Yin Tranquility ~ A Luxury Yoga Retreat in Sicily, Italy
5 Nights / 6 Days

Step away from the noise of everyday life and into the peaceful calm of the Sicilian countryside for a deeply nourishing retreat experience designed to help you slow down, breathe more deeply and properly rest.

For 2027, this retreat moves into a more exclusive experience, with guaranteed private use of the entire venue reserved solely for our group, alongside a private international chef creating beautifully prepared meals throughout our stay.

Set within peaceful gardens overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, this enchanting Sicilian sanctuary offers breathtaking views across Mount Etna, the Aeolian Islands and the rolling countryside of Ficarra.

Over five unhurried nights, you’ll experience a gentle blend of yin and vinyasa flow, acu-yin, yoga nidra, nourishing food, meaningful connection and time to simply be.

No outside guests. No rushing. No need to organise or think ahead.

Just space to soften, reset your nervous system and reconnect with yourself at a slower pace.

You’ll be guided throughout by Dr Amanda Bowen alongside a wonderful local team, carefully creating a warm, welcoming and beautifully held retreat experience from beginning to end.

Whether you’re craving deep rest, clarity, inspiration or simply time away from constant demands, this retreat offers the opportunity to slow down and return home feeling lighter, calmer and more connected to yourself.

You’ll experience a carefully curated blend of yin and vinyasa flow, acu-yin, yoga nidra, meditation, nourishing food, meaningful connection and deep rest - all within the peaceful surroundings of the Sicilian countryside.

Mornings begin with around two hours of grounding yoga practices designed to awaken your energy, release tension and reconnect you with yourself at a slower pace.

Late afternoons and evenings invite deeper rest through restorative sessions, yoga nidra, guided meditation and sound healing, creating space to properly unwind and reset your nervous system.

Throughout the retreat, our private international chef will prepare beautifully nourishing meals using fresh local ingredients, creating a fully inclusive experience where everything is thoughtfully taken care of for you. Health and nutrition guidance from both our chef and Dr Amanda Bowen will also be woven naturally throughout the retreat experience.

Alongside the practices, there will be time to relax by the pool, enjoy beautifully curated excursions, connect with like-minded people or simply enjoy quiet moments surrounded by nature, sea views and Sicilian beauty.

With no outside guests, no rushing and no need to organise or think ahead, this retreat offers the opportunity to fully switch off and be completely looked after from beginning to end.

Designed for all levels, this is a warm, welcoming and beautifully held retreat experience created to help you slow down, breathe deeply and return home feeling calmer, lighter and more nourished from within.

There is something truly special about Sicily, a slower pace of life, breathtaking scenery, warm-hearted people and a way of living that gently invites you to exhale.

Our retreat takes place in a peaceful and lesser-known corner of the island, surrounded by rolling countryside, sea views and the natural beauty of Ficarra. From the villa, you’ll look out across the Tyrrhenian Sea towards the Aeolian Islands and Mount Etna, with sunsets, birdsong and nature becoming part of the rhythm of each day.

Far away from crowded tourist hotspots, this is a place where life still feels deeply connected to the land, the seasons and simple pleasures. Fresh local produce, homegrown ingredients, long relaxed meals and the warmth of authentic Sicilian hospitality all become part of the experience.

Combined with the privacy of having the entire venue exclusively for our group, Sicily offers the perfect setting to properly slow down, reset your nervous system and reconnect with yourself in a meaningful and lasting way.

Your home for the retreat is a beautiful private Sicilian villa set within peaceful gardens and surrounded by rolling countryside, sea views and the slower rhythm of authentic Sicilian life.

For 2027, the entire venue has been reserved exclusively for our group, creating a quieter, more personal and fully immersive retreat experience.

Accommodation is thoughtfully spread across the estate, including rooms within the main villa as well as charming private guest residences set within the grounds, offering a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere throughout the retreat.

All rooms are ensuite and designed for comfort, rest and relaxation, with a choice of sea view or mountain views. Throughout your stay, you’ll have space to slow down, switch off and truly settle into the peaceful surroundings.

The villa offers breathtaking views across the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Aeolian Islands and Mount Etna, with nature, open skies and fresh air becoming part of the experience from the moment you arrive.

Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, enjoying a quiet morning coffee overlooking the sea, or unwinding after practice as the sun sets over the Sicilian landscape, every part of your stay is designed to help you feel nourished, rested and completely away from the pressures of everyday life.

Food is a deeply important part of the retreat experience and for 2027, we’re delighted to offer a fully inclusive dining experience with our own private international chef throughout the retreat.

Having worked together previously in Costa Rica, Dr Amanda Bowen has personally chosen a chef whose passion, warmth and exceptional attention to detail perfectly complement the retreat experience. Known for creating beautifully nourishing meals using fresh, vibrant ingredients, she also brings extensive experience supporting a wide range of dietary requirements, food sensitivities and allergies with genuine care and attention.

Using the natural abundance of Sicily and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, meals will be thoughtfully prepared to nourish both body and mind, with a focus on vibrant vegetarian and vegan-friendly cuisine.

In keeping with the yogic principle of ahimsa - meaning non-violence, compassion and doing no harm - the retreat menu has been intentionally designed around a more conscious and mindful way of nourishing the body. Yoga teaches that food carries energy, and many people begin to reflect more deeply on what they are consuming and the wider impact this has not only on their own wellbeing, but on other living beings too.

During retreat, stepping away from heavily processed foods and meat can often help people feel lighter, calmer, clearer and more energetically balanced. By nourishing the body with fresh, vibrant plant-based foods prepared with care and intention, the retreat experience supports a gentler, more conscious and deeply restorative way of living, both physically and emotionally.

Expect beautiful breakfasts, relaxed light lunches and nourishing evening meals inspired by the slower rhythm of Mediterranean living, shared together overlooking the sea, surrounded by nature and warm Sicilian hospitality.

Still and sparkling water will be available throughout your stay and wine will also be available to purchase separately for those who wish to enjoy a glass with meals, alongside two special dining experiences enjoyed together at carefully selected local restaurants, including a beautiful hilltop setting and a relaxed lunch in the ancient coastal town of Cefalù.

Health and nutrition guidance from both our chef and Dr Amanda Bowen will also be woven naturally throughout the retreat, offering inspiration and support that extends beyond your time in Sicily.

This is conscious, nourishing food designed not only to support your wellbeing during the retreat, but to leave you feeling nourished, energised and deeply cared for from the inside out.

Dr Amanda Bowen is a senior yoga teacher, retreat leader and holistic wellbeing practitioner with almost 1000 hours of Yoga Alliance training and a doctorate in Metaphysical Science.

After overcoming chronic fatigue, burnout, anxiety, depression and complex PTSD through yoga, meditation, nervous system regulation and holistic healing practices, Amanda now dedicates her work to helping others step out of survival mode and reconnect with a calmer, healthier and more fulfilling way of living.

Blending yin and vinyasa flow, acu-yin, yoga nidra, meditation, restorative yoga, sound healing and nervous system regulation practices, Amanda’s approach combines ancient wisdom with modern neuroscience in a deeply grounded and accessible way.

Her retreats are known not only for their beautiful locations and carefully curated experiences, but for the genuine transformation many guests experience during their time together. Through Amanda’s warm, down-to-earth teaching style, guests are supported to slow down, release stress and emotional overwhelm, reconnect with themselves and experience what it truly feels like to deeply rest.

Passionate about helping others create lasting change, Amanda’s work goes far beyond yoga alone. Her retreats offer space for reflection, healing, clarity, emotional reset and meaningful connection, allowing guests to return home feeling calmer, lighter, empowered and more connected to themselves and the life they want to create.

You’ll be added to a private WhatsApp group to connect with fellow retreat guests before the retreat, coordinate any shared travel and stay in touch afterwards.

The group also offers a relaxed space to continue conversations, share experiences and gently integrate the retreat into everyday life once you return home.

Many guests arrive as strangers and leave with genuine friendships and connections that continue long after the retreat has ended.

This retreat is about far more than simply taking time away, it’s about stepping into a peaceful and supportive environment where you can properly slow down, breathe deeply and reconnect with yourself.

Kindness and respect for one another are at the heart of the retreat experience. When we speak and act with awareness, consideration and compassion, we help create a calm, supportive and uplifting atmosphere for the entire group.

Many guests arrive not knowing anyone else and leave having formed genuine friendships and meaningful connections through the shared experience of slowing down together, sharing beautiful surroundings, nourishing food and moments that often stay with them long after returning home.

This retreat offers a calmer, more personal experience where there is space to truly switch off from the pressures, noise and constant demands of everyday life.

Whether you spend your time connecting with others, enjoying quiet moments overlooking the sea or simply embracing the slower rhythm of Sicilian life, this retreat is designed to leave you feeling rested, grounded and genuinely nourished from within.

The retreat takes place in a peaceful countryside setting in Sicily, Italy.

Guests are advised to fly into Catania Airport, where a complimentary group transfer to the retreat venue will depart at 1pm on retreat arrival day.

At the end of the retreat, the included return transfer will depart from the villa at 11am, with drop-off available at either Taormina, for those continuing their travels independently or Catania Airport.

Many guests choose to arrive into Catania the day before the retreat begins and/or enjoy an additional night after the retreat finishes, allowing for a more relaxed travel experience.

Further travel information, recommended flight timings and retreat details will be provided after booking.

Guests arriving outside of the set transfer time or travelling via an alternative airport will need to arrange their own onward travel to the retreat venue.

Booking & Payments
Your retreat place is secured once the required deposit has been paid and your booking has been confirmed.

All deposits and payments are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable. Bookings may not be transferred to another retreat, event or person under any circumstances.

Payment plans are available and the full balance must be paid by the agreed final payment date outlined at the time of booking.

Travel & Insurance
Please do not book flights until the retreat has been officially confirmed by Dr Amanda Bowen, as minimum numbers are required for the retreat to go ahead.

Comprehensive travel insurance and cancellation insurance are strongly recommended and remain your own responsibility.

Guests are also responsible for ensuring they meet all passport, visa and travel requirements relevant to their destination.

Health & Suitability
If you have a health condition, injury, disability, serious medical issue or clinical mental health condition, please consult your doctor before booking and discuss this with Amanda in advance so suitability can be considered.

All guests must complete the required health form before their booking can be accepted.

Retreats are open to those aged 18 and over.

Food & Dietary Requirements
All meals included within the retreat package are vegetarian and vegan-friendly.

If you have allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements, please discuss these before booking. Every effort will be made to accommodate requirements where possible, however specific dietary requests cannot always be guaranteed.

Shared Retreat Environment
This retreat is designed to be a peaceful, supportive and respectful shared experience. Guests are expected to treat fellow guests, staff, the venue and surrounding community with kindness, awareness and consideration throughout the retreat.

Right to Refuse or Remove Attendance
Dr Amanda Bowen reserves the right to refuse or remove attendance, without refund or compensation, if behaviour is considered unsafe, disruptive, harmful to the group experience or damaging to the venue or surrounding environment.

Liability

Dr Amanda Bowen cannot be held responsible for loss, damage, injury, illness, travel disruption or additional expenses incurred in connection with the retreat or travel arrangements.

Mandatory Health Form
Completion of the health form is required before your booking can be fully confirmed.

Arrive in Sicily and be warmly collected from Catania Airport at 1pm, leaving the outside world behind as you journey into the peaceful countryside to your retreat home for the week ahead.

After settling in and taking time to unwind, we’ll enjoy a nourishing welcome lunch lovingly prepared by our private chef before gathering together for our opening circle.

As the afternoon softens into evening, we’ll ease into deeply restorative yoga and yoga nidra to calm the nervous system, release the stresses of travel and invite deep rest from the very beginning of your retreat experience.

The day concludes with a wholesome evening meal, beautiful Sicilian surroundings and time to soak in your first sunset before a peaceful night’s sleep.

Wake gently to your first full morning in Sicily with mindful movement, yin and vinyasa flow, and inspiring teachings designed to calm the nervous system, restore balance and open the heart.

After breakfast, the day invites you to fully unwind, relax beside the pool, swim beneath open skies or wander peacefully through the gardens and surrounding countryside at your own pace. A light, nourishing lunch will be served to keep you feeling refreshed and energised throughout the day.

As the afternoon softens into evening, we’ll gather once more for deeply grounding yin yoga, relaxation and soulful guidance before enjoying another beautifully prepared Sicilian dinner together.

The day closes with breathtaking sunset views, slower conversations, deep exhalations and the gentle rhythm of retreat life beginning to fully unfold.

Begin the morning with nourishing yoga, mindful movement and inspiring teachings designed to centre the body, calm the mind and deepen your connection to yourself and the retreat experience.

After breakfast, enjoy time to relax by the pool, swim beneath open skies or simply slow down and embrace the peaceful rhythm of Sicilian countryside living.

Later, we venture into the beautiful medieval village of Ficarra, where you’ll wander charming narrow streets, discover ancient churches and historic buildings, and experience the authenticity and slower pace of traditional Sicilian life. Together we’ll enjoy lunch at a carefully selected local restaurant, soaking up the atmosphere, flavours and culture of this special region.

Returning to the villa, the afternoon invites space for rest and reflection before a lighter evening meal served at the retreat villa.

As the day gently draws to a close, we’ll gather for deeply restorative yoga nidra and soulful guidance, allowing the body and mind to fully relax beneath the peaceful Sicilian evening skies.

Sunset views, meaningful connection and the slower rhythm of retreat life beautifully complete another unforgettable day in Sicily.

Wake to another gentle Sicilian morning with nourishing yoga, mindful movement and inspiring teachings designed to bring greater clarity, calm and connection to both body and mind.

After breakfast, enjoy time to relax beside the pool, swim beneath open skies or simply soak in the peace and beauty of your surroundings as the slower rhythm of retreat life continues to unfold.

Later, we journey to the stunning coastal town of Cefalù — a timeless blend of ancient history, Mediterranean beauty and authentic Sicilian charm. Wander its atmospheric streets, browse local boutiques, take in breathtaking sea views and enjoy lunch together at one of Cefalù’s beautiful local restaurants.

Returning to the villa, the evening invites you to completely unwind after a full and memorable day of exploration. Our private chef will prepare a lighter evening meal before we gather for deeply restorative yoga nidra and soulful guidance, allowing the body and mind to soften into deep relaxation beneath the peaceful Sicilian evening skies.

Sunset views, meaningful connection and the slower rhythm of retreat life gently bring another unforgettable day to a close.

Begin the morning with gentle yoga, mindful movement and inspiring teachings designed to ground, restore and gently re-energise both body and mind.

After breakfast, the day is yours to fully slow down and embrace the peaceful rhythm of retreat life. Relax beside the pool, swim beneath open skies, wander through the gardens or simply rest and take time for yourself within the beauty of the Sicilian countryside.

For those wishing to indulge a little more deeply in relaxation, optional massages and treatments will also be available throughout the day.

A light, nourishing lunch prepared by our private chef will be served at the villa, allowing space to fully unwind without needing to rush or venture away from the retreat grounds.

As the afternoon softens into evening, we’ll gather for deeply soothing yin yoga, relaxation and soulful guidance before sharing our closing circle together — a special opportunity to reflect on the retreat experience, the connections formed and all that you’ll be taking home with you beyond Sicily.

Another beautifully prepared Sicilian dinner, sunset skies and the deep sense of calm that comes from finally slowing down gently bring your final full day of retreat life to a close.

Begin your final morning in Sicily with gentle yoga, mindful movement and space to quietly absorb all that the retreat experience has offered you over the past five nights.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye… for now.

Whether returning home or continuing your travels through Sicily, you’ll leave feeling lighter, calmer, deeply restored and more connected to yourself, carrying the slower rhythm, meaningful moments and sense of renewal from the retreat into whatever comes next.

As you journey onwards, may you continue to choose more peace, more balance and more space for yourself long after the retreat comes to an end.