Southern Italy Retreat
Puglia, Italy
Saturday May 16 - Friday May 22, 2026
hosted by Cat Doyle & Anne Wanda Tessier
“The retreat was perfection. The location was beautiful with amazing food everyday. The whole experience was so thoughtful and well curated. Cat and Anne both led creative yoga classes and there was a good balance of organized and independent excursions. Thank you both for a truly memorable experience!”
Slow down and enjoy La vita bella in Italy this spring with Cat and Anne.
Take a step back from the rush of everyday life and immerse yourself in the peaceful rhythm of Southern Italy with Anne Tessier and Cat Doyle. Join us for a week-long yoga retreat at the stunning Yogapulia Retreat Center in the picturesque region of Puglia, May 16-22, 2026.
This retreat offers the perfect blend of yoga, relaxation, and cultural exploration. Each day will be filled with a variety of rejuvenating yoga classes, soothing meditations, energizing pranayama and mindful workshops. Between classes, you’ll have the chance to unwind by the pool, savour local foods and explore nearby towns. Whether you’re deepening your yoga practice or simply taking time to rest and recharge, this week is designed to nourish every part of you – body, mind, and soul.
“Amazing place for a yoga retreat, possibly one of the best. The location is absolutely perfect: surrounded by olive trees, you can easily immerse in your yoga practice (the shala has wonderful views of the valley), chill by the pool or go for a walk. The food is simply delicious and the hosts are super welcoming and really make you feel like you’re there to visit friends. Highly recommended”
“This Italy retreat was exactly what I needed at this point in my life. The care that Cat and Anne put into planning and delivering the week was evident in every aspect of the program. It exceeded my expectations in every way.”
Anne Wanda Tessier (she/her/elle)
Anne is a Canadian yoga teacher and trainer who teaches various styles of yoga including hatha, yin, somatic, slow flow and restorative yoga. Her calm voice guides you through a practice that is suitable for all, offering various options throughout the class. Anne’s aim is to create a safe and welcoming environment in all her classes. She has been practicing yoga for over twenty-five years and understands the benefits of yoga to help relax the body, soothe the soul and ease the mind. Anne also loves Italy! She has been several times and know the region very well! www.annewandayoga.ca
Cat Doyle (she/her)
Cat hails from Ottawa, Canada and brings a deep love of gathering people together and creating an experience. She has been teaching yoga since 2011 and offers clear, straightforward instruction with a dose of insight and playfulness. Her background in biology and psychology means she is serious about anatomy, alignment, and functional movement. She focuses on moving in intentional, mindful ways and balances practices that feel like a good workout with practices that give you a sense of calm and release. Cat is an experienced retreat host; having facilitated over 25 yoga retreats, both locally and internationally. www.unrollthemat.ca
Puglia is known for its beautiful beaches, vast olive groves, delicious food and wine.
INCLUDED:
6 nights accommodation at Yogapulia
Daily brunch, and dinner featuring local, organic, plant-based food from the region
Daily fruits, snacks, cakes and teas and coffee
2 daily yoga classes (styles include slow flow, hatha, mobility, yin, restorative, yoga nidra)
Daily guided meditation and journaling
Yoga mats & props
3 day trips to nearby towns (Cisternino, Alberobello, Polignano a Mare). Other day trips can be arranged at the center at your own cost.
2 workshops with Cat & Anne
Daily Yoga Philosophy
Olive oil tasting in an olive grove
NOT INCLUDED:
Optional day trips (to towns not already included in the schedule, such as Matera, Ostuni, Grottaglie, Monopoli, Martina Franca) If you have a car rental, you can explore nearby towns in your free time, or we can make arrangements for a car hire.
Massages or other spa treatments
Gratuities
Flights. Please book your own travel arrangements.
Airport transfers. The Center can arrange for transportation to and from the center, but it is recommended to rent a car so that you can explore the region. Rides will be coordinated closer to the retreat dates so that participants can share cost for travel to the center. Expect to pay 20 – 120 Euros depending on where you arrive in Italy and how many people are travelling with you. It is suggested to arrive by flight or train in Bari or Brindisi.
Sample of Daily Schedule
8:00am: Morning Mediation & Yoga (Movement, Mobility or Flow)
10:30am: Brunch
11:30 – 4:30pm: Free time, group excursion or workshop
4:30 - 6pm: Yoga (Yin, Restorative or yoga nidra) 3 afternoons
6:30pm: Dinner
8:30pm: Yoga (Restorative or Yin yoga (3 nights)
*Schedule may vary from day to day
May is the perfect time to visit. With fewer tourists and more affordable flights, you'll experience the region’s authentic beauty and tranquility. The weather will be just right for yoga, leisurely strolls through local villages and refreshing swims in the pool.
Accommodations:
At Yogapulia Retreat Center, you can expect a cozy and serene sleep. The beautifully restored Masseria (farmhouse) features thoughtfully decorated rooms, which are modern, minimalist and clean. Each room has its own private bathroom. The property itself is a hidden gem, offering plenty of nooks to relax or read, a pool for swimming, or simply enjoy the surrounding nature.
All rooms are double occupancy. Please let us know if you would like to be paired with someone.
Room 1 - Double bed
Room 2 - 2 single beds
Room 3 - 2 single beds
Room 4 - 2 single beds
Room 5 - 2 single beds
Room 6 - 2 single beds
Spaces are limited to 12 participants.
SIGN UP!
Reserve your spot by sending your CA$750 deposit today.
COST:
CA$2450 if you sign up by December 1, 2025. SAVE $400!
CA$2850 thereafter
“The retreat was fun, educational, nurturing and exceptional. Exceptional in the quality of the whole experience package, the quality of the care, the quality of the facility and the nutrition provided. Friendships were made. Exploring little southern Italy towns was lovely. It was hard to say goodbye.”
FAQs with Cat & Anne
Q: Is this retreat only for advanced yogis?
A: Definitely not! You will benefit from having practiced yoga before, but we are experienced yoga teachers who can adapt the practice depending on your skill level. We can also can offer suggestions and modifications if you’re dealing with an injury. This is a great opportunity to explore different styles of yoga, ask questions, and learn variations that work for your body.
Q: What if I’m coming to Italy alone?
A: That’s great! You’ll have an opportunity to connect more with the group, and yourself. We will partner you in a shared room with someone. As our accommodations are limited, there are no single rooms at this time. You will be fully supported and integrated into the group.
Q: How do I get there?
A: The closest airport to the retreat centre is Brindisi (BDS) or Bari (BRI). You may want to look at flying into Rome (FCO). From there, you’ll take ground transportation to Casalini. Renting a car can be an inexpensive way to get around and see the countryside. As we get closer to the retreat, we will arrange the group so that people can carpool, as needed.
Q: What does a day at this retreat look like?
A: Each day of our retreat will be unique, as we’ve curated the activities based on our experience of hosting retreats and showcasing the region. Typically, we will have two yoga practices per day (one more active and one more passive), meditation, breathing practice, meals together, free time, and an outing. Please contact us if you’d like a more detailed itinerary.
Q: What is the weather like in May?
A: Late spring in Italy is glorious! You can expect temperatures between 15-23°C, with lots of sun.
Q: Am I required to participate in every excursion and activity?
A: No, you can customize your retreat experience to be as relaxed or as lively as you want. Although a group itinerary with daily meditation, yoga and activities has been curated, at the end of the day you can opt in or out of anything along the way.
Q: What’s the food like?
A: Italy is renowned for it’s delicious and fresh food. Each meal is prepared on site with the highest quality ingredients. All meals at YogApulia are plant-based, and food allergies (eg. GF/DF) are easily accommodated. We will have two groups meals per day: Brunch at 10:30am and dinner at 6:30pm. Light refreshemnts are served in the afternoon.
Q: What is NOT included in the price?
A: You are responsible for booking and paying for flights and transportation to YogApulia. We also strongly recommend that you purchase travel and medical insurance.
Q: When does the retreat start and end?
A: Check in at YogApulia is at 4pm on Saturday May 16. Check out is at 11am on Friday May 22.
Q: Are there any specific health related issues that I should be aware of?
A: No, just general travel safety.
Q. Will there be alcohol?
A: There will be a few dinners where we will enjoy local wines from the region, otherwise the retreat is alcohol-free.
Q: What happens if I register, but I am unable to join, will I get my money back?
A: If you cancel more than 2 months prior to the retreat, we will provide you with a refund, less the deposit. The non-refundable deposit is non-refundable under any circumstance. If you cancel less than 2 months prior to the retreat, you will not be able to obtain a refund. We strongly recommend protecting your retreat investment with travel insurance.
Q: What are the terms and conditions (“Fine Print”) for this retreat?
A: You can read and familiarize yourself with our Fine Print policies here. This will be agreed upon payment of your deposit.
