Wellness Yoga Escape in the Heart of Salento, Italy

The retreat runs for eight days, and the structure is simple: a strong Ashtanga practice in the morning, pranayama to settle the breath, and a gentler Yin session later in the day to release whatever the first two left behind. Alice adapts every class to who's in the room, so you're never lost or bored. She has a way of explaining the mechanics of a pose that makes it click, and her background as a biologist means she talks about the body in practical terms rather than mystical ones.

What makes this different from a standard yoga holiday is the extras. There's a handpan workshop where you learn to play this steel drum-like instrument, and if you fall in love with it, you get a €400 discount on buying one. You'll also spend an afternoon making orecchiette by hand with a local chef, then eat the results. The food throughout is vegetarian and vegan, mostly served at a neighbouring agriturismo that feels like stepping into someone's family kitchen.

Alice hosts retreats in Tuscany and Ischia as well, but this one in Puglia is the one with the tower, the cave spa, and the sense of history. The Masseria itself dates back centuries, and the yoga room is decorated with original murals. Even the pool has a setting—it sits right in the middle of the olive groves, with nothing around but the sound of the wind.

Reviews come back consistently positive, and the one thing people mention more than anything is Alice. Travellers call her teaching clear, patient, and confidence-building. Plenty arrive as beginners and leave able to hold a shoulder stand. The pace of the week is gentle enough that you actually rest, but there's enough structure that you don't drift. You'll leave with a home practice you feel ready to continue, not just a better tan.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation at Masseria Torre Luciana - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) - Daily Ashtanga, Pranayama, and Yin yoga classes - Handpan workshop with €400 purchase discount - Pasta-making workshop - Free access to the natural cave spa - Access to the pool and gardens - Airport pickup and drop-off from Brindisi (BDS) - Transfers from Lecce station - Transportation during the retreat (e.g., to meal venues) - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Luggage storage - Free parking - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Flights and airfare - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Airport transfers from Bari (available at extra cost) - Additional treatments or spa services - Excursions not listed in the itinerary (e.g., Lecce tour, wine tasting) - Personal expenses and souvenirs - Handpan purchase (with discount but not free)