Puglia Passion

“You may have the universe if I may have Italy.”
—Giuseppe Verdi

From white-washed villages and ancient olive groves to sun-drenched beaches – Our Italian love story  in Southern Italy.

Unpretentious and enchanted, this land of red earth, ancient olive trees and white villages is bathed by two crystal seas.

Welcome to a very Italian love story! Fall in love with Puglia, the unbuttoned, unspoiled “heel of the boot”. It’s a lavish feast for all the senses. We’re back for a sixth time in this unique and ancient land.

You’ll be welcomed into the heart of this genuine culture with our expert local staff. Puglia is thriving with succulent food traditions, local wines, loads of beauty, and some of the friendliest people in Italy. 

With a still-genuine atmosphere and food the rest of Italy swoons over, Puglia will steal your heart!

We’ll be staying in a gorgeous Masseria, a historic Puglian manor-farm turned perfectly stylish – but still family-run. A very special place, reserved exclusively for us.

Opt in to daily yoga for an inspired, invigorating start to each day; wonderful biking to discover the trulli-studded countryside and ancient olive groves with 2,000-year-old trees. (The terrain is easy to moderate, so even if you are not a regular biker, you can choose an electric-assist bike, and all tours are fully van supported).

Explore traditional white villages and Baroque towns; discover the authentic food-culture with local producers and enjoy handpicked restaurants starring creative farm-to-table cooking at every meal. All of this with our wonderful, local Italian crew taking care of every little thing with grace, passion, and joy. Viva! 

Live your Italian love story.

Yoga and biking

Enjoy daily yoga, excellent bike tours and other special local excursions each day. Get ready for a fantastic adventure with our local guides who’ve become dear friends, passionate about their “terra” and excited to show us her secrets. Authentic villages, beaches, a great city day, foodie visits to very authentic local producers, seaside towns, and ancient sites.

Landscapes of dream

Explore the magical, trulli-studded landscape we'll be riding through, which encompasses many of the region's most beautiful towns including Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site with 1,500 trulli houses; Ostuni, "the White City", the charming villages of Cisternino and Locorotondo, and the ancient seaside town of Monopoli.

Revel in a superb beach day, crystal-clear seas, coastal vistas, and oh yes—a spa day.

History and culture

We’ll enjoy a full day trip to explore the mysterious ancient city of Matera, located in the neighboring region of Basilicata. Matera was named 2020 European City of Culture. Visually stunning, Matera has been the setting for many movies including Scorcese’s The Last Temptation of Christ, and the latest James Bond movie. But it is the power of Matera’s profound history and ancient aura and that defies description.

Food and wine

Taste and indulge in one of the world’s most luscious, indigenous culinary traditions. From exceptional olive oils, to freshly-made cheeses, to wines, Puglia is the epitome of farm-to-table cuisine. Delight all of your senses and learn from the passionate local experts (did we mention gelato…and latte di mandorla made of local almonds? The list of divinities is long…).

This is your retreat.

All activities are optional. Feel free to participate as much or as little as you like in all of the offerings. Relaxation by the pool is always on offer. Italians esteem the practice of dolce far niente, “sweet doing-nothing”. 

The retreat is structured so you will have a wonderful experience with great ease.

The retreat fee includes:

• Boutique accommodation for 7 nights in a historic Masseria of great beauty and charm, reserved exclusively for us. (Our Masseria is family owned and stars on the cover of a new book, “Secret Puglia: Amazing Places to Stay”.

• All bountiful, gourmet meals for the retreat  (except for two lunches out). Breakfast, lunch, dinner, plus snacks and tastings.

• Daily yoga with Julia ( 1 - 2 times/day )

• The services and expertise of our experienced local guides

• Hand-selected top, local restaurants and the gourmet feasts served at our masseria’s restaurant, which is locally-known for its excellent food.

• All daily excursions including transportation.

• Guided, fully-supported bike tours to discover the landscape, villages, trulli, seaside towns and ancient sites. Extra miles offered for those who want to pedal more.

• Foodie-culture visits to authentic local olive-oil producers, cheese-makers, and other genuine farms off-the-beaten-track.

• Day Trip to Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage city, with an expert guide, including transportation.

• Beach day on the Adriatic Sea (weather permitting)

• Expert local guides plus 1 or 2 support vans and bike trailer.

  The retreat fee does not include:

• Airfare to Italy

• Airport Transfers (we can arrange it for you)

• Bike rental

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

Your Retreat Gives Back

It's not just a vacation!

Your participation includes a generous donation to our active little non-profit foundation, Young Cultural-Leaders With Spiritual Insight. Since 2013 we’ve been supporting the education of local youth in Bali so they can thrive and carry on their magnificent artistic and spiritual heritage.

Learn more about our foundation.

Pricing

The retreat starts at $3950 per person in a Superior double room. Scroll to Retreat Details for room choices and options.

Cycle through the historic villages and stunning coastline of Puglia.

We’ll enjoy fun and varied bike tours through beautiful countryside during our week. We’ve selected the best routes on mostly tiny, quiet roads, carefully designed and led by our fabulous local cycling guides Vito and Giancarlo.

Pedal through the countryside and along the coast, including the most celebrated villages and towns of the Valle d’Itria, among them UNESCO World Heritage Site Alberobello, charming Locorotondo, Ostuni the “White City”, the ancient seaside town of Monopoli with its castle and seafood, and lovely Cisternino village for a lavish lunch.

A detailed cycling itinerary of our routes provided on request, describing the historic places we’ll pedal throughout the charming Valle d’Itria and spectacular coast, with opportunities to relax en route over coffee and gelato.

The cycling is accessible to everyone, with a moderate level of fitness, because we have E-bikes available! And our guides are happy to add extended routes for passionate cyclists wanting their fill.

Bike Selection

We have a great selection of top-quality bikes available for rent, including electric-assisted bikes to suit your riding style and experience level.

You choose your desired type of bike based on your experience and fitness level, ranging from lightweight hybrids, to top-quality carbon road bikes, or the popular choice: an electric-assisted bike!

E-bikes are easy to ride, simple, and so much fun. You still get to pedal, but a battery offers a boost of power when you need it.

Getting active for your trip

Before your trip, we suggest cycling regularly and hitting the hills whenever you can. A little training on your bike goes a long way to helping you maximize your fun of your trip. Most importantly, just show up and have fun!

A detailed itinerary of our rides will be sent to you after registration. If you want it really casual, or don’t have time to train, then choose an excellent, electric-assisted-bike which makes the riding a breeze.

You will ride at your enjoyable pace. On each day you decide what and how much you want to do.

Read more here about electric-assisted bikes and selection of bike choices.

All are invited and welcome. Participation is optional.

All levels of yoga experience, as well as bodies and abilities, will be honored and provided for.

We will practice outdoors among the olive trees weather permitting, or indoors in the beautiful spa with vaulted ceilings and natural light.

Note: Feel free to opt out of the yoga practice if you so desire. Perhaps what your body needs is extra sleep or a stroll through the olive grove with a caffe Latte in hand.

What to expect

Morning yoga sessions will be invigorating, alignment-based classes. The emphasis is on moving with awareness and depth, rather than performing poses.

Expect meaningful traditional yoga infused with functional biomechanics and inspiration, that’s accessible and playfully challenging for all levels. We will build the practice over the course of the week.

Late-afternoon sessions will be restorative, and are offered to help you deepen practice, balance the nervous system, and integrate the day’s experiences. You’ll learn simple take-home practices, including meditation, effectively breaking habitual patterns of stress.

Expect to have fun, build strength, stability and agility, develop breath, focus and clarity, and enjoy the present moment in this fun-loving environment.

Learn more about Julia’s yoga study, training and certifications.

Relax and enjoy wonderful hospitality at our Masseria.

Considered one of the top hidden gems of Puglia, yet our masseria is family-run by its owners, who've lived here for generations.

Our Masseria is Puglia-country-chic, comfortable and very beautiful. It was one of the first traditional estates in the region to accept guests, and is set on the edge of the little village of Speziale di Fasano.

The masseria has been recently renovated with great style and taste, and even features on the cover of a new book “Secret Puglia: Amazing Places to Stay.”
There is a gorgeous pool, spacious courtyards with ancient olive trees, and an exquisite little spa with steam, sauna and massage . The rooms are stylish and comfortable, all with private bathrooms, and are set around an inner courtyard. The architecture is all white, according to local custom.

Our masseria is locally known for its excellent food, and everything is homemade from local produce. Expect to see many locals dining here in the evenings!

Airport

• Fly to Brindisi or Bari. Connecting through Rome is a great option!

• We recommend flying into Rome, and then catching a flight to Brindisi (BDS) is first choice; Bari (BRI)- is fine, too. Flights to Brindisi and Bari depart Rome's Leonardo da Vinci - Fiumicino Airport (FCO) several times daily. Brindisi is closer and is a nice place to stay and explore if you arrive early.

Dates to know

• The retreat begins with lunch together at our Masseria at 1 pm on Thursday, October 3. 

• Please plan to arrive in Brindisi or Bari airports no later than 11 am on October 3.

• We highly encourage you to arrive in Italy at least a day or two early to acclimate to the time zone and enjoy more of fabulous Italy!

• The main retreat ends on Thursday, October 10 after breakfast. Early departures can be accommodated as needed to make flights. Afternoon flights are preferable. Check-out time is 11 am.

• Salento Extension: If you are joining the Salento Retreat Extension, we head out on our 4-night cycling adventure directly after breakfast on October 10, and end after yoga and breakfast on October 14. Shared transfers will be organized for you back to Brindisi airport or train station to meet your afternoon flights. Drive time is 90 minutes.

Shuttle to the Retreat

• We will coordinate a taxi for you, or a shared transfer (if others arriving in your same timeframe) from/to the Brindisi (or Bari) airport to the masseria, according to your arrival/departure needs.

Travel planning assistance

• We will be in touch with you about your travel plans to help you coordinate your travel and shuttles to meet your flights.

• We encourage you to stay longer in Italy – we can help with suggestions for your post-retreat travel. 

Travel Insurance

• Please purchase travel insurance to protect your health and wellbeing as well as your retreat investment, from unforeseen circumstances before or during your retreat. For more information, read here.

• We highly recommend purchasing trip/travel insurance at the time you book your retreat.

• Suggested companies include: Generali, Safety Wing, World Nomads, among many others.

Further travel details will be sent after registration.

• We are happy to help you find the best route.

• We will provide you a steady diet of additional pre-departure information, including both inspirational and practical things you’ll want to know.

• We will prep, prime and inspire you on all levels for a wonderful journey to Puglia!

Dates

8 Days/7 Nights

September 30 - October 7, 2023
Maximum number of retreat participants: 13

Pricing

All prices are per person.

beautiful Double occupancy room (two full beds or one king) - $3850
beautiful Single occupancy room (one King bed) - $4450

A $900 deposit is required to confirm your spot on the retreat, or you may pay in full.

The remaining balance is due by June 30, 2023. (Special payment plans can be arranged.)

For the post-retreat Salento Extension October 7 - 11, Max participants: 10
5 Days/4 Nights

Please register separately for the Salento Extension Here

Ready to book your fabulous retreat to Puglia?

What travelers are saying

“Best trip I have ever been on— and that’s saying a lot – I travel all the time and I have been on many guided trips! Everything was perfect! Great biking, great food, great guides, great atmosphere! Everything was beyond expectation Julia you are a special soul, and the best travel-leader ever! Thank you for helping me relax in yoga (– at least for a week?)

– Lizzie Peters Dudley, NC

“This trip far, far exceeded all expectation – it was the best trip ever and our best vacation ever. That coast! These towns! Incredible. You are the best. This was unforgettable!

-Dave and Jodi Forsland, Alaska

“Thank you to everyone involved with this gorgeous trip, for creating such a meaningful experience for me. This was a trip of a lifetime! I loved the biking challenge and the joy of the Italian lifestyle and ambiance of the beautiful places we inhabited, thanks to the tasteful and meaningful curation by Julia. Julia, you are an Italian cognoscenti! A true gem!

–Suzanne Martinson, Florida

“I’ve been on three of your trips now – they are the perfect balance and combination of beauty, movement, a little culture, adventures, incredible food experiences and learning. I learn so much from you! You are a genius at finding amazing places and people! Today in Puglia was just a perfect day for me, I am overcome with the emotion and gratitude for it all.”

-Katerina Zapletalova, Prague

“Extraordinary. In every way! Ahh, Puglia with Julia...I might have to return on both retreats planned for next year.

Puglia was a special opportunity to enjoy a unique experience in a place less traveled. A retreat experience that is both connected to the environment, land & sea, AND luxurious. Julia always has the best guide-staff, best places to explore and dine. Every single day was spectacular and made the trip standout. The yoga is amazing too.”

-Karen Bertrand, Menlo Park, CA

“It’s easy to compliment something so extraordinary! Skip and I are still basking in the warm glow of the Puglia Passion Retreat. It was perfect in every way, as was your attention to detail and your zest for life! Had a blast biking, meeting new friends, and remembering how good it feels to do yoga. I’m reliving this spectacular adventure every time I get to rave to friends about it. Everyone wants to redo it time and time again.”

–Michelle Weller

“Puglia was my fourth trip with Julia and it exceeded my very-high expectations! From our first day on the beach to our last day relaxing at the spa our time in Puglia was filled with new experiences of this fascinating part of Italy. The unique architecture, the amazing cuisine and the wonderful people we met were all part of a very special journey. Ancient olive trees, cheese making demos, garden-to-table meals....truly amazing! Thank you Julia!

–Lois Watson, CAN

“I can’t even come up with enough superlatives for the Puglia retreat experience! Traveling with Julia Ingersoll on her “Yoga+…" Retreats has become a highlight of my year. This was my eighth trip with Julia and my husband’s fourth! 2018 was the inaugural year of the Puglia Passion, with yoga plus cycling, so of course I was there, with spouse & friends. More plusses: eating, drinking, spa-ing, strolling, & a tiny bit of shopping. The most exquisite masseria to stay in, with delicious food.  Highlights were centuries-old olive trees, and discussions with their caretakers. Partaking in fresh mozzarella making - and sampling. Dancing with a local band. Riding with great guides on the oldest Roman roads. And yoga with Julia! She is a master at making friends with the most fascinating and friendly local people, and you know as soon as you meet her that you are her top priority for this very special week. Julia is super organized, multilingual, and makes magic happen. I follow her all over the world!

We loved everything about it! The cycling, the lavish feasts, the excellent yoga, the laughs and the fantastic people. I meditated with an olive tree carbon-dated to be 3,800 years old. It’s hard to explain or even comprehend the feeling of sitting with the oldest being I’ve ever encountered.”

– Tricia and Dave Armstrong, Tuscon, AZ and CAN

“I feel this trip elevated my sense of what my life can be like—like I need to raise the level to come up to how amazing it was, how amazing I felt! Quite the contrary of a typical vacation that I have to recover from, LOL. I feel empowered by this whole experience, met great people, pushed my boundaries, and had a blast.”

–Michelle Bahr, Germany and USA

“I made a great leap and it was my best decision of the year! Thank you for opening my heart, showing me new and exciting experiences; Puglia with you and your great guides is just amazing and I am in love with everything – poppies, cycling, the sea, the mozzarella, the people, and all things Italian. My soul is full!”

– Susan Wiens, Pasadena, CA