Oct. 19-26, 2025
A women-only ‘week away’ in Puglia designed to nourish and rejuvenate through the practice of yoga and learning the Italian art of being present.
Be Present, Practice, Yoga, and Take Time Away to Enjoy Yourself in Italy
Over eight days in a masseria—a historic fortified farmhouse turned boutique hotel, nestled among olive groves—you’ll experience a slower, more intentional rhythm of life. Each morning begins with yoga, followed by activities that nourish and strengthen the body while deepening your connection to place.
You’ll visit local vineyards and savor their wines, cycle between two seaside towns, shape clay in a ceramics workshop, taste olive oil from zero-kilometer producers, and learn the flavors of Puglia in hands-on cooking lessons. You’ll sail the Adriatic, unwind by the pool, stroll through the olive groves, and share unforgettable meals, wine, and conversation with new friends—all while immersing yourself in the rich traditions of this extraordinary region.
Practicing yoga in Puglia will cultivate balance and movement awareness, while daily activities will invite you to embrace the art of living in the moment. Throughout the week, you'll meet the people whose daily lives embody the essence of Puglia, offering you a rare and authentic glimpse into its soul—all against the stunning backdrop of Italy’s southern coast.
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More than just a trip to Italy, this week-long retreat is designed to restore both body and mind through activities that nourish and rejuvenate. Whether you’re looking to detox from screens, work, or daily demands, this is an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the present—savoring incredible Italian food and wine while gaining fresh perspectives from the breathtaking Italian landscape.
Yoga is more than movement—it’s a practice of intentional connection, balance, and strength that extends beyond the mat. Travel mirrors this journey, inviting you to embrace vulnerability, step into new landscapes, and rediscover what is beautiful within yourself. Through mindful practice, yoga cultivates openness—aligning seamlessly with the transformative power of travel. Nowhere is this harmony more evident than in Puglia, where the rhythm of the land and the essence of the practice come together, guiding you toward a deeper connection with yourself.
After arriving at your Pugliese masseria, operating as a farm from the 1700's, you'll check into your room and be free to relax by the pool with a glass of wine or visit the spa. At 4:00 pm you'll gather for an orientation to Alithea's style of slow travel in Puglia while meeting the ladies you'll be hiking, cycling, and relaxing with over the coming week.
This evening you'll have dinner together at the masseria—your first taste of Puglia's hospitality and the pleasure of being connected to nature through food and wine.
At 8:00 am your day will begin with an hour of yoga followed by breakfast.
Mid-morning, you'll set out for a day of cycling as you cover the territory that reveals the DNA of Puglia in the traces of Greek and Byzantine history, beautiful seaside towns, and medieval castles and marvelously frescoed churches. While moving at the speed of a bicycle you’ll have more time for conversation, observation, and the feeling that slowing everything down means seeing more of the world around you, not less.
In the late afternoon, you’ll return to the masseria in time for an aperitivo followed by a free evening.
Biking: ~ 4 hours
After your morning yoga session and breakfast, you’ll give your muscles a rest with a day dedicated to ceramics and wine. Your first stop this morning will be a ceramics workshop where you’ll have a chance to throw clay with a local potter before heading out for a late lunch at a nearby vineyard where you’ll taste the great Pugliese wines.
You’ll be free for dinner this evening, either at the restaurant of the masseria or in town a twenty-minute walk from the farm.
Bus time: ~1 hour
After a morning of yoga dedicated to body-awareness and the practice of balanced movements, you’ll set out for a day of hiking and swimming along the coast.
In the late afternoon you’ll return to the masseria for a cooking lesson where you’ll learn to make orecchiette, i maccheroncini, e le sagne ncannulate, the home made pastas of Salento, followed by dinner.
Hiking: ~ 5 hours
After a flow session and breakfast, you’ll depart for nearby Lecce, the jewel of Puglia, as rich in baroque architecture as in its thousands of years of history dating back to the Trojan War.
This morning you’ll walk through the civilizations from the Greeks, Romans, Normans, to the Holy Roman Empire and modern Italian state with a walking tour through the city followed by free time for lunch.
In the mid-afternoon you’ll return to the masseria in time for a quick swim before dinner.
After yoga and breakfast this morning, you’ll depart for the coast for an afternoon of sailing. Moving at the speed of the wind, you’ll observe the coastline and caves from the sea, taking time to swim and to enjoy Pugliese food and wine.
After yoga and breakfast, you’ll hop back on bikes to cycle to a nearby farm where you’ll learn to make mozzarella or another local cheese that you’ll be able to make again when you return home.
Your next stop this morning will be a traditional frantoio where you’ll taste the local olive oil of a local farmer that still speaks griko or the ancient language of the Greeks.
This afternoon you’ll have some free time to relax by the pool or visit the spa before this evening’s celebrations where you’ll learn the traditional dance and songs of the pizzica with the women of Puglia.
Biking: ~1.5 hrs
This women’s retreat concludes with a final yoga session and breakfast. Your guide will be available to help with the next leg of your journey as you continue to practice the intentionality of movement and the art of being present everywhere you go.
For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.
Previous yoga experience is not necessary; however, yoga is a cornerstone of the experience and we recommend some familiarity with the basic poses before starting the trip.
This is an active trip with physical activities planned each day. In addition to the morning yoga practice, you will spend considerable time walking, hiking, and cycling throughout the week. If you do not lead an active lifestyle or would like recommendations on how to prepare physically for the trip, please write to us before signing up.
The masseria is about one hour by car from Brindisi (BDS), the closest airport. You can also fly into Bari (BRI) or other Italian cities and take the train to Lecce. From Lecce it’s about 30 minutes by car to the masseria. Wherever you choose to arrive, we recommend setting up a transfer service with Daniele Scodari (danieletransfer@libero.it).
There is much more to see in Puglia and spending a little extra time in the masseria is a great way to settle into the rhythms of southern Italy. If you wish to extend your stay before or after the trip dates, let us know and we’ll help coordinate the additional nights.
For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.
Previous yoga experience is not necessary; however, yoga is a cornerstone of the experience and we recommend some familiarity with the basic poses before starting the trip.
This is an active trip with physical activities planned each day. In addition to the morning yoga practice, you will spend considerable time walking, hiking, and cycling throughout the week. If you do not lead an active lifestyle or would like recommendations on how to prepare physically for the trip, please write to us before signing up.
The masseria is about one hour by car from Brindisi (BDS), the closest airport. You can also fly into Bari (BRI) or other Italian cities and take the train to Lecce. From Lecce it’s about 30 minutes by car to the masseria. Wherever you choose to arrive, we recommend setting up a transfer service with Daniele Scodari (danieletransfer@libero.it).
There is much more to see in Puglia and spending a little extra time in the masseria is a great way to settle into the rhythms of southern Italy. If you wish to extend your stay before or after the trip dates, let us know and we’ll help coordinate the additional nights.
Originally from Harrisburg, Chelsea moved to the Outer Banks 14 years ago, where she combined her passion for fitness, movement, and the ocean. With a Bachelor’s in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State, she offers deep insights into anatomy and physiology, prioritizing alignment and safety in her teaching.
Chelsea discovered yoga while recovering from sports injuries, leading her to a lifelong dedication to mindful movement. An experienced instructor with over 2,000 teaching hours (ERYT-200), she completed training under internationally recognized instructors Tamal Dodge and Kristin Cooper. Her classes are energetic and alignment-focused, fostering both physical wellness and inner connection.
Chelsea has spent years teaching on the beach, where she feels deeply connected to nature as an avid surfer and kiteboarder. On this yoga-focused journey through Italy, she hopes to share her passion for mindful movement, encouraging participants to build strength, body awareness, and inspiration from their surroundings.
