Last updated on September 21st, 2025
Combining wine tasting with thermal baths creates a uniquely Tuscan experience — one that feeds both body and soul. Travelers can spend their days savoring world-class vintages, soaking in warm mineral waters, and exploring villages that look like they belong in a Renaissance painting.
Exploring the Tuscan Wine Country
No trip to Tuscany is complete without tasting the wines that have made the region famous. The vineyards of Chianti, Montalcino, and Montepulciano produce some of Italy’s most iconic reds, including Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Driving through this countryside is a pleasure in itself, with vineyards covering the hillsides and ancient castles rising in the distance.
Many estates welcome visitors for tastings and tours of their cellars, where you can learn about the art of winemaking and sample wines alongside local olive oil, pecorino cheese, and cured meats. In autumn, the grape harvest brings a festive atmosphere, with villages hosting food and wine fairs that celebrate the season.
Montepulciano and Its Noble Wine
Montepulciano is one of the most enchanting wine towns in Tuscany, with steep streets leading to a central piazza crowned by the town hall. Beneath the town lie vast wine cellars carved into the rock, where oak barrels line the cool corridors. A guided visit to one of these cantinas reveals the history of Vino Nobile, a red wine that has been celebrated since the Middle Ages.
After tasting, linger in Montepulciano’s cafés or enjoy a simple lunch of pici pasta, a local specialty, paired with a glass of the wine you just discovered. The combination of food, wine, and the setting creates a memory that is quintessentially Tuscan.
The Magic of Bagno Vignoni
Just a short drive from Montepulciano lies Bagno Vignoni, a tiny village famous for its central square — which is not paved but filled with thermal water. Steam rises from the pool year-round, a reminder of the village’s long history as a spa destination. While bathing in the main square is not allowed, nearby thermal baths and wellness centers offer access to the same mineral-rich waters.
Spend the afternoon soaking in warm pools that look out over the Val d’Orcia hills. The water’s natural heat eases tired muscles, making it the perfect follow-up to a morning spent exploring vineyards. As the sun sets, the stone buildings glow and the atmosphere becomes serene, inviting you to slow down and simply enjoy the moment.
Saturnia’s Cascading Springs
For a more dramatic experience, head further south to the Saturnia hot springs, where steaming waterfalls cascade into natural limestone pools. These free, open-air springs are one of Tuscany’s most photographed natural wonders, with their turquoise water and tiered basins. Visiting early in the morning or at twilight allows you to enjoy the springs when they are at their most peaceful.
The nearby town of Saturnia has several thermal resorts for those who want to spend the night, combining spa treatments with multi-course Tuscan dinners and excellent local wine.
Pairing Wine and Wellness
The beauty of combining wine and thermal baths is that the two complement each other perfectly. After a day of wine tasting, the warm mineral waters provide deep relaxation. After a morning soak, your senses are heightened and ready to appreciate the aromas and flavors of the next wine stop. This balance of indulgence and rejuvenation is what makes Tuscany such a satisfying destination.
Travelers who enjoy active holidays can also include gentle cycling routes between wine towns or join cycling tours in Italy in this region, allowing them to earn their evening glass of Brunello while riding through postcard-worthy landscapes.
A Journey for the Senses
Tuscany rewards those who take their time. Sipping a full-bodied wine while overlooking the vineyards where it was grown, then soaking in a centuries-old thermal bath as the sky turns gold, creates a connection to the land that is hard to match. Whether you base yourself in Montepulciano, Montalcino, or the Val d’Orcia, the combination of wine and thermal baths turns a simple trip into an experience that feels restorative and deeply Italian.
