Thermal Spas and Wellness Holidays in Friuli

A holiday usually brings to mind the idea of visiting towns and attractions, travelling around an area to discover local customs and traditions. But there are many different kinds of ways to spend your vacation and one option is to spend some time taking care of yourself and indulging in some relaxation therapy. A 3-day spa package is just what the doctor ordered for those in need of an escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

This guide looks at some of the best on offer in the Friuli region.

Arta Terme
Surrounded by the Alpi Carniche della Val Bût mountains, Arta is set in an idyllic landscape of forests and greenery. The thermal baths here are divided into three principal centres: the SaluTermae with therapeutic waters and mud baths, the FisioTermae, which offers physiotherapy treatments and rehabilitation therapy, and lastly, Aquadea, an area dedicated to wellness and beauty.

The waters are clear with a strong smell (rotten eggs!) and have been frequented for their therapeutic properties since Roman times. The water was analysed in 1811 when its properties were found to contain a sulphurous-calcium-magnesium-sulphate mix which is thought to aid digestive problems if drunk, relieve skin, bone and joint conditions if taken as a bath, or finally, if inhaled, relieve respiratory problems.

How to Get There: Close to the Austrian border, take the A23 motorway, exit at Carnia then head for Tolmezzo. Finally take the 52bis to the Monte Croce pass.

Lignano
A renowned bathing area in the southern Adriatic, Ligano is home to the famous thermal centre that was founded here in 1960. Lignano is on the Riviera coast surrounded by pine forests and its thermal baths offer traditional treatments as well beauty packages, dietary advice and Talassotherapy which uses marine elements such as sea water and sand. Heliotherapy is also on the menu for dermatitis, psoriasis and arthritis as well as more traditional wellness therapies including respiratory treatments and heated seawater for muscles, joints and skin complaints.

How to Get There: Take the A4 motorway exiting at Latisana, following the 354 towards Lignano. There are good bus connections to Lignano and it is not far from the Ronchi dei Legionari airport of Trieste.

Grado
In the second half the 19th century, the particular climate and environmental conditions of this coastal town led to the foundation of a colony for children with lymphatic conditions. Since then the Stazione Termale di Grado Thermal Spa has been one of the most frequented thermal resorts in Italy with a guest list that dates back to the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy, to modern day sports stars who come to take the waters here.

The simple recipe of fresh air and heated sea water in fact has been recognised, as far back as Roman times, for its therapeutic properties. The spa uses deep seawater which is extracted using high tech equipment. You can also take an ozone bath which is heated to 36-37 degrees to help relieve arthritic and rheumatic diseases. There are also remedies on offer for ear, nose, throat, cardio vascular and skin conditions.

How to Get There: Take the 14 motorway to Palmanova then head towards Cervignano, and then Aquileia Grada crossing the Belvedere Bridge. Ronchi dei Legionari, Trieste airport, is about 20km away from Grado.