The Italian Dream
Yoga & Pilates Retreat
Thursday 27th August-Tuesday 1st September 2026
Italy is calling!
Yes, I am taking you to sample
the Dolce Vita!
Come with me to Salento, the Southermost part of Puglia – the stiletto heel of Italy's boot.
A playful, soul-soothing, sun-filled retreat where everyone feels welcome.
Think a mix of creative vinyasa, mandala, and yin. And pilates. And sound bath. And yoga nidra in your PJs just before bedtime!
You can take part in all classes or pick and choose. You can soak up the sun by the pool or doze under the sound tree. This is a time for you to reconnect with yourself.
This is a chance for you to simply BE.
Retreat runs from Thursday 27th August till Tuesday 1st September
Masseria Torre Luciana is a stunning restored farmhouse in the heart of Salento.
Think Italian charm, olive groves, delicious locally sourced food. A pool, a spa, a wonderful, unique sound tree.
Come with me to discover this still relatively untouristy pocket of Italy.
coastal walks
✿
delicious food
✿
small group
✿
daily yoga
✿
coastal walks ✿ delicious food ✿ small group ✿ daily yoga ✿
beach trip
✿
delicious food
✿
small group
✿
daily yoga & pilates
✿
pasta-making workshop
✿
beach trip ✿ delicious food ✿ small group ✿ daily yoga & pilates ✿ pasta-making workshop ✿
sample schedule
8am coffee/tea and light nibbles
9am yoga
10.30am brunch
11.30am free time by the pool
(optional lunch can be arranged)
6pm evening class
7.30pm dinner
9pm yoga nidra/sound bath
Where we’re staying
In the heart of Salento, Masseria Torre Luciana is much more than a simple retreat center: it is a place born where Apulian culture, music and holistic well-being come together to create a unique experience.
Designed to offer an unparalleled experience of tranquility and well-being, our farmhouse is the ideal place for those seeking a regenerating and inspiring retreat. Here, tradition meets innovation, creativity meets nature, and every guest is invited to rediscover joy in the present.
Stefano is the heart, soul, and brain behind the Masseria. He’s a talented musician who truly loves his homeland. I have had the pleasure to stay at the Masseria in September 2025, and I felt truly at home from the moment I got off the car. You will really feel that Italian warmth here. His wonderful Mum is in charge of breakfasts, hugs, and our pasta-making workshop.
We will also have the chance to learn the basis of the handpan from Stefano himself, on a 2hours afternoon workshop. No previous experience required. It’s a truly magical instrument.
We can relax by the pool, or doze under an olive tree. And take in the magical sound of the Sound Tree, where we will be having our sound baths.
https://www.masseriatorreluciana.it/
https://www.instagram.com/soundtree_sew/
About Salento
Tucked away in Italy’s southernmost heel, Salento is a land where time seems to slow and the senses awaken. Bathed in endless sunshine, this is where the Adriatic and the Ionian seas get to meet. It’s a place of elemental beauty — wild coastline, olive groves, and warm, authentic hospitality.
Salento invites you to return to simplicity: to rise with the sun, to move with the rhythm of nature, and to find clarity in its stillness. Choosing a retreat here means immersing yourself in a landscape that naturally supports transformation — a gentle space to let go, breathe deeply, and rediscover what truly nourishes you.
Not far from our Masseria lies the beautiful city of Lecce, the “Florence of the South.” Among its golden Baroque streets, time softens and space opens for reflection. Feel inspired by the gentle pace of local life, the scent of blooming jasmine, and the quiet strength of centuries-old stone. Add delicious ice creams and granitas to the mix. In this radiant corner of Salento, every breath draws you closer to balance, presence, and a deeper connection within.
Food & Extras
You will be greeted by warm coffee and tea plus light nibbles in the main farmouse as you wake up, before our morning practice.
We’ll get to enjoy a delicious brunch and a wonderful dinner in the Agriturismo Le Chiese, just a few minutes walk away, in the midst of stunning olive trees.
Puglia has evident Greek and Spanish influences (it was occupied by the Spanish from 1734 until 1860). This is particularly noticeable in the food, which is quite different in many respects from that of Campania and the Amalfi Coast. Away from the coast, people here favour meat, fava bean purée, vegetables such as cicoria, which resembles spinach, and a more robust mix of antipasti and cheeses. There will be options for vegetarians and vegans as well as for gluten free guests (since I am one of them!) Think locally sourced produce, simple, homemade, nourishing food for body and soul.
There is the option of a light lunch at the Agriturismo too - at an extra cost.
When not practicing yoga or eating, you get to doze off by the side of the panoramic swimming pool, perfect for enjoying the peaceful environment and the beauty of the Salento landscapes. There is also a small, charming SPA set inside a natural cave: a unique space that invites relaxation and rejuvenation, where time seems to stop. There will be time for optional workshops or 1:1 sessions.
As part of our retreat, you will get to enjoy a 2hrs pasta-making workshop as well as a beginners Introduction to the handpan with Stefano himself, the man behind the masseria and behind Sew Handpan, a growing international handpan school.
And that is not all! One evening, we will take you to the wonderful city of Lecce where you’ll explore baroque streets and churches and charming little shops, before dinner in a seafood reastaurant (alternative dietary options will be catered for)
We will also be escaping to a stunning local beach for half a day, to dip our toes in the sea and marvel at a Mediterranean sunset - perhaps while having a little Aperitivo :)
All in all, a very special Italian Holiday!
what is included
two classes a day, yoga & pilates
accommodation in a twin room in the Tower or in a large single room in the main house.
shared airport transfer
afternoon/evening trip to Lecce
and half day at the beach for sunsetpre/practice coffee & tea, brunch & dinner
afternoon pasta-making workshop
introductory handpan lesson
what is not
travel insurance (strongly encouraged)
flights
drinks
optional lunches, food on the beach, & 1 dinner in Lecce
optional boat trip
optional wine & local produce tasting
how to get there
MASSERIA TORRE LUCIANA: Strada Vicinale La Fica, Km 2, 73010 San Pietro in Lama LE, Italy
The closest airports to the Masseria are Bari (abour 2 hrs drive) and Brindisi (about 1 hour)
Recommended flights from London:
Easyjet Gatwick to Bari on the 27th at 9.10. Bari to Gatwick at 16.55 on the 1st
Flights to Brindisi are currently pricier and less convenient time/.
Should you wish to rent a car so you can move around and explore the area on your own, we can assist with that.
Ideally, we will aim to arrive at the Masseria in the afternoon of the 27th and leave after yoga and brunch on Tuesday 1st.
Please reach out for any question: luisazamboni@yahoo.it.
investment
Shared Twin Room in the Tower: Early Bird £1000 (until January 31st); thereafter £1200
Spacious Single Room in the Main House: Early Bird £1400 (until January 31st); £1600 thereafter
£250 deposit upon booking. Payment plans available for the balance. Please email me and we can figure it out.
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Yes of course ! A lot of people make friends during retreats :) You can choose to share a twin room with a fellow retreater or get your own cosy room for extra privacy. Either way, this is a small group so nobody will feel left out. At the same time, if you what you crave is time for yourself, this is the perfect retreat.
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Yes of course! Classes will be 100% inclusive, and all optional. Small groups mean extra 1:1 time too.
Pilates time will be 100% inclusive and cater to all levels too.
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Absolutely. I am on a strict gluten free diet myself! I have stayed at the Masseria, and I can vouch for how much they care about their guests. Always tell us in advance so we can make sure we can tailor the menu to your needs. Rooms have a small fridge too, so feel free to bring snacks.
