A women-only ‘week away’ in Puglia designed to nourish and rejuvenate through the practice of pilates and learning the Italian art of being present.
During eight days spent in a masseria, a fortified farm converted into a beautiful hotel surrounded by olive groves, you will observe a ‘slower’ approach to living. Like stepping back in time, the landscape of southern Italy is an invitation to observe an older, more connected world, where shepherds are seen grazing their sheep, homemade pasta is a daily ritual, and wealth is measured by the moments spent with friends, around the dining table or the stern of a sailboat.
Largely undiscovered by travelers outside Italy, the region of Puglia, or "Apulia" as it was known by the Romans, preserves a way of life where traditional Italy still thrives, in step with the seasons and shaped by the sea. Unlike a tour spent hurrying from one site to another, this retreat unfolds from one home base and each day begins with the grounding practice of Pilates, followed by activities that embrace a Pugliese approach to life and wellness.
Throughout the week, you'll take time to connect with olive farmers, cheese-makers, vintners, and poets; you'll cycle between seaside towns, create ceramics with local artisans, and learn traditional Puglian recipes in a cooking class with your masseria chef; you'll also find time to relax and unwind, whether by the pool, sailing the Mediterranean coast, or enjoying candlelit dinners with friends.
Arriving at your peaceful masseria, a historic farm dating back to the 1700s, you will have time to settle in, explore the property, and relax by the pool with an Aperol Spritz before our first evening together.
Around 5:00 pm, we will gather for an aperitivo and an introduction to Alithea’s style of slow travel. This evening, our first shared dinner unfolds here at the masseria, all’italiana: a generous, multi-course meal prepared with the freshest ingredients of the region. Enjoy your first taste of Puglia’s cuisine with candlelit conversation and good company, as the women you’ll be hiking, sailing, and sharing the week with come into gentle focus.
Transportation: Transfers from Brindisi Airport
Meals Included: Dinner
Our first full day begins with a mat Pilates class together, a practice that returns awareness to the intelligence of the body. After breakfast, we will set out on bicycles and ride into the landscapes of Salento, following a route along the coast and passing through towns that still bear the marks of the region’s long history. With a few stops along the way, we will reach the walled city of Otranto, where you will have time to stroll through the colorful streets, browse the local shops, and enjoy free time for lunch by the sea. In the afternoon, we will make our way back to the masseria, where there will be time to rest before gathering again for dinner, sharing memories of the day and looking ahead to all that is still to come.
Biking: 3 hours
Meals at Leisure: Lunch
Meals Included: Dinner
After an energizing Pilates class and a shared breakfast, our day will be devoted to the traditions and flavors of Puglia. We will make our way to Cutrofiano, a town whose history and identity are deeply rooted in the ancient practice of ceramics. Here we will be welcomed by the Donatis family, heirs to a lineage of sculptors that stretches back to the 1650s. We will spend the morning in their boutique family workshop, where you will have the opportunity to try throwing pottery on the wheel with a one-on-one demonstration, and a chance to paint free-hand in the traditional style of the region.
Following the ceramics visit, we will walk to a nearby vineyard for a shared lunch. Here you will be welcomed into a beautiful family-owned estate, and you'll have the option to try some of Puglia’s signature wines such as Negroamaro and Primitivo, paired with fresh seasonal dishes. After taking our time to enjoy lunch and explore the property’s underground olive press and wine cathedral, we will head back together to our masseria. The evening remains open, an invitation to choose between the familiar comfort of the villa for dinner, or to venture to the unknown tables of a nearby town.
Transportation: 30 minutes
Meals at Leisure: Dinner
Meals Included: Lunch
Pilates opens the morning with an invitation to inhabit the body more consciously, providing movement that is mindful and attuned. Our morning continues with a stunning hike along the Adriatic coast, through limestone cliffs and wide viewpoints overlooking the sea, where the ancient pajare still stand. We will finish our hike at a striking coastal canyon, where you will have time for lunch, a spritz, a swim, or to continue exploring the surrounding area on foot. In the afternoon, we return to the masseria for a private cooking class with our chef. Here under the stone arches, the shaping of orecchiette and maccheroncini pasta, local staples in the region, become tactile reminders that real nourishment is an act of participation in cultural traditions. The day closes with shared dinner and music, enriched by the knowledge that we created our meal together by hand.
Transportation: 1 hour
Hiking: 2 hours
Meals at Leisure: Lunch
Meals Included: Dinner
This morning unfolds at a gentler pace. After breakfast and coffee, a later Pilates class offers time to move with greater ease, while time by the pool or in the spa invites quiet rest. In the early afternoon, we make our way to Lecce, a city of remarkable baroque architecture and layered history, where traces of the ancient world remain woven into the fabric of everyday life. We will move beyond the city’s best-known landmarks, including the ancient amphitheater and the richly carved façade of the Basilica di Santa Croce, to discover some of Lecce’s quieter corners and hidden details. Along the way, there will also be suggestions for distinctive local shops and places that offer a more intimate sense of the city’s character. Afterward, there will be time to enjoy Lecce at leisure, with the rest of the afternoon free for shopping and a stroll through the city, before an aperitivo at sunset and dinner in town.
Transportation: 20 minutes
Walking: 3 hours
Meals at Leisure: Lunch and Dinner
Today after Pilates and breakfast, we embark with Captain Vito upon the Ionian Sea, where the wind becomes both guide and teacher. Gliding past the coastline, lighthouse, and the historic city of Gallipoli, the sails reveal the landscape from a perspective of surrender and flow. Swimming in clear waters and savoring Pugliese snacks aboard will reinforce this underlying lesson: joy often arises when we allow ourselves to be carried. We will return to the port around lunchtime, when there will be time for a free lunch in Gallipoli and the chance to explore the town at leisure. From the Greek Kale Polis, meaning “beautiful city,” Gallipoli is best discovered slowly, walking through its narrow streets and along the old walls overlooking the sea. Later in the day, we will return to the masseria, where the evening remains open—whether for a quiet night of rest or the chance to discover another nearby town.
Transportation: 45 minutes
Sailing: 3 hours
Meals at Leisure: Lunch and Dinner
After Pilates and breakfast, we’ll hop back on the bicycles and head to a nearby farm, where you will learn to make mozzarella and other traditional cheeses by hand. We’ll enjoy lunch here together, surrounded by nature and the animals whose milk gave form to these fresh cheeses. Today’s journey also includes a visit to a historic frantoio, where olive oil was pressed to give light to entire cities, and a local farmer, Gaetano, will share the UNESCO endangered language of Griko, which acts as a fragile bridge to the region’s ancient Greek roots.
In the afternoon we return to the masseria for a celebratory four-course dinner. Beneath the Pugliese sky and the arches of the villa, our final meal together becomes a closing reflection: on the week’s discoveries, the bonds formed, and the subtle shifts in perception that occur when we travel with intention and purpose.
Biking: 3.5 hours
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Our retreat draws to its gentle close with an optional final Pilates session and breakfast. As you depart, your guides will be there to ease the transition and help you on your next leg of the journey. The memories and friendships you’ve cultivated throughout this week will not be left behind in Italy, but will be woven into your daily life, encouraging a disposition of openness, relationality, abundance, and appreciation for life’s simple joys.
What has been awakened within, always travels with you.
Transportation: 45 minutes
I loved how it was just women on this trip. Great bonding trip for all of us and I will treasure the time we had together
This trip was a once in a lifetime experience. Puglia was one of the most beautiful areas to visit, and all of the women supported each other throughout the journey. From yoga and pasta making to hiking, sailing, and art classes, each day was filled with experiences that shaped the trip and left me feeling grateful and thankful, guided every moment by an amazing team.
Everything!!! Sailing, clay making, pasta making, cheese making, Giada and Anna Rose and Gabriella
The amazing attention to detail and kindness from everyone. Thank You Guys!!!!
How beautiful and wonderful the area and people were. And how amazing the trip/activities were planned and executed.
I would highly recommend Alithea travel; in fact I already have since arriving home. All the arrangements were handled expertly by very pleasant and knowledgeable staff, including any deviations. My experience was excellent and I would use them again.
Alithea, that was an absolutely unforgettable trip. I'll always treasure the memories we made, especially the boat trip on the Adriatic Sea! Thank you for making it so special!
The travel adventure to Puglia was everything we dreamed of and more. The tour guide team were so knowledgeable and efficient at every moving part. They feel like family to us now. My group of ladies are so excited to travel with Alithea next Sept to Greece. ❤️
For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.
This is an active trip with physical activities planned each day. In addition to the morning workouts, you will spend considerable time walking, hiking, and cycling throughout the week. If you do not lead an active lifestyle or would like recommendations on how to prepare physically for the trip, please write to us before signing up.
The masseria is about one hour by car from Brindisi (BDS), the closest airport. A month before your trip begins, we will request your flight arrival details and will organize two free shuttles from Brindisi airport on the day of arrival. If you plan to arrive earlier, please let us know and we can help coordinate a transfer service at your own expense.
There is much more to see in Puglia, and spending a little extra time in the masseria is a great way to settle into the rhythms of southern Italy. If you wish to extend your stay before or after the trip dates, let us know and we’ll help coordinate the additional nights.
Brindisi is the closest airport to our masseria. ITA Airways has excellent flights from major US cities with connections through Rome to Brindisi. Swiss Airlines also offers various flights connecting through Zurich to Brindisi. Remember that transatlantic flights from the U.S. are overnight, so you'll need to depart at least one day before intended arrival. We recommend booking flights 3-5 months prior to departure.
Yes! We are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and other dietary needs. One month before the start of the trip, we will send out a request for any allergies or dietary restrictions, and we will plan accordingly with the chefs to ensure safe and enjoyable dining.
Absolutely. When you go to book, select 'Single Occupancy Traveler' and we'll make sure you have your own room.
We’ll send a more comprehensive packing list prior to departure, but in general, bring enough clothes for the week, including active wear and casual wear. We advise good closed-toed shoes or athletic sandals for biking and trekking, a swimsuit, a sweater or jacket, and comfortable, enjoyable outfits for excursions and meals.
The Masseria and many cafes are equipped with WiFi. Italy uses a Type C charging port. Keeping your phone on airplane mode and using only WiFi will ensure no charges for data roaming. If you wish to purchase data, check with your carrier to see what international plans are offered. Alternatively, an Italian SIM card through Vodafone may be purchased in the airport, or e-SIMs may be purchased on apps such as Airalo. To use an international SIM card, your phone must be “unlocked” by your provider, which you can find in your settings.
Yes. Starting in late 2026, U.S. citizens will be required to obtain an ETIAS travel authorization before entering Europe.
ETIAS is a simple online application, with responses typically issued within 96 hours. Once approved, it is electronically linked to your passport.
ETIAS is not yet in operation, but it is expected to be introduced soon. We kindly ask travelers to check whether ETIAS is required for their travel dates and to complete the application if necessary.
To apply, please visit: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias
