Hot Springs in the hills of Tuscany

Yesterday, me and five other women that I have met through school (Melanie from Switzerland, Denise from New Zealand, Julia from Seattle and Allana from Boston) all took a little trip to Bagno di Petriolo, the natural hot springs.

First we met for a little picnic lunch with cheese, fruit, nuts and wine. Then we hopped on a bus for a 45 minute ride, arrived and then we hiked for about 15 minutes down to the water. The only other people there were about 12 Italian men; we almost felt like we had walked into a secret "men only" meeting or something. They did not hesitate in staring at us pretty much the whole time (who can blame them though...we are a lovely group of foreign women:)! We all decided that despite it being a bit awkward, we didn't care...and with that we took off our clothes, walked carefully over the rocks to the water...almost like a line of little ducks and waded in the water. It really was a beautiful day and the water was SO hot, but so relaxing. We used the mud, which we scopped from the bottom floor of the pool and piled it on our faces. It was endearingly silly watching all of us put the mud on and then lounge our green-faced selves in the water...in the middle of the woods.

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 from the amazing detox effects of sulfur! Today I am still feeling the effect of the sulfur. This place is 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.