OVERVIEW

ACCOMODATION

Our home for the week will be at the fabulous new ultra-chic boutique hotel OttolireNestled among ancient olive groves, vineyards, and the iconic trulli of the Itria Valley, Ottolire Resort is an intimate luxury masseria where authentic Puglian heritage meets contemporary comfort. For five restorative nights, this beautifully restored countryside retreat will be our sanctuary—a place to slow down, reconnect, and embrace the rhythms of southern Italy.

Each morning begins with yoga surrounded by nature before enjoying a generous breakfast showcasing the region's freshest seasonal ingredients. Throughout the retreat, you'll have time to unwind beside the panoramic pool, indulge in treatments at the resort's unique Trullo Spa, or simply savour the peaceful beauty of the surrounding landscape. The resort also celebrates Puglia's renowned culinary traditions with farm-to-table dining, themed Apulian evenings, and dishes inspired by local producers and generations of regional recipes.

Perfectly positioned in the heart of the Valle d'Itria, Ottolire offers easy access to some of Puglia's most enchanting towns, allowing us to weave together wellness, culture, and unforgettable food experiences. During the week we'll explore whitewashed villages, discover artisan traditions, taste exceptional local cuisine, and immerse ourselves in the slower pace of Italian country life before returning each evening to our peaceful oasis.

Located in the Valle d’Itria, which is one of the prettiest areas of Puglia, (the sun-splashed heel of the Italian boot), we will be surrounded by olive groves, ancient fortified farms and whitewashed towns spilling down the rolling hills towards vineyards and orchards. Outside are terraces encircled by chestnut and olive trees, a pool that’s large enough for laps, and an organic garden where fruit and vegetables are grown for the restaurant. It’s a stylish slice of rural Italian life, a place to savor simple delights: dappled sunlight on your skin, a poolside siesta in the shade of a prickly-pear tree, a glass of local wine at sunset, and the chatter of birds from the hotel’s surrounding estate.

ACTIVITES

Our day trips will allow us to experience the many unique landscapes and activities that this area has to offer. We will take a tour through Puglia's famous "trulli" (white, cone-shaped houses) in the town of Alberobello, a UNESCO heritage site where the main concentration of these trulli still stand. We'll enjoy a walk around town and a meal at an award-winning restaurant with a tasting menu + wine pairing. Next, we will visit a unique cheese farm for a tasting in the area before heading to another cultural site. One day will include a winery visit with a tour and tasting, and in another day trip we will visit one of the area’s most picturesque towns, with plenty of photo-worthy vistas and blue waters in Polignano al Mare. We will round out the week with massage treatments and plenty of time to relax at our home-away-from-home, with it’s beautiful pool, walking trails, and more.

CUISINE

Healthful cuisine* is part of the retreat experience, including breakfasts and dinners daily, as well as selected lunches. Puglia is often called Italy's kitchen—and for good reason. Blessed with fertile farmland, ancient olive groves, and a spectacular Adriatic coastline, the region is celebrated for its fresh, seasonal, and beautifully simple cuisine. Here, meals are a celebration of local ingredients, family traditions, and the slower pace of southern Italian life.

Throughout the retreat, you'll experience Puglia through its incredible food culture. We'll visit a traditional family-run cheese farm to discover how the region's famous mozzarella, burrata, and other artisan cheeses are made before enjoying a tasting. We'll sample some of Italy's finest extra virgin olive oils while learning about centuries-old olive-growing traditions that have shaped the region's landscape.

Wine also plays an important role in Puglian life, and we'll spend an afternoon at a local winery, tasting distinctive regional varietals while learning about the area's rich winemaking heritage. One of the highlights of the week will be a hands-on Italian cooking class, where you'll learn to prepare authentic Puglian dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques passed down through generations. We'll also gather for a relaxed pizza party—an evening of delicious wood-fired pizzas, local wine, laughter, and connection under the southern Italian sky (and usually some fun Pugliese dancing comes along with it!)

This is more than a culinary journey—it's an invitation to experience the warmth, generosity, and joy that define Puglian hospitality, where every meal becomes an opportunity to slow down, connect, and savour the moment.

*In the yogic tradition, meals on our retreats are vegetarian. When the company was founded, we wanted to create consistency and integrity within our yogic lineage as well as finding the most consistent way in each location to leave a light footprint. We know not all our guests are vegetarian, but we ask that they be open and understanding of the principles that guide this choice for just the few days that we are together. That said, breakfast is an open menu with all diets being represented, so there are usually options of meat / fish. Plus, a couple of the provided meals at sea-based locations will have an option for seafood, and of course guests can choose whatever they prefer from menus when we are on our own for a few meals during the week. Special allergies can be addressed and noted.

WELLNESS

Daily meditation and yoga classes will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle, restorative, and more vigorous vinyasa flow and ashtanga styles.* Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students' needs, and with a small intimate retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice. Depending on each retreat location, classes will be held in a dedicated indoor yoga space and some also offer outdoor options as well for us to use if the weather is agreeable.

AMY COMMANDER

Amy found yoga in 2003 after a knee injury from long distance running. Following the advice of a friend, she started taking classes in an effort to help get her knee healthy enough to continue running in marathons and racing. It did not take long for her to realize that yoga was a much healthier and more sustainable form of mental and spiritual exercise, eventually leaving running behind in favor of yoga. In 2008, Amy opened her first yoga studio that she successfully ran for over twelve years. In addition to being a studio owner and having over 14 years experience actively teaching, Amy is an accomplished intuitive. Having completed her advanced training with Astrologer Debra Silverman, Amy enjoys providing in-depth astrology readings to support members in their healing journey. She is also a certified master Reiki healer, an oracle/tarot reader, and certified holistic nutrition counselor. After losing one of her closest friends to cancer in 2020, Amy went back to school for nutrition, successfully graduating from IIN (Institute for Integrative Nutrition). Amy has since started a new business, Yogi Bites, offering nutrition services of all kinds, including home baked goods. She is the owner of “The Studio”, in St Augustine Florida.

* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!

WHAT PAST GUESTS ARE SAYING

DETAILS / PRICING

• 6 days / 5 nights (Sep 22-27, 2027)

• Inclusive Retreat Price = $4395 (shared room*), +$995 (single room supplement)

  EARLY BIRD PROMO - SAVE $150 UNTIL JUL 31, 2026

• Deposit to hold space = $1500

• Max # Guests = 14

* Please note that shared rooms will not be confirmed until both spaces are filled. Many of our guests come alone and we match up based on guest profile. Rooms are spacious with separate beds and private bathrooms.
** 50% of final balance due 120 days before retreat start date, and remaining 50% due 60 days before retreat start date.
Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED *:

• Hotel accommodation (spacious bedrooms each with private bathrooms, linens)

• Daily Breakfast and Dinner

• Selected Lunches

• Airport Transfers on retreat start/end days

• Transportation to/from day trips

• Daily meditation and yoga classes

• Use of hotel amenities (pool, relax rooms, etc.)

• Chef tasting menu dinner + wine pairing in Alberobello

• Cheese farm visit with tour + tasting

• Winery visit, tour, tasting

• Day in Alberobello, trulli, walking tour, freetime

• Day in coastal town of Polignano al Mare

• Pizza Party Dinner

• Cooking Class

• Olive oil tasting

• Cheese Farm tour & Tasting

• Spa treatment

• Taxes

• * airfare not included
  ** all meals are vegetarian. special dietary restrictions can be accommodated
  ***activities may change based on weather or unforeseen circumstances

TRAVEL:

• Located in the heart of Valle d'Itria in the territory of central Puglia, Ottolire Resort is just outside of the picturesque town of Locorotondo

• The hotel is about 65 km from Brindisi Papola Casale airport and about 80 km from Bari Palese airport.

• AIRPORTS: Brindisi Salento Airport (BDS), Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI)

• Airport transfers to the Masseria will be provided to and from the retreat on start and end dates

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.

• Bathing suit (beach, pool, spa)

• Comfortable shoes

• Yoga clothes *YOGA MATS PROVIDED*

• Personal yoga props

• Plug adaptors / converters

• Insect repellant

• Sunscreen

• Casual clothing, layer for various weather

• Journal