Hey Guys.
Yes, I'm trying to pack it in. But this truly seems efficient!? Would it be crazy to stop @ Saturnia Hot Springs (we'd probably get there around noon or 13:00) on our jet lagged way driving from FCO to our agriturismo in Tuscany?
We'd keep our luggage with us and take turns soaking. Or just look. Two 40 year olds, two tweens, and two agile grandparents.
Any good places for lunch there?
Would it be too packed to even attempt this?
So after an overnight flight you plan on a 2 hr drive, with your body clock thinking it is 3AM and you then plan to soak in a hot spring and then drive on to your lodging?
If I were to do that I would be sooo ready to just curl up and snooze I have to wonder if this is a wise plan.
My apologies for wandering off topic...
I went to Saturnia last time in the summer of 2022 (and many times a long time ago). I drove from Rome but visited relatives for a couple of days after landing, so I wasn’t jet lagged anymore. The drive is basically freeway (north of Civitavecchia not so great of a freeway), till you exit at Montalto di Castro and then you drive on a regular two way highway with curves. Italian highways have generally narrower lanes compared to the US, have plenty of curves, and no shoulders, so you must pay attention when you drive as it doesn’t take much to end up in a ditch if you get distracted.
The parking lot for the Cascate del Mulino (Watermill Falls) is here. It is a unguarded pay lot (you place the receipt of payment on the dashboard). You could potentially leave your luggage inside but at your own risk. Obviously any important or valuable stuff should come with you. If you want you can take all your luggage with you. The walk to the natural ponds takes 5 min, on flat terrain so no climbing necessary, therefore taking your suitcases is doable, albeit there is some portion of the walk on dirt road (just a few meters). I stayed at a hotel so I didn’t need to do that.
Where is your Agriturismo?
Saturnia is far from other typical tourist spots, but there are other Tuscan hot springs that are much closer to the main hubs. The one I have in mind is Bagni San Filippo, which is in the Val d'Orcia and really quite pretty. I greatly enjoyed a visit there in Oct 2023 - but I never made it to Saturnia so I cannot compare.
If it is close to your Agriturismo, you can plan an excursion there during your stay.
I'm with Joe.
And do remember you will be redolent of sulfur when you finish. I think there are shower facilities.
Call me overcautious, but just the idea of driving all the way to an agriturismo in Tuscany on arrival day is risky. Then add in the diversion onto narrower roads (in a van, I assume) and then soaking in a hot spring before resuming the drive???. Only if the driver agreed to just watch and not go in the water. And even then I think it would be more prudent to visit a spa on a different day.
Saturnia Hot Springs are amazing . We visited in 2012 and spent one night at La Fonte del Cerro where you can just walk down to the springs. Personally, I would not recommend going in that water after such a long flight and somewhat of a drive. We were in the water for over two hours and "vegetated." It is very, very relaxing.......
If your Agriturismo is not too far, I would come back and spend the day or a few hours.
Not sure what is around there for lunch but went to the village for dinner at this fabulous steakhouse, Ristorante I Due Cippi, that was just named # 6 of the best 100 steakhouses in the world.
Some people are very cautious about driving at all on arrival day. I'm not, but also I know myself and I'm always fine on the day I show up to Europe.
But I will say, if it was me I would be taking that car straight to the place where I was going to sleep. You might be dead tired and lightly disoriented. Probably you'll be fine, but personally I don't do more driving than "necessary" on transatlantic arrival day.
But outside of that:
For one, I bet your agriturismo is awesome, and will be a wonderful place to spend a first late afternoon and evening. The trip to the hot springs is not opportunity cost free.
And second, I don't like the way it feels when I am extending my transit time coming from the United States. I don't like adding interim stops that aren't the place I'll sleep. I prefer feeling that the travel is done and dusted, and I am at the place where my trip is starting. So if I went to the hot springs, I would likely be mostly thinking about getting back on the road, not able to fully relax and enjoy.
And all of that is just me of course, like any other opinion, take it for what it's worth. Have a wonderful trip to fabulous Italy!
Thanks, all, for the advice. So wise. We will be driving straight to our agriturismo near Castelmuzio. Hot springs later during our stay. And we'll probably just go to the less-touristy ones closer to our place. I appreciate all your thoughts! I get a lot of big ideas and it's nice to run them past others for practicality. :)
You are 30 min from Rapolano terme or Bagno Vignoni and maybe 45 min from Bagni di San Filippo. No need to go to Saturnia. Saturnia is too far, almost 2 hours away. It’s not even along the way. Take the A1 to get to Castelmuzio..
Thanks, Roberto da Firenze, both those places sound fabulous!
