LOCATION
Salice Terme is a small spa and vacation village in Northern Italy (Pavia Province - click on map to left), very well located for the tourist travelling by car or train. It is an ideal spot for practicing all types of sports , biking and trekking included. Milan is one hour away - for shopping and visiting Leonardo's 'The Last Supper'. Turin is an hour West - the SHROUD is on exhibit for the year 2000. Genova and Portofino are an hour South. Pavia is the home of one of Europe's oldest Universities and one of Italy's most evocative towns- half an hour from Salice.

HOT SPRINGS
Salice Terme (spa) was known and appreciated by the Romans for its curative waters, still today among the richest in hydrogen sulfide. Italians and tourists come to Salice to relax but also to be healed. The sulfur water is well known for therapeutic effectiveness. Salice was the first place where iodine was discovered in the water and the area's iodine mud therapies are curative for a veritable host of illnesses. Treatments with the sulfur and bromide water in mist or liquid form are for : ears, nose and throat, gynecology, dermatology, physical rehabilitation and gastroenterology. The Spa center is 100 meters from Hotel Milano.

WINES
Salice Terme is situated in the Oltrepo' (see map). This is the hilly, wine-growing part of Pavia Province, with the longest grape harvest in Italy. Beautiful and historic wineries are nearby where tourists may visit and buy local wines, or meander along winding roads and discover friendly local producers. The Reds : Barbera, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot noir , Buttafuoco and Sangue di Giuda. The Whites: Chardonnay, Cortese, Moscato, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Riesling and more.

FOOD
To best savour the wide range of local wines, the Oltrepo' has a rich gastronomic tradition:the famous Varzi salame is made only 20 minutes from here and a visit to a salame factory can bearranged. 'Risotto' (rice) plates, ravioli and sauces all made with local ingredients from the woods such as mushrooms, truffles,chestnuts. There is an excellent cheese production in the region and honey lovers will find an incredibly vast assortment. Most restaurants are small and family run whith good food and low prices. Salice has three very good restaurants within walking distance of the Hotel and pizzerias and sandwich places abound.

SPORTS AND NATURE
The golf course is open close to the Hotel in Spring of 2000. Biking - the 'Giro
d'Italia' passes through the Oltrepo' every year. Itineraries are available. Tennis, swimming, horse-back riding, trekking etc. are all here to be enjoyed.

SHOPPING
Milan has it all - small shops, designer shops, department stores, arty shops, open air markets. Only 1 hour to the center of Milan by train. A new outlet shopping center opens Spring of 2000 in Serravalle Scrivia - 20 minutes from Salice. This will be the first designer outlet centre in Italy and absolutely worth visiting.

PROVINCE OF PAVIA ­ OLTREPO'

Pavia, in itself, is one of the most evocative cities in Italy. The characteristic red brick colour of its buildings, its wonderful Romanesque churches, the grandiose Visconti castle, the Renaissance Cathedral and majestic university complex. The beauty of Pavia is enhanced by its position on the Ticino River. The covered bridge (rebuilt faithfully after world war II bombing on original 14th century plan) spans the river. The Longobards chose Pavia as the capital city of their Italian kingdom because it was a walled city on a navigable river. It was here, in the San Michele Basilica, that the kings of Italy came to be crowned before going to Rome. The Carthusian Monestary (Certosa di Pavia) is the most famous attraction near Pavia. Founded by Gian Galeazzo Visconti in 1396 it is rich in works of art and considered by all as one of the most sumptuous monuments in Italy. It is a real museum of 4 centuries of Lombard and italian art.

Vigevano and its famous piazza designed by Bramante in 1492 is a town of great artistic importance. Its Castle was residence of the Visconti and Sforza families.

THE OLTREPO' hills are full of history, narrow roads, rarely ever straight, a few houses, a village every so often, an occasional car or tractor. On each side of the road are hills, vineyards, a wine cellar, small bars and restaurants. The area is covered with castles and strongholds: Oramala, Montalto, Zavaterello (centres of medieval culture) once belonging to the Visconti and Malaspina families. Most are open to the public, others, along with the abbeys, old farms, little churces, medieval villages and Roman ruins can be discovered by the tourist in the OLTREPO' hills. The Medieval Abbey of S. Alberto di Butrio is 10 minutes from Salice Terme. At 700m, the hermitage, built in 1484, is surrounded by the thick chestnut and oak woods. A place evoking peace and serenity and still inhabited by working hermits, it is open to the public.

A trip up the valley from Salice to Varzi and from there 6 kilometers to the castle of Oramala is an ideal outing to make either by bike or by car. Oramala Castle remains in its original untarnished scenic setting and can be visited upon request (ask at hotel). This is a perfect setting to enjoy some of the gastronomical specialties of this area: truffles, 'porcini' mushrooms, wild boar, salame and of course the good wines. Continue up the valley from Varzi and you are on your way to the coast via the old Roman Salt route- still used today for a scenic road to Genova. For those interested in a wine itinerary the slogan of the wine growers in this area is : "Every road leads to wine"! Today, the hilly part of the OLTREPO' is entirely dedicated to wine growing and there are many historically beautiful wineries to visit. Itineraries for wining and dining in the area are available at the Hotel.