By Jane Wilson, editor of The Wellness Traveller
See You In Sicily – At The Adler Spa Resort Set against a backdrop dotted with olive trees, rows of vines and green fertile plains garlanding the surrounding landscape is the Adler Spa Resort, proudly, yet demurely, sitting on a panoramic plateau.
It rests along the southwestern coast of the island at the toe of Italy’s boot. All natural, all environmentally sensitive. Sustainable. This is Sicily’s newest destination which opened in July this year.
See You In Sicily – At The Adler Spa Resort
Built into the mountain the structure peeps from a burrowed place, like a contemporary look-out, camouflaged by greenery. Clever architectural design has been fused with natural resources of wood and stone merging seamlessly with the environment.
The colours grounding as they dissolve into the earth. Cloaked in a contemporary style, slatted horizontal structures blend into the terrain, seemingly expressing the strength of stability and spirit.
See You In Sicily – At The Adler Spa Resort
See You In Sicily – At The Adler Spa Resort The 90 spacious rooms are open plan, flooded with light from wall to wall sliding doors which lure in nature along with vistas of the Mediterranean Sea.
Each room is elegantly furnished, with high-tech controls. Individual terraces provide additional relaxation space leading to communal landscaped gardens.
Paved walkways take advantage of inspiring views around the resort. Wafts of uplifting white jasmine, and dancing white butterflies give a gentle nudge to live in the moment. Quiet and serene. I do believe even the crickets whisper.
See You In Sicily – At The Adler Spa Resort The pathway down to the beach follows the western border of the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve, a protected area which covers 76 hectares of wetlands, chalky outcrops and rare species including porcupines and tortoises.
See You In Sicily – At The Adler Spa Resort It’s a 15-minute nature walk through wild grasses and fragrant heathers or a pleasant ride on the hotel’s buggy. And worth it to hear the waves kissing the shore and the buttercream-coloured beach stretching as far as the eye can see. So special that sea turtles choose this place to lay their eggs in the sheltered alcoves of the dunes.
The Spa is a haven of stillness with colours in tune with its setting. The 15 treatment cabins are christened with channels of water at their entrance enjoying views of the gardens outside.
A library of treatments and therapies can be tailored to request: a mineral mud wrap (especially good for osteoarthritis), a warm scented oil massage using Sicilian candles and an Etna Ritual using volcanic powder, a scented bath and a lava stone massage.
Sicily is a volcanic island and bestows beneficial minerals from the soil enriched in elements such as magnesium and potassium. Tuscany, South Tyrol and Sicily are the three regions richest in raw resources with active ingredients and essential oils.
Yoga, guided e-bike tours as well as balance and breathing classes are scheduled in a timetable of daily activities There is a saltwater hydro-massage pool, a freshwater infinity pool and for the enthusiast, a cooler, deeper pool reflecting into a serious, well-equipped fitness room.
Dotted around the lawns and gardens and hidden behind trees are sun loungers and comfy oversized chairs to hide away and relax in the silence.
Perfectly placed on a rooftop, The Thalasso Pool Tub is a popular spot, especially at sunset. Nearby is a steam room and a suite of Swedish saunas, where twice a day the Panoramic Sauna stages its wellness ritual, Aufguss, a theatrical performance not to be missed.
Created with illuminated channels of water beneath an open staircase, The Seaview Restaurant sets the scene for its tempting display of Sicilian dishes and foods. Each week a Sicilian buffet welcomes local suppliers proud of their delicacies who delight in demonstrating their traditions and revealing family recipes, from eggplant creations, cheeses and many a dish sprinkled with pistachios.
Gambero red prawns, a rare and expensive delicacy are a central focus. Their red colouring and distinct flavour come from the depths of the Mediterranean where they feed on rich minerals. Homegrown and harvested, foods served are led by the seasons from the resort’s garden including edible flowers and Sicilian fruits and herbs, aided by fertile volcanic soil.
Oranges and lemons are plentiful. Sicily is home to 67% of the citrus farms in all of Italy and it is the home to Tarocco, the Sicilian blood orange.
And of course, toasting this cacophony of flavours is a long list of renowned Sicilian wines. Tables spill out for panoramic views while sipping coffee in the mornings.
At dusk, the fire pits replace the day’s warmth creating a cosy glow on open deck verandas for evening drinks. Lunch is a more casual affair served on the al-fresco terrace at Osteria under the shade of a pergola.
A forty-minute walk away is a local winery, Baglio Caruana, which offers tours and wine tasting of its Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet. A delightful family business in a rural setting with a central pretty courtyard and a contemporary, airy tasting room.
Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island. On its eastern edge is Mount Etna, one of Europe’s highest active volcanoes and the largest of the three active ones in Italy.
The island has a rich history with many monuments to see and ancient towns to visit. The resort organises excursions to those within reach or offers electric cars for hire. The Valley of the Temples, (Valle dei Templi), is the key archaeological site of Agrigento which contains the remains of Akragas, an important ancient Greek city.
The Temple of Concordia is considered to be the best-preserved example of Greek antiquity from the middle of the 18 century. In 1997 UNESCO declared this a World Heritage Site. Try to visit at sunset when the shadows and lights create a unique dramatic experience.
Siculiana is a quiet historic town in the province of Agrigento. It was founded by Arabs who named the village “Suq-al-Jani”. Narrow cobbled side streets lead into a town square with a clock tower, built in 1887,
the Church (Santuario del Santissimo Crocifisso) renowned for its etched Hebrew writings and town hall housing art exhibitions of local artists. Dominating the area, high up on the hill is the Chiaramonte Castle built in the 14th century by Federico Chiaramonte.
The Adler Spa Resort captures the goodness of its natural surroundings in a design balanced and in harmony with its environment. Here, a haven has been crafted to revitalise, restore and rejuvenate in a tranquil botanical oasis where the crickets whisper and butterflies are present to remind its visiting guests to live in the moment and be at one with nature.
Bellissimo!
