Join Amy & Janet to experience the sweet life in Puglia, Italy!
The word is out. Everybody is going to Puglia these days and we are too! The whitewashed towns, dreamy Mediterranean coastline, Trulli houses and the food, did someone say Orecchiette?! Puglia has fast become one of the most popular places to travel to in Italy, located in the southern region forming the heel of Italy’s “boot” and is famous for its baroque architecture and olive oil production. This escape will be all about embodying the ‘sweet life’ and returning to balance. Very #eatpraylove! Puglia has been on our list for a long time now and we cannot wait to embrace our adventurous spirit and “retreat” ourselves.
We love yoga, we love to travel, and creating magic that happens only on a retreat!
Your Teachers & Hosts
Amy and Janet are yogis, teachers, wanderlusters, and lovers of life.
These two are dedicated teachers, students and world travellers. When they aren’t planning yoga classes, they are planning their next holiday.
When it comes to yoga, their practices are strong, creative, and always a bit cheeky! Both of these experienced teachers ooze kindness in every conversation and interaction they have with the people around them. They are inclusive and believe every student and person in the room deserves to be seen. You will feel at home in their presence and inspired to live your life to the fullest.
They are also passionate about travelling, exploring the world and believe the best escape is all about balance on and off the mat. Expect to be fully immersed, escape the daily hustle, and feel balanced and nourished with spice of adventure!
We can’t wait to hang out with you!
The Destination
Puglia is famous for it’s white-washed towns, Mediterranean Coastline, Trulli houses, olive oil and wine production.
Until recently, Puglia was one of the most under-explored regions of Italy, offering all the pleasures with little crowds. The word has gotten out and with good reason. There is something truly magical about this part of Italy, with hilltop towns, baroque churches, archaeological ruins, olive groves, vineyards and home to the most picturesque beaches in Italy, with more coastline than any other region. It is situated between two coastlines, the Adriatic and Ionian coasts and at the heart of Puglia is tradition. You can feel it all around you. Not just in the delicious rustic local cuisine, but in the way of life. There is something unhurried and incredibly peaceful about the pace here. Locally sourced and farm-to-table is simply what they do. The locals take pride in their agriculture and farming production of oats, artichokes, tomatoes, cabbages, peppers, almonds and figs. Puglia is rustic, wholesome and the true essence of Dolce Vita!!
The Ancient Masseria
The Masseria is located in the heart of the Itria Valley, midway between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
The property is located in the heart of the Itria Valley, about 10km from Martina Franca, immersed in the quiet countryside between oak forests, orchards, olive groves and vineyards. We will be staying in an ancient Masseria (farmhouse) dating back to 1689, which has been restored to celebrate its timeless beauty. It was carefully designed with the purpose of hosting yoga disciplines, philosophies and activities from all over the world. The quiet countryside setting is surrounded by valleys, hills and characteristic trulli houses, to feel completely immersed in nature and tradition. The perfect place to dive deep into the practice, live in the moment and reconnect back to self.
Find Balance
Embrace the essence of Puglia in a restored old stone barn.
The indoor yoga space is a restored old stone barn that celebrates Puglia culture, embracing history and tradition. With white-washed walls, natural wood flooring and sandstone archways made from local stone, it is a bright, spacious and airy environment to offer stillness, reflection and inspiration. The shala is fully equipped with yoga mats, blocks, belts and straps, meditation pillows and blankets, so you won’t need to bring a thing. We cannot wait to embody the practice in this beautiful space!
Nourish Body & Soul
We believe a retreat is only as good as the food!
Why we are really going to Italy, THE FOOD! Food has always been part of the human story, every meal on retreat is an experience of connection. With meals served around a communal table, it will be a celebration of joy. Our food philosophy is all about nourishing and tasty foods that feed the soul! We have worked closely with the venue to offer delicious food, based on a PH alkaline diet with a wide variety of locally sourced products and organic ingredients, carefully selected among the freshest food of this great agricultural region. You will experience a healthy food journey through the Italian culinary culture and heritage; traditional recipes and contemporary cuisine combined with lots of vegan, raw and gluten & dairy-free dishes. Many fresh fruits and vegetables are picked straight from the kitchen garden and the menu changes according to the seasonality of products, bringing different tasteful delights to the table.
Each meal is prepared with love and care. Please let us know on your booking form if you have any dietary requirements.
Yoga Styles
Dynamic Flow
A strong, alignment-based vinyasa practice. Through intelligent sequencing, informed alignment, and yogic wisdom, students are encouraged to slow down and experience every moment of their lives. Our morning practices will be challenging and awakening, yet accessible for all levels.
Yin Yoga
Long, slow, and deep is one way to describe yin yoga. Postures are low to the ground and are held for longer periods of time to bring stillness and restoration to the body and mind. We believe in the balance, ease, and wholeness that Yin brings to students. These practices give you time to rest and digest and drop into a state of deep relaxation.
Sound Healing
Sound healing is the practice of using different sounds and instruments to create a deep connection with yourself, and your intuition and improve your emotional well-being. Amy will guide you through sound healing sessions using pure quartz crystal singing bowls, incorporating mediation techniques, and using mantra & intention setting to allow you to dive deep into relaxation. Sound healing baths will be practiced lying down using props to support the body, offering a space to rest, unwind & heal through the frequency of sound.
Gimme More
Throughout the week we will include special yoga workshops with Amy as well as sprinkle in pranayama and meditation experiences for a complete practice.
Explore the Region
There is nothing quite like experiencing the local way of life. We have a special day trip included throughout the retreat. There is so much to explore in this beautiful region, we struggled to pick just one town to visit, so we chose three! We will visit the Locorotondo village, known as one of the prettiest places in the Itria Valley, with its distinctive houses and narrow paved whitewashed alleys. Our personal favourite, Polignano a Mare, is famous for its 20 metre-high limestone cliff cove beach. Take a dip in the ocean, stroll through town or live the dolce vita life with an Aperol Spritz. The last stop on the tour will be Ostuni, known as the ‘White City’, this charming white-washed village sits on the top of a hill and feels like the crown of Puglia, above a sea of olive groves and the twinkling Adriatic coastline. The white-painted town forms a maze of cobbled streets and narrow staircases. You will discover restaurants, churches, and residential buildings celebrating Romanesque and Byzantine architecture. The views overlooking the Adriatic Coastline are really something else!
There are so many more villages to explore close by - Alberobello, Martina Franca, Fasano and Cisternino to name a few. And for the beach lovers, Marina di Ostuni, Rosa Marina and Quarto di Monte. Our retreats are designed to give you ample free time so you can explore and rest at your leisure.
Accommodation & Rates
You will be staying on a restored Masseria in the heart of the Itria Valley.
The Masseria (farmhouse) has 10 rooms, a mix of Trulli rooms (traditional Apulian dwellings with cone-shaped roofs), rooms in the main house and a building next to the yoga shala. Each guest room is uniquely styled, to create a relaxed and calming atmosphere. All have an ensuite bathroom with a shower, toilet and basin.
Standard Single Ensuite: €2900 (SOLD OUT)
Standard Share Ensuite: €2600pp (SOLD OUT)
Large Single Ensuite: €3100 (SOLD OUT)
Large Share Ensuite: €2800pp (SOLD OUT)
A sample day on retreat
INCLUSIONS
5 Nights, 6 Days Accommodation
Daily Brunch, Snacks and Dinner
Tea and Coffee
2x Daily Yoga
Sound Healing Bath
Day Trip to Locorotondo, Polignano a Mare and Ostuni
Welcome Goodie Bag
7:30am: Tea & coffee
8:00am - 10:00am: Dynamic yoga
10:00am – 11:00am: Group brunch
11:00am – 5:00pm: Free Time, Massage, Pool Hangs, Explore Local Villages and Beaches
5:00pm – 7:00pm: Yin, Restorative Yoga or Sound Bath
7:00pm – 8:00pm: Dinner
8:00pm - Free time
EXCLUSIONS:
Airfares & Airport Transfers, Travel & Medical Insurance, Additional Food and Drink, Massage, Transfer Local Town & Beaches
How to book
Step 1: Click the Book Now Button
Here you will find room allocations and pricing.
Step 2: Make Deposit or Pay In Full
To secure your retreat space, a €500 non-refundable deposit is required the the time of booking. All final payments are due by February 1st, 2024.
Step 3: Purchase Insurance
We encourage you to purchase travel insurance upon booking.
FAQ
Who is this retreat for?
Our retreats are available to anyone who is wanting to take a week off from their busy life and experience a week of yoga, nourishing food and connect with like minded people in the most dreamy places. Whether you’re a regular practitioner or new to yoga, you’re all welcome and will be fully supported. We will be moving our bodies a lot on retreat so please let us know in your booking form if you have any injuries, health conditions or recent surgeries so we can cater for you.
Do I need to have a regular yoga practice to attend?
All of our retreats are availale to the beginner yogi to the advanced and the non-yogi partner or friend that is brand new to yoga. We are all about inclusivity and inspiring people to live their lives to the fullest in a healthy way.
Can I come alone?
Absolutely! A yoga retreat is a great place to make new friends and meet like minded people. You are welcome to book a single room or we can pair you up with other solo travellers for a shared room (double room) if available. If for some reason there is no one to pair you with for a shared room, you would need to pay for a single room.
How many people will be on the retreat?
The group size varies depending on the destination and venue. Typically our experiences average between 12 - 18 students and ensure the perfect teacher to studio ratio so everyone feels supported and connected. The more students, the more teachers. We love to create an intimate environment to create community while still giving you the freedom to be able to do your own thing when you like.
What food can I expect on retreat?
Only the best! We love food and it is such an important part of the retreat experience. We work with our venues to curate a beautiful menu of fresh and local cuisines. Typically meals are communal and a time to connect and share. If you have any dietary or medical considerations, please let us know in your booking form.
Are flight and airport transfers included?
Flights and transfers are not included in the retreat price unless otherwise specified for your destination.
How do I get to the retreat venue?
We recommend flying into Bari Airport (1hr 30 minutes drive to venue) or Brindisi (1hr drive to venue). We can help you organise transfers to/from the venue. Please let us know on your booking form if you require assistance.
How do I secure my space for the retreat?
For each retreat we require you to submit your booking form and make a non-refundable deposit to secure your space. Please follow the booking buttons above.
What should I bring?
We will provide you with a suggested packing list for each retreat. We always recommend a swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, walking shoes, journal, reusable water bottle and of course, comfortable athletic wear for duration of your retreat. We will let you know if you need to bring a yoga mat and props or if they will be provided by the venue.
Can I come early or stay longer at the venue?
We love when retreaters extend their retreat into a longer holiday! Staying onsite is dependent on what the venue allows. We will let you know when you book if this is available.
What if I need to cancel my booking?
Please read our cancellation policy located on the booking form carefully prior to booking and paying for your €500 non-refundable deposit.
What If the retreat is cancelled due to covid-19?
Please visit our Covid-19 Policy https://www.nectarflows.com/covid19-policy.
I have more questions, how do I get in touch?
We love questions! Please email us at hello@nectarflows.com and we will provide all the answers.
Testimonials
“Amy’s the best teacher you can wish for and Nectar retreats are the perfect mix of yoga, amazing food, the most beautiful nature and of course the unique Nectar community!”
“I went on the Greece retreat earlier this year. I 100% recommend going on a Nectar Retreat. There was the perfect balance between yoga and relaxation. Our teachers, Amy and Becky, were incredible - guiding us through vinyasa, yin and various workshops. I really deepened my yoga practice but was able to do it at a pace that wasn’t overwhelming and I felt so safe in Amy and Beckys hands. The food was delicious - healthy, fresh, vegetarian food and incredible vegan treats. The week was heaven on earth. Thank you Nectar!”
“Nectar retreats was that perfect yoga and foodie escape! Amazing for anyone who is keen to get away to explore new places, move their bodies and enhance their yoga practice, meet new likeminded people and eat all the food!!”