The mask, and the defiant spirit of its carver, are apt symbols of this untamed island, which juts out of the Mediterranean, sea air laced with folklore and fairytale. The language spoken here is Sardu, not Italian, and some communities still exist as they have for centuries, living off the land and maintaining social interactions into old age. Their healthy habits have seen parts of the island become an officially designated ‘Blue Zone.’
These longevity hotspots, where a high number of centenarians are found to be leading full lives, were first recognised by National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner in the early 2000s. Others include Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California. But a mountainous cluster of inland regions in Sardinia was the first to be identified.
Romazzino is located around 100 miles away from them in Costa Smeralda, a jet set magnet designated by the Aga Khan in the early ’60s. But it is bringing Blue Zone principles to guests with a new wellness retreat, which centres around five sessions led by a Blue Zone expert. These capture the essence of the island’s long-living inhabitants—low stress levels, rich and frequent social interactions, high-quality diets—so that they can be transplanted back to hectic modern life. A group format adds a therapeutic quality to the sessions, and it’s heartening to see how much a handful of people of varying ages and stages can have in common.
The retreat also includes a guided walk through the Mediterranean scrub, an early morning yoga session, and a restorative stint in the spa. Perhaps the most health-boosting element, however, is Romazzino’s setting. The crystalline sea is always beckoning, trays of fresh watermelon juice emerging mirage-like on a beach lined with paisley print loungers designed by Etro. Blooming hydrangea and bougainvillea attract butterflies in such abundance that they look fake at first glance. Even the architecture is conducive to healthy living; the whitewashed, smooth-curved structure is free from harsh angles and recreates the reassuring movement of the waves below.
Photo: Courtesy of Belmond