SICILY, ITALY 2025
INDULGE IN ITALY RETREAT
Commenda di San Calogero
Sicily, Italy
October 11-18, 2025
with Melanie Caines & Helena Butler
Italy is calling! Join Melanie & Helena for a glorious week of yoga, food, and adventures in stunning Sicily. Kick back and relax in the magnificent countryside surrounded by olive trees and orange groves: : enjoy yoga twice a day outside, take a dip in the saltwater pool, taste wines from the Mount Etna region, explore Taormina and other gems, and learn the secrets of Sicilian home cooking. Treat yourself to this delicious week of la dolce vita: you deserve it.
Yoga offerings include Vinyasa Flow, Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra, Myofascial Release, Neurogenic Yoga, and Meditation.
THE EXPERIENCE
Experience the magic of one of the best preserved Sicilian country homes in the region. Commenda di San Calogero is a historic estate nestled in the heart of the Sicilian countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves. Located in southeastern Sicily, the estate provides a secluded sanctuary for those seeking to immerse themselves in nature and wellness. This beautiful property has a spa, saltwater pool, private chef, 12 gorgeous bedrooms, as well as multiple indoor and outdoor spaces for yoga. Our retreat group will have exclusive use of the whole property for our week.
Vegetable gardens, orange groves, and olives are cultivated on these lands with the help of water pumps. From our citrus fruits we produce delicious marmalades and orange blossom honey, and our olives provide us with the finest extra virgin olive oil. Our estate has been farming and a home to jumping horses since the early 1900’s.
Set on 110 acres, the Commenda di San Calogero is surrounded by lavish gardens, numerous shaded seating areas, peaceful look-outs and secluded benches that offer privacy and relaxation. Our impressive Italian garden with a variety of plants, fountains, and water rills is accessible directly from the back of the villa. Indian pavilions are also for your use in the garden. Pool-side areas have service options available including aperitifs and al fresco dinners.
One of our favorite features is the vast open courtyard immediately accessible from the majority of our rooms. It’s traditional Sicilian architecture creates an elegant atmosphere to enjoy breakfast in the morning or a cool drink in the afternoon under the Sicilian sun.
The son of the current owners is an architect as well as a garden and interior designer. Being that this extraordinary place was once his grandfather’s home, it has made it a true labor of love to restore it. With meticulous care, he has poured his artistic talents and knowledge into the gardens that surround the house with the most exquisite taste.
The estate itself is a delight to walk around, with its orange and olive groves in full bloom, and even a cave where a saint once hid during roman times. Not a moment will go by during your stay where you are not stimulated with alluring history and exquisite beauty.
Accommodations & fees
Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom. All furniture pieces have unique character and have been chosen with care; some items have even been inherited, spotted at antique markets, or discovered while traveling.
Single Occupancy
€3075
Double Occupancy (1 or 2 beds)
€2575 per person
what to expect
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Daily meditation & yoga twice a day
- 7 nights accommodations
- 3 meals each day (except for meals missed on excursion days)
- One group transport from Catania to venue on arrival day (October 11)
- One group transport from venue to Catania on departure day (October 18)
- WiFi
- Taxes/HST
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare
- Optional extras/excursions
- Massages and holistic treatments
- Alcohol
- Yoga mats & props
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
DAY TRIP TO TAORMINA
Visit famous Isola Bella and take a dip in the crystal clear waters; let the cable car whisk you up to the gorgeous streets of Taormina for a view of Mount Etna, delicious granita with a warm brioche bun, and a walk around the Ancient Theatre.
Excursions to Noto, Siracusa, & Ortigia
Take your pic of gorgeous, scenic, delicious towns and cities in the area and we can arrange a visit!
COOKING CLASS
Learn the secrets of Sicilian cooking from the best.
WINE TASTING
A tasting journey through the best wines of the region.
MASSAGE TREATMENTS
Slow down and unwind with a glorious onsite massage treatment.
How we spend our days
Morning Yoga
Breakfast
Free Time/Relaxation/Optional Excursions
Lunch
Free Time/Relaxation/Optional Excursions
Evening Yoga
Dinner
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE TERMS & CONDITIONS
CANCELLATION POLICY:
If you cancel your booking up to 120 days before the retreat start date: your deposit (less a change/cancellation fee of €150 EUR or $150 USD depending on the currency of your booked trip) and all other payments may be transferred to another Nova Retreats Inc. trip (within one year of the current retreat start date), space permitting. Please note: if you make multiple changes each change/cancellation will result in an additional €150/$150 USD change/cancellation fee. You are also permitted to transfer to a different Nova Retreat OR transfer your booking to another interested party (the change/cancellation fee noted above will still apply).
If you cancel your booking between 91 days and 119 days from the retreat start date: you can avail of a one-time transfer of your payments (MINUS your €500 or $500 USD deposit) to another Nova Retreats Inc. trip (within one year of the current retreat start date), space permitting (please note: this is a one-time transfer and multiple changes are not permitted, no exceptions). You are also permitted to transfer your booking to another interested party. Please note: your €500 or $500 USD deposit will be non-transferable and non-refundable if you cancel OR transfer in the 91-119 day time period.
If you cancel your booking 90 days or less from the retreat start date: no credit can be given and all monies paid will be forfeited.
In the event that the trip is postponed for any reason, including any force majeure event, all monies paid will be converted into travel credit that can be applied to a future Nova Retreat Inc. trip; this credit is transferable and expires one year from the original retreat date.
Nova Retreats Inc. is a small business that proudly works with intimate, family-run hotels and venues and we are unable to offer refunds of any kind. If you require more security, please talk to an insurance broker about a comprehensive travel plan that will offer you the coverage you need.
Thank you for understanding.
• A €500 non-refundable deposit (PER PERSON) is required to reserve your spot (ie, a double room requires 2 deposits).
• 50% of balance is due April 11, 2025
• Remaining balance is due June 11, 2025
• Payments can be made via credit card, interac e-transfer, PayPal, or cash.
•Proof of Emergency Travel Medical Insurance AND Trip Interruption/Cancellation Insurance are both required.
• Participants must have a regular yoga practice and should be comfortable with a level 1/2 class. Participants should be confident modifying when they need to and be open to exploring and adventuring on the mat.
TRAVEL
FLIGHTS
The arrival day is Saturday, October 11 and the departure day is Saturday, October 18. The closest airport is Catania (CTA).
TRANSPORTATION
Commenda di San Calogero is a 30min drive from Catania, which has an international airport and a train station. We will arrange one group transfer from Catania to the venue on the arrival day (afternoon pickup) and one group transfer from the venue to Catania on the departure day after breakfast.
TRAVEL QUESTIONS?
Check out our FAQ section by scrolling down the page or you can reach us by email at novayogaretreats@gmail.com.
YOUR retreat leaders
MELANIE CAINES
VIEW BIO
HELENA BUTLER
VIEW BIO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a passport?
Yes you are required to have a passport. Please make sure that your passport is valid for 6 months after your expected departure date.
I don’t have anyone to go with and I don’t want to pay for single occupancy – can you find me a roommate?
Yes I can try to match you up with another solo traveller. You can pay your deposit and if a match cannot be made your deposit will be refunded..
I have dietary restrictions – is this retreat able to accommodate me?
Yes certainly; once you have reserved your spot please pass on any allergies, restrictions, or requests.
Do I need to be an advanced yogi to join this retreat?
Participants should have a regular yoga practice and be comfortable with a level 1/2 class; participants should be confident modifying when they need to and be open to exploring and adventuring on the mat.
Can I bring my kids?
This retreat will be an adult-only vacation.