Find wellness in the Italian countryside with The Ranch Italy

The Ranch is an award-winning provider of luxury fitness retreats, promoting weight loss, health and wellbeing for solo, couple and group vacationers. It is a trusted name in the international wellness community. The California property has been named the #1 Destination Spa in the United States in both 2020 and 2021 in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards and placed among the world’s best spas in the US five years in a row by Travel + Leisure. In bringing its program to Palazzo Fiuggi, The Ranch aims to replicate the results of its esteemed Malibu experience, only this time amidst the verdant Italian countryside.

According to staff, guests who complete The Ranch programs routinely lose three to six per cent of their body weight, along with substantial inches of fat loss and muscle gain. Improvements in cholesterol levels, immunity and mental clarity are also seen. Founder and CEO, Alex Glasscock tells Mr Hudson; “Ranch alumni have come to trust us in delivering measurable results in a very kind way when attending any program at The Ranch, regardless of the length of stay or location.”

As part of the fully immersive and transformative program, guests will leave feeling rested and rejuvenated, armed with a complete picture of their health and how to maintain results in the long term, whether that’s weight loss, muscle definition or simply a happier state of self.

Palazzo Fiuggi sits on an ancient hilltop just 50 minutes outside of Rome, surrounded by century-old sequoia trees and 20 acres of verdant land. Seven hundred metres above sea level, at the ideal altitude for transformation, the town of Fiuggi prides itself on its clean and oxygen-rich air as well as its healing waters.  Long known for their miraculous powers, the restorative waters of Fiuggi have been visited for drinking and bathing by royalty, popes and Renaissance masters – including Michelangelo –  since the early 14th century.

Today, Palazzo Fiuggi continues the holistic legacy of the area, having recently renovated the iconic main property to offer ‘a radical new approach to health, wellbeing and longevity.’ Hydrotherapy and Thalasso pools alongside the central 700-square-metre thermal bath within its world-class spa feature the healing waters of the region. All this, alongside lake, woodland and bird’s eye views of Fiuggi old town, is the perfect setting for a relaxing escape away from the bustle of Rome city centre.

Beyond The Ranch Italy’s assigned daily schedule, guests have the freedom to explore the grounds and 4,300-square-foot fitness centre of Palazzo Fiuggi, taking advantage of the Technogym and state-of-the-art Pilates, yoga and training equipment as well as tennis and paddle courts. Beyond fitness, guests are also invited to take in the panoramic views over the medieval spa town of Fiuggi, soaking in the region’s miraculous waters at the world-class spa and indoor and outdoor pools.

The Ranch Italy is a long-overdue expansion of The Ranch Malibu concept, as imagined by co-founder and CEO Alex Glasscock. “Palazzo Fiuggi is an extraordinary private sanctuary, embodying our values and sensibilities as well as offering world-class fitness and spa amenities and easy access to spectacular hiking trails,” Glasscock explains. “There’s nothing like our program in the European market and we’re excited to introduce The Ranch’s philosophy to a new region.”​

“Italy is a very special country. The culture values balanced living filled with time in nature and slow and joyful eating. There is an abundance of organically grown produce and the Italian flavour profiles are delectable. The geography in the Lazio region is filled with the breathtaking Apennine mountains and valley views, running streams, glistening lakes and small, welcoming ancient villages. The climate is conducive to hours of outdoor hiking and activities year-round, as well. We also love the attentiveness and kindness that Italians exhibit towards their guests along with their detailed and caring focus toward five-star hospitality.”

As a key enhancement of the eight-day program with The Ranch Italy at Palazzo Fiuggi, guests will have the opportunity to undergo diagnostic testing paired with a medical consultation from a world-class physician. The aim here is to give a complete understanding of overall health, using biomarker testing to inform the medical team of any nutritional deficiencies or underlying concerns guests could be experiencing, allowing for a conversation on how guests can improve or optimise health in order to increase general wellness.

Tests include a vital assessment (heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation), as well as an anthropometric measurement, analysis of medical history, physical examination (cardiovascular, respiratory and abdominal exam), urinalysis and electrocardiogram. The blood panel offers feedback on a long list of nutritional and health information, including (but not limited to) cholesterol, plasma glucose, uric acid and C-reactive protein (CRP).