October 4 - 11, 2026
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 an older, more connected world where shepherds are seen grazing their sheep, homemade pasta is a daily ritual, and wealth is measured by the hours spent with friends around the dining room table or sharing a glass of wine.
Largely undiscovered by travelers outside Italy, the region of Puglia preserves an approach to life where traditional Italy still thrives. Unlike a tour spent hurrying from one site to another, you'll spend the week in a masseria, a southern Italian villa, where you'll connect to the rhythms of Puglia, have time to stroll through the olive trees, and focus on the nourishing power of beauty.
Each day will begin with Pilates followed by activities that embrace a Pugliese approach to nourishing and strengthening the body. Throughout the week you'll take time to connect with cheese makers, wine-makers, and olive farmers; you'll cycle between seaside towns, create ceramics with local artisans, and learn traditional Puglian recipes in cooking lessons; you'll also find time to unwind and reflect whether by the pool or among the olive groves, or while hiking the coast, sailing the adriatic, or enjoying candlelit dinners with friends.
For those seeking to disconnect from work, technology, or the constant noise of modern life, this week in Puglia will provide an opportunity to embrace the daily rhythms of Puglia. Grounded in the practice of both 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 most.
Inspired by Joseph Pilates' vision that 'everyone is the architect of their own happiness', daily Pilates will introduce body and movement awareness 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 the world.
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.
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 led by Randi, 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 a slow flow Pilates session with Randi 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
After 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 coast for an afternoon of sailing.
Gliding at the speed of the wind, you’ll take in the coastline and landmarks from the water, with plenty of time to swim and to savor Pugliese food and wine.
After a workout with Randi and breakfast together, you’ll hop back on bikes to cycle to a nearby farm where you’ll learn to make mozzarella and ricotta with your own hands,.
Your next stop this morning will be a traditional frantoio where you’ll experience an underground olive oil press operated by a local farmer that still speaks the endangered language of griko, the ancient tongue of Greek settlers.
This afternoon you’ll have some free time to relax by the pool or visit the spa before the evening’s celebrations, where you’ll learn the traditional song and dance of Puglia, the pizzica, performed by live musicians in folkloric vernacular.
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.
With over 25 years of experience helping people move with strength, ease, and confidence, Randi brings a rare blend of expertise, intuition, and joy to every session she teaches.
Before becoming a Pilates instructor, Randi spent years on stage as a professional dancer with River North Dance Company and Joseph Holmes Dance Theatre in Chicago. After a significant back injury, she discovered Pilates at The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado — an experience that transformed her body and her path. She went on to complete their world-renowned teacher training program and returned to Chicago to open Frog Temple Pilates, a welcoming studio known for intelligent instruction and a warm, supportive atmosphere.
Randi has worked with professional athletes, weekend warriors, expecting mothers, teens navigating scoliosis, menopausal women rediscovering their strength, and determined 80-year-olds who fully intend to stay active forever. Her teaching style is clear, encouraging, and grounded in the belief that every body can feel better than it does today.
Now, she brings her passion for mindful movement to Italy—leading Pilates in the heart of beautiful Puglia. Her classes blend precision, alignment, and a touch of playfulness, creating an experience that leaves guests feeling stronger, more connected, and deeply restored.
Whether in her Chicago studio or overlooking olive groves and the Adriatic Sea, Randi’s intention remains the same:
to help you feel at home in your body—vibrant, aligned, and fully alive.
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.
Credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay are accepted in nearly everywhere in Italy. ATM’s are available as well, but fees may vary; contact your bank before departure to ensure international transactions are not flagged. Some travelers also wish to carry a few Euros as well, which can be obtained Stateside or exchanged at the airport.
We issue a full refund for the first 30 days.
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.
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.
Credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay are accepted in nearly everywhere in Italy. ATM’s are available as well, but fees may vary; contact your bank before departure to ensure international transactions are not flagged. Some travelers also wish to carry a few Euros as well, which can be obtained Stateside or exchanged at the airport.
We issue a full refund for the first 30 days.
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.
