TERME ACQUA PIA - THERMAL SPA CENTRE MONTEVAGO CODE U An ancient legend recounts the story of a young shepherd and shepherdess, Cynthius and Corinthia, from the Belice valley. Wearing their ceremonial robes, and coming down the gentle slope strewn with wild broom flowers, they wound their way towards the holy spring. In a thousand rivulets the hot health-giving spring-water spurted from the fertile land, its unceasing flow bringing with it a promise of continuity that found a fitting reflection in humankind's yearning for eternity. With the holy rites accomplished, Cynthius and Corinthia returned home to their cave, taking with them this hope of immortality. Many centuries since then, still today the inexhaustible out-pouring of the hot spring-water keeps on flowing, granting health and beauty to whoever plunges into its salubrious waters. A dip in these waters thus becomes an immersion in the past that goes well beyond the boundaries of fantasy and reality, a creative way of connecting up with the place's ancient peoples, who were the first to discover the health-giving powers and charm of this delightful spot. On a site close to the ancient rising-spring, surrounded by the picturesque hills of the Belice valley and by the abundant Mediterranean marquis, today is situated, in the midst of planned green parkland, the "Acqua Pia" Centre for Health and Wellbeing. The Centre exploits the health bearing properties of these utterly pure waters, making the best use possible of them, in the very form in which they gush forth from the spring. Scientific research has indeed confirmed the synergic qualities of the spring, with the recognition that, in addition to its curative powers, the spring has the ability to relax and at the same time enthrall with its beauty. LOCATION: MAP The Thermal Spa Centre is situated on the borders of the provinces of Palermo, Agrigento and Trapani, in the heartland of Western Sicily, in the Municipality of Montevago. It boasts luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation afforded by the graciously mild winter climate, its proximity to the river Belice, its remoteness from populated urban centers, the silence broken only by the gurgling of the rising spring, and varied animal life. At the "Acqua Pia" Thermal Spa are heated thermal swimming pools for adults and children, refreshing small waterfalls fed with the spa water that gushes out continuously at a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, an unusual "Salon" hewn out of the ancient "Women's Bathing Room" where one can immitate the agreeable life-style of the Ancient Romans, and a small secluded swimming-pool reserved for residents only. WHERE TO STAY: Visitors looking for attractive places to stay in, can choose between accommodation in a Villa, in the brand-new "spa village", or using the country-farm facilities. The amenities of the Villa consist of 26 air-conditioned rooms. The apartment suites, converted out of the fabric of the building that housed the old Manor House, are fitted out with furniture typical to Sicily. The rooms, adjacent to the spring, are located in a position specially chosen to promote relaxation, sheltered behind a wood with flourishing Mediterranean vegetation where one can embark on pleasant country strolls. The newly-built "spa village", made up of three dwelling-spaces provided with every comfort, look out over a magnificent panoramic view, with broad meadow areas at its exterior and cultivation in the Mediterranean style. The "village" is linked to the Centre by means of a "health trail" provided with equipment for the practicing of "stretching", aimed at helping visitors develop bodily suppleness and pliability. The enthusiasts of open-air living, alternatively, may well prefer to be accommodated in a camping park sited in an attractive citrus orchard. RESTAURANT: The Centre can also put at your disposal a commodious and attractive dinning-hall, assuring you of a warm welcome for celebrations of special days or events. Should you wish to greet your guests in a never-to-be-forgotten open-air setting full of atmosphere, dedicated staff can create a reception area for you in the spaces around the swimming-pool, the spring itself or the feudal Villa. To complete the services laid on for our clientele, there remain the spacious well-appointed picnic zone, the children's games park with babysitter if requested, and the spa's shop. The Spa's Chef will offer you exquisite dishes for you to relish. In point of fact, the restaurant's cuisine specializes in main courses of Mediterranean-style food abounding in meat and fresh fish, continuously supplied on a daily basis by the fishermen of Sciacca and Selinunte. There are specially created courses that take their inspiration from the local area's culinary traditions, and make use of vegetable and oil products from the nearby "Serafino" farming complex (Azienda Agricola Serafino); these dishes will heighten appreciation of your stay at the Thermal Centre. On request, gluten-free meals and dietary catering are available. But should you prefer a speedily-served meal, yet a wholesome just then stop by at the self-service, the pizza shop, or at the well-stocked pleasant bar. FARM HOLIDAYS AT THE FARMING COMPLEX: The neighboring Serafino farm complex is able to provide stays "down on the farm", with accommodation in the recently-built "rustic house" that is divided up into three two-room flats, each with living room and cooking area. Why not take part in the life of a productive farm that spreads out over a surface area of 30 hectares comprising growing olive-groves and vineyards cultivated to produce fine wines. Also on the farm premises, housed in a typical rustic farm cottage, is kept the "Museum of farming tradition". This has a collection of tools and equipment employed over the past decades on the Diesi manor farm, to which the farmlands once belonged. Visitors can book excursions from the farm by Land Rover along the course of the river Belice, as well as trips to the nearby working farm center, where cottage cheese and other food products of the local area can be sampled.

RATES PER PERSON PER DAY IN CANADIAN DOLLARS
ACCOMODATION	07/01 - 30/06 15/09 - 15/12
	DOUBLE	SINGLE
BED & BREAKFAST	103	137
HALF BOARD	126	160
FULL BOARD	149	137

With your health in mind, you may benefit at the Spa from mud treatments, inhalations and aerosol therapies. With your wellbeing in mind, the Centre is endowed with a restorative Sauna, gymnasium and hydro massage facilities: you may perform massages by hand and in water, under close supervision of skilled nursing and health workers. The Centre, which is also equipped for the disabled and with medical facilities, is open all year round. THE SPRING'S CHARACTERISTICS: The sources of "Acqua Pia" spa water flow out at a height of 56 meters above sea level. The hydro-geological nature of this area can be classed as characteristic formations of soil cover with a marly clay foundation that are impermeable to water, in comparison with the Mesozoic formations further down: these, on the contrary, can be regarded as channels which the waters circulating thereabouts can easily filter through.The precise location of the "Acqua Pia" spring is at the point where the thick impermeable layer covering over this Mesozoic substratum breaks through the soil. From scientific researches carried out to determine the water's chemical properties, there is evidence that "Acqua Pia" water contains extremely high mineral concentrations, as well as being rich in boron and fluorine, elements typical of fluids that have been in contact with the deeper strata of the earth's crust. In its chemical make-up, "Acqua Pia" water is classified as being among those waters high in sulfates, calcium and magnesia; over the decades its composition has undergone a remarkable increase in the values of certain parameters such as silica, sulfate ion and chloride ion. Laboratory teats have likewise proved without question that the waters are biologically pure and non-radioactive. The thermal mud, created from remains of flood drifts of clay from the geological field, possesses plastic and heat-rendering qualities, is an excellent medium for retaining the hot thermal water along with which it evolved, and shows clear signs of being rich in various chemical elements. THERAPEUTIC TREATMENTS: To effect the therapies, use is made of the thermal water, highly endowed with sulfates and mineral salts, in conjunction with the steam and the mud products that are generated by the natural working of the rising springs. These elements when they act together with 40 degrees of heat, aid the blood's circulation and the lymph functions, and dissolve toxins, fatty acids and waste products of body metabolism, helping to get them eliminated from the system through perspiration, and thus cooling down and restoring the skin. Guided by trained professionals, you have the choice of two options: either the Thermal Health Option (taking advantage of the National Health Service's financial contribution) which offers inhaling and aerosol therapies, hydro massage procedures and massages by hand; or, as alternative, the Thermal Wellbeing Option, consisting of cascading French shower (Evian shower) facilities, hot-and-cold showers, saunas, Turkish baths, shiatsu massage, herb-based therapies using the thermal water algae, hydro massage with oil of balsam, face masks and body treatments using applications of thermal mud.

DAILY, WEEKEND AND WEEKLY TREATMENT PACKAGES: (Rates On Request)

Wellbeing treatment: Evian shower, relaxing session, face and body massage, inhalation

Antistress treatment: Hydro-massage, relaxing session, shiatsu, reflexotherapy

Anti-cellulite treatment: Hydro-massage, relaxing session, lympho-draining and anti-cellulite massage

Legs treatment: Pressing therapy, lympho-draining massage, plankton wraps

Face treatment: Cleansing facial, anti-aging treatment, glowing and hydro toning masks, face massage

Health treatment: Inhalations, mud treatment, hydro massage, watsu

Anti Smoking treatment: Inhalations, mud treatment, hydro massage, a daily walk, physical excercises

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