Hot Springs (Terme) Waters, mud baths, preventive and curative treatments and beautiful care Italys's abundant therapeutic spring sources have been identified as amongst the best in the world in terms of healing qualities, and water supply. Since the fourth century B.C. Italy has been a known center for hydrotherapy as evidenced by numerous references in historical texts and by the presence of archeological remains of ancient baths and facilities such as the first century B.C. remains of Roman baths. There are also many free hot springs located in woods you need to know thier secret locations. Tuscany: Southern Tuscany, in the area around Monte Amiata, has many natural hot springs. In most towns with natural hot springs, there is a modern spa where they bring the hot springs water into a swimming pool. Some of these spas are outdoors and open only in summer; others are more medical type spas that are indoors and open all year. Emilia Romagna: "The Land of Spas" Salsomaggiore Terme, - The Cadogen Italy guide mentions Salsomaggiore Terme (Big Saltiness) near Fidenza, west of Parma - "the largest and best known of a cluster of saline water spas specializing in arthritic and rheumatic cures". It was popular with Italian royalty and is now popular with opera singers. The baths are in Terme Berzieri. Tabiano Bagni, Emilia Romagna - Also in the Cadogen Italy guide. "Stinky sulphur springs." Just south of Salsomaggiore. Ischia, Campania: There are several hot springs resorts on the island of Ischia, off Naples. Piemonte: Acqui Terme, on the Piemonte wine trail, dates back to Roman times and the Bollente, a hot sulphuric spring, is still a tourist attraction, along with the mud baths and mineral treatments on offer. Lazio: Close to Rome, there are natural hot springs near Tivoli (at Bagni di Tivoli) and Viterbo as well as at the spa town of Fiuggi. The Terme dei Papi, at Viterbo, were known and used by the Etruscans and then the Romans, who built baths here. The name means 'thermal springs of the popes', since by Medieval times it was they who came to 'take the cure'. Also around Viterbo are several open-air pools in the countryside, where locals drive at night to strip off and relax in the hot waters.