Mark and I are excited to present another Italian adventure this summer in spectacular Sicily.
“Sicilia,” Italy’s largest Mediterranean island, is famous for its beautiful beaches, charming villages, medieval hilltop cities and ancient ruins and archeological sites.
Sicily is also the place where some of my ancestors come from, making it an extra-special trip for us. In fact, Mark and I visited my family here these past two summers, delighting in all Sicily has to offer.
Now we are thrilled to be sharing again some of these Sicilian splendors with all of you this September!
We will return to the wonderful Agriturismo Badiula, with new planned excursions and we have kept our retreat prices the same as last year's, offering you tremendous value.
• Our retreat center is located between Siracusa and Catania, just 25 minutes from the airport.
• Spend a week in an Italian agriturismo—an authentic farmhouse converted into a rustic resort.
• Get fit and energized with our daily classes, including, Pilates, qi gong, yoga and Fit Longevity.
• Enjoy classes in our private fitness studio and on the rooftop patio with amazing 360° views.
• Cool off in one of the two swimming pools or enjoy a game of tennis.
• Rejuvenate by treating yourself to a massage or special treatment at the Badiula spa.
• Indulge in delicious regional Italian cuisine, including Sicilian wines with three course dinners.
• Explore majestic Ragusa, with its historic old town below, elegant modern upper town above, and breathtaking panoramic views.
• Visit the 4th century Villa Romana del Casale, featuring some of the most magnificent and oldest mosaics in the world.
• Explore the golden "stone garden "city of Noto, with its renowned Baroque architecture and crystal-blue beaches.
-We had our first Sicily retreat, "Sicilian Splendor" last Sept. and it was just spectacular!
-Mid-September is still summer, but pleasantly less touristy, cooler and more peaceful.
-Direct flights to Catania from the U.S.A. facilitate your trip.
-Take the stress out of traveling and enjoy the comforts of a planned itinerary with comfortable accommodations and easy transport with a fun, supportive group.
-Our lifestyle retreats offer a little bit of all the good things in life: travel, culture, art, history, fitness, leisure and fine dining.
-There is truly something for everybody. You can participate in as much, or in as little as you like, it’s your holiday.
-We have built a small community of happy travelers who enjoy fitness, great food and good company.
-So come join us and make some new friends. Consider bringing your family!
Set in a citrus grove a couple of miles from the Mediterranean Sea, the agriturismo offers rustic, comfortable accommodations featuring cool stone floors and beamed ceilings.
All rooms are simply furnished and have private en-suite bathrooms, A/C, television complimentary Wi-Fi and outdoor patio.
Choice of private single room, or shared double or triple duplex room.
-Three delicious meals a day are provided at Badiula, with the exception of three lunches out on our excursion days.
-Breakfast: Cappuccinos, espressos, fresh juice, eggs, cereal, yogurt, breakfast meats, Italian bread, pastries and fruit.
-Lunch: Paninis, salad and fruits, served on the beautiful outdoor patio picnic tables.
-Dinners: Three-course, world-class Sicilan cuisine, including pasta, meat, fish, and vegetables with waiter service in an elegant dining room.
*Wine, salad and desserts are included with dinner.
All other alcohol may be purchased separately.
-Several ingredients come from the Badiula farm or are locally sourced.
-Special diets are accommodated—vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, peanut-free, etc.
*Fitness: Improve your health, strength, flexibility and mobility.
▪ Option of three daily fitness classes featuring:
▪ LindaFit Pilates, Mark's Fit Longevity, qi gong, yoga, and strength and mobility.
▪ Classes are taught on the spectacular roof-top patio or in the fitness studio.
▪ Classes are modified for all levels and are optional.
* You will need to pack a yoga mat. We recommend the Primasole portable yoga mat, available on amazon. https://a.co/d/5e26YdM
Wellness: De-stress and clear the mind.
▪ Mark's daily gratitude sessions promote positive thinking.
▪ Meditation sessions cultivate inner peace and calm.
Athletics: Swimming and Tennis
▪ Choose from two outdoor swimming pools—one large lap pool and one smaller pool.
▪ Private patio and whirlpool.
▪ Enjoy a game of tennis* on a grass court.
*Tennis Rackets and balls provided.
▪ Delight in an array of therapeutic a la carte massages and treatments.
Schedule these a la carte treatments at the agriturismo.
o Half-day trip to Ragusa-Ilba and Superiore.
o Half-day trip to Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Amerina.
o Full day trip to the city of Noto and one of its beautiful beaches.
-Our retreat center is only 25 minutes from the airport.
-You may take a cab from and to the airport on both arrival and departure, and we can help you arrange your transport.
-We can organize pick ups for small groups, helping to defray the cost.
Transfers are not included in your retreat price.
A non-refundable $500 deposit is needed to secure your spot.
Final payments are due by July 15, 2025.
If you cancel by June 15th, 2025, you will be refunded the cost of the trip less the non-refundable $500 deposit.
No refunds after June 15, 2025, but you may sell your spot on the trip.
A travel insurance policy is recommended, including trip cancellation and interruption, baggage, accident, emergency assistance and medical assistance.
All details are subject to change in order to improve our clients’ experience.
Applications and waivers must be received and signed.
All fees will be absorbed by the participant.
The We Travel platform offers a payment plan option.
Feel free to email linda@lindafit.com if you need assistance.
6 nights and 7 days at the Agriturismo Badiula, located between Catania and Siracusa, Sicily
Rooms include private ensuite bathroom, AC, TV, WI-FI and outdoor patio or balcony
Daily breakfast, *lunch and dinner. Dinner includes house wine
LindaFit Pilates, Mark's Fit Longevity, qi gong, yoga, strength and mobility
Daily gratitude and meditation sessions
Two outdoor swimming pools, whirlpool and patio lounge
Grass tennis court, balls and racquets
Ragusa, Villa Romana del Casale, Noto
We will visit a Noto beach on our excursion to Noto
Every day there is time to swim, sunbathe, read, relax, have a spa treatment or explore the grounds
Airfare not included
Transfers between the Catania airport and the Agriturismo Badiula, on arrival and departure
Beer, spirits and any wine that is NOT house wine, which is included with dinner only
There will be three lunches out on excursion days
Massage and special treatments can be paid for separately
We will visit and have a private tour of the majestic hilltop Ragusa. The jaw dropping and dramatic landscape features the historic old town at the bottom—Ragus Ilba, and new modern town—Ragusa Superiore at the top.
Ragusa Ilba has charming narrow, winding cobblestone streets, filled with Baroque architecture. The homes, churches and palazzos are built and layered into the surrounding walls of the gorge to breathtaking effect. The beautiful views of the gorge can be enjoyed from the lovely Hyblean gardens.
Ragusa Superior, built into a plateau at the hilltop, has dazzling panoramic views and a long staircase to the valley below. The new town features many elegant and aristocratic villas, modern dwellings, restaurants and shops as well as the famous Cathedral of St John the Baptiste.
For those who wish, it is possible to enjoy the views and a little fitness by climbing the steep stairs linking Ragusa Ilba and Ragusa Superiore to the Santa Maria delle Scale church. Here we will enjoy some spectacular views of Ragusa Ilba.
Visit and enjoy a private tour of the famous 4th century Villa Romana del Casale, located in Piazza Amerina.
The grand villa is a treasure trove of art and history, with some of the most magnificent and awe inspiring mosaics in the world-who knew they were wearing bikinis back then?....
This ancient luxury villa was owned by a wealthy Roman who made a fortune in procuring and trafficking exotic wild animals from India and Africa to various coliseums throughout the Roman Empire. The massive villa walls and floors are covered with very detailed and realistic mosaics featuring hunting, capturing and shipping scenes.
The villa has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site as it contains some of the best preserved mosaics in the world. This is largely the result of a 12-century landslide that covered and preserved the villa for almost a thousand years, until it was rediscovered in the early 19th century. Today, it continues to delight, inspire, and draw archeologists, historians, artists, and tourists from all over the world.
We will explore magical Noto, with its "sparkling in the sun" Baroque architecture and shimmering crystal-blue beaches.
We will tour this hilltop city built with richly carved golden limestones. The city center features the magnificent Cathedral of Saint Nicolo surrounded by piazzas filled with stunning Baroque churches, palaces, bell towers and charming cobbled stoned streets, According to The Thinking Traveller, "The sun's rays dance on the soft limestone buildings casting a spell of warmth and light."
After our city tour, we we will visit one of Noto's beautiful beaches—some of the finest in the region, found at the bottom of the hill stretching along the south eastern Sicilian coastline.
Our retreat center is located between Siracusa and Catania, just 25 minutes from the airport. This Italian agriturismo—an authentic farmhouse converted into a rustic resort, has verdant grounds and gardens, a working farm, two pools, a tennis court and a spa.
Every day, get fit and energized with our daily fitness classes, including, Pilates, qi gong, Fit Longevity, yoga and strength and mobility. All classes will be taught in our fitness studio and on the rooftop patio. The breathtaking 360 degree views of Mount Etna and the Sicilian landscape from our rooftop enrich and inspire our classes and meditations.
Cool off in the swimming pools,-one small and serene with an accompanying whirlpool; the other a lap pool perfect for those who enjoy a good swim. Or relax ,read a book and sunbathe on a pool patio lounge chair.
Enjoy a game of tennis on the grass court-tennis balls and racquets will be provided.
Rejuvenate by treating yourself to a massage or spa treatment at the spa.
Take a leisurely stroll on the grounds which include a citrus orchard and animal farm..
