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NEWS
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
POSTED 22 Jun 2026 . BY Helen Andrews
Guests will take part in a family cooking class to learn about nutrition Credit: Simone Nocetti

Credit: Simone Nocetti
We know that wellbeing is not easy to put into practice over time if it has not first been experienced within a shared context
– Dr Annamaria Acquaviva, scientific director at Palazzo di Varignana
Parents will be able to share moments and practical exercises for wellbeing with their children
Guests will have access to the thermal facilities at the resort's Varsana Spa
Culinary workshops, nature-based activities, music and play sessions will be on offer

Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families.

Families with young children can visit the 650-hectare estate, located near Bologna, to experience a retreat designed by the resort’s scientific director, Dr Annamaria Acquaviva. 

A dietitian and expert in mindfulness and longevity science, Acquaviva has created the programme to help children and teenagers build healthy and lasting habits.

The experience is based on the Acquaviva Method, which includes the doctor’s five pillars of health: functional nutrition, inner harmony, physical activity, restorative sleep and targeted supplementation.

Dr Annamaria Acquaviva, scientific director at Palazzo di Varignana, told Spa Business: “In the international landscape, there's long been a lack of this kind of innovative educational experience designed to be shared. We know that wellbeing is not easy to put into practice over time if it has not first been experienced within a shared context.

“With the Family Wellbeing Retreat, we've created an experience that allows parents and children to share authentic moments of wellbeing, transforming time spent together into an opportunity for growth and discovery.

“The habits formed in childhood – from nutrition to movement, and regarding the relationship with one’s body and emotions – deeply influence future wellbeing. Through experiential activities, playful moments, cooking classes and contact with nature, we guide families towards a healthier, more balanced and conscious lifestyle, creating meaningful memories to carry with them beyond their stay.”

The two-night package includes a family cooking class and a chance to design a weekly meal schedule together. There will also be a family music and play session. 

Guests will have access to the Varsana Spa for three hours each day. The facilities include the Calanchi Grotto and White Gold Quarry, pools, saltwater hydrotherapy tubs, a music therapy pool, Finnish sauna, Mediterranean sauna, steamroom, sensory showers and a relaxation area with herbal tea infusions. 

A shared spa ritual will take place on soft water mattresses.

A nature therapy workshop and guided walks will take place in the resort’s Ornamental Gardens, olive groves and vineyards. 

Meals created according to longevity principles will also be included.

The price for one adult and one child (from 0 to 12 years old) for two nights starts from €1,547 (US$1,686, £1,315).

The price for two adults and one child (from 0 to 12 years old) for two nights starts from €1,862 (US$2,030, £1,583).

A nature therapy workshop and guided walks will take place in the resort's grounds Credit: Simone Nocetti
Palazzo di Varignana is a 650-hectare resort estate located near Bologna in Italy Credit: Simone Nocetti
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
POSTED 22 Jun 2026 . BY Helen Andrews
Guests will take part in a family cooking class to learn about nutrition Credit: Simone Nocetti
Credit: Simone Nocetti
We know that wellbeing is not easy to put into practice over time if it has not first been experienced within a shared context
– Dr Annamaria Acquaviva, scientific director at Palazzo di Varignana
Parents will be able to share moments and practical exercises for wellbeing with their children
Guests will have access to the thermal facilities at the resort's Varsana Spa
Culinary workshops, nature-based activities, music and play sessions will be on offer

Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families.

Families with young children can visit the 650-hectare estate, located near Bologna, to experience a retreat designed by the resort’s scientific director, Dr Annamaria Acquaviva. 

A dietitian and expert in mindfulness and longevity science, Acquaviva has created the programme to help children and teenagers build healthy and lasting habits.

The experience is based on the Acquaviva Method, which includes the doctor’s five pillars of health: functional nutrition, inner harmony, physical activity, restorative sleep and targeted supplementation.

Dr Annamaria Acquaviva, scientific director at Palazzo di Varignana, told Spa Business: “In the international landscape, there's long been a lack of this kind of innovative educational experience designed to be shared. We know that wellbeing is not easy to put into practice over time if it has not first been experienced within a shared context.

“With the Family Wellbeing Retreat, we've created an experience that allows parents and children to share authentic moments of wellbeing, transforming time spent together into an opportunity for growth and discovery.

“The habits formed in childhood – from nutrition to movement, and regarding the relationship with one’s body and emotions – deeply influence future wellbeing. Through experiential activities, playful moments, cooking classes and contact with nature, we guide families towards a healthier, more balanced and conscious lifestyle, creating meaningful memories to carry with them beyond their stay.”

The two-night package includes a family cooking class and a chance to design a weekly meal schedule together. There will also be a family music and play session. 

Guests will have access to the Varsana Spa for three hours each day. The facilities include the Calanchi Grotto and White Gold Quarry, pools, saltwater hydrotherapy tubs, a music therapy pool, Finnish sauna, Mediterranean sauna, steamroom, sensory showers and a relaxation area with herbal tea infusions. 

A shared spa ritual will take place on soft water mattresses.

A nature therapy workshop and guided walks will take place in the resort’s Ornamental Gardens, olive groves and vineyards. 

Meals created according to longevity principles will also be included.

The price for one adult and one child (from 0 to 12 years old) for two nights starts from €1,547 (US$1,686, £1,315).

The price for two adults and one child (from 0 to 12 years old) for two nights starts from €1,862 (US$2,030, £1,583).

A nature therapy workshop and guided walks will take place in the resort's grounds Credit: Simone Nocetti
Palazzo di Varignana is a 650-hectare resort estate located near Bologna in Italy Credit: Simone Nocetti
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One in three spa practitioners have considered leaving the industry due to concerns about their own wellbeing
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
UK updates physical activity guidelines with focus on daily movement
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Sauna advocate Becky Pelkonen drafts global public sauna-bathing charter
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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
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