Two Places You Might Not Visit in Italy (But Should)

by

Lisa T. Bergren

In my travels for researching the Grand Tour Series, I happened upon two locations I think everyone should see, when they get to Italy. Both made it into the pages of Glittering Promises, but to further whet your appetite, here’s more on each…

SATURNIA

My husband and I spent a glorious week in Tuscany a few years ago (I was WORKING, remember?). We rented a tiny villa on the top of a hill. Over to our right was the ancient hill city of Pienza, and we could hear her bells ringing on the wind. Behind us was Montepulciano, where we went to grocery shop and occasionally, find a little trattoria in which to eat. And in front of us were the remains of a tiny, medieval city, her walls and tower crumbling and ghostly, whispering of battles won and eventually lost.

We’d sleep in, then wander for half a day, then return for sunset and to make dinner at our little villa. To us, it was the perfect, romantic vacation. One day, we decided to wander far to the southern edge of Toscana, to the ancient Roman baths of Saturnia. On the bend of a road, nestled beneath a ritzy spa, were the ancient pools, open to the public and accessible for free. You change in your car and you really don’t want to go in the bathroom (trust me), but it was FREE, and an utterly marvelous stop.

Steaming, hot spring pools sat in a cascading artist’s palette of blues, emptying one into another until they eased into the river below. At the top was a wide, thundering fall, and you could sit directly under it, letting the hot water pound your shoulders and neck. Each progressive pool grew cooler, so you could choose how warm you wanted your water. To the edge were rushes and cattails, giving it a wild, rustic feel. Italians of all ages were there to enjoy and we seemed to be some of the very few tourists. If we go back with kids, we’ll definitely make a stop at Saturnia…they’d adore it. And you would too!

THE HYPOGEUM

A couple years later, I returned to Rome with my daughter, Emma, to explore the city for ten days, aiming to research for Glittering Promises, in particular, knowing my tourists would be spending a great deal of time in the ancient city. This is a town you could spent months exploring, and most only spend two or three days. Even if you’re in Rome for the day, consider taking Dark Tour’s tour of the Coliseum, which has unique access to the hypogeum (“underground” in Greek—the basement), all the way to the very top of the old arena.

The beauty of going into the very bottom of the Coliseum is that you get a far better handle on the structure at large. You catch a glimpse of what it might’ve been like to be a gladiator, wandering the complex series of tunnels and rooms, from which they used to raise hungry tigers and lions to battle men for their lives. It’s like being backstage at a theatre—you get valuable perspective on what it takes to put on the “show.”

Now, archeologists didn’t excavate the Hypogeum until years after my 1913 tourists would’ve been there, but for dramatic purposes of my novel, I moved up the date. (Ah, the power of being a novelist…) Still, I like to be as historically accurate as I can, so I made a note of the correct date in the back of the book (no need to write and correct me).

The bear, the tourists’ guide, Will McCabe, gives the rest of the travelers far more information on both locations in the book. But you’ll have to read Glittering Promises to find out more. Think of the Grand Tour Series as an armchair trip through Europe, for only the cost of three books! May your imaginative tour be a good one.

~Lisa Bergren

**Photographs and video courtesy of Lisa & Tim Bergren

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Glittering Promises, Grave Consequences, Glamorous Illusions, Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent, Bourne & Tributary

Character spotlight on Cora Diehl

Character spotlight on Will McCabe

Character spotlight on Pierre de Richelieu

Lisa’s Pop Quiz

Interview with Lisa

Character interviews with Luca,  Lia, Gabi and Marcello

Character spotlight on Gabi, Marcello, Luca & Lia

Character spotlight on Lord Greco

Visit Lisa’s website

Buy Glittering Promises at Amazon or Koorong