You’d think I’d get enough water during the day — the two, lengthy morning and evening therapeutic baths — that the last thing I’d want to look at during my “free time” is more H2O. Well, just call me Aquaman.
From the comfort of the balcony chair of my retreat at the Grand Hotel Terme (GHT), I’ve been chillin’ by occasionally watching the hypnotic flow of the Fiume Sarca (Sarca River) as it winds its way by Terme di Comano (TdC). Her sound alone is therapeutic, and sometimes it just lulls me to sleep out in the mountain air.
The Sarca begins its journey fresh from underneath the Mandrone Glacier in the Adamello Range of the Retiche section of the Italian Alps, where the borders of the Lombardy and Trentino Alto Adige regions embrace, gains momentum with each cascading stream that joins its flow, and ends its run as it merges into Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake.
Only 50-miles long, the Sarca divides TdC and its adjacent community of Ponte Arche (Arched Bridge) right down the middle.
Those patients seeking the benefits of the therapeutic waters inside the TdC spa-wellness center, but do not stay at the GHT, make it over the Sarca and into the park via either a covered wooden alpine bridge or the three-arched, namesake bridge of Ponte Arche. Either way, the views of the Sarca couldn’t be better.
On a recent so-so day, I stayed pretty close to the fort, but I did stretch my legs once under cover of an umbrella until the sun finally broke through. During my passeggiata, I was able to capture a few suitable-for-framing shots of the two bridges that cross over, and some of the streams that merge into, the Fiume Sarca as it passes by my temporary neck of the woods.
If you’ll grab an umbrella — just to be safe — I’ll show you around.
(Click on a photo for the full-screen view)
©The Palladian Traveler | ©Tom Palladio Images
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I had a splendid time and didn’t need the umbrella once. What I do need, though, id a nice glass of red wine. 🙂
I’m imagining your prune-like hands (from all the soaking which is, I hope, working) taking all these amazing shots of such a beautiful place. The travel bug is biting me badly. But my next trip will be a drive in a few days to Philadelphia to visit our younger daughter. It’s not Italy, but it will be fun.
Take care,
janet
Janet — No shriveled up hands. I’m at a wellness-spa as a guest and not a dishwasher down in the kitchen. 🙂 Have fun in Philly and say “hey” to WC Fields, if the city’s not closed. 🙂 🙂
Not a dishwasher, silly, from sitting in the water!! Or do you hold your hands up over your head to keep them out? 🙂 I’ll have fun in Philly and there will probably be photos of some sort, although not as bucolic as yours..
O, Signore Palladian Traveller. I am glad I found your blog as you posts and images are so refreshing.
Rosanna — Grazie mille!