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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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Synergy – The Retreat Show invites consumer and industry perspectives on retreats for research
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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
Gran Hotel Taoro opens Sandára Wellness Centre
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Franchise expert Carrie Walsh joins Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa as CEO
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans to expand.
HCM Invest opens applications for pitching slots
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch in London on 21 October 2026.
Synergy – The Retreat Show invites consumer and industry perspectives on retreats for research
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry perspectives.
Turkey is crowned the best massage nation at world championship
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The Wellness Tourism Association publishes industry framework for ethical and responsible retreats
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FEATURED SUPPLIERS

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...]

HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Blu Spas, Inc.

Blu is a full-service firm offering project feasibility, planning and design as well as operational [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS