Terme delle Galleraie - Impressions of a day

Terme delle Galleraie - Impressions of a day

Surrounded by an almost untouched jungle of climbing green, accompanied by the scent of wild lemon balm and the singing of the Merlo, you will find yourself in the middle of a former sanatorium, under which for many Thousands of years the warm and soothing thermal water bubbles. But how in the world do you get to this sensually adventurous place? I invite you on a little journey on the back of our horses ...

If you have successfully mastered the first obstacle - to climb the saddle of one of our Maremma horses - then at the gate of our stable you will have a wonderful view over the legendary mountain of the hotel: the Poggio di Montieri. On its left nestles the small, eponymous little town, which is only embellished in spring by white, blooming cherry trees on the poggio. But the path leads us in the direction of Travale and initially past unspoilt nature, as well as bubbling streams. In the quiet step, loose trot and rushing gallop, the green hills of Tuscany pass us by. Again and again we encounter shy deer, marvel at magnificent fig trees and discover wonderful views of the diverse mountains. In the light seat it goes steeply uphill, downhill and in the middle welcomes us a small Tinker horse with his donkey friend next to a beautifully set in the countryside villa, whose owners call us at least one "Buona Giornata!" ("Beautiful day!"). Soon you can see from afar countless olive trees and vines, whose future taste can be guessed only by the snuggling sun and the clear air. While the horsemen grow the fresh acacia flowers almost into their mouths, the horses reach the valley and thus the course of the river Cecina. Refreshing for humans and animals, our horses cross the chilly wet, while you immerse yourself into the bird-and-nature dominated wilderness of this area. And here we are: at the Terme delle Galleraie, whose adjacent riverbed offers us shade as well as a quiet picnic area as a halfway point of our ride.

The area that now reveals itself was already used by the Etruscans as a bathing site and the healing effect of the sulphurous thermal waters was recognized early. With good shoes and sharp machete you can even get to the old ruins of these two-thousand-year-old thermal baths, which nature has, however, largely integrated into their jungle. Next door an abandoned hotel always thrills the minds of our guests and offers space for creative fantasies, what has happened here or what treasure you could fathom from these ruins.

If you close your eyes, you will learn even more stories of this mystical place that you can smell, taste and hear. But everyone has to experience that for themselves - and, as far as the way back is concerned, as well ...