THE TRAVEL YOGI
Sicily Yoga Adventure
Trip in One Word: Entrancing
What You’ll Experience In Sicily
A Mediterranean gem, Sicily is known for its serene beaches, charming villages, amazing ancient ruins and delicious cuisine. Get your yoga and walking shoes on so you can, “mangia, mangia!” throughout the week. On this yoga retreat in Sicily, you’ll explore Europe’s largest active volcano, sip some volcanic vino, wander seaside villages, visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites (yes, that’s plural), admire the spectacular and ancient architecture and bathe in the Italian sunshine and sea. Get lost among endearing ancient alleyways, explore piazzas (in palazzos) and enjoy a sunkissed adventure in Italy.
How You’ll Experience Sicily
Start your yoga retreat in Sicily in Castiglione di Sicilia, on the north side of dominating Mount Etna. Hike the hillsides of Mount Etna, bask in the panoramic views of the Sicilian countryside and sip the nectar of the unique volcanic soil (ie delicious local wines). You’ll visit Castelmola, known as one of the most beautiful villages in Sicily, and explore the Norman ruins overlooking the Ionian Sea. Revel in ancient Greek ruins and classic Renaissance and Baroque architecture on Ortigia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander the local food market and savor unforgettable Sicilian food and wines. Immerse in Ragusa and Noto’s (another UNESCO World Heritage Site) ancient architecture—from the Palazzo Comunale to the breathtaking Duomo di San Nicolò – catacombs, spellbinding stairs and piazzas. Try a cuoppo (trust us) and your own hand at focaccia. At ‘home’ in Modica you’ll learn about the ancient chocolate-making tradition and get hands-on with a professional maître chocolatier (yum). Experiment with Sicilian herbs and spices (coupled with local aperitivos) as you taste, laugh and immerse your way around this enchanting island.
How You’ll Feel When You Return Home
You’ll return home from this yoga retreat in Sicily sun-kissed and blissed out. You’ll research limoncello recipes (in pursuit of the perfect aperitivo), dream of piazzas and vividly recall the sensation of Sicilian sand on your bare feet. Warmed by delicious wine and Sicilian smiles, you’ll forever ruminate on creating your very own “Under the Sicilian Sun” move across the pond.
Adventure Details
castiglione di sicilia
MT ETNA
ORTIGIA
MODICA
Yoga Retreat in Sicily Upcoming Dates
Kristen Addicks
Kristen Addicks
Kristen Addicks has embodied movement her entire life. Exploring and training in many forms of dance and yoga has given her a special combination of skills. Her classes flow fluidly, focusing on alignment, working the body in a balanced way and linking poses gracefully and intelligently. She believes the ancient yoga texts teach important life skills that can benefit everyone and she shares these powerful teachings in her classes. Her classes are inspiring both physically and spiritually. They build strength, balance, and flexibility in the body, and a deeper sense of calm, peace, and stability in the mind.
Kristen is a yoga instructor in Marin County. She teaches Hatha Flow at Sukha Yoga and Metta Yoga, Vinyasa Flow at Some Like It Hot Yoga & Boutique (Best of Marin, 2017), and Power Yoga at Red Dragon (Best of Marin, 2020). She has trained teachers at Some Like It Hot Yoga & Boutique and has written a monthly yoga blog for Marin Magazine. Additionally, she leads a Yoga Sutra Study Group that studies the deeper meaning of yoga and has lead several international yoga and adventure retreats.
In 2019, Kristen was invited to teach yoga at a summer surf camp with professional surfer Coco Nogales. Other private clients have included Skywalker Ranch, Novato High School Girls Lacrosse Team (State Champions), Redwood High School Girls Basketball Team, Novato High School Boys Lacrosse Team, Redwood High School Boys Lacrosse Team, golfers and tennis players at Marin Country Club, and dancers at Marin School of the Arts.
Kristen received her 200-hour RYT from Yoga Works and her 500-hour from YogaTree.
Her other passions include being outside in nature, travel, meeting new people, playing music, water sports, wildlife, and caring for our environment.
Katina Knapp
Katina Knapp
Love of nature, adventure and a curiosity about other cultures has led Katina to travel around the world and yoga is always a part of it. She feels that a strong, healthy mind and body will allow you to take on any challenge – anywhere, and she’s up for anything!
Katina has been practicing Hatha yoga since she was a teenager. She found yoga to be a transformational practice that brought so much more than just physical well-being. She has studied with a wide variety of teachers and finds inspiration from them all. She completed her teacher training first with YogaWorks, a highly respected program that teaches proper alignment and safety in poses, as well as movement with breath and cohesive well-rounded sequencing. She then trained with Amy Sullivan and Jenay Martin for a more fluid and spiritual practice. Katina’s wish is to bring the healing benefits of yoga to everyone; she believes in its power to improve flexibility and strength, to help heal injuries, to improve sleep, to create more energy and a calmer, quieter, more focused mind.
Teo Chapelier
Teo Chapelier
Téo is above all an avid traveller. Born and raised in the south of France he decided to leave his home country at the age of 18 because he knew the world had a lot to offer. After a few years spent wandering the globe, his path led him to sunny California where he discovered his life purpose: sharing the wisdom of Yoga.
With his 7 years of experience, Téo has developed an extensive knowledge of the practice which he loves to share in its entirety. From rhythmic Vinyasa flows to grounding Yin sequences he knows how to efficiently assist his students in their quest for growth and transformation. Along his journey towards self discovery, he has learned a myriad of life-shaping lessons which he loves to share to help others reach for their fullest potential.
Whether you are an advanced practitioner or an avid beginner, Téo’s guidance will make you feel supported in times of need and challenged when you are ready to breakthrough. He takes pride in designing each and every of his classes with the utmost care to best serve all of the attendees. Rest assured that you will step off your mat feeling renewed, both in and out.
Jess Gumkowski
Jess Gumkowski
Jess is the co-founder of YogiTriathlete and the creator of Awake Athlete. She is a long-time endurance athlete, podcast host, and Live Love Teach trained yoga instructor. She’s been teaching for over a decade and working with athletes on mind-body mastery for almost two, first as an orthopedic and sports massage therapist and now as a yoga instructor and mindset coach.
Jess is also the author of two cookbooks YogiTriathlete Cookbook: High Vibe Recipes for the Athlete Appetite and High Vibe Pie: Pizza Night Finally Done Right. Over her career, she has been featured in Triathlete Magazine, Men’s Journal, Elephant Journal, Massage Magazine, and TriZone, as well as many blogs and podcasts for her holistic health and nutrition expertise.
Jess lives with her husband BJ and golden retriever Clark in Carlsbad, CA, where they landed in 2016 after selling their dream home, quitting their jobs, and leaving their life in Newport, RI, for a grand adventure into the unknown. Jess is an adventurous spirit with a calming presence that naturally grounds the experience for all on retreat with her.
Emily Devers
Emily Devers
Emily is a compassionate yoga instructor committed to guiding students on a journey of self-discovery and holistic well-being. Her yoga practice began long ago as supplemental stretching to marathon training. Realizing the yogic lifestyle was much more than “stretching”, Emily began to enjoy the benefits of the mind/body connection. The benefit of mindfulness enhanced her professional career of nearly 25 years in Nuclear Cardiology as well as raising two daughters. After practicing yoga for 15 years, Emily received her 200 hour training in 2019 through True Love Yoga in Kansas City, MO. Soon after, she retired from the hospital setting and received her 500 hour advanced training certificate with Jason Crandell of San Francisco. Emily holds certificates in Yoga for Golfers, Yoga for Cancer and Meditation/Restorative Yoga. In November 2023, Emily co-founded Easy Tiger Yoga in Parkville, MO. The studio offers vinyasa, hatha, restorative and yin classes, as well as teacher workshops and trainings.
With a health care background and a passion for mindfulness, Emily seamlessly blends physical postures with breath awareness and meditation techniques to create a nurturing and transformative yoga experience. Her classes emphasize self-acceptance, body awareness, and inner peace, empowering students to cultivate balance and harmony in their lives.
From medical missions in Romania and Africa to hiking adventures in Patagonia, Peru and Slovenia, if she hasn’t been there, it is on her list. The Travel Yogi is the perfect blend of her two favorite passions. Join Emily as you travel to awaken your body, calm your mind, and nourish your soul.
Erica Stanzione
Erica Stanzione
Growing up as an athlete, Erica always felt a strong connection to physical movement. It wasn’t until her early-twenties that she desired a stronger connection to her emotional self and a deeper sense of fulfillment within that movement. For the past eighteen years, she has been a devoted yoga student, practicing and studying all over the world, which led her to completing her certifications and diving headfirst into her purpose. Erica guides public classes and a private clientele in Manhattan and New Jersey as well as host wellness retreats both domestically and internationally. She also combined her passions for fostering community and mindful movement and created a Yoga Alliance certified 200-Hour Teacher Training curriculum where she’s led and graduated six classes of trainees.
Erica’s classes, workshops, getaways and trainings are strongly driven by the emotional and spiritual aspects of the practice, but will also strengthen you both physically and mentally. The intention behind all of her offerings is to hold space for her students while they step further into their power, confidence, emotional intelligence and spiritual relationship. Yoga has deeply shifted, healed and transformed Erica’s life, and she is eternally grateful to be able to share that magic with every yogi that she is blessed to cross paths with.
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What's Included
- Three nights exclusive stay in Castiglione di Sicilia region
- Four nights in stunning Modica
- Breakfast each morning at our hotels
- Some lunches including local eateries and restaurants
- All dinners in a local restaurant or at our hotels
- Multiple wine-pairing and tasting options
- Morning and evening yoga on most days (please see the full itinerary for yoga schedule)
- Street-food experiences in Ortigia and Noto
- Hiking day by foot and 4×4 on Mt Etna
- Local cooking class and dinner near Ragusa
- Maître chocolatier taught hands-on chocolate course
- Afternoon on a local, and official, aromatic and herb farm
- Private transfers and transportation throughout the week
- Expert local English speaking guides
- All entry fees for the above sights and additional activities as listed on the itinerary
What's Not Included
- International flights in and out of Catania (CTA)
- Four lunches
- Any video or still camera fees assessed by the monuments or places of interest
- Alcohol, in excess of a glass of wine, sodas or other specialty drinks at meals
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, spa services, etc)
- Travel Insurance (strongly recommended)
Yoga Retreat in Sicily Accommodations
Verzella region
Enveloped in over a hundred hectares of olive, citrus and vineyards sits our northern Sicily home. The renovated vineyard home boasts modern amenities and classic charm. Each room has its own unique views on this beautiful vineyard. Enjoy the pool and vineyards you walk through each day, the AC and/or heat, along with stunning Sicilian cuisine, to make this a hideaway you’ll want to return to.
Modica
Historic and modern comfort and blend into a luxury welcome in the south of Sicily. Revel in the renovated and rejuvenated medieval fortress and the beauty of Modica. Enjoy ancient catacombs and beautiful villages while you make use of the pool and spa or spend your free-time exploring Noto, Modica or the beach, each just a short walk or drive away.
Itinerary
Each of our amazing yoga retreat in Sicily itineraries will be unique, with slight changes based on local holidays and/or events. Below is a sample of what can be expected as you explore this amazing island with The Travel Yogi:
1
DAY ONE
- Fly into Catania (CTA) and get ready for adventure on your yoga retreat in Sicily
- Our guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to our first hotel just north of Mt Etna
- Opening airplane-twist-it-out yoga class
- Welcome dinner and your first taste of local Sicilian deliciousness
- Benvenuti in Sicilia!
2
DAY TWO
- Wake up refreshed, hit the mat and a fill-up breakfast
- Journey up the side of Europe’s largest volcano by 4×4 and leg power… get your hike on
- Charge your cameras and capture the stunning views of Sicily from the heights of Mt Etna
- Enjoy a mid afternoon post-hike lunch at the base of Mt Etna
- Taste, and learn, about the richness of Sicilian wine at a local winery
- Head back to the hotel for evening yoga for hike-weary legs before dinner
3
DAY THREE
- Morning yoga followed by a leisurely breakfast
- Gear up for a day of classic wanderings
- Castelmola is stunning and classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Sicily
- Perched on a hillside over the Ionian Sea, wander Taormina and the ancient Greek theater of Teatro Greco
- After a guided tour, explore Taormina’s streets and restaurants at your leisure
- As the sun goes down head back ‘home’ for evening yoga
- Enjoy dinner under the stars
4
DAY FOUR
- An early morning for breakfast and packing (no morning yoga today)
- With bags packed it’s time to head south
- Wander down the winding streets of Ortigia and take in the stunning Baroque and Renaissance beauties surrounding you
- Stroll backwards through time and explore the 6th century BCE Temple of Apollo
- Take in the sights and smells of the food market and stop for lunch with the locals
- Say goodbye to Ortigia and continue south to Modica
- Check-in and get ready for early evening yoga
- Head to the restaurant for a dinner of southern Sicilian delights
5
DAY FIVE
- Rise and shine yoga and breakfast
- Get your thinking caps on as you take an archeological tour of Ragusa
- Wander the Hyblaean Mountains’ secrets and wonders
- Visit the Grotta of Trabacche, the Catacombs of Cava Celone and the Hypogeum of Cisternazzi
- Enjoy some free time to explore Ragusa and the lunch spot of your choice
- Head to an ancient water mill in the afternoon
- After listening to the stories of the millers and their families, get your hands-on the local organic flour and make your own Focaccia deliciousness
- Dine on your creations at the mill with the families
6
DAY SIX
- Morning yoga and sustaining breakfast
- Noto, the jewel of the Val di Noto, awaits
- Marvel at the Duomo di San Nicolo, and the gorgeous stairs just below, as well as the Palazzo Vescovile, Palazzo Comunale and the Baroque Church of the Holy Savior
- As you stroll through the day you’ll be treated to the gastronomical delights of Noto including cuoppo, the famous Arancina and an unmissable cannolo
- After some free time to explore Noto, journey to Modica
- Another tasty treat this afternoon as you learn about Modica’s famous chocolate history
- Get hands-on as you put your knowledge of Modica’s ancient chocolate making to the test under the watchful eye of a professional maître chocolatier
- Evening outdoor yoga (weather dependent) at the hotel
- Group dinner, if you’ve got any tummy space left, at the hotel
7
DAY SEVEN
- Morning yoga and breakfast
- Spend your morning at your leisure
- Relax poolside, book a massage, head back into Modica or catch a 15min ride to the coast
- Return to the hotel early afternoon for a closing yoga class
- Journey to a local farm which produces officinal and aromatic herbs
- Experience the history and pride behind the olfactory tradition
- Head out to a local restaurant for a closing dinner among the locals
8
DAY EIGHT
- Rise and shine for breakfast and to pack
- Transfer from the south of Sicily back to Catania airport for departure and a goodbye to gorgeous Sicily
TESTIMONIALS
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
ADVENTURE WELL(NESS)
Frequently Asked Questions
Please schedule your flights in and out of Catania international airport (CTA) on the first and final day of the adventure. There are time restrictions for the single transfer on Day 1 and Day 8 and most people need to book a pre and post night in a major European hub city before catching their international flights. Please refer to your booking confirmation for information on flights and flight scheduling.
In a word, yes! Vegetarians will have no difficulty and all other requests should be able to be accommodated as long as we have sufficient notice of at least four weeks prior to departure. Please contact The Travel Yogi with any dietary questions.
Travel insurance is always strongly recommended. Please make sure you have a policy purchased before departure and, ideally, once you book. While we recommend Travel Guard, you may purchase your insurance through any reputable company.
On this adventure, yes, you will need to bring your own mat. Your mat and luggage will be transported for you once on the adventure, but you will need to bring a mat from home. The Travel Yogi teachers that embark on this adventure will be designing classes that do not require props, so no need to bring a strap or a block unless you want one.
Absolutely. All of our lux locations will have wifi available.
Yes! Of course. Once you’re booked you’ll receive an email with important logistical information and a link to your invoice. You can pay any amount at any time on the invoice; you can use it as a payment plan or leave it alone until the final due date. Remember that deposits are non-refundable so, on all trips, we recommend purchasing travel insurance.
