In this Q&A, we speak with Dr Annamaria Acquaviva — the inspiration behind the Golden Age programme at Palazzo di Varignana in Bologna, Italy. She shares what makes the retreat unique and how it empowers women to navigate menopause health with support, confidence, clarity, and renewed vitality.
1. What inspired you to create the Golden Age programme, and what makes it unique compared to other menopause wellness retreats?
The Golden Age is more than a retreat, it’s a scientific, emotional, and sensory journey that reframes menopause as a new beginning. I created this programme to celebrate this profound phase in a woman’s life through the lens of health, vitality, and beauty. At Palazzo di Varignana, we embrace a science-based approach: the Acquaviva method that integrates the 5 Pillars of Health: nutrition, inner harmony, physical activity, sleep, and strategic supplementation, making the experience deeply personalised and transformative. Our approach goes beyond symptom management — it enhances self-awareness and empowers women to reclaim their energy, elegance, and a renewed sense of purpose.
2. Why is the menopause phase often misunderstood, and how do you reframe it as an opportunity rather than a decline?
Menopause is often accompanied by a sense of social invisibility, and many women feel they are no longer seen, heard, or valued as they once were. This is often compounded by an inner resistance, a fear or refusal to face the changes in both the body and their identity. But what if, instead of fighting this transformation, we chose to understand it and embrace it with awareness? Through the Golden Age programme, we guide women on a path of empowerment by turning resistance into acceptance, vulnerability into strength, and the end of one phase into the beginning of a new, authentic expression of self.
3. How do hormonal changes during menopause influence a woman’s overall health and how does your programme address this physiologically?
Oestrogen declines during menopause and affects many systems, including weight distribution shifts toward the abdomen, glycaemic and lipid profiles may worsen, bone density drops, digestion slows, and sleep and mood are often disrupted. These changes are interconnected, and that’s why our approach is integrated into the programmes and the holistic treatments we offer. It's a systemic, yet personalised strategy, rooted in the Acquaviva Method, and it's what makes our retreat unique and effective:
- Nutrition is designed to regulate glycaemia and support gut and bone health.
- Mindfulness practices and sleep rituals help rebalance circadian rhythms, promote melatonin production, and restore emotional balance.
- Tailored physical activity and natural supplementation address inflammation, fatigue, skin tone, and hormonal symptoms.
4. You place great importance on nutrition and gut health. Could you explain how diet influences hormonal balance and ageing?
Nutrition is a key lever for supporting hormonal balance, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating the ageing process. At our Ginkgo Longevity Restaurant, we offer an innovative menu born from a close collaboration between myself and our talented chefs, to bring a true synergy of science and creativity. It combines my dual expertise as a pharmacist and dietitian-nutritionist with the culinary artistry of our kitchen team, to create a dining experience that unites taste, health, and longevity. The menu is based on an anti-inflammatory Mediterranean-inspired diet, where the key players are strategic combinations of nutraceuticals, designed to:
- Modulate longevity-related genes
- Enhance physical and mental performance
- Counteract oxidative stress
- Support the immune system
- Activate metabolism
At Palazzo di Varignana, we pay special attention to gut health, which is often affected during menopause. Bloating, cramps, and digestive discomfort are common. To address these issues, we integrate protocols such as the LOW FODMAP diet, validated by Monash University, proven effective in managing irritable bowel syndrome. Finally, neuroscience and neurobiology show how deeply nutrition influences mood, memory, and sleep quality. Each dish is thoughtfully designed to nourish the body and mind, having a real and measurable impact on overall wellbeing.
5. The programme incorporates sleep tracking and stress reduction. Why are these elements so critical for women in midlife?
During menopause, the drop in oestrogen affects sleep quality, disrupting circadian rhythms and increasing the risk of insomnia, anxiety, and depression. At our women's health retreat, we use an advanced device to scientifically assess each participant’s sleep quality. This allows us to provide highly personalised recommendations, based on real data, to effectively improve rest. We combine this with relaxing elixirs, mindful breathing, meditation practices, and digital detox. Sleep is not a luxury — it’s a form of biological medicine, essential for cellular renewal and emotional balance.
6. Are there particular supplements or therapies you consider essential for women in their 50s and beyond?
Yes, supplementation can be a key ally when targeted and supported by clinical evidence. I recommend:
- Vitamin D and magnesium for bones, sleep, and neuromuscular balance
- Probiotics for gut health and immunity
- Collagen and hyaluronic acid to preserve tissue tone and hydration
- Phytoestrogens and adaptogens to support mood and hormonal symptoms
- Melatonin and relaxing herbal extracts for sleep quality
These are combined with cosmetic nutraceuticals in our elixirs — like CollagenDep Pink, which supports vaginal tissue, skin tone, and mucosa integrity from within.
7. How do you tailor the retreat experience for each participant? Is there a typical profile or does it vary widely?
Every woman is unique. That’s why the retreat begins with a comprehensive Longevity Check-Up, which includes a clinical assessment, bioimpedance analysis to evaluate body composition, inflammation and metabolic status, an epigenetic test, and the use of sleep-tracking devices to monitor rest quality. Based on this data, we tailor every detail of the experience — from nutrition and supplementation to physical and emotional practices — creating a truly personalised journey.
Alongside the scientific protocols, we also offer experiential activities like 'Shine Your Talent', designed to help each woman recognise and express her uniqueness, as well as offering customised image consultations to enhance natural beauty through personalised analysis of skin tone, body shape, and colour harmony. My approach is grounded in a goal-oriented cognitive-behavioural method, guiding women through a practical, transformative, and lasting path to self-awareness. Some women come to lose weight, others to sleep better, others to reconnect with themselves. All leave with practical tools to continue their transformation at home.
8. What’s one wellness shift or small habit change you wish every woman over 50 would adopt?
A simple daily gesture: a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, the undisputed king of the Mediterranean diet. Its anti-inflammatory properties are well documented to support heart health, enhances skin beauty, and has a powerful anti-ageing effect. Starting the day with an act of prevention and self-love is a tangible way to live with greater awareness.
9. What kind of transformation or feedback do you most commonly see from women after completing the Golden Age retreat?
Many women describe the experience as “life-changing”. They feel lighter — physically and emotionally — sleep better and rediscover the joy of living in their body. Some regain energy and hormonal balance, others note a more radiant appearance or improved digestion. But the deepest change is internal: a shift in identity from resistance to acceptance, from survival to expression.
10. How do you see the role of purpose, creativity, and personal expression in healthy ageing?
These are essential elements of longevity. Science confirms that having a purpose, expressing one’s creativity, and cultivating joy are associated with better cognitive health, immunity, and even gene expression. At the Golden Age retreat, we create space for reflection, silence, journalling, and connection to reignite that inner spark that often gets dimmed in the rush of life.
11. In your view, what does it truly mean to age gracefully today?
It means embracing your biological changes with respect and care, valuing what evolves instead of chasing what fades. It means staying connected to yourself, your purpose, your beauty, and also to joy: finding meaning and presence in the here and now, with a new and grateful outlook on life. Ageing gracefully today is an act of freedom. It’s the conscious choice to live each day with fullness and authenticity.
12. For someone hesitant or unsure about attending a retreat like this, what would you say to encourage them?
This is not a retreat to escape life, but a return to yourself with renewed awareness. Palazzo di Varignana is nestled within a 1,600-acre agricultural estate, surrounded by lakes, olive groves, and one of the most beautiful medical spas in Italy. At its heart lies the Giardino di Villa Amagioia, recognised among the hundred most beautiful gardens in Italy by the prestigious Grandi Giardini Italiani network. Here, every woman is welcomed with authenticity and care, in an environment designed to regenerate the body and awaken the inner self.
Here at Wellbeing Escapes, we offer a wide range of retreats dedicated to providing menopause support and guidance. Click here to explore the collection.
