Nestled in the lush tropical forest of the Talamanca Mountains is Auberge's Hacienda AltaGracia, where Gucci recently spent three restorative days with her best friend, Ashley. The pair set out on an epic birthday-meets-Mother's Day trip to Costa Rica, participating in the luxury resort's 'Summer of Longevity' transformative wellness series.
The country’s Nicoya peninsula is one of five areas in the world known as ‘Blue Zones’—geographic locations with the longest-living populations and a high number of individuals over the age of 80. A blue zone’s exceptional longevity stems from a combination of lifestyle factors including clean eating, stress reduction, daily physical activity and more. With its property adjacent to the region, Auberge’s holistic practitioners partnered with The WELL on a curated and immersive 360 degree program to explore the blue zone philosophy.
Gucci's itinerary included everything from deep dives on nutrition to meditation sessions and mountain hikes to mindful yoga.
Hacienda AltaGracia's Casa de Agua Spa.
"I fully surrendered to the experience," says Gucci, who cites a breathwork course that focused on fascia release techniques as one of her personal highlights. “We learned ways to increase our mobility—even when seated on a plane—which I used on a work trip recently."
For Gucci, other top moments included a trip to the resort's expansive Casa de Agua, where herbal exfoliation and local clay treatments were offered. "I chose one with an energizing benefit and let it dry while laying on the spa's heated marble stones." she explains, "It was right up my alley and felt so naturally detoxifying."
Vridescent vistas at the resort.
Next came a 'River Bath Reset'—the resort's answer to hydrotherapy—led by one of the WELL's master practitioners in a heated, natural pool. "I was familiar with Watsu massages and this experience was similar," she says of the therapist-led water experience, "I felt so relaxed like I was floating in space, and it alleviated all joint pain. I wished my whole family could experience it!"
Beyond the movement-infused activities, Hacienda AltaGracia offers fresh local cuisine sourced from on-site vegetable gardens and coffee tastings. Off-property excursions include horse stables and acres of rainforest to explore. "I've always been interested in wellness and longevity and this journey exceeded all my expectations," she says, "I can't wait to incorporate everything I've learned from the Blue Zone program. Now I just need to come back!"
Reading a book from our casita's terrace.
Taking in the breathtaking mountain views!
Such delicious, healthy food options each day, including a Scotch pepper salsa that I'm fully obsessed with
Ready for my chakra healing season at the spa.
Anisha performed a Costa Rican spiritual ritual before our River Bath Reset.
