Yesterday, the famed Tuscan sun was shining and I was determined to make it an active day. I’m stay at the Hotel Adler Thermae, a spa in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia. I was very excited to take part in “Nordic Walking” at 9 a.m. – this is basically a group walk through the hills of Toscana, you use ski poles to balance yourself while climbing, walking. But then, er, I overslept! I was bummed I missed the class, but did I miss breakfast and my espresso too? NO! I love this place, they serve breakfast until 11 a.m. Perfect for non-morning people like me.
I regrouped and decided to go for “Hydrobike” at 11 a.m. By the way, one of the reasons I love Italian spas is that opportunities for exercise are offered but in no way are you made to feel guilty if you do not partake. Hydrobike is using an exercise bike underwater – there are small weights on the pedals. I loved it and wish I could find such a class at home.
At 3 p.m., I had “Personal Coaching”. This is part of my “Adler Detox” package. “Forza, Kathy, Forza,” my trainer Raffaelo kept saying as well as “cinque, ancora.” That famous, “five more!” Why did I think working out “under the Tuscan sun” was going to be any less painful than usual. There were crunches, weight lifting and a warm-up and cool-down on the elliptical machine. Look at the view though from the workout area:
