YOGA + CULTURE + CUISINE + VINEYARDS + EXPLORE

Sicily,Italy

APRIL 25-MAY 2, 2026

BOOK BY JULY 1 $200 OFF RETREAT ALUMNI $250 OFF

The allure of Sicily

If you know me, you know that I love all things Italian—the food, the history, the stunning landscapes, and the culture—the “dolce far niente” vibes of slowing down and marinating in all the deliciousness of life.

Italy is calling me back and I would love for you to join me as we explore the South East region of Sicily.

Our home for the week will be a lovingly restored countryside private villa with stunning views of Mt. Etna and the sea. Nestled amongst lush gardens, olive and orange groves, this estate is exceptional.

Its opportune location offers the ability to explore ancient Greek theaters, sleepy fishing villages, Sicilian markets, hillside Baroque towns, gorgeous wineries, and the untamed beauty that is unique to Sicily.

Our Destination: the East Coast of Sicily

The East Coast of Sicily is a perfect location to enjoy the sea, countryside, history, culture and, of course, fabulous food and wine. With Mt. Etna and the sea surrounding you, there is always a beautiful view. The seaside villages of Taormina, Ortigia and Siracusa not only have some of the best vistas in Europe, but they also have some of the oldest Greek theaters and monuments. The quiet fishing village of Marzamemi will take your breath away. And, you will be in awe of the Architecture of the Baroque town of Noto. The influences of the Greeks, Romans, Spanish, German, French and Arab Nations have created a colorful and eclectic culture in Sicily. This will all become apparent while exploring the Island. Most importantly, this unique cultural mix will provide a variety of mouth-watering culinary treasures as well as excellent wine. You will learn this first-hand while visiting two distinctly different, yet both amazing, wineries.

The Details

When & Where

Commenda di San Calogero, in North Syracuse, conveniently located only a short distance away from Catania airport.

Check in: After 3pm on Saturday, April 25 Check out: No later than 10:30am Saturday, May 2

What’s Included

  • 7 nights/8 days accommodations at our beautiful, fully staffed villa, located on 110 acres surrounded by views of Mt. Etna and the sea.

  • daily yoga & meditation with Lauren in enchanting gardens surrounded by olive and citrus groves

  • welcome Dinner, including wine

  • farewell Dinner, including wine

  • daily Breakfast overlooking the villa gardens

  • three Lite Lunches at your private villa

  • two Sicilian Cooking Lessons, including dinner

  • four Evenings with Aperitivo, Italian Happy Hour

  • Catania Market Excursion with Chef from the Villa

  • private transfers for all excursions

  • Noto Doc Wine Tour and Tasting at Planeta Buonvini. You will also enjoy an aperitif and appetizers with local ingredients as well as an olive oil tasting.

  • visit to the hillside Baroque town of Noto. Here, the main cathedral and the town itself are world UNESCO Heritage Sites.

  • visit Marzamemi, a picturesque sleepy fishing village

  • wine Tour, Tasting and 5 Course Lunch and Pairing at Barone di Villagrandeon the hillside of Mt. Etna.

  • visit Taormina, a beautiful village perched high above the sea, which is home to a Greek Theatre dating back to the 3rd Century BC

  • guided Tour of the Greek Theater of Syracuse and the Archaeological Park of Neapolis a UNESCO site

  • Guided Walking Tour of the Island of Ortigia

Not Included

  • flights

  • transportation to the villa; however, we will help you plan and organize.

  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

  • Wine and alcohol not listed with meals. Wine will be available for purchase at the Villa.

  • Optional excursions 

  • Spa services

  • trip insurance and Travel Health Insurance is NOT included, but they are HIGHLY recommended; World Nomads, Tarwick, and Travel Guard have a lot of options. Take a look at Travel Insurance 101, a resourceful page that will help you get the coverage you need.

Our Home

  • your home away from home for this adventure will be a countryside, fully-staffed luxury villa on 110 acres surrounded by views of the sea and Mt. Etna…perfectly located to explore the East Coast of Sicily

  • lavish gardens, numerous shaded seating areas, peaceful look-outs and secluded benches that offer absolute privacy and space for relaxation.

  • the original buildings have been completely restored to provide you with the finest of modern comforts, all while maintaining the charm of an aristocratic luxury home

  • each beautifully furnished bedroom has a striking en-suite bathroom, as well as an independent entrance

  • the property has a spa, including marble saunas inspired by Istanbul as well as space for massages.

  • a vast open courtyard, a perfect place to relax after a long day of exploration

  • traditional Sicilian architecture that creates an elegant atmosphere to enjoy breakfast in the morning or a cool drink in the afternoon under the Sicilian sun

  • daily cleaning service

  • wifi

  • salt water swimming pool

  • heating and air conditioning

  • satellite television, a mini fridge, and a safe in each tastefully decorated room

  • Five star mattresses and sheets of the finest materials in Europe

  • Indian pavilions in the garden

Pricing & Payments

Per Person Rates Double Occupancy Rate $4250 Single Occupancy Rate $5250

$1000 non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking

50% of your balance will be due October 25th, 2026, 6 months prior to our retreat.

Final balance will be due on January 25th, 2026, 90 days out from our retreat.

Payments can be made using Venmo, Paypal or Zelle. All payments are non-refundable. GET TRIP INSURANCE PLEASE!

Contact Lauren to book +1 516 458-8622

Travel


Please plan your flights to arrive at Catania (CTA) Airport in Sicily, ideally mid-day since our housing will not be available until late afternoon. Flights connect from many big hubs like Rome, Milan, London, Zurich and more. Our villa is just a short 20 minute drive from CTA and we’ll do our best to assist with ride shares. As always, there is an opportunity to extend your travels within Italy or Europe on the front or back end of your retreat (always recommended!)

Most flights arriving to Italy from the United States will be red-eyes. Please plan to depart the evening prior to the start of the retreat or beforehand. From Rome, Milan and Naples, there are plenty of flights to Catania. Please note that check in is after 3PM.

When planning departure flights from Italy to the United States, please be aware that you will need to fly from Catania to mainland Italy on the last day of the retreat. To ensure stress-less travel, consider flying back to the US the following day. Enjoy an evening in Rome, Milan or Naples. Please note that check out is no later than 10:30.

Itinerary

Day 1 Check In Welcome and Property History begins at 5:00PM Walking Tour of Villa and Grounds Welcome Aperitivo and Dinner at the Villa 

Day 2 Yoga and Meditation Breakfast/Time to Explore Gardens Free Time to Relax at the Villa/Spa Time, Massages Lite Lunch at the Villa Cooking Lesson at the Villa Aperitivo Dinner at the Villa

Day 3 Yoga and Meditation Breakfast/Time to Explore Gardens Explore Marzamemi: Shop, Watch the Sea, Enjoy Some Food and Wine Walking Wine Tour and Tasting at Planeta Buonvini Explore Noto: Visit the Baroque Churches, Stroll the Cobblestone Streets, Shop, Enjoy Some Food and Wine

Day 4 Yoga and Meditation Breakfast/Time to Explore Gardens Free Time to Relax at the Villa Lite Lunch at the Villa Guided Tour of the Greek Theater of Syracuse and the Archaeological Park of Neapolis Guided Walking Tour of Ortigia Explore Ortigia: Watch the Sunset next to the Sea, Shop, Enjoy Some Food and Wine

Day 5 Yoga and Meditation Breakfast/Time to Explore Gardens Optional Excursion Day to Mt Etna  Or, Free Time to Relax at the Villa/ Spa Time, Massages Lite Lunch at the Villa Dinner at the Villa

Day 6 Yoga and Meditation Breakfast/Time to Explore Gardens Free Time to Relax at the Villa Wine Tour, Tasting and 5 Course Lunch and Pairing at Barone di Villagrande on the hillside of Mt. Etna. Explore Taormina: Visit the Greek Theater, Take the Funicular to the Beach, Shop, Enjoy Some Food and Wine

Day 7 Yoga and Meditation Breakfast/Time to Explore Gardens Shop Catania Market with Our In-House Chef Free Time to enjoy some Sicilian Street Food Cooking Lesson at the Villa Free Time to Relax Aperitivo Farewell Dinner at the Villa

Day 8 Breakfast/Time to Explore Gardens Departure – Check out, no later than 10:30AM

 

This path I am on was born out of grief and it is what saved my life. Literally.

It was in my darkest moments, that I made a choice to create art out of heartbreak.

I chose to share the practice that helped me heal, to live my life, on purpose.

I then started to dream of traveling with amazing people to places all over the world so that together, we could cultivate connection, joy, awe, wonder, adventure and play,

When I hosted my first retreat in Tuscany in post-Covid, 2022, we got to do some of the things we missed the most—love on one another.

It reminded me of how much we need one another, how much time we spend staring at our devices rather than into each other’s eyes, how much we need to be cracked open, in nature, healed by salt water, humbled by how small we are in this vast Universe.

We need proof that we are still ALIVE.

I want to experience as much of the world as I can, while I am here. To say YES to life. Because, at the end of it, what we leave behind is the love we gave, the memories we created together, and how we impacted the lives of others

.Proof that we are still ALIVE. And, this isn’t about escape…it is about expansion.

the offering of this beautiful tool of yoga to the people that find their way to me.

The knowing that we only have this one beautiful and sometimes brutal life to live and that we weren’t born to just stay in one place. We were born to get lost, on purpose… to say fuck yes, to stand in places that may feel uncomfortable, to do the hard things, and do life unapologetically. I am a lover of experiences, travel, adventure, connection, getting out of my comfort zone, and living this one life to the fullest.

The way I practice & teach is slow, unhurried, and intuitive.
It is grounded in compassion, breathing, and healing.
It is authentic to who I am...
sometimes creative and playful, sometimes
deep and soulful. 
Often a combination of both.

I am here to create a safe space for you to be all that you are. 
 

Why?...

~Because my practice quite literally saved my life 
~Because there is so much beauty and depth in each moment that we are in
~Because each and every one of us can use time to slow down,
to feel, to breathe, to process, to expand,
to witness ourselves with love and compassion,
to create space for more JOY
~Because within each of us resides our own divine healer 
~Because it takes practice to tune into the quiet beating of our own heart

My hope is that when you practice with me,
you feel the beauty and magic of simply being you.
That you are able to witness yourself, hold space for what comes up
and lovingly surrender to what is.
That you are able to take your practice off the mat and
out into your world, and unapologetically.

shine. your. light. 

weren’t born to stay in one place and call it a life. We were meant to get lost, on purpose. To stand in places where we don’t speak the language, But our soul understands the vibe. We were meant to be cracked open by mountains, Healed by salt water, and humbled by how small we are under a sky we’ve never seen before. This isn’t just travel. It is a rebellion against stagnation. It is proof that we are still alive. This isn’t about escape. It’s about expansion. Fewer things. More moments..

I have been teaching yoga for well over a decade. I am an E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500 Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher, a Registered Yoga School, a certified Life Coach with a Masters of Science degree in Health/Physical Education and Psychology. I am a forever student & seeker

Take Me To Sicily

TO REGISTER FOR THIS TRIP YOU WILL BE MAKING A $1000 NON REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT. ALL REQUIRED PAYMENTS WILL BE NON REFUNDABLE. PLEASE GET TRAVEL INSURANCE!