormina
Taormina is small town on the east coast of Sicily, popular
with tourists and famed for its superb beaches. The town itself
is a great place to relax during spa holidays in Sicily, with
picturesque architecture and a rich history. It's an especially
good place for culture vultures – Taormina features one of the
most popular archaeological sites in Sicily, the `Greek
Theatre', a superbly preserved amphitheatre which is the venue
for numerous live music and theatre events. For a luxury holiday
in Sicily, Taormina is a great middle ground between a busy city
like Catania and the more isolated Aeolian island resorts.
Mazara Del Vallo
Located in the southwest of Sicily, Mazara Del Vallo is a busy
port town that is home to the largest fishing fleet in Italy.
The area immediately around Mazara Del Vallo, where many of the
best spa hotels are to be found, is rich with numerous olive
groves and vineyards, providing a handsome backdrop to some of
the best luxury resorts for holidays in Sicily. This part of the
island is visited by fewer tourists than the north and east,
which makes Mazara Del Vallo the ideal place to get away from
the crowds for relaxing spa holidays in Sicily.
Termini Imerese
The very name of Termini Imerese is inseparable from its
history as a spa town. Derived from the Latin "Thermae
Himerenses" or "Hot springs of Himera", the town has been a
significant spa town since it was found over two and half
thousand years ago. It has a history associated with the
Hercules and the armies of Hannibal, and was once praised by
Cicero as one of the finest towns in Sicily. Today, those on spa
holidays in Sicily can still see the ancient Roman aqueducts and
enjoy a superb view across the sea to nearby Palermo. Pretty
architecture and good views aside, the town works hard to uphold
its traditional role as a premier spa town. It has some of the
best luxury hotels in Sicily, and most offer an extensive range
of health and beauty treatments.
About The Author: Antonio Cresce is the Italy Specialist for
Key2Holidays
(http://www.key2holidays.co.uk/italy/italy-region-guides.asp?state=239SI),
a travel company that can help each individual customer plan
their own perfect Sicily luxury holiday.
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