As we drove from the airport, my friend and current landlord, Pietro, made me PROMISE to use his discount at the local wellness spa, located a short walk from the apartment. He said that he offers this to all of his renters but they never use it. Most likely, visitors to Assisi don't want to take the time away from sightseeing and, I understand that. They have limited time in the area and Umbria has so very much to offer, especially on sunny days. What they don't know is that the spa experience is VERY Italian, and if one really wants to get a handle on Italian life and culture is all about, supermarkets and spas are high on the list of to-dos.
So, yesterday, Jenny treated us to an afternoon, fulfilling the promise.
Spa Nun Assisi is attached to a Relais (AKA, hotel). It is part of a careful restoration of an ancient (2,000 year old) Roman bath. On the site, the peak of the historical center of Assisi, sat the monastery of Saint Catherine, originally constructed in 1275 for a community of Benedictine nuns. Put that thought out of your mind and think of Romans in togas please.
During renovation, a host of archeological features were discovered in the lower levels of the site and these have been beautifully used in the design of the present day wellness center. Unique ambience allows for six magestic limestone pillars (original) to reflect in the mineral waters of the thermal bath.
The pillars reveal the Roman ampitheater (site of lots of lovely events - gladiator combats, executions, Judy Collins concerts....you know what I mean.....eesh) that once sat at the foot of Mount Subasio. Awesome sight to behold.
After we donned our exquisitely soft, white terry robes and our special slippers, off we went to begin our circuit. Thankfully, I had packed a set of black undies that were a suitable swimsuit substitute. Black is always appropriate, for any occasion, vero?
The "Nun Path" that one is advised to follow very carefully until one's body and brain get adjusted to the various temperatures, is made up of a jacuzzi, multi-massage mineral pool, a Tepidarium, Caldarium, Sudatorium and Frigidarium. The rooms go then, from hot to hotter to very cold indeed.
Along the way, stopovers at beautifully placed lounge chairs or visits to the tea room for refreshments (nuts, fruit, waters, teas) make for a leisurely and luxurious afternoon. After the doing the circuit the first time, we became experts and took full advantage of all that Nun had to offer. At one point, lounging in the refreshment area, overlooking the mineral pool, I felt like a lifeguard in Heaven.
Tranquility, quiet. No crowds, just a handful of other lucky souls to join us. Quiet conversations with my friend who has had a full and rewarding life. Her five children, her marriage, her trials and tribulations and my complete and utter admiration for all that she is, all she has done and all she has overcame in her almost 82 years. Fatta bene, Amica. Brava!
What could be wrong with sampling la dolce vita? Not-one-thing.
nunassisi.com. Don't hate me.
So, yesterday, Jenny treated us to an afternoon, fulfilling the promise.
Spa Nun Assisi is attached to a Relais (AKA, hotel). It is part of a careful restoration of an ancient (2,000 year old) Roman bath. On the site, the peak of the historical center of Assisi, sat the monastery of Saint Catherine, originally constructed in 1275 for a community of Benedictine nuns. Put that thought out of your mind and think of Romans in togas please.
During renovation, a host of archeological features were discovered in the lower levels of the site and these have been beautifully used in the design of the present day wellness center. Unique ambience allows for six magestic limestone pillars (original) to reflect in the mineral waters of the thermal bath.
The pillars reveal the Roman ampitheater (site of lots of lovely events - gladiator combats, executions, Judy Collins concerts....you know what I mean.....eesh) that once sat at the foot of Mount Subasio. Awesome sight to behold.
After we donned our exquisitely soft, white terry robes and our special slippers, off we went to begin our circuit. Thankfully, I had packed a set of black undies that were a suitable swimsuit substitute. Black is always appropriate, for any occasion, vero?
The "Nun Path" that one is advised to follow very carefully until one's body and brain get adjusted to the various temperatures, is made up of a jacuzzi, multi-massage mineral pool, a Tepidarium, Caldarium, Sudatorium and Frigidarium. The rooms go then, from hot to hotter to very cold indeed.
Along the way, stopovers at beautifully placed lounge chairs or visits to the tea room for refreshments (nuts, fruit, waters, teas) make for a leisurely and luxurious afternoon. After the doing the circuit the first time, we became experts and took full advantage of all that Nun had to offer. At one point, lounging in the refreshment area, overlooking the mineral pool, I felt like a lifeguard in Heaven.
Tranquility, quiet. No crowds, just a handful of other lucky souls to join us. Quiet conversations with my friend who has had a full and rewarding life. Her five children, her marriage, her trials and tribulations and my complete and utter admiration for all that she is, all she has done and all she has overcame in her almost 82 years. Fatta bene, Amica. Brava!
What could be wrong with sampling la dolce vita? Not-one-thing.
nunassisi.com. Don't hate me.
No comments:
Post a Comment