Lounging under the Sicilian Sun there is a place where bamboo canes are used for facials, mud wraps are saturated with volcanic minerals from Mount Etna and where organic Sicilian oils – prickly pear, almond and citrus fruits – nourish and moisture the skin. Here wellness joins forces with nature and thalassic waters induce relaxation and stunning ocean views. Harmony. The Adler Spa Resort, Sicily’s newest destination, harnesses the power of nature and envelopes its guests in the arms of Mother Earth.
Proudly, demurely, sitting on a panoramic plateau, 80m above sea level, the Adler Spa Resort rests along the south western coast of the island at the toe of Italy’s boot. Neighbouring a backdrop of olive trees and rows of vines, with orange orchards at its entrance, this expanse of stylish architecture is cloaked in contemporary design oozing tranquillity and stillness. Built into the mountain using natural resources of wood and stone, the slatted horizontal structures blend into the landscape, seemingly expressing strength of stability and spirit. A structure blending into its environment. The colours grounding as they dissolve into the earth. Opened in July this year, seeds are sprouting, buds are flowering and orange trees are adding to the organic produce served to nourish its guests as well as the environment. A botanical oasis.
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. 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. the white cliffs in the distance 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 thel dunes.
The Spa is a haven of stillness with colours in tune with its setting. The 15 treatment cabins are stylish and christened with channels of water at their entrance. Each is named after mythologists and enjoy views to the outdoor gardens. Peeling, purifying, brushing soothing, there is a library of treatments and therapies which can be tailormade: a mineral mud wrap (especially good for osteoarthritis), a warm scented oil massage from Sicilian candles and an Etna Ritual using volcanic powder, a scented bath and a lava stone massage. Ingredients include grape stem cell extracts, thermal water, milk and honey, pistachio, algae, salt and scented balms. These treatments use a range of organic products which are made specifically for the Adler Group. 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.
Posture, balance and breathing are scheduled in a timetable of daily activities as are yoga and guided e-bike tours. There is a salt water 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 hideaway and relax in the silence.
Perfectly placed on a roof top, The Thalasso Pool Tub is a popular spot, especially at sunset. Floating in the warm water high above the sea, it is easy to believe the sun is communicating personally as it bids a spectacular farewell, journeying under the horizon leaving its trace in a colour palette. 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 and one not to be missed. Expect hot temperatures while wearing a towel.
The 90 spacious rooms are open plan, flooded with light from wall to wall sliding doors which lure in nature along with sightings 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. It’s so quiet and still, I do believe even the crickets whisper.
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 regaling their traditions and revealing family recipes, from egg plant 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 to include 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 days 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 car 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 18th 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 14th century by Federico Chiaramonte.
The Adler Spa Resort interlaces wellbeing within its culture, capturing the goodness of its natural resources. Revitalised and balanced, I feel embedded in nature and at one in this secluded spa under the Sicilian Sun. Here, where the crickets still whisper and the butterflies nudge me to live in the moment in a place embraced in the arms of Mother Earth.
Bellisimo!
