Palazzo Di Varignana in Italy's Emilia Romagna region has added 'Stress release' and 'New Man' retreats to its health-focused holiday roster. Olivia Palamountain reports

Palazzo Di Varignana, located on an estate in Emilia Romagna near Bologna, has announced the addition of the 'Stress Release' and 'New Man' retreats to its wellness offerings for 2025.

The New Man programme is described as "a bespoke retreat designed for men seeking peak mental and physical performance," marrying relaxation, coaching and expert nutritional advice to help men achieve balance and wellbeing.

The retreat, which will be available to book in the second half of 2025, includes male-specific relaxation treatments, active sessions including personal training and outdoor sports, and extra virgin olive oil tastings in the resort's exclusive cellar.For more on "Masc Retreats", subscribe to Globetrender's VOLT and find a deep dive into this trend and many more.

Meanwhile, the Stress Release retreat, available for stays between three to seven nights, aims to "restore balance and resilience" through a combination of spa therapies, stress-relieving nutrition, and mindfulness practices designed to lower cortisol levels. The programme includes a personalised anti-stress diet that guests can continue to follow after their stay for long-term stress management.

Both programmes are guided by Dr Annamaria Acquaviva and join an existing portfolio of wellness retreats that target issues including weight loss, insomnia and menopause.All programmes at the resort are designed by Dr Acquaviva based on what she calls the five Pillars of Health: Nutrition, Inner Harmony & Balance, Physical Activity, Sleep & Rest, and Nutritional and Cosmetic Supplementation. The retreats are designed for stays of three to seven nights or longer to "maximise psycho-physical wellbeing and enhance natural beauty."

"These retreats are the result of decades of study and professional experience - not just theories and scientific research, but real practice, hands-on experience, and deep engagement with people who seek a better balance between body and spirit," says Dr Acquaviva. "Together with the multidisciplinary team at Palazzo di Varignana, we have designed unforgettable wellness holidays."The resort describes itself as the perfect setting for a "transformative escape" thanks to its location in a region "renowned for its mild and beneficial climate." Guests at Palazzo di Varignana can enjoy a range of facilities across the estate, including 4,000 square metres of spa space, 30 hectares of parkland, ornamental gardens, and five restaurants serving Mediterranean cuisine using produce from the estate's farm.Other wellness programmes available at Palazzo Di Varignana include a two-night Detox retreat for cleansing after periods of excess, the In-Forma programme for those experiencing fatigue and stress, the Slim retreat for significant weight loss over 7-14 nights, a Deep Sleep programme for those struggling with insomnia, and the Golden Age retreat tailored for women in pre-menopause or menopause.The resort also offers a Yoga & Mindfulness retreat focused on "purification and inner harmony" and a La Dolce Vita programme that celebrates quintessential Italian life through cultural experiences, handmade pasta workshops, fashion experiences and the Mediterranean diet.

Each retreat offers what the resort calls "a holistic vision of wellness, intertwining art, savoir vivre, and culture, embodying the heritage of the Italian lifestyle."