Take a road trip from Italy's mountainous north down to the heel and you'll experience the country's most picturesque regions, fantastic food, and superlative spas

DAY 1 Vigilius Mountain Resort, Lana The spa: Mixing sleek northern Italian design with an Alpine emphasis on healthy beauty, this mountain aerie offers outdoorsy delights like a massage followed by a soak in a hot tub that's half outside, looking into a forest of pines (39-0473-556-600; vigilius.it; doubles, $451-$498). The scarf: You're a captive audience since you can get here only by cable car, but the food is good. Choose South Tyrolean fare at Parlour Ida or Mediterranean at Restaurant 1,500 (entrées, $32-$40).

DAY 2 Rosa Alpina, San Cassiano The spa: Started by Daniela Steiner (the current owner's stepmother), this cozy establishment features her signature treatments, including a facial with micro-peeling, ultrasound, and massage. Long-lasting pedicures are great for feet that have been trapped in ski boots all day (39-0471-849-500; rosalpina.it; doubles, $451-$598). The scarf: St. Hubertus, with its two Michelin stars, put the Dolomites firmly on the foodie road map. Don't miss the pine needle risotto with braised guinea fowl breast (tasting menu, $172).

DAY 3 L'Albereta Locanda, Franciacorta The spa: This no-nonsense establishment mixes Chinese medicine and Western techniques to tackle everything from hypertension to insomnia. Sophia Loren and Elle Macpherson are fans (39-030-776-0550; albereta.it; doubles, $417-$578). The scarf: Healthy eating's not bland at Gualtiero Marchesi's eponymous Michelin-awarded resto. Try his glazed veal loin with wine from the resort's vineyard (entrées, $43-$80).

DAY 4 Castel Monastero, Tuscany The spa: Specializing in detoxifying and rebalancing programs, this spa is tucked into an eleventh-century hamlet reimagined as a luxury resort (39-070-921-8222; castelmonastero.com; doubles, $520-$846; opens Aug.). The scarf: In the dining room, bad-boy Gordon Ramsay taps Tuscan fare in delectable dishes like squid ink gnocchi with mushrooms and walnuts (entrées, $40-$80).

DAY 5 Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole The spa: The Pelliclub offers everything from toning body treatments to personalized "Beauty Days." The heated saltwater pool and Roman-style steam bath are added draws (39-0564-858-111; pellicanohotel.com; doubles, $769-$1,127). The scarf: Steal off for lunch on nearby La Pinta's terrace, and eat healthy grilled fish just brought in on one of the local fishing boats (24 Lungomare A. Doria; 39-0564-835-164; entrées, $19-$27).

DAY 6 Exedra, Rome The spa: The 45-minute reflexology session is just the ticket for tired, pavement-pounding feet. Don't miss the beautiful Turkish bath, and lounge by the rooftop pool with its Eternal City views (39-06-489-381; boscolohotels.com; doubles, $385-$451). The scarf: Nosh on spaghetti with squid and amberjack fillet at the new Philosophy restaurant on the garden terrace (entrées, $20-$40).