Casale del Valla

Naturist agriturismo in the hills of Monferrato, in the province of Alessandria, between the Langhe, the Ligurian coast and Acqui Terme, run by Barbara and Mario. It has nine spacious rooms, each with a terrace or small private garden and its own entrance, on an estate of about 11 hectares of cultivated fields and woodland; a loop trail of just over a kilometre, which can also be walked naked, passes medicinal herbs and viewpoints over the Lago di Valla. The heart of the place is the outdoor wellness area: a large panoramic Finnish sauna with Aufguss rituals every day, a hot tub, two Finnish wooden tubs (one wood-fired, one with cold water), relaxation rooms and massages by appointment. Breakfast is included; there is no restaurant, but you can use the shared kitchen or book dishes prepared by the owners with produce from the vegetable garden. You can also come just for the day to use the spa, by booking ahead (€35 per person for couples); for men coming alone, day access is very limited and must be arranged with the owners in advance. Nudity is required in the sauna; elsewhere it is the norm, but you can cover up with a towel or bathrobe; swimsuits are not allowed. The place is small, with at most around twenty people between guests and visitors, and the owners are keen on a naturism free from any ambiguity. Guests particularly appreciate the silence, the hosts' care and the Aufguss sessions; some, however, found the cleanliness and the rustic facilities not up to the price. Open all year; the last 600 metres of road are unpaved.