Terme dei Papi

Viterbo, Italy

 Terme dei Papi or The Pope’s Bath is a hidden gem inside the region of Lazio.  Terme dei papi is situated in Viterbo, Italy, just an hour northeast of Rome.  Terme dei Papi is made up of a thermal pool, spa, hotel, and restaurant.  One can spend an hour, a day, or even overnight at Terme dei Papi.  When visiting the nations capital, Rome, this can be a great destination or side trip from your stay in Italy.

Thermal Pool

The main attraction of Terme dei Papi is the thermal pool.  The therapeutic waters of the pool contain sulfurous salts, calcium bicarbonate, and magnesium.  This therapeutic hot bath help with breathing problems, skin problems, and metabolic diseases.  The waters in the monumental pool come from the Bullicame Spring appreciated for its therapeutic agents.  This 21,528 square foot monumental pool has waters with temperatures up to 136-105 degrees fahrenheit.  You can enjoy the pool from an hour to the whole day.  I enjoy spending a day there because I can utilize the pool all day while enjoying their restaurant and spa services. I usually spend up to 45 minutes then take a breakfrom the hot temperatures of the water in the spa or the restaurant.  After a day there I can guarantee you will feel relaxed and refreshed.

**Bring a few large water bottles to satisfy your thirst while enjoying the monumental pool.  Additionally, bring a bath robe if possible because It’s great to use if you’re going from the pool to the spa to the restaurant.

Entrance fees

(Adult) Weekdays and Saturday €12

(Children 2-12) Weekdays and Saturday €8

Sunday €18

Saturday Night €20

pool Hours of Operation

Thursday-Tuesday 9:00am- 7:00pm

Open Saturday night from 9:30pm-1:00am

Spa Services

Terme dei Papi offers a range of spa services at affordable prices.  They offer body beauty treatments, facials, massages, thermal water treatments, and hydrokinesitherapy.

**Check out Terme dei Papi’s spa services pricing list!  Especially if you only speak English its a good idea to read the pricing list because when I used to go, they didn’t have the English version of their spa services at the front desk.

Restaurant

The cuisine at Gregorio IX Restaurant at Terme dei Papi is served by chef Eugenio Moschiano.  Their food served is known for its quality and attention to detail.  Additionally, if you are on a diet or just health conscience, there is a low calorie menu prepared by their own dietician.

Where is Terme dei Papi Located?

Strada Bagni, 12

01100, Viterbo

Telephone: 0761.3501

E-mail: info@termedeipapi.it

Aperitivo Italiano

The aperitif or know as the aperitivo italiano refers to the drink before dinner.  The aperitivo is a social setting for Italians among family and friends.  The aperitivo works differenty from happy hour in the United States.  Rather than the drinks being discounted, a food buffet or small dishes of finger foods are included in the price of the drink.  Aperitivo prices can range from 5-10 euros depending on the location or the amount of food served along with the beverage.

Aperitivo Recommendations or Locali

Firenze

Modo Wine Bar

Borgo la Croce, 97

Discover Modo Wine Bar

At Modo Wine Bar, you won’t find many Americans.  Many students studying at Università degli Studi di Firenze frequent this locale.  While studying in Firenze, I lived in Piazza del Duomo so this was a great escape for the touristic scene. My favorite part about this spot is the 5 euro cocktails while having the best selection of hors d’oeuvres making this the best value in Firenze.

Roma

Caffé della Pace

Via della Pace 3/7

Discover Caffé della Pace

Whenever I visit Roma, I have to make a stop by Caffé della Pace.  This locale can get a bit touristy because its located near Piazza Navona, one of the most quaint piazzas in Roma.  They offer outdoor seating which is great when your in such a picturesque part of the city. 

Aperitivi Tipici

 Spritz         

• 3 parts Prosecco
• 2 parts Aperol
• 1 part Seltzer
• Wedge of orange (I prefer blood oranges)
• Olive garnish (optional)

**Best served on ice. 

The Spritz is the preferred beverage by many italians during aperitivo.  Also referred to as the Spritz Veniziano, this cocktail originated in Northern Italy, particularly in Venice. The Spritz tastes bitter from the main component knowns as Aperol.  Aperol is a liqueur made from a mixture of roots and herbs such as rhubarb, giving it a unique taste and vibrant color.  I love mixing this drink at home because it requires only a few ingredients and mixes well with a lot of different hors d’oeuvres. 

             Negroni

• 1 part Vermouth rosso
• 1 part Dry Gin
• 1 part Bitter Campari
• Wedge of Orange
• Lemon Peel

**Best served on ice. 

The Negroni is a gin based cocktail also popular during aperitivo which means its generally only drunken before dinner.  This drink was originally mixed in Florence, Italy at the iconic Caffé Giacosa, Roberto Cavalli.  The Negroni was created originally to increase the alcohol content of the Americano cocktail by replacing the soda water for gin. 

Stay tuned next week for my post regarding Lazio’s hidden secret: 

Le Terme dei Papi