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NEWS
Rocco Forte’s Verdura Resort to host wellness festival Alma near emerging Blue Zone in Sicily
POSTED 29 Jun 2026 . BY Helen Andrews
Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy Credit: Rocco Forte Hotels

Credit: Talana Bestall/ Rocco Forte Hotels
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
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

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).

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©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Rocco Forte’s Verdura Resort to host wellness festival Alma near emerging Blue Zone in Sicily
POSTED 29 Jun 2026 . BY Helen Andrews
Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy Credit: Rocco Forte Hotels
Credit: Talana Bestall/ Rocco Forte Hotels
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
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

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).

MORE NEWS
Luxury resort coming to Hunter Valley will have longevity spa
Private hotel owner and developer HVL Hotels will open a new luxury resort and tourism destination called Laval Hunter Valley in the second half of 2027 in Pokolbin, Australia.
Feisal Jaffer becomes chief development officer for Capella Hotel Group
Capella Hotel Group has appointed Feisal Jaffer as chief development officer as the company ramps up its global expansion of both its Capella and Patina brands.
Industry mourns the loss of Les Mills, a founding father of fitness
Les Mills, whose name became synonymous with one of the world's leading fitness brands, has passed away peacefully at the age of 91.
HCM News: Taking GLP-1s is linked to a decline in physical activity
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
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Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]

Why future-ready in-house laundry is the new luxury spa essential
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
bbspa_Group

The technical advice offered by bbspa is delivered via four specialist departments which offer turn [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
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