A visit to the spas of Riolo Terme and the Grand Hotel in Romagna, Italy

Riolo Terme, located in the foothills of the central area of the Romagna region has always been a popular place to heal and visit the therapeutic springs of the area. Even during the early Roman period, large Roman armies would go to the region to relax and heal themselves from battle wounds with the special properties of the thermal pools. This over the centuries has been a gathering spot and even today an area for medicinal and therapeutic treatment for many health problems.

Riolo Terme spas

Grand Hotel Riolo Terme is one of those original and iconic historical spas from the area establishing a very early presence since 1870.  The lush grounds of the hotel and spa have been treating various maladies and health issues and later incorporating a spa component to attract tourists and other visitors from outside the area. This in effect has created one of the most popular therapeutic and spa destinations in the Romagna regional. When you walk around the spa grounds, you can partake in drinking some of the herbal tonics, soak in the large indoor thermal pools or try some of the newer spa treatments like a mud wrap, massage, body treatments or just use the wet sauna and  Jacuzzi and relaxing rooms. The thermal pools utilized curative waters from below he ground and pass through a series of limestone, clay, salts a variety of minerals and natural filters which make it fit for drinking or just soaking in the warm 90 to 93 degree pool. The main swimming area contains large water jets, cascades, underwater lounge chairs, jet massages, even exercise equipment for water therapy conditioning.  There’s even a hot and cold water jet pools used to improve the overall circulation and health to the legs and lower torso areas.

Spa treatments

While visiting the spas, I also did a wonderful mud wrap which was a fun and amusing experience including trying out a paper cotton G-string and being dump huge piles of steaming hot mud on your back while you laying facing down on your stomach. These sweet and direct Nonne (grandmother types) go straight to business putting down the mud and motioning you to start working it all around your body and through every crevices and before you know it, you are completely wrapped up in thick blankets and sweating profusely while the mud magically draws out the impurities and toxins from your skin and leave it glowing after a very long and hot shower getting all the mud off every inch of your body. Following this up with a nice thermal bath and sauna leaves you feeling so relaxed and totally refreshed, if not ready to take a nice deep sleep.

Grand Hotel Riolo Terme

While visiting the spa and hotel, I stayed a few nights hosted by the Grand Hotel and had some lovely restful nights in their large rooms facing the quiet parks behind the hotel. Meals are served in their classical styled dining room with formal and elegant dining service and Italian regional cuisine in the area incorporating local ingredients and produce that is available during the season.

 

 

Utilizing what is fresh from the area and in season like these freshly grilled vegetables in local olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

 

 

I was visiting the Grand Hotel Riolo Terme with a group of international bloggers from around the world and hosted by Buon Vivere (the good life) and fellow blogger, Alessandra Catania. We had a lovely time exploring the area and enjoying the wonderful amenities of the hotel. Of course, we had to take a variety of group shots in more formal attire like the image below.

 

Thanks for visiting the spas of Riolo Terme in Romagna, Italy. I hope you enjoyed a tour of the area and history of the spas. If you enjoyed the post, please do share it with the social media buttons located around the post. I enjoyed visiting the Grand Hotel Riolo Terme, Romagna and being hosted, but all opinions and thoughts are my own and it was a very delightful stay at this spa resort.

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