May 22 - 29, 2027
A women-only ‘week away’ in Puglia designed to nourish and rejuvenate through the practice of Pilates and learning the Italian art of being present.
Like stepping back in time, the landscape of southern Italy is an invitation to observe a more connected world, where homemade pasta is a daily ritual, health is cultivated through traditional practices, and wealth is measured by the hours spent with friends around the table or the stern of a sailboat.
Join Leslie Orndoff for this flagship wellness retreat based in a quiet masseria, a southern Italian villa, surrounded by natural abundance and nestled between the olive groves. Here you'll connect to the rhythms of Puglia, relax with friends, stroll through the citrus fields, and embrace a lifestyle where the heart of Italy still thrives, largely undiscovered by travelers outside of Europe.
Each day will begin with Pilates led by Leslie, followed by activities that embrace a Pugliese approach to nourishing and strengthening the body and mind. Throughout the week you'll take time to give back to yourself, enjoy Puglian delicacies, connect with local artisans, swim in turquoise waters, and learn traditional recipes paired with rustic wines. You'll find time to unwind and reflect, and gain perspectives that not only teach you to slow down, but to appreciate each moment as the Italians do. With Leslie and your local guides by your side, this week offers a true reset in a world of quick-fixes and trends. Here in Puglia, return to first principles and build habits that stand the test of time.
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 Pilates 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 of Pilates and breakfast, you’ll give your glutes 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 Pilates dedicated to body-awareness and the practice of intelligent 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
AAfter breakfast and a slow flow Pilates session, you’ll be free to enjoy a leisurely morning by the pool or in the spa. You’ll depart after lunch 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 afternoon you’ll walk through the civilizations from the Greeks, Romans, Normans, to the Holy Roman Empire and modern Italian state with a guided walking tour through the city.
In the evening you’ll be free to explore the winding streets, shops, and restaurants before returning to the Masseria.
After pilates and breakfast this morning, you’ll head to the Ionian coast for an afternoon of sailing.
Gliding at the speed of the wind, you’ll take in the coastline and sea caves from the water, with plenty of time to swim and to savor Pugliese food and wine.
After Pilates 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 a final celebration and Puglian meal with the group.
Biking: ~1.5 hrs
This women’s retreat concludes with a final Pilates practice and breakfast. Your guide and pilates instructor 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 those seeking to disconnect from work, technology, or the constant noise of modern life, this week in Italy will provide an opportunity to embrace the daily rhythms of Puglia. Grounded in the practice of Pilates and the dolce vita, the goal of this retreat is not just to get away, but to strengthen both body and soul, to let exterior voices grow quiet, and to return home stronger and more present to yourself and to those you love.
Inspired by Joseph Pilates' vision that 'everyone is the architect of their own happiness', daily matwork with Leslie will introduce mind-body connection while daily activities will encourage the Italian art of living in the moment.
Just as Pilates trains your body to make intelligent movements that support your body all day, every day, travel encourages a perspective of awareness, of stepping into the new and beautiful in order to rediscover the new and beautiful within yourself. From this perspective, the goal of practicing Pilates in Puglia is to strengthen this connectedness to yourself and to the incredible world around you.
Throughout the week you'll stay in a masseria, a working Italian farm converted into a beautiful hotel. Surrounded by olive groves and equipped with its own restaurant, spa, and pool, your masseria operates like a traditional Italian family, welcoming guests as if they were returning home. The antidote to large, impersonal hotels in cities, every room in the masseria is slightly different, has its own story and expresses the hospitality of authentic Italy.
Leslie Orndoff began taking mat Pilates classes in 2005 and quickly recognized how beneficial Pilates was to her overall health and well-being.
After the birth of her first child in 2006, she was able to regain her core strength quickly because of Pilates' specific system of exercises. It was then that she decided to obtain a certification so she could help others the way she had been helped.
She got certified to teach mat Pilates classes in 2009, shortly after the birth of her second child. She then obtained a group fitness certification in 2010 and a 200-hour yoga certification in 2017.
In 2023, she began a new chapter in her fitness career when she bought a Pilates studio in St. Michaels, MD. She began training in New York City to learn the entire classical Pilates system: mat, reformer, wunda chair, highchair, barrels, and pedi-pole. She earned her 600-hour certification in 2025.
She enjoys working with clients of all fitness levels and ages, incorporating her extensive knowledge of the body gained over the last 17 years of teaching into her sessions.
For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.
This is an active trip with physical activities planned each day. In addition to the morning Pilates practice, you will spend considerable time walking, hiking, and cycling throughout the week. However, this trip is for every body, and if certain activities seem daunting, the masseria's pool, spa, and olive groves will provide a superb setting to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape of southern Italy should you decide to opt out of certain activities.
The masseria is about one hour by car from Brindisi (BDS), the closest airport. A month before your trip begins, we will request your flight arrival details and will organize two free shuttles which will be at the airport on the day of arrival. If you plan to arrive earlier, please let us know and we will coordinate a transfer service from Brindisi to the masseria.
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.
Brindisi is the closest airport to our masseria. ITA Airways has excellent flights from O’Hare, connecting through Rome to Brindisi. Swiss Airlines also offers various flights connecting through Zurich to Brindisi. Remember that transatlantic flights from the U.S. are overnight, so you'll need to depart at least one day before intended arrival. We recommend booking flights 3-5 months prior to departure.
Yes! We are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and other dietary needs. One month before the start of the trip, we will send out a request for any allergies or dietary restrictions, and we will plan accordingly with the chefs to ensure safe and enjoyable dining.
Absolutely. When you go to book, select 'Single Occupancy Traveler' and we'll make sure you have your own room.
We’ll send a more comprehensive packing list prior to departure, but in general, bring enough clothes for the week, including active wear and casual wear. We advise good closed-toed shoes or athletic sandals for biking and trekking, a swimsuit, a sweater or jacket, and comfortable, enjoyable outfits for excursions and meals.
The Masseria and many cafes are equipped with WiFi. Italy uses a Type C charging port. Keeping your phone on airplane mode and using only WiFi will ensure no charges for data roaming. If you wish to purchase data, check with your carrier to see what international plans are offered. Alternatively, an Italian SIM card through Vodofone may be purchased in the airport, or e-SIMs may be purchased on apps such as Airalo. To use an international SIM card, your phone must be “unlocked” by your provider, which you can find in your settings.
Yes. Starting in late 2026, U.S. citizens will be required to obtain an ETIAS travel authorization before entering Europe.
ETIAS is a simple online application, with responses typically issued within 96 hours. Once approved, it is electronically linked to your passport.
ETIAS is not yet in operation, but it is expected to be introduced soon. We kindly ask travelers to check whether ETIAS is required for their travel dates and to complete the application if necessary.
To apply, please visit: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias
