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Rocco Forte’s Verdura Resort to host wellness festival Alma near emerging Blue Zone in Sicily
By Helen Andrews
Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy Credit: Rocco Forte Hotels
The Alma festival will take place at Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy
Alma is an annual gathering dedicated to wellbeing, culture, longevity and human connection
There will be sessions on breathwork, movement, contrast therapy, spa rituals and Blue Zone lifestyle habits
We are moving beyond wellness as something occasional. The focus now is on how to build a way of living that supports you physically, mentally and emotionally every day
– Talana Bestall, co-founder of Aníma
Credit: Talana Bestall/ Rocco Forte Hotels
The annual wellness festival dedicated to wellbeing, culture, longevity and human connection, called Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy.
The fifth edition of the event will take place between 17 and 20 September at the property that is near the emerging Blue Zone of Caltabellotta – a region receiving interest from longevity researchers.
This year’s festival lineup includes movement sessions by Kim Strother, breathwork by Rob Rea, discussions on Sicily’s Blue Zone lifestyle and longevity science by Dr Ingrid Yang.
Other programme highlights include
- An opening ceremony called Manifesting Miracles by spiritual teacher and entrepreneur David Ghiyam
- Skin longevity rituals with Irena Forte, founder of Rocco Forte Hotels’ Irena Forte Spa brand. Verdura Resort is home to the brand’s flagship 4,000sq m spa.
- Contrast therapy
- Sanctum movement sessions led by the company's co-founder Luuk Melisse. These sessions will include a coastal hike and a signature Sanctum Sequence
- Yoga, Pilates and daily movement practices
- Evening music performances and ceremonies
Alma is organised by a global wellness lifestyle company called Aníma. Talana Bestall, a wellness entrepreneur and concept developer, is co-founder of Aníma. She has also been involved in the launches of properties, including Six Senses Ibiza, Spain, and Chiltern Firehouse in London, UK. She is on the board of industry pioneer Neil Jacobs’ wellness consultancy, Wild Origins.
Bestall said, “We are moving beyond wellness as something occasional. The focus now is on how to build a way of living that supports you physically, mentally and emotionally every day.”
The package includes a three-night stay at the resort, full board and access to Aníma Frequency – a digital wellbeing platform that hosts expert-led protocols, tools and content to support lasting lifestyle changes.
The price of a single-occupancy seaview resort room is €3,928 (US$4,281, £3,339).
The single-occupancy rate for a three-bedroom seaview villa is €4,143 (US$4,516, £3,522).
The annual wellness festival dedicated to wellbeing, culture, longevity and human connection, called Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy. The fifth edition of the event will take place between 17 and 20 September at the property that is near the emerging Blue Zone of Caltabellotta – a region receiving interest from longevity researchers. This year’s festival lineup includes movement sessions by Kim Strother,
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