Hatha Yoga Retreat in Sicily

April 21-28, 2023 (Retreat is now full. Please contact Fran if you would like to be placed on the waitlist.)

Join Fran on a unique yoga holiday in the ancient, spiritual, and romantic setting of Sicily. Enjoy a week’s stay at the beautiful relaxing seaside Villa Saracena.  Experience yoga twice daily on the serene grounds of the villa overlooking Mt. Etna and the Bay of Catania. Taste mouth-watering sun-kissed Sicilian meals made by our own private chef.  Enjoy exciting daily outings such as a morning at a cooking school in Siracusa, where you shop in the local market with Chef Alessandra before going to her cooking school to cook together, and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site of  Siracusa. You will see Sicily’s spring landscape covered with yellow and red wildflowers. Sicily is rich in UNESCO World Heritage Sites and we will see some of these sites.  Retreat is small in size, limited to 12 participants, ensuring personalized attention during the yoga sessions and an overall very unique experience. April temperatures in Sicily range around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Yoga

This retreat accommodates all levels of Hatha Yoga. Yoga will be held twice daily. The morning sessions are more active than the late afternoon sessions, which are more relaxing.  Most sessions will be held outside overlooking Mt. Etna.  In the event of rain, we will practice in a covered area of the villa, where we still have a view of Mt. Etna and the Bay of Catania.

View Slideshow-Videos

  • View a short video of the Hatha Yoga Retreats in Sicily. You can see the villa where you will stay. These photos reflect some of what you may see on your journey.

  • View a short video of our previous Yoga + Hiking retreat from May 2018!

Daily Outings Include

  • Friday, April 21 Arrival and pick up from the Catania Airport at 3:00pm. Welcome dinner
  • Saturday, April 22 Day in Modica. You will have free time to explore Modica on your own or in the company of Giorgio Modica (our assistant/host for the day). Modica is a baroque town located in Val di Noto. In 2002 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After our walk, we will enjoy a home-style outdoor feast at a private home. One hour drive
  • Sunday, April 23 Noto Historical Walking Tour with Eleonora. Noto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most beautiful Baroque cities in Sicily.  Lunch at a local pizzeria.  One hour drive
  • Monday, April 24 Visit Siracusa / Ortigia (UNESCO World Heritage Sites). Ortigia Market to Kitchen home-style cooking school experience. Afternoon visit the archaeological site in Siracusa with guide Eleonora. Free time to walk around Ortigia. Siracusa and Ortigia are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 30-minute drive
  • Tuesday April 25 Wine and Culture Experience at Etna’s finest Winery, Benanti Viticoltori, (on the Southeast slope of Mt Etna). These lush vineyards are located on the slopes of Mt. Etna. View a video interview with Giuseppe Benanti 
  • Wednesday, April 26 Excursion to Azienda Agricola Pupillo for Wine Tasting & Lunch.  We will experience the Giardino Storico Tour (Historical Garden Tour) and see the medieval Castello del Solacium on the property. (30-minute drive) 
  • Thursday, April 27  Catania Fish Market and lunch at the famous Me Cumpari Turiddru (Michelin Star Restaurant). And guess who was there??  View Short Video (30 minute drive) Farewell dinner at the villa.
  • Friday, April 28 Depart Villa at 10:30am. Arrive Catania Airport by 11am.

Arrival and Departure Information

  • Please book flights to and from Catania Airport (NOT Palermo Airport unless you plan to visit Palermo).  Our villa is half hour from the Catania Airport.
  • On your arrival day, April 21, 2023, a chartered van (private) will pick up the whole group from the Catania airport at 3:00pm to take us to the villa. Please be at the Catania Airport by 3:00pm.  
  • On your departure day, April 28, 2023, we will arrive at the Catania airport by 11am. Make sure your flight leaves no earlier than 1pm.
  • Please NOTE:  If you book a flight that arrives later than 3:00pm on April 21, or a flight that departs before 1pm on April 28, you will be responsible for covering your transportation. I will connect you with a reliable taxi service that knows our location. Their cost was 75 Euros in 2019 (payable by cash on the day of departure) with a 10% surcharge if their transportation service is between 10pm and 8am.

Cost

$3200 per person, double accommodation with bath next to the room

$3300 per person, ensuite room (double accommodation, perfect for couples), three such rooms NOTE: All the ensuite rooms are now booked/unavailable.

$3375 per person (ensuite room, king sized bed, double accommodation, perfect for a couple) one such room, with large veranda facing the sea  NOTE: This room is booked/unavailable.

Single room accommodation available (please contact Fran if interested)

Cost includes lodging, all meals, activities and outings/entrance fees to destinations, yoga sessions, transportation within Sicily/driver, parking fees to UNESCO World Heritage sites, RT airport pick up and drop off as a group at the specified times above, English speaking guides, tastings/meals at the winery.  Cost includes wine served at the villa at dinner time. Tips for restaurants included.

Cost does not include RT airfare. Alcoholic drinks not included at the Noto Pizza place nor at the Catania restaurant, Me Cumpari Turridru. If you arrive/depart outside of the organized airport/villa transfer time, you are responsible for covering your transportation. Tips for villa staff, guides, and driver not included.

To Register

A non-refundable deposit of $1000 will reserve your spot. Deposit is refundable unless we can find someone to take your place. Deposit is due at any time (please note that Yoga in Sicily Retreats fill up quickly so the first to pay their deposits can ensure a spot at this retreat). Registration is now open. Balance is due by November 15, 2022 and is non-refundable on that date (unless we can find someone to take your place). Payments may be made via Venmo, PayPal, Personal Check, International Money Wire (for those living outside of the USA), or via Zelle Quick Pay from your bank to mine. Contact Fran to ask for payment method details. Please indicate on your payment, what you are registering for (name of retreat, type of room desired) and let me know the name of the person you will be sharing your room with. We highly recommend you purchase Travelers’ Insurance to protect your retreat investment. Each retreat is limited to 12 participants.

Your Travel Team

Fran Gallo: Yoga Instructor and Retreat Organizer, founder of the Yoga in Sicily Retreats. Fran looks forward to sharing her love of Sicily and Yoga with you!

Giorgio Modica: Giorgio Modica lives in the town of Modica!  He is my on-site Sicily assistant. Giorgio lived in Canada for many years and is very proficient in English. He and his family will host us at their lovely home.

It takes a village to run a yoga retreat in Sicily with daily outings. You will be delighted to meet our guides, hosts, chefs, villa staff, driver, and all the wonderful warm people of Sicily on this Yoga and Cultural Extravaganza Retreat. I believe you will be delighted by the colorful personalities who will give you an enriched experience during your Sicily Yoga Retreat. 

Benvenuti!!

Group yoga
pizza making