Bagno di Romagna

In the verdant green mountains of Emilia Romagna, the town of Bagno di Romagna rests right where the region brushes up against Tuscany. It's name tells its primary focus - the "baths" of hot springs that have soothed weary travelers and elite visitors for centuries. The town has been a crossroads since the Roman times, for passage between Tuscany and the Adriatic coast, a place of respite and rest from the journey.

Its setting is beautiful in the Savio River valley below the Apennine Mountains, surrounded by vast expanses of unspoiled landscapes, now preserved as national parks. This is a place of clean air, pure mineral water, authentic cuisine and friendly residents used to welcoming guests. It is also a lovely small town with its stone buildings, handsome palaces and pretty piazzas. Palazzo Biozzi, right on Piazza Ricasoli, was a grand palace, the seat of the influential Biozzi family, and now a hotel. Across from it is the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, the oldest building in Bagno, built in 872 as a Benedictine abbey and still alluring after all these year. Palazzo del Capitano was the seat of power when Bagno was dominated by the Florentines who administered the city's government from 1404 until 1923. The building housed the council rooms, the court, and the prison while the elegant upper floor was the residence of the ruling captains. It is now the tourist information office and cultural center that hosts exhibits and events.

The compact town is full of character, and offers the chance to relax in the spas with hot mineral water to soothe the muscles and mind, along with a full menu of treatment options, just like the nobility of the Medici court, artists and popes did in the past. There are plenty of outdoors sports for the active set, with hiking, biking, horse riding and more in the mountains. Plus, with cities like Arezzo, Ravenna and Cesena in reach, there is plenty of art and architectural wonders to enjoy, too. Bibbiena, San Sepolcro, Angiari are also close by. Foodies will want to visit Forlimpopoli to pay homage at the table to the great cookbook author Pellegrino Artusi.