8-Day Italian Wellness and Longevity Escape in Bologna

The program is anchored by the Acquaviva Method, developed by Dr. Annamaria Acquaviva, a dietitian nutritionist and pharmacist. The method is built on five pillars of health, of which nutrition is the most famous—the Longevity menu at the Ginkgo Restaurant is anti-inflammatory, low-FODMAP, and free of gluten, dairy, and refined carbohydrates. But the method also gives weight to less obvious factors: the beneficial effects of art, fashion, and beauty on wellbeing. That is why the program includes an image consulting session and a masterclass on 'shining your talent.' It all sounds a little unusual, but it is grounded in a genuine conviction that feeling good is about more than just diet and exercise.

The spa, Varsana, is a major part of the experience. You get three hours of daily access to facilities that include the Grotta dei Calanchi and Cava d'Oro Bianco—two grotto-style thermal areas—plus pools, a saltwater pool with hydro jets, a music therapy pool, Finnish and Mediterranean saunas, a Turkish bath, and sensory showers. The Waters of Longevity Ritual, with antioxidant supplementation, is included, as are two 60-minute nature therapy sessions in the ornamental gardens, which are part of the Grandi Giardini Italiani network. Two 45-minute guided relaxation sessions with binaural waves are also on the schedule.

Meals are a highlight. The daily healthy full board is served at the Ginkgo Longevity Restaurant, where the menu is designed around nutraceutical combinations to support physical and mental performance. There is also a mindful lunch, a wellbeing aperitif in the Royal Train of Palazzo di Varignana, a dinner at the Il Grifone restaurant, and a dinner in the Royal Train-Carriage Restaurant—an original culinary experience that evokes the era of the Royal Train. A superior tasting of the estate's wine and extra virgin olive oil, paired with local farm produce, is also included.

The retreat seems to attract a mix of people: some come specifically for the weight loss and metabolic reprogramming programs, others for the stress release or sleep focus. The schedule is full, but not punishing—there is built-in time to use the spa, walk the vineyards, or simply rest. The recommended arrival days are Thursday or Sunday, though this is not compulsory. A second person can join for a supplement of €700 for room only or €3,274.90 for the full retreat and room experience.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation in selected room type - Daily healthy full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at Ginkgo Longevity Restaurant - 1 x Mindful lunch - 1 x Wellbeing aperitif in the Royal Train of Palazzo di Varignana - 1 x Dinner at Il Grifone restaurant - 1 x Dinner at Royal Train-Carriage Restaurant - 1 x Superior tasting of wine and extra virgin olive oil - Daily 3 hours access to Varsana Spa facilities - 2 x Nature therapy in the ornamental gardens (60 minutes) - 2 x Guided relaxation with binaural waves (45 minutes) - 1 x Masterclass 'Shine your talent' (60 minutes) - 1 x Masterclass 'Wellbeing strategies in daily life' (60 minutes) - 2 x Longevity cooking class - 1 x Image consulting (60 minutes) - 1 x Oleaster body treatment with olive oil (50 minutes) - 1 x Olive oil ritual massage (50 minutes) - 1 x Face treatment (Fresh Leg Pomegranate or Sangiovese) - 1 x Zafferano Well Age Face treatment (50 minutes) - 3 x Bio Walking in the vineyards (30 minutes) - Acquaviva Method welcome kit (tracksuit, sleep tracking band, relaxing infusions) - Acquaviva Method sleep kit (beauty pillow, sleep mask) - Longevity check-up with sleep assessment test - Epigenetic Hair Follicle Test - Skin check-up - Beauty & Spa Interview - Luggage storage - Parking - WiFi

What's not included

- Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments - The Longevity consultation with Dr. Acquaviva (€280) - mandatory, includes bioimpedance analysis - Flights - Airport transfers (available at €85 per person) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses