Sicily! Mindfulness in Movement Retreat

Syracuse, Province of Syracuse, Italy

LR
Lila Rose Heller
  • Email address verified
21 reviews
Jun 13 - 20, 2020
Group size: 12 - 18
Sicily! Mindfulness in Movement Retreat
Syracuse, Province of Syracuse, Italy

Lila Rose Heller
  • Email address verified
21 reviews

Jun 13 - 20, 2020
Group size: 12 - 18

About this trip

Our retreat in Sicily is located at Danena Retreat, located in a 19th century farmhouse – La Masseria – situated in the luscious  natural landscape of southeastern Sicily surrounded by the breathtaking Mediterranean Sea. Danena Sicily is a one-hour drive south from Catania airport, on the island’s east coast.


Danena Sicily is a holiday retreat that offers a revitalizing fusion of activities centered around yoga nature, art, culture, pilates detoxification, music and healthy food.  We are located in a 19th century farmhouse – La Masseria – situated in the luscious  natural landscape of southeastern Sicily surrounded by the breathtaking Mediterranean Sea. On a country lane away from noise and neighbours, it’s just 10 minutes south from the unspoiled World Heritage town of Noto – one of Italy’s most beautiful historic centres.

Danena Sicily is a one-hour drive south from Catania airport, on the island’s east coast. A 10-minute drive east is the Nature Reserve of Vendicari, a heaven of wildlife and some of the island’s most beautiful and deserted golden-sand beaches.
We have four apartments, 10 beautiful double bedrooms and can accommodate up to 18 people.A fresh water outdoor pool, three patios where to eat or simply relax, and a stunning sunset terrace. We would love to welcome you here for a regenerating week or for a long weekend with friends. A beautiful setting close to nature that helps you unwind and rejuvenate.


EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Sign up before June 1, 2019 for $100 off.


What To Expect:

This is a warm and perfect time to visit this magical place. This adventure is part Movement (Pilates, yoga and Primal movement) as well as exploring and soaking up the Sicilian Culture. You will have two classes a day with lots of time in-between to relax or explore the nearby treasures: the Mediterranean Sea, World Heritage town of Noto - one of Italy's most beautiful historic centers, The Nature Reserve of Vendicari or a local vineyard.


We will enjoy three meals a day. Massage, sound baths and time by the pool which overlooks the countryside. 


Getting There:

We can help set you up with a taxi to/from Denena . Here are the prices:

From Catania–Fontanarossa Airport, transfers are 25 euro to 90 euros depending on how many people are in the shared shuttle. We will do our best to pair people who are not renting cars with each other to save costs!


Rooms:

Single bed in a shared twin room | Shared bathroom

- These charming rooms come with two twin beds dressed in crisp, fine linens, stunning vintage wood furniture, and a shared bathroom.


Single bed in a shared twin room | En-suite bathroom

- These elegant, rustic rooms include two twin beds in an airy, bright room with rich wooden and iron furniture. Simple, beautiful, cosy, and breezy, with an en-suite bathroom.


Private twin or double room | Shared bathroom

- These rooms are full of farmhouse chic, with vintage wooden furniture, gorgeous tiled floors, a Queen bed dressed in sumptuous linens, and a shared bathroom.


Private twin or double room | En-suite bathroom

- These rooms feature chic, simple, rustic decor, a single Queen bed dressed in luxurious white linens, and an en-suite bathroom.


Private Suite | En-suite bathroom

- An elegant, rustic room all to yourself. Single Suites come with a Queen bed and an en-suite bathroom.


Suggested Travel

We suggest booking a round trip flight to Rome or Naples and either enjoying a night or two there and then booking the short flights round trip Rome/Naples to Catania for around $100, or taking an extra day or two to make your way down from Rome/Naples to Sicily by train (which goes on a ferry (so cool)) or by car.

Airport

Our yoga retreat in Sicily is located at Danena Retreat, located in a 19th century farmhouse – La Masseria – situated in the luscious natural landscape of southeastern Sicily surrounded by the breathtaking Mediterranean Sea. Nearby is the Nature Reserve of Vendicari, a heaven of wildlife and some of the island’s most beautiful and deserted golden-sand beaches.


Arrivals & Departures:

You are responsible for your own transportation to Danena, however we are happy to help arrange taxis for you.

The closest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa Airport. From Catania–Fontanarossa Airport, transfers are 25 euro to 90 euros depending on how many people are in the shared shuttle. We will do our best to pair people who are not renting cars with each other to save costs! Feel free to inquire about alternative pick up rates.


Suggested Arrival Options: 

Option #1: Fly. Fly into Rome/Naples and spend 1-2 nights there. Book a short flight to Catania Airport. Rent a car or take a taxi from Catania Airport to Danena farmhouse. About 2.5 hrs of travel. We suggest renting a car in Sicily so that you can be mobile during the retreat and go on any optional excursions that inspire you. If you are planning on driving around before or after the trip, you could also fly into Palermo.

Option #2: Train. Fly into Rome/Naples. Take 1-2 days to make your way down to Sicily by train. The train actually goes on a ferry to Sicily – so cool! Get off at Catania or Noto Stations. Take a taxi to Danena farmhouse. About 10-12 hrs of travel.

Option #3: Drive. Fly into Rome/Naples. Take 1-2 days to make your way down to Sicily by car & ferry. About 9-10 hrs of travel.


Catania

If you are driving: From Catania Airport, follow  signs towards Siracusa,then take the Siracusa - Gela highway towards  Rosolini, come out Rosolini take the exit on you right towards Pachino,  after 4.8 km you'll see a little white sign Contrada Belliscala, turn  left, you will find us up the road.

Google Maps - https://goo.gl/maps/u435edun16v


Syracuse

 “More than any other city, Syracuse encapsulates Sicily's timeless  beauty. Ancient Greek ruins rise out of lush citrus orchards, cafe  tables spill onto dazzling baroque piazzas, and honey-hued medieval  lanes lead down to the sparkling blue sea. It's difficult to imagine now  but in its heyday this was the largest city in the ancient world,  bigger even than Athens and Corinth. Its 'Once upon a Time' begins in  734 BC, when Corinthian colonists landed on the island of Ortygia and  founded the settlement, setting up the mainland city four years later.  Almost three millennia later, the ruins of that then-new city constitute  the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, one of Sicily's greatest  archaeological sites. Across the water from the mainland, Ortygia  remains the city's most beautiful corner, a casually chic, eclectic  marvel with an ever-growing legion of fans.” 

- Lonely Planet


Vendicari

 “Situated on the southern-most part of Sicily’s east coast, Vendicari  is a mixture of lagoons (pantano), sand dunes, rocky coastlines, and  sandy beaches. It was instituted in 1984 and is home to a wide variety  of flora and fauna. The high salinity of the ground provides an ideal  habitat for Mediterranean maquis, herbs such as thyme and rosemary and  other prickly customers such as juniper bushes.

Thousands of  migrating birds pass a few days here on their way to or from Africa.  Flamingos, herons, storks and cormorants are regulars during autumn,  while in the winter, ducks, mallards, pintails and terns take over. An  ornithologists' paradise, there are several hides for those who bring  their binoculars. For those whose interests are of a more active kind,  Vendicari offers a wonderful environment for a good seaside walk with  only the sound of the waves, birds and the wind for company.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

We highly recommended that you obtain travel insurance.


By reserving your space through placing your deposit with us, you are agreeing to the stated policies in our Agreement.  Please read in full. If you wish to cancel your retreat you must notify Lila Heller in writing. Once we’ve received your notice, cancellation will take effect subject to the following: If cancellation takes place within 7 days of booking, 100% of your payment is refundable including the deposit, unless retreat start date is less than 60 days from booking date (as we do not offer any refunds within 60 days of a retreat).If cancellation takes place 120 or more days prior to the retreat start date, any payments made will be refunded within 30 days of cancellation, plus 75% of your deposit.If cancellation takes place between 90-120 days prior to the retreat start date, any payments made will be refunded within 30 days of cancellation, plus 50% of your deposit.If cancellation takes place between 60-90 days prior to the retreat start date, 100% of your deposit will be forfeited and any additional payments will be refunded.If cancellation takes place under 60 days prior to the start date all payments will be forfeited.


Please contact me by email: hellerlila@gmail.com if you need to set up a payment plan.

What’s included

  • Three meals a day
    Three Delicious meals- every single day!
  • Two mindfulness practice
    Our morning class will include meditation along with a more vigorous Pilates class. Our afternoon class will be a more restorative class including yogic principles.
  • Lodging
    Your choice of shared or private unique and beauty filled rooms
  • A sound bath
    An experience not to be missed
  • One excursion
    To be announced soon :)
  • Local hiking
    In Vendicari and golden sand beaches
  • Fresh water pool
    Outside your bedrooms!

What’s not included

  • Travel
    Airfare
  • Shuttle fees
    Cost to get to and from the retreat center
  • Excursions/massages
  • Travel Insurance
    highly recommended

Available Packages

Single Bed in Shared Twin room


Single Shared twin room / shared bathroom


These charming rooms come with two twin beds dressed in crisp, fine linens, stunning vintage wood furniture, and a shared bathroom.


*final payment due February 2020

$1,625
Deposit: $535
Single Bed in Shared Twin Room with En

Single Bed in Shared Twin Room/ En -Suite


These elegant, rustic rooms include two twin beds in an airy, bright room with rich wooden and iron furniture. Simple, beautiful, cosy, and breezy, with an en-suite bathroom. 


FACILITIES: EN-SUITE BATHROOM



*final payment due February 2020

$1,625
Deposit: $535
Twin or Double Room

Twin or Double room / Shared Bathroom


1-2 GUESTS

These rooms are full of farmhouse chic, with vintage wooden furniture, gorgeous tiled floors, a Queen bed dressed in sumptuous linens, and a shared bathroom.


*final payment due February 2020

$1,625
Deposit: $535
Twin or double room

Twin or Double Room / En -Suite


1-2 GUESTS

These rooms feature chic, simple, rustic decor, a single Queen bed dressed in luxurious white linens, and an en-suite bathroom. 


FACILITIES: EN-SUITE BATHROOM



*final payment due February 2020

$1,625
Deposit: $535
Private suite


Private suite


1-2 GUESTS

An elegant, rustic room all to yourself. Single Suites come with a Queen bed and an en-suite or shared bathroom.  


*final payment due February 2020

$2,400
Deposit: $535


Itinerary

Arrival
Meet and greet

Please aim to arrive between 3:00 and 4pm on June 13. There will be one shuttle to Danena on the 13th. Time for the shuttle is still  TBD.  Cost is 90Euros per person. We will have snacks, be shown to our rooms and meet for a welcome meeting and Movement class.

Your Organizer


LR
Lila Rose Heller
21 reviews
Lila believes that when we feel good in our bodies, we are inspired to do good in the world. Her goal is to help people move better, breathe better and feel better to live a life they love. Lila has been teaching private and group Pilates since 2004. She has been leading transformational retreats since 2010. She is an internationally trained Pilates trainer, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Smartflow YTT, Primal Movement coach and Zhealth Practitioner. For more info on go to www.lilaheller.com/about.

Reviews

I came back from this trip physically able to BREATHE again! Truly magical experience, and the perfect mix of new learning, time with friends, down time, and amazing food. I loved Mar de Jade and the history. Lila and Katie's instruction is master-level and I have my 70-year old mom doing the class every day now!
By Sara E for Journey To The Heart on Mar 14, 2024
RC
The retreat that Lila Heller and Katie Ybarra led at Mar de Jade was fabulous! The movement and breathwork sessions were excellent, the resort and surrounding area is beautiful, the meals are delicious, and we had a wonderful group of participants. I thoroughly enjoyed the week.
By Roseanne C for Journey To The Heart on Mar 04, 2024
We are so glad you were there! Thank you!
By Lila Rose Heller on Mar 05, 2024
LR
CB
This retreat far exceeded my expectations. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing, rejuvenating, and beautiful retreat experience. Lila puts so much thought into every aspect of her retreats, from the agenda to food and location, all carefully and thoughtfully planned out. She also attracts the most amazing people! I made many new friends, with plenty of time for rest between activities. I returned home fully inspired, relaxed, and restored. I will definitely be on the lookout for more Lila retreats!
By Cary B for Movement as Medicine: Rejuvenate Your Body, Mind and Spirit on Sep 19, 2023
RS
Another wonderful trip with the most talented retreat leader and movement coach I have ever known! Lila is knowledgeable, kind, fun, and so good at bringing a group together. I cannot wait for my next adventure with Lila!
By Rosei S for Remember Joy Retreat on Jul 04, 2023
Lila is a masterful teacher adapting the classes to a wide range of levels. The retreat had excellent locally sourced and tastefully prepared meals at an idyllic chateau. Local wine was also readily available. Had a great time!
By Will T for Remember Joy Retreat on Jun 28, 2023
Show More Reviews