Millions of people flock to Montecatini Terme every year, including many celebrities and even royalty. The small Italian city has been the retreat of the wealthy for many years thanks to its healing waters. But Montecatini isn't only for the rich and powerful, and it isn't only for those who require a relaxing retreat. In fact, there are many different things that make Montecatini Terme an excellent place to visit.

Spas

Since the discovery of the thermal spa waters, Montecatini Terme has become the Bath of Italy. The oldest and most famous spa retreat is the Tettuccio Terme, located on main street. Other popular choices include the Regina, the Excelsior and the Leopoldine. In any of these retreats, not to mention the many others, you can soak in the waters rich with bromine, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium sulphate and other skin-and-body healthy minerals. Furthermore, you can book treatments that include mud packs, massages, hydrotherapy and facials, to name but a few. When you do, you'll be joining the ranks of Vivaldi, Puccini, Clark Gable and even Princess Grace, who all made regular trips to relax in Montecatini's waters.

Shopping

When you're in the area, you should definitely do a bit of shopping. A great place to start is Montecatini Alto, which has the added bonus of a funicular, or cable car, taking you to reach this historic upper town. It's also much lighter on the wallet than the more tourist driven new town of Montecatini Terme below. The Grocco Market is an excellent place to hunt for some souvenirs. Some of the best streets in town for trendy boutiques include Viale Verde (the main street), Corso Matteotti and Corso Roma. You'll find all of the upscale designers, including Prada, Armani and Valentino.

Nature

If you prefer to indulge in the more natural side of Montecatini Terme you can take a stroll through the parks. Parco delle Terme and Parco delle Panteraie are both beautiful areas that also offer a lot within their natural boundaries. Several hotels and most all of the spas are located within Parco delle Terme which is an incredible stretch of classical buildings set among lush green grasses and extending over the lengths of the natural springs below. The natural green setting is perfect for relaxing your mind before your spa treatments. The Parco dell Panteraie, on the other hand, is a wooded area that includes a deer reserve for anyone who wants to get closer to nature. The more adventurous can head up to Montecatini Alto and travel the short distance to the Grotta Maona to explore the caves.

Food

Naturally, a large part of visiting Italy is the cuisine. You can't tour Italy without sampling the pasta, pizza, cheese and gilato. Particular to Montecatini Terme is the cialde , a thin pastry that resembles a waffle cone that is made up of sugar and almonds. You can indulge your sweet tooth at the Giovanni Patisserie, and while you're satisfying your sugar craving be sure to try the Vin Santo, a sweet wine. Finally, visit any of Montecatini Alto's cafes and restaurants. The main benefit, however, is in the spectacular view from the main square while you dine.