The frenetic pace of days, the commitments that follow one another, the constant notifications and the feeling of never having enough time: in everyday life, granting yourself a pause often becomes a luxury. The World Day Against Stress, as part of the International Week devoted to stress awareness, is the occasion to reflect on the importance of taking care of one’s well-being and learning to slow down.
And what better way to do it than by treating yourself to a escape from the routine? So let’s discover five destinations where you can rediscover the pleasure of slowness.
San Filippo Baths among the Woods of Monte Amiata
Between the landscapes of Val d’Orcia and the slopes of Monte Amiata, here are the San Filippo Baths, a small spa village in the municipality of Castiglione d’Orcia, in the province of Siena, known since ancient times for springs with mineral properties. What makes it special is above all the Fosso Bianco, a stream embedded in the forest, along which the thermal waters have, over the centuries, created natural pools, cascades and surprising calcareous formations.
The undisputed protagonist is the White Whale, an imposing calcareous formation whose name comes from its distinctive shape, reminiscent of the mouth of a large cetacean: the thermal water, issuing from the warmest spring at about 48 degrees, has gradually carved a spectacular petrified waterfall, with a surreal appearance.
Craveggia Baths in the Silence of the Piedmontese Mountains
On the border between Piedmont and Switzerland, in a secluded valley where the landscape preserves a wild character, lie the Craveggia Baths that fuse the charm of ancient spa traditions with the pleasure of immersing oneself in nature. Although they are in Italian territory, in the municipality of Craveggia, they are in the Onsernone Valley, a short distance from the Canton Ticino, in a secluded location that has kept them away from the major tourist circuits.
Along the course of the Isorno stream, you encounter the remains of an old nineteenth-century spa inaugurated in 1823 and marked by fires and avalanches. The stone structures still tell its long history while two outdoor granite pools, created as part of a restoration project, allow the use of the spring water.
The water temperature hovers around 28 degrees, while the surrounding landscape is characterized by woods, mountains and the sound of the stream.
Camaldoli Hermitage and Casentinesi Forests, Silence as the Protagonist
In the heart of Casentino, in Tuscany, an ideal choice is Camaldoli, immersed in the extraordinary setting of the Casentinesi Forests National Park, Monte Falterona and Campigna, where spirituality meets majestic nature.
The monastic community, founded by Saint Romuald in the 11th century, develops around two complexes: the Sacred Hermitage, dedicated to solitude and contemplation, and the Monastery, a place of communal life and hospitality. All around stretch beech forests, white firs and ancient trees, dotted with paths, among which stands out the one connecting the Monastery to the Sacred Hermitage; in the surroundings of the Monastery there is also a Nature Path that allows a closer knowledge of the forest and its most representative trees.
Turano Lake, a Mirror of Water Where Time Slows Down
Not far from Rome, inland in the province of Rieti, Lake Turano paints one of Lazio’s most evocative landscapes, with mountains cloaked in forests, perched villages and waters reflecting the green of the hills. Born from the damming of the Turano River, it stretches for about ten kilometers, at an altitude of over 500 meters, and is framed by the ridges of the Monte Navegna and Monte Cervia Nature Reserve.
To visit Castel di Tora, a medieval village on a rocky peninsula, with narrow alleys, stone houses and panoramas that suddenly open onto the lake; not far away, Colle di Tora offers another perspective on the lake and the mountains.
The reserve’s trails wind through forests and viewpoints, while on milder days you can indulge in water activities, such as canoeing or kayaking.
Sila Plateau, Boundless Woods and Silent Lakes
Lastly, but not least, the Sila Plateau, one of the great natural heritages of Southern Italy where nature offers endless opportunities to forget the daily frenzy: the Parco Nazionale della Sila is characterized by forests that cover about 80% of the territory, with majestic larch pines, beeches and spruces alternating with clearings, pastures and waterways.
Among the most captivating landscapes, notable are the Arvo, Cecita and Ampollino lakes, large sheets of water set in the greenery that change their appearance with the seasons. In particular, the Lorica area, on the shores of Lake Arvo, invites pleasant walks while in the surroundings of Lake Cecita lies the Cupone Visitor Center, a starting point to explore the park’s biodiversity thanks to nature trails, a botanical garden and routes dedicated to learning about the territory.
