Wellness, Real Estate, and Italy: A Meeting in Roma
- Angela Sabatasso
- Jan 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 11
Last fall, I returned to Italy for a trip that blended two of my worlds: wellness travel and real estate.
One of the highlights of the journey was meeting with my Forbes Global Properties colleague, Chiara Gennarelli, in Rome. Chiara is an exceptional Italian real estate advisor whose work spans some of the country’s most iconic and meaningful properties. With Italy experiencing a renewed interest from international buyers, especially in wellness-focused destinations, it felt like the right moment to connect in person.
An Off-Market Opportunity in Ischia
Before heading to Rome, I spent time on the island of Ischia, a place that has quietly drawn wellness seekers for centuries. I had the opportunity to tour an off-market wellness hotel listing located in the Sant’Angelo area, directly across from Capri.
Sant’Angelo is one of Ischia’s most special pockets. Pedestrian-only, calm, and rooted in the rhythms of the sea, it feels intentionally removed from modern urgency. Just steps from the property are renowned thermal parks, including the Giardini Aphrodite Apollon, where mineral-rich waters flow naturally into pools overlooking the Mediterranean.
Experiencing these thermal parks firsthand reinforced what many investors are beginning to recognize: wellness tourism is not a trend, it is a long-term movement. Destinations like Ischia, with natural thermal resources and a deeply established wellness culture, are uniquely positioned for sustainable growth in the hospitality and real estate sectors.
From Island Ease to City Energy
After Ischia, I boarded the train from Naples to Rome. Almost immediately, I felt an energetic shift. Leaving the islands and arriving in the city brought a different pace, a different frequency. Rome is vibrant, layered, alive with history and motion.
I made my way by taxi to meet Chiara at the Bulgari Hotel Rome, quickly learning a classic Rome lesson: especially on a Friday, walking is often faster than driving. It was hot, busy, and I was still finding my bearings in the city. Since then, after returning to Rome, I’m happy to say I now feel comfortable navigating on foot, which is truly the best way to experience the city.
A Shared Vision Over Espresso
Chiara and I sat down over espresso and immediately found common ground. We spoke about how surprisingly similar the landscapes of Palos Verdes and the Italian islands can feel. The cliffs, the sea, the emphasis on lifestyle and views, and the type of buyer drawn to both places.
We discussed the growing overlap between wellness tourism and wellness real estate, and how buyers today are increasingly investing not just in property, but in how a place makes them feel. Homes, hotels, and retreats that offer calm, beauty, and a connection to nature are becoming more valuable, not less.
Our conversation felt easy and aligned. Chiara brings deep local knowledge, intelligence, and a genuinely warm, welcoming presence. Combined with the reach and standards of Forbes Global Properties, it means clients are exceptionally well supported whether they are buying or selling in Italy.
Global Connections, Personal Guidance
I’m grateful to have relationships like this within the Forbes Global Properties network. Whether someone is dreaming of a wellness retreat in Ischia, a historic residence in Rome, or exploring lifestyle-driven investments abroad, having trusted, on-the-ground expertise matters.
Through my professional relationship with Chiara in Italy and the global network of Forbes Global Properties, I'm able to make introductions to independently licensed real estate advisors abroad who specialize in their local markets and provide clients with dedicated, on-the-ground expertise.
With a major publication recently spotlighting one of Chiara's latest listings, Sophia Loren's former home in Rome, it feels like the perfect time to share this story and highlight the meaningful work happening across our network.
Italy continues to call people home in many ways. For some, it’s about heritage. For others, wellness. For many, it’s both.
If you’re considering purchasing or selling a property in Italy, or simply want to explore what may be possible, I’m happy to make an introduction through my Forbes Global Properties network to trusted, independently licensed Italian real estate professionals.
These introductions connect clients with local advisors who can provide guidance on properties and investments across Italy, including wellness hotels, private residences, and lifestyle-driven investments.
Whether you’re just beginning to dream or ready to take the next step, feel free to reach out for a confidential conversation.
Disclosure: I am a California-licensed real estate agent. I do not provide real estate services, representation, or advice for properties located outside the United States. Any real estate services related to properties in Italy are provided exclusively by independently licensed Italian real estate professionals.
Or email me directly angela@strandhill.com
wellness, real estate, Rome, roma, italy, Forbes global properties, ischia
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