South Africa is home to many exclusive health resorts, wellness centres and spas. Visitors have the opportunity to combine their trip to South Africa, whether it is for a wedding, business, safari or sight-seeing, with a relaxing, revitalising visit to a health spa and experience South Africa at its finest.

Spa resorts in South Africa offer the latest holistic health and beauty treatments and techniques which are designed to rejuvenate tired bodies and minds. These are ideal for the traveller in need of relaxation between busy days of sight-seeing or business meetings.

Wellness centres in South Africa offer day and overnight spa packages. These spas define relaxation and rejuvenation, while getting pampered and de-stressed, visitors may enjoy this wonderful and relaxing experience.

Whether a day or overnight package and whether a stones throw away from the city, in the untamed African bush at a game lodge or a drive into the countryside of South Africa, health spas in South Africa guests will feel at home putting them at ease, surrounded by attentive staff and personalized service.

Relax with a spa massage

Spa visitors have the opportunity to select from an exotic list of natural treatments and signature spa journeys uniquely created to uplift, revitalize and recharge both body and mind. Treatments range from skin care, massages (including Thai massages which are done sometimes by Thai therapists), hair removal, hand and foot treatments as well as many others.

In between spa treatments, guests may relax on a deck with a refreshing drink while enjoying a light and healthy snacks or lunch which has been freshly prepared.

Spa etiquette in South Africa

As a spa guest you are expected to:

- Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment (15 minutes)
- Turn your cell phone off or put it onto silent
- Allow the therapist to perform a service as reserved and timed
- Give the therapist feedback as to your comfort and special troubled areas
- Relax … that’s generally why you are in the spa
- Enjoy, benefit and allow others to “do for you”
- Know that you may be silent or quietly talkative
- Share public space respectfully with other spa goers
- Do not bring children and leave them unattended, this is very disruptive to other spa goers and unsafe for children

Selected health & Beauty Tips

The Benefits of Vinegar:

No one really thinks of vinegar as being part of their beauty routine. But it is really quite beneficial. Try adding half a cup of white vinegar to your warm bath for a beautifully soft skin. For dry hair or dandruff, massage a few tablespoons into your scalp. Apple cider vinegar also treats lice. For oily skin, mix 50% apple cider vinegar and 50% cool water, makes a good astringent and helps with acne.

The Benefits of Green Tea:

Green tea is a metabolism booster and helps in weight loss. It is also an immune enhancer and the stimulation of the immune system assists in guarding the body against infection. Green tea removes the toxins from the body, thereby helping in body detox, it also has anti-bacterial properties. Green tea helps in reducing LDL cholesterol present in the body.

The Benefits of Cranberries:

Cranberries have significant anti-aging properties and can help to boost memory power and coordination, both of which are aspects that tend to decrease with age. Cranberry seeds are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as vitamin E. all of these are helpful in counteracting the effects of aging. Oil taken from Cranberry seeds has the lowest amount of saturated fat and can be used in cooking.

Strawberry Hair Mask:

Mash eight strawberries with one tablespoon mayonnaise. Massage into washed, damp hair. Cover with a shower cap, then a warm towel. Wash out with a shampoo/conditioner combination. This luscious mix of rich acidic berries will leave your hair both conditioned and with rich gloss.

Benefits of Coconuts:

Coconut oil has wonderful antioxidant properties which protect the skin from free radical damage. When coconut oil is used topically on our skin, it helps our bodies to absorb other nutrients more effectively as well, such as Vitamin E, another powerful antioxidant nutrient that protects the skin.

Arabella Hotel & Spa near Hermanus, Western Cape / South Africa

One of the best and well know spa facilities of South Africa can be found at the five star Arabella Hotel & Spa which nestles on a magnificent inland lagoon on the Whale Coast near Hermanus in South Africa’s Western Cape. The Arabella Hotel & Spa features besides many first class facilities the beautiful and modern Arabella Spa which has received many awards in the past due to its outstanding facilities and services. The Arabella Spa is a heavenly retreat devoted to wellness.

The Arabella Spa is home to the world-first African Rainforest Experience, which is a two-hour sensory water and steam treatment using African products and inspired by African rains. The exclusive Arabella Spa combines traditional and modern spa therapies, artfully fusing Far Eastern and Western knowledge with innovative beauty products of the highest international quality, leaving spa visitors with a deep feeling of relaxation and a restored natural balance.

The award-winning Arabella Spa in South Africa utilises products that have only the highest quality and professional status that are internationally recognised. Acclaimed brands worldwide such as BABOR and Dermalogica deliver the highest results in skin and body care whilst providing decadent luxury to all treatments.

Manicure and pedicures are performed with OPI and Spalicious products, which bring softness and a gleam to the hands and feet. The Arabella Spa caters for expectant mothers with the Mama Mio range of body care. Pregnancy body care is elevated to another level with these wonderful rich omega oil based products

Hotel and spa guests at the Arabella Hotel & Spa in South Africa are invited to indulge in the heated indoor hydro-pool and outdoor lap pool, sauna, steam room and the crystalline waters of the swimming pool at their own leisure.

Opportunity abounds for the athletically inclined at the Arabella Hotel & Spa. Partake in a spirited game of tennis on the estate’s court or a fitness and training session in the Arabella Spa gymnasium.

This article was a guest post written by Ryan Mackie of South African Hotels.com

Hotel Cheyenne
Located less than 20 minutes (by foot) from the entrance to Euro Disney, the Hotel Cheyenne offers reasonable accommodations for a great price. All rooms have two beds that hold four people in total and reservations can be changed or made directly from Euro Disney thanks to the Hotel Charge Card Facility system. This is the cheapest hotel on the list and doesn’t include a swimming pool, but the money that is saved here can be used to have an even better experience in the theme park. Bunk beds are also available to give your kids a fun feel to the room.

Sequoia Lodge
This hotel offers a scenic atmosphere in the style of a hunting lodge. There are several buildings that comprise this hotel resort, with a main building that offers a taxi service directly to Euro Disney. The rooms here are excellent and suites are also available for those who wish to have a home away from home. The swimming pool is large and beautiful and the view from many of the rooms offers first-class scenery in a secluded environment. There is both a restaurant (Hunters Grill) and bar (Beaver Creek Tavern) on-site that offer delicious dinners and potent potables.

Disneyland Hotel
The premier hotel of Euro Disney and labeled as “European Hotel of the Year” by the British Travel Agents Association, Disneyland Hotel offers the very best in the Disney experience for you and your family. Located directly at the entrance to the park, you will enjoy everything the park has to offer without inconvenience. A special section of the hotel, the Castle Club, is located inside the park and accommodates up to fifty people (please note that this section of the hotel is very expensive). The very best in dining can be enjoyed at the California Grill, the Piano Bar and Inventions.

Newport Bay Club
One of the largest and nicest hotels in the Lake Disney area, Newport Bay offers a nautical-themed experience to your stay in the Euro Disney area. With an extensive hotel shop available, you will find yourself wondering why you need to shop anywhere else. High-end eateries on-site include Cape Cod and Yacht Club which provide great seafood. The expansive complex also has a series of hotel services and options (nightlife, gym, exercise room) that cover three entire floors, giving you access to all the customs and routines of home while on vacation. This is one of the most expensive hotels in the area but definitely worth it if you can afford it.

Newport Bay Club Hotel

Image Courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/doevos/4661426959/

Author Bio
Euro Disney is a fabulous place to spend a family holiday abroad. There are numerous hotels available for your lodgings as well as some self catering accommodations in the area too. Owner’s Direct can help you find the ideal place for you and your family.

Mums are great. They take care of us, they keep us on the right track and they do all the things that no one else in the family wants to do. It is because we love mums so much that it is important to give them a break every now and then. Below are five ideas for fun New Zealand Vacations for mums only.

Geothermal Spa Weekend

New Zealand’s North Island is known for its many fabulous and unique geothermal features. These features include hot springs and hot mud pots that are rich in minerals. In Rotorua mums can find day spas that take advantage of the health and beauty enhancing qualities of these natural wonders. Mums can spend the day soaking in hot mineral springs, getting hot mud treatments and getting pampered. At night, mum can relax to a luxurious hotel suite that overlooks a tropical paradise.

Enjoying a Hot Thermal Spa

The Urban Adventure Mom Getaway

Sometimes mums need to have a little adventure to release stress and to recapture her youthful outlook on the world. New Zealand offers several adventures for mums to have. Mums looking for urban adventures, for example, can spend the weekend in Auckland, New Zealand. Here she can take the Sky Walk, go kayaking or climb the Auckland Bridge. In between these adventurous outings, mum can find ample opportunities to shop, dine and relax with friends.

Watersport Weekends for Mums

New Zealand is known for the myriad of watersports that it offers. Mums that enjoy snorkeling, swimming and tropical adventures can focus her minibreak on the North Island. Here she can find plenty of opportunities to interact with local marine wildlife, to swim, to boat and to explore amazing geothermal water features.

Moms that are looking for a more adrenaline pumping watersport weekend can focus her attentions on the southern part of the country. Here she can find whitewater and blackwater rafting adventures, sea kayaking through fjords and high speed jet action on local lakes and rivers. When not in the water, mum can camp out or stay at one of the many comfortable homestays and farmstays in the region.

Cruising New Zealand

Mums looking for a weekend of varied experiences and destinations can plan to take one of the many cruises offered in New Zealand. These cruises can be booked on smaller private yachts or large commercial cruise ships. Cruising weekends gives mums the opportunity to see a lot more of New Zealand than they can if they stay on land. Cruises are usually all-inclusive and provide food, lodging, travel and specially planned activities.

Cruising in New Zealand

Travel Insurance

Before sending mum off on her dream minibreak, make sure she has travel insurance. This will provide her with financial protection in the event that she runs into trouble while away from home.

Author Byline: Madeline Binder loves to write about New Zealand and travel. Her writing includes dozens of articles on how to find good deals on travel and how to find the most exciting attractions in New Zealand.

Depending on the age of your child, you need to be very careful about many safety concerns in your rental home. The lower the age, the greater the number of potential dangers. Therefore, after spending time and effort in making your home as secure as possible, now you need to make sure that even your Tuscany villa with pool or Tuscany Apartments; are as safe as possible.

Since you are going to a foreign country, Italy that is, you will most likely find different child-safety regulations about product manufacturing than your country applies. This could be for better or for worse, but you must be aware of them anyway.

In the kitchen
Make sure your lower cabinets will be latched, otherwise bring a latching system from home or ask if one is available in stores in Tuscany. Ask if there is room for cleaning supplies and chemicals to be stored on head cabinets. Most Tuscan homes have gas burners and there is no burner pilot light in Italy. Ask if there are two rows of burners, so you can use the back ones. Appliances with cords are very similar to those you are used to having in your home, so the same care should be applied.

In the bathroom
Most villas and homes in Tuscany have gas heaters, and water heat may not always be adjustable, so be careful not to leave your child play with the water handle. A bright note is that the water level in Italian toilet bowls is much lower than other countries, making it impossible even for infants to drown in them, should they fall head down. As a consequence, there should be no need to latch the toilet seat.

Living areas
These are somewhat of a challenge. Tuscan villas may have plenty of rustic and antique furniture built decades or centuries ago, when child safety was not exactly a priority. However, modern furniture may also be a hazard, as sharp corners or edges made of transparent materials are often used in contemporary design. Ask the owner if there may be such perils for your child in his home, and ask to secure all unstable pieces of furniture to the wall or to remove them.
A common hazard are blind cords. Although these are a very uncommon indoors upholstery item in Tuscan homes, you can sometimes find them as outdoor sun screens. If your rental home has them, make sure cords are rolled up. Curtains are more common, and the same precautions should be applied. Also keep in mind that Tuscan windows are all casement-type, almost never slide-up or to the side. Make sure you can latch them when you just want to let a draft in.
Door stoppers are not common in Tuscany, but check with the owner if any other toddler-level choke hazards may be present in the villa or apartment.

Nursing amenities
Villa owners will often provide cribs, baby beds, high chairs and other likewise amenities for free. Ask if those provided at your intended villa rental comply with modern safety standards.

In the bedroom
If your children sleep in the bedroom with you, ask the owner to place necessary extra beds away from hanging pictures or mirrors. These should also be removed from above all those beds children will be sleeping in during your holiday in Tuscany.

Swimming pool and staircases
Ask the owner if and how many sets of stairs are present indoors and outdoors. Indoor stairs can be fitted with safety gates at both ends, but outdoor ones will most likely remain unguarded. Extra child supervision will therefore be necessary. If you are looking at Tuscany villas and farmhouses with swimming pools, consider that these are almost always unguarded, increasing your safety concern. Ask the owner if child swimming aids are available, otherwise purchase some, they are quite inexpensive.

Electric outlets
Last generation electric outlets in Italy come with internal child-proof shields, providing no chocking hazards. However, the majority will be uncovered. Ask the owner to mask them for you. You can mask and unmask those you need upon necessity.

After reading the simple tips above, the best thing to do is to contact the owner of the property directly, better if on the phone, asking her to cooperate with you in spotting any possible child hazard, while helping in any possible way to minimize whatever may set your baby in danger. This of course implies that prior to booking you must be able to contact the owner directly. Therefore, try to always choose direct booking Tuscany apartments or villas, as intermediary agencies will not provide direct contact info prior to booking. They will mediate the exchange of information with the owner, fragmenting it and in fact creating a barrier.

Matt writes for ThriftyTuscany.com, the Tuscan villas and apartments direct booking website with higher value properties.

Taking a family vacation to Melbourne was always a distant dream for my family and I. Finding accommodations that would suit my entire family on our budget was no easy task. We have three kids and that means we need a lot of space. We are also particular on style. We were so excited when we found these family friendly apartments that I just had to talk about it. Better than renting a house and way more affordable than a large hotel suite, here are a few of the other benefits we experienced in Melbourne with our apartment rental.

Our family accommodation Melbourne was in Stanton on Kilda Road. The location was perfect for us! We were a short walk from all the action of the business district and really close to parks and outdoor spaces. This made it simple to take the little kids outside for some playtime.

Oakleigh Apartment

The interior of the apartment was just like home. We all felt like we could stretch out and be comfortable here. The amenities that are included are really well thought out. Our unit included a DVD player, laundry facilities, Internet connection and a fully stocked kitchen. Even though no one likes to cook on vacation, having this kitchen probably saved us enough money to have stayed in Melbourne an extra day. We really only used it for breakfast and occasional snacks, but that adds up in cost! It also allowed us to sleep in a bit longer and made it possible for each family member to eat when they woke up on their own. It was a nice change from the normal vacation pace of rushing everyone out of bed and taking grumpy kids to a local restaurant.

Outside of our unit we found a wealth of things to do right on the property. There was a gym and a pool. The kids really enjoyed swimming with their dad while I took in a good book in the landscaped garden and grill area. We also made use of the onsite DVD library. We picked titles out as a family and then watched them back in our unit.

When considering a family accommodation Melbourne, I can’t talk highly enough about the unique experience an apartment rental offers. You’ll feel more at home and comfortable. You’ll also find unique ways to save money on food and entertainment when you just stay around the facility.

Haleakala Wilderness Cabins, Maui, Hawaii

Although it might seem like an obvious vacation spot, there is a place in Hawaii on the island on Maui far away from the hustle and bustle of the touristic centers. The location is the Haleakala Wilderness Cabins, and here, you can truly get away from it all and relax your stress away. Furthermore, you’ll love this place even more if you are on a budget, as you can find cabins here for as low as $60 per night! You are unlikely to find prices this low anywhere else on Hawai’i. These cabins are located on the slopes of Mt. Haleakala in Mount Haleakala National Park, and when I say they are far away from the buzz of the tourist spots, I mean it. You even have to hike a couple of miles to get to your cabin! If you like hiking, then this is perfect for you. If you don’t, just think of the price and the beautiful setting! Once you are there, you’ll be able to relax in peace and enjoy what Hawaii’s nature has to offer.

Spa Week

Rancho La Huerta in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico was recently voted “Best for Going Solo”, and it would be the perfect place for a mom to go to unwind. It is a luxury spa and resort that began in the 1940s, and it is only an hour’s drive from San Diego, California (3.3 miles from the U.S. border). This resort has about 3,000 acres of mountains and meadows, and it is located on the slopes of Mt. Kuchumaa. According to their website, they provide “space-that which is most lacking in today’s life, space to breathe freely, to relax, to renew, reflect, and redirect one’s longer living life”. Isn’t that all a busy mom wants? Space to breathe and think in silence, among nature’s beauty? While you are there, there is a very wide range of activities that you can take part in. These include: fitness classes, hikes, evening programs, lectures, cooking lessons, and last but not least, personal spa sessions. Usually, a stay at Rancho La Huerta is a week long, so you will have plenty of time to relax and take part in activities that truly interest you without any interruption.

Travel Abroad

If you want to see the world, or at least part of it, visiting a country you’ve always dreamed of is the perfect mom vacation. Perhaps you are passionate about Italian culture, and no one in your family shares this passion. Going on a vacation to a destination that interests you is a great way of rewarding yourself for all of the hard work you do. Needless to say, there are countless things to do in Italy. Going to Rome and seeing landmark locations like the Flavian Amphitheater (the Coliseum) or the Vatican would be a once in a lifetime experience. If you want to experience the Italian countryside, you can visit Lake Garda, which is the largest lake in Italy. There are a large number of activities that range from hiking and shopping that you can take part in there.

You should never feel guilty about wanting to get away for a while and experience some peace and quiet! Your family knows you love them, and they will most likely be excited for you to embark on your quest for some much needed R&R. These ideas are great for moms travelling alone, but don’t limit yourself to these destinations. Use these locations to get an idea for places that you might be interested in going. Happy traveling!

Zac is a travel writer and a blogger, he recommends cruise deals for relaxing holidays or you can choose holiday packages that best suit your needs.

photo credit: prilfish

Egypt is a country of beauty and mystery from the past to the present. Travellers can explore the various time periods that saw the rise and fall of great kings, centres of learning and changes in its civilization. These are the key places that are must visits, offering a taste of the culture that surrounds this amazing destination.

Touring the Great Pyramid

The Great Pyramid at Giza should be a definite stop on your list. This majestic ancient wonder stands as one of the older pyramids in the area, allowing you to see one of the only Seven Wonders of the Ancient World left standing. Built for Khufu, this pyramid required over 20 years of construction to be completed.

Taking in the Sphinx

The Sphinx has a history spanning 4,000 years, being constructing during the time of the Pharaoh Khafre. This majestic sculpture has baffled visitors, archaeologists and other scientists for years, who have tried to figure out who it represents. Located within sight of the pyramids, this is one site that will leave you in awe.

A Stroll Through Luxor

Luxor is a majestic area, a museum in itself of Egyptian history. It holds at least one-third of the country’s most precious monuments, including: the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Queens. Its original name was Thebes, but its role as the main Egyptian capital has left an array of sites to tour today.

The National Museum of Alexandria

This exceptional museum displays over 1,800 artefacts from this city’s role as a major centre of culture and learning. You will see pieces from the Byzantine, Islamic, Pharonic and Alexandrian cultures that were present throughout its history.

The Museum of Memphis

This museum is an open air one, featuring sculptures and other statues from the time when this city served as the capital of ancient Egypt. This includes granite sculptures and coffins along with tablets from several other periods. A must see here is the giant limestone statue of Ramses the II.

photo credit: bjaglin

There are a number of things that you can only do on a Lisbon holiday, things that are totally unique to the city, and whether you try them on your first or fiftieth Lisbon holiday, you must try at least once!

The Arcadas do Faia is an essential ‘Lisbon only’ attraction. Fado music is popular throughout the city, but the Arcadas do Faia is where the locals go to enjoy good food, fine music and an excellent atmosphere. The prices are a little above some of the more tourist orientated Fado music halls, but here paying a little extra gets you much, much more. Fado music is hugely atmospheric, with similar routes to sea shanties, but with a more mournful tune.

The Alfama region is another excellent place to find fado music. Even if you are not looking for music, Alfama is an essential region to explore. The tiny cobbled streets are filled with timeless little bars and cafes, as well as a brilliant little train which takes you up the hill through the narrowest of streets.

Art lovers will love the Antiks Picturas, an art gallery showing the best of 20th Century Portuguese art and jewellery. The gallery gives a wonderful insight into Portuguese history as well as the artistic heritage. For more recent art, the nearby Enes Arte Contemporanea is another appealing attraction.

There are actually a huge range of unique, and sometimes bizarre attractions to find on a Lisbon holiday. The Santa Justa Elevator may sound like the last thing you would wish to find on a Lisbon holiday, but it is impossible to ignore. It is one of Lisbon’s favourite monuments, standing 45 metres high offering great views across from Baixa to Bairro Alto. St George’s Castle dominates the skyline, situated dominantly on the highest hill in Lisbon. It is a very impressive monument to the former glory of Lisbon as a world centre and base for many important voyages of discovery around the globe.

After a hard morning exploring, (any excuse!), be sure to have an espresso (bica) in the iconic café, Café a Brasileira. Lisbon is a perfect place to simply sit and watch the world go by, and Café a Brasileira is the best place to do it!

Lisbon Travel Resources

Villa Holidays from LinksBank

Australia is huge, and you can’t ‘do’ the whole thing in two weeks. Nowhere near! So you have to pick and plan to get the most out of a holiday to Australia. One of the best ways to get a taste for the best of Aus is to take a week in Melbourne, and a second in Sydney. Melbourne is a wonderful city, where alfresco dining is king, and the shops and bars offer non-stop entertainment. It is also a city of sport, and nowhere does sporting events in the same way as Australia! Catching an AFL game is a must for any sports fan visiting Australia. Many hours can be spent milling around in the small streets and alley that make up the city centre, and trips out to the surrounding vineyards of he Yarra Valley, or hitting the beaches along the Great Ocean Road complete the Melbourne experience.

Sydney is home to the iconic images of Australian holidays. The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge are far more spectacular in person, and the city beaches in and around Sydney are probably the best city beaches in the world. The walk across the top of the Harbour Bridge is not for the feint hearted, but you are harnessed to the bridge, and the views are genuinely worth conquering your fear for! The ferry across to Manley is a ‘must’ during a Sydney break, as the combination of beaches and bars is second to none. The famous Bondi Beach, a surfer’s paradise is also within the city limits. Just outside Sydney, in Australian terms, 2 hours outside for the rest of us, are the spectacular Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are generally agreed to be the most beautiful landscapes in Australia, and it would be a real shame to get as far as Sydney without taking a day trip out to the park. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage area, there are some one million miles of forest, canyons, bushland and waterfalls to discover.

Between the two cities is the Hunter Valley wine region, Australia’s oldest wine region, and home to the best wines that Australia produces. There are some 80 wineries to explore, many of which have excellent restaurants on-site in which to enjoy fine dining and even finer wines after a tour! You are not limited to a car when exploring Hunter Valley, with plenty of opportunities to take a horse-drawn carriage, bicycle or even a hot air balloon ride through the region.

Florence, Siena and Pisa are well known tourist sites for holidays to Tuscany, and all three deserve the acclaim they receive as beautiful, cultural spots, but there are many more worthy of exploration from a villa in Tuscany. The crowds and bus tours may concentrate solely on these three gems, but away from the tourist hoards are the secret treasures that those who return year on year to a Tuscan farmhouse keep quiet about, savouring the peace and atmosphere for themselves.

The walled city of Lucca is absolutely beautiful. How it has remained off the global tourist radar is a mystery, but no one who visits will complain about a lack of crowds! The wall is almost completely intact, providing a unique opportunity to walk the entire circumference of the ancient centre. There are also a couple of towers to climb, which provide an unrivalled view across the city and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. After that, you will almost certainly want a refreshing glass of wine, coffee or lunch, and Lucca is the place to have it! The ancient streets are filled with family run cafes and restaurants serving the finest homemade Tuscan fare, at local prices.
San Gimignano is known as the City of Towers. With 14 towers remaining, the skyline is one of the most striking of any hilltop town in Tuscany. The historic centre has been named on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, yet has also been largely overlooked by the tourist market, which makes visiting all the more special.

Nowhere is the combination of impressive Renaissance architecture and fine wine more perfectly presented than in Montepulciano. The main square is an enchanting place to explore, and is without doubt the most impressive in Tuscany. Market day, held each Thursday is a particularly good time to visit; and there can be few markets held in such surroundings.

Tuscan holidays are also known for their spa towns. So those looking for true luxury, combining mouth-watering food, fine wines and a spot of real pampering must head for Montecatini Terme, one of Tuscany’s best spa towns. There are a number of spas in town, from the local to the lavish, with something to suit every budget. The old funicular railway, which runs from the town centre to the hill town of Montecatini Alto above.