Blue Zone: the secrets of longevity at Forte Village and Palazzo Doglio

The “Centenarian Rituals” experience at Forte Village Resort and Palazzo Doglio was created with the aim of translating the heritage of knowledge from the Sardinian Blue Zone into an authentic and immersive journey. It allows guests to approach the values, habits, and daily rituals that characterize the lives of the island’s centenarians.

Blue Zones are geographic areas identified through demographic and anthropological studies, including the pioneering research of American explorer and author Dan Buettner, where populations show a significantly higher concentration of centenarians and an overall higher quality of life than average. This phenomenon is not linked to a single genetic factor or a specific diet, but rather to a complex set of interrelated conditions that reinforce one another over time.

In these regions, longevity emerges as a natural consequence of a lifestyle deeply integrated with the surrounding environment, where people eat what they grow, move because daily life requires it, and maintain strong social networks that support individuals throughout their lives.

One of the most interesting findings of Blue Zone research is that there is no “technology of longevity,” but rather a culture of continuity. Habits are not artificially introduced; they are passed down through generations, creating a stable balance between body, environment, and community. It is this harmonious repetition of daily actions that forms the foundation of long-term health.

Sardinia and the Mediterranean Blue Zone

When speaking of Blue Zones, we refer to a concept that has transformed the way longevity is understood. In the early 2000s, American explorer and author Dan Buettner, together with a team of international researchers, identified several regions of the world where people live significantly longer than average. What made these places remarkable was not only the number of centenarians but the fact that they shared surprisingly similar habits, values, and lifestyles despite being thousands of kilometers apart.

Among these regions, alongside Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California, Sardinia also emerged as one of the world’s most renowned Blue Zones. The island of Ichnusa shows an unusually high concentration of male centenarians, particularly in its inland areas, as well as in small coastal towns such as Teulada, located just over an hour’s drive from Cagliari.

In these areas, the diet is based on simple, locally sourced ingredients such as grains, legumes, vegetables, traditional cheeses, and moderate consumption of animal protein. Physical activity is constant yet natural, tied to agricultural work, animal care, and outdoor living. However, what most distinguishes the island is the strength of its social fabric. Family ties are close, the community plays a central role, and older people remain active and respected.

The “Centenarian Rituals” experience: discovering Sardinia’s Blue Zone

If Blue Zones demonstrate that longevity is the result of a balanced and modest lifestyle, the next question is inevitable: Is it possible to experience this philosophy while traveling? From this reflection comes “Centenarian Rituals,” a project dedicated to guests of two excellence destinations in southern Sardinia — Palazzo Doglio in Cagliari and Forte Village Resort in Santa Margherita di Pula — offering the opportunity to discover and experience the principles that characterize life in Sardinia’s longest-living regions.

The aim is not to replicate a formula or promise immediate benefits, but to provide an opportunity to observe closely those daily habits that, over decades, have contributed to making Sardinia one of the world’s most famous Blue Zones. Through encounters with local communities, moments of conviviality, nature-based activities, wellness paths, and gastronomic traditions, Centenarian Rituals invites guests to slow down and rediscover the value of simple gestures rooted in Sardinian culture for generations. “Rituali Centenari” is based on direct observation of what many long-lived people on the island have in common: a strong connection with the land, natural movement, meaningful human relationships, respect for daily rhythms, and the centrality of sharing. These elements are not presented as theoretical concepts, but transformed into authentic, lived experiences.

At the heart of the project lies the discovery of the Teulada region, one of the most authentic expressions of the relationship between humans and the environment. Located a short distance from Cagliari, this area has undergone minimal transformation over time, preserving a strong connection to traditional practices. Its coastline remains largely unspoiled, small historic towns retain their original architecture, and daily activities still follow natural rhythms.

Here, time is not perceived as a resource to optimize, but as a dimension to inhabit, creating the ideal context to understand how Blue Zone principles are not abstract ideas, but deeply rooted in a specific way of living on the land.

The “Centenarian Rituals” journey: three days in the culture of longevity

The “Century-Old Rituals” experience, offered by Forte Village Resort in Santa Margherita di Pula — a premier resort located just a short walk from some of southern Sardinia’s most beautiful beaches and a few kilometers from the town of Teulada — spans three consecutive days, each of which offers a different level of immersion in the culture of Sardinian longevity.

Day 1: Teulada and the encounter with the community

The experience begins in Teulada, a small village in southern Sardinia that still preserves many traditions contributing to the island’s reputation for longevity. Walking through its historic streets, guests encounter a world shaped by slow rhythms and authentic relationships, far removed from the pace of modern life. One of the most meaningful moments of the day is the meeting with a local centenarian. Through stories of life, habits, and community ties, a tangible testimony emerges of what Blue Zone studies have long observed: longevity often grows from simplicity, consistency in daily actions, and a strong sense of belonging.

The day continues with a discovery of local craftsmanship. Guests witness live demonstrations of embroidery, bread-making, and traditional sweets preparation—activities that reflect a culture passed down through generations. The experience concludes with a tasting of local products and traditional dishes, highlighting the central role of conviviality in Sardinian culture.

Day 2: nature, movement, and the landscape of longevity

The second day is dedicated to one of the core Blue Zone principles: natural movement. Not exercise as structured training, but movement that arises organically from daily interaction with the environment. A guided hike to Capo Spartivento leads guests through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in southern Sardinia. Along trails overlooking the sea, surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and wide-open views of the Mediterranean, walking becomes an opportunity to reconnect with nature and one’s inner rhythm.

At the end of the excursion, the experience continues with a Cannonau wine tasting. Long considered part of the island’s gastronomic heritage, Cannonau is known for its high polyphenol content and is often associated with studies on Sardinian longevity. The tasting becomes a moment of reflection on the relationship between food, territory, and wellbeing.

Day 3: wellbeing, balance, and tradition

The final day is devoted to self-care and the discovery of local culinary traditions. Guests can access the renowned thalassotherapy circuit at AcquaForte Thalasso & Spa, an experience that uses seawater properties through a circuit of six pools at different temperatures and salinity levels. The journey is designed to promote muscle relaxation, physical regeneration, and overall psycho-physical balance.

This is followed by a cooking class led by a local chef. Between dough preparation, traditional recipes, and festive island sweets, cooking becomes a narrative of identity, memory, and sharing. It is not simply about learning recipes but about understanding the cultural value of the table as a place of exchange and transmission of knowledge.

The program is also available at Palazzo Doglio, the urban resort located in the heart of Cagliari, known for combining comfort and elegance.

For more information about the “Centenarian Rituals” project or to plan a stay at Forte Village Resort, please call +39 070 921 8818 or email holiday@fortevillage.com.

Would you like to discover the secrets of Sardinia’s Blue Zone and experience a dream holiday in a true paradise? Discover Forte Village Resort