An ancient open-air hot sulphur spring, discovered by the Etruscans, dominates the central square of this village in the Val d'Orcia: from an arcade built along one side by the Romans, steam rises, even in winter. The Marcucci family's spa villa, on the edge of the village, overlooks the valley. Its `wonderful' open-air swimming pool is fed by the spring (it is used also by locals at times, so it can get crowded). `Extremely good villa, lots of sitting villa rooms,' says a nine-year-old visitor this year. His father agrees, adding praise for the 'high-quality Italian cooking', served in the large, scenic dining room. There is a wide range of mainly Tuscan wines (`some absurdly expensive'). Most guests write of `good value and service', though one couple thought there was a `slightly Balkan feel: lots of rules prominently displayed'. Guests are `a mix of standard holiday-makers and the elderly, taking the waters'. Some villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) are large, with a big bathroom. `Bali villa breakfast on the terrace was delightful, with home-made bread and cakes' - also a conveyor belt-style 'super-toaster'. The village is `quite lively', with bars and restaurants, but closed to traffic. Around is `some of the best unspoilt countryside of southern Tuscany, with good walking' (lots of footpaths).

Traveller's tale villain France. The bathroom was large and well appointed, but the bath was one of the most difficult to get in and out of that I have encountered - short on the flat part of the bottom and with a long sloping end away from the water inlets. What shape are bathroom equipment designers? Or do they only take showers?