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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.