Standing high in the hills, I took in the stunning views of the lush green landscape below and the twinkling Mediterranean in the distance. My legs burned and I still couldn’t quite catch my breath, but this was worth the “gentle” trek I’d just tackled. It was my first morning at the five-star Rocco Forte Hotels’ Verdura Golf and Spa Resort, near Sciacca in Sicily. And when I shook hands with their fitness manager Marcello Mulato before we departed on our expedition, I realised we had different definitions of the word “gentle”. The stylish resort – admittedly it’s one for a very serious splurge – nestles on the island’s south-west coast. It is a 90-minute transfer from the airport at Palermo, which is now served by British Airways flying from Heathrow. It’s set in 230 acres that is home to olive and almond trees, fennel plants and nespola, which is an oval-shaped fruit with yellow/orange skin. Marcello, a keen forager, plucked a giant, juicy orange from one of the small groves that are dotted around, providing much-needed …sustenance for the journey back. The trek is one of the many activities on offer at Verdura, which is an ideal location for guests looking to get fitter, slimmer and healthier. You can choose from five programmes: fit, slim, detox, anti-age and relax. Each is tailored to your specific needs or desires, and the fitness programme includes an initial consultation with Marcello, personal training sessions and meal plans to help you achieve your goals. Forget awful calorie-counting, because Verdura’s four restaurants and five bars serve healthy and tasty food, including freshly caught fish and extra virgin olive oil produced by Verdura Organic Farm. The following morning I stretched out at an outdoor yoga class and later took part in a total body workout at its state-of-the-art gym. That was an experience I will never forget mainly due to the sight of my puce reflection in the mirror! Verdura has a tennis academy with six clay courts that can be reached by bike on its many cycling routes in the grounds. While there, I was given a tennis lesson by former world #8 Karel Novacek, who treated us to a demonstration of some Wimbledon-worthy serves at the end. More adventurous guests can also try fly boarding at the resort’s water sports centre, based at its private beach. Verdura’s spa certainly caters for the “relax” programme and its four outdoor thalassotherapy pools, with their varying temperatures and differing salt densities, were just what my aching muscles needed. There’s a quote by novelist John Steinbeck painted on a wall at the spa in italic script which really summed up Verdura’s philosophy for me. “The best six doctors anywhere, and no one can deny it, are sunshine, water, rest, and air, exercise and diet.” And after a massage there, followed by quality time in the steam room, I floated back to my room in a state of tranquillity. The resort is also heaven for golfers with three courses created by world-renowned designer Kyle Phillips.