Sicily's Verdura Golf & Spa Resort Launches Vita Health Wellness Centre

Available from September 2012 at Rocco Forte's award-winning Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, the results-led VITA HEALTH programs are the legacy of 25 years of pioneering medical and dietary research, and combine the latest integrative medical techniques and advanced natural therapies.

A long-time advocate of Dr. Eccles's *Renaissance medical programmes, Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman & CEO Rocco Forte Hotels, commented: "For many years I have been a keen follower of the treatments now perfected for our new Vita Health Wellness Centre and I can personally testify to the long-term efficiency of these programmes. I am delighted to offer our guests the opportunity to experience Dr Eccles' programmes whilst enjoying the extensive range of sports and leisure facilities on offer at Verdura."

This is the first time Dr. Eccles treatments have been combined with a resort stay, and will be offered exclusively to guests staying at the private 230-hectare estate on Sicily's south west coast. With the launch of VITA HEALTH, the luxury hotel group is tapping into the rising popularity of health-motivated travel and lifestyle therapy.

"We have recognized this emerging trend and this has led us to develop our VITA HEALTH programs in conjunction with Dr. Eccles to enable us to respond to the growing demand for preventative health care," added Sir Rocco.

VITA HEALTH Wellness Centre is located within the Verdura Spa, a cool, private 4,000m2 sanctuary at the heart of the resort. The four individually-tailored programmes focus on core health issues – Stress Management, Detoxification, Weight Loss and Better Ageing, and are available on a one or two week basis. Each bespoke programme combines advanced natural therapies, with a specific diet and exercise plan, thereby improving or even correcting current health issues while reducing future health risks.

The experience involves very detailed testing that begins at home in order to gain a complete picture of the guest's health as well as optimising results. These state-of-the-art, non-invasive tests are aimed at detecting early imbalances, with an emphasis on understanding and re-learning how best to approach particular health issues by identifying if an individual is lacking in key nutrients and hormones that may be compromising their health.

"All our health treatment programmes at Vita Health are based on integrative medicine. Both the pre-arrival and arrival diagnostic tests you undergo and the natural treatment therapies prescribed for you are grounded in medical thought combined with the most advanced natural medicine. Each treatment has a medical reasoning; each supplement is for a specific purpose; each test is taken so we can find out as much about you as possible," explained Dr. Nyjon Eccles, VITA HEALTH Medical Director.

At VITA HEALTH, guests leave with tangible results as well as intelligent and realistic health advice that can be incorporated into their everyday lives back at home.

While the programs are devised to give results, they are not based on hardship or scarcity. Rocco Forte's culinary consultant, Fulvio Pierangelini has worked with expert nutritionist, Amelia Freer to create a specific VITA HEALTH menu. Delicious, nutritionally balanced meals are based on locally grown Sicilian produce and the naturally power-giving Mediterranean diet and designed to re-educate the body to crave what is nutritious.

"My guidance is realistic, practical and achievable, always with the goal of improved health and wellbeing," commented Amelia Freer. 'I hope to inspire guests to take more control over what and how they eat for the long-term benefit of their health."

Guests following the VITA HEALTH programmes will be able to enjoy the many amenities available at the luxurious Verdura Golf & Spa resort, which is located on Sicily's south west coast near the artisan town of Sciacca. Set over 230 hectares of stunning landscape with 1.8km of private coastline, Verdura has just 230 Olga Polizzi-designed rooms and suites, with private terraces and sea views. Its expansive facilities include two 18 hole championship golf courses and a nine hole - designed by leading architect Kyle Phillips - six tennis courts, a 60 metre infinity pool, a 20 metre indoor pool, a hamman, a fully equipped gym and running trails, as well as a host of gym classes and spa treatments to complement the bespoke VITA HEALTH programmes.

VITA HEALTH program prices:

• Stress Management Programme starts from €2,690.
• Weight Loss Programme starts from €3,380.
• Detoxification Programme starts from €3,380.
• Better Ageing Programme starts from €2,690.

Prices quoted are per person for a week's program. Accommodation starts at €1,729 per person for seven nights' full board in a deluxe room between November and March 2013. For further information please call Vita Health on +39 0925 998 060, or e-mail vitahealth@roccofortehotels.com. www.roccofortehotels.com