Not far from the ancient village of Bertinoro, on the hills that lie between Forlì and Cesena, there is a place where body wellness meets the hushed stillness of luxuriant, century-old parkland.
The Fratta Terme spa facility was built in the 1930s, in pure rationalist style; the architectural movement that can be seen in many other examples dotted around the area. Today, the Grand Hotel Terme della Fratta is home to an attractive spa facility that is open all year round, surrounded by paths that lose themselves in nature’s greenery.
This sprawling thermal bath park also comprises the Parco Avventura IndianaPark, one of the most comprehensive theme parks of its kind in the region owing to its size and the number of attractions to entertain adults and children alike.
What makes the waters at the Terme della Fratta so unique is that they issue from 11 different sources, giving rise to 7 different combinations of mineral salts. Based on how concentrated these elements are, the thermal waters are categorised as saltwater, sodium chloride, bromide and iodide-rich water, sulphur water, salt sulphur water, iron-rich water, magnesium-rich water and arsenic-rich water.
In particular, at the Grand Hotel Terme della Fratta you can benefit from the sodium chloride, bromide and iodide-rich water, which is highly recommended to treat musculoskeletal conditions owing to its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic effects, and from sulphur water. Sulphur water provides particularly effective relief for chronic conditions of the ears, nose, larynx and pharynx.
Alongside the spa treatments, the facility also features a wellness centre, providing a range of different treatments, including Eastern-inspired rituals.
Some of the more unusual massages include the grape seed oil massage for soft, supple skin, and the chocolate massage, specially to combat signs of ageing.
As for the beauty treatments, you can take your pick from a wide selection, from facial to body to slimming treatments.
The centre also offers vinotherapy ritual, which involve an aromatic soak in a bath of thermal water and red grape concentrate, and the Rasul ritual, an Eastern purification ritual that combines steam baths, essential oils and clay.
Restore the body’s natural balance at the centre and try the Percorso Armonie Naturali experience: a session in two thermal pools with massaging water jets, one with sodium chloride, bromide and iodide-rich water and the other with sulphur water, the vascular water therapy system, the Kneipp footbath, sauna, Turkish bath, Roman bath, experience showers and the Wasser paradise, which combines four showers that differ in colour, intensity and heat.
