La Dolce Vita Yoga & Holiday Retreat
A small, intimate yoga retreat in the heart of Lecce's old town. Not just a yoga retreat: a total Puglian experience, in beautiful Italian style.
A relaxed yoga holiday, the Italian way
Puglia is where I'm from, and I can't wait to share it with you: great food, real human interaction, and two practices a day on a rooftop above the city.
An intimate retreat that combines great yoga practice with the best of what Puglia has to offer: delicious food, great activities and wonderful sightseeing. The real Dolce Vita experience.
You'll stay at Palazzetto Giravolta, a palazzo in Lecce's historic centre, eat meals prepared by our local cook, and adopt the Italian aperitivo tradition. Each day has one dynamic and one restorative practice, some sightseeing, and time to relax: the mini-pool, the beach, a little shopping.
Every level is welcome. The morning flow is dynamic, with options for everyone, and the evening practice is slow and restorative. No pressure to master new poses: just good practice, good food and good company.
Yoga on the rooftop
Every class happens on the terrace, above the rooftops and bell towers of Lecce. Mats, blocks and props are all provided, and I'll give you hands-on guidance whenever it helps (just tell me if you'd rather not be adjusted).
Your home for the week: Palazzetto Giravolta
A 19th-century palazzetto in a quiet little street of Lecce's old town, a few steps from Piazza del Duomo and the cathedral.
Restored with real character: classic Lecce architecture, design interiors, eclectic pieces from different periods, and Pompeian-style frescoes brought back to light on the walls. Every bedroom has French windows onto a balcony, over the inner courtyard or the street below.
Upstairs, the terraces are the heart of the retreat: our rooftop yoga space, a long sofa and loungers in the sun, a 12-seat table for dinners under the sky, an outdoor shower, and a mini-pool and solarium on the upper level. All with a 360° view over the bell towers and rooftops of the historic centre, and the sunset over the old town.
Choose your week
5 nights, small group. Reserve online and hold your place with a deposit (€400 per person in a shared room, €500 in a single); the balance is due 6 weeks before arrival.
Per person, all inclusive
Prices include accommodation, two classes a day, brunch and dinner, and excursions. Every room has its own en-suite bathroom.
Reserve and pay the deposit
A short form, then €400 per person for a shared room or €500 for a single, paid securely by card. Your place is held straight away.
Roberto confirms your room
He emails you to confirm your room and sends a link to the full booking form to complete and sign online.
Pay the balance
Due 6 weeks before arrival. Then all that's left is to book your flight to Brindisi or Bari.
Hold your place in two minutes
Tell me your week and the room you'd like, then pay the deposit to hold your place: €400 per person in a shared room, €500 in a single.
- Fill in this short form
- Pay your deposit securely by card
- I confirm your room and email you the full booking form to complete and sign
If I can't offer you a suitable room, I'll refund your deposit in full. Questions first? Get in touch.
From sunrise flow to dinner by candlelight
- Wake upHot water with lemon, coffee or tea
- Morning practice75 minutes of Strong & Slow Vinyasa Flow on the rooftop terrace
- BrunchPuglian brunch prepared by our local cook
- Explore or unwindOn 2–3 days, an excursion in Salento or a guided walk; on the others, time to relax, explore the local shops, sunbathe or cool off in the mini-pool
- Evening practice75 minutes of Restorative Yin and meditation as the light turns gold
- AperitivoA spritz on the terrace, the Italian way
- Dinner & socialDinner al fresco on the terrace
Typical Puglian meals
You'll taste traditional Puglian food, cooked by our local cook.
Brunch and dinner are served al fresco on the terrace: local, clean and tasty recipes, so you can indulge without feeling guilty. And every evening starts with an aperitivo, the Italian way.
What's in the price
- 5 nights at Palazzetto Giravolta, in the heart of Lecce's old town
- Two classes a day: 75 minutes of Strong & Slow Vinyasa Flow in the morning, and 75 minutes of Restorative Yin and meditation in the late afternoon
- Brunch and dinner every day: traditional Puglian recipes prepared by our local cook
- Teas, coffees, juices, smoothies and water
- Guided walks through Lecce and its baroque art and architecture
- Organised excursions in Salento, including a boat tour
- Yoga mats and props provided
Not included
- Flights
- Airport transfers: Roberto can arrange them for you, at about €25–30 per person each way
- Travel insurance
- Train or transport fares on excursions
- One meal out together in Lecce or a nearby town
- Other activities, such as cooking lessons, wine tasting or beach clubs
Lecce, the coast and a day on the water
Lecce is called the Florence of the South for its golden baroque stone. We'll walk it together, then head out along the coast: Otranto, the caves of Santa Maria di Leuca by boat, beaches and sunset aperitivo.
Hover over a place, or tap it, to play the clip. Scroll sideways for more.
Past retreats at Palazzetto Giravolta
Which airport should I fly to?
Brindisi is closest to Lecce, about 40 minutes by car. Bari is about 2 hours. Roberto can arrange your transfer from either airport, at about €25–30 per person each way: just mention it in your booking request.
What time can I arrive and leave?
Arrive on Saturday from 4 pm: the retreat begins that evening with our first practice and dinner together. Check-out is by 12 noon on Thursday.
Do I need to bring a yoga mat?
No. Mats and props are provided, so you can travel light.
Do I need to be an experienced yogi?
No. Both daily classes offer options for every level, from beginners to advanced.
Can I come on my own?
Of course. Many guests come solo. Choose a single room, or a shared room to meet a fellow yogi.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel more than 30 days before the retreat and you get back everything you've paid except the deposit. Within 30 days there's no refund, unless Roberto can fill your place. If Roberto has to cancel, you get a full refund. Read the full booking terms.
Hear about new retreat dates first
Retreats sell out. Sign up and you'll get new dates before anyone else, plus the waiting list if a week is full.
