Next week, I'll be traveling to the medieval hilltown of Saturnia, Italy. Located in the Maremma region of Tuscany, this locality is home to thermal pools dating back nearly 3,000 years. With temperatures at 37C/98.6F, the pools attract visitors who seek a stress-free sojourn. Compared to central Tuscany, this southern part of Tuscany is slightly off the beaten path. Therefore, less tourists venture to this area. It's more rural where cowboys can be found herding cattle on ranches.

I'll also explore the neighboring Etruscan hilltowns of Pitigliano (well-known for their Pitigliano di Bianco), Sorano and Sovana.

As of the 12th, check back for a daily dose of Tuscan reports. Moreover, on March 15, 2007, I'll be a call-in guest on Around the World Radio. The weekly one-hour travel show is aired live in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles on 1290am; it's also aired in Australia. All others can listen via the Internet. Click here to listen.