THE ITALY RETREAT:
LA DOLCE FERMATA
MAY 11-16th 2027
La Dolce Fermata is Italian for "the sweet pause." We chose it because that's exactly what this week is — a tender, intentional, delicious pause from the demands of normal life.
This retreat is centered around how self-compassion is the antidote to self-abandonment.
The purpose of this retreat is to unplug from our screens, slow down our pace, reconnect with the wisdom of our bodies, access healing through art therapy and somatic work, and restore self-compassion where self-abandonment has been.
Our mission here is to remind you that you belong to yourself first. And that belonging begins with intentional space for rest, reflection, and a calm nervous system.
Self-Compassion Is The Antidote to Self-Abandonment
Testimonial
“ THE ITALY RETREAT 2026 WAS TRULY ONE OF THE MOST MAGICAL EXPERIENCES THAT I’VE EVER HAD. HAILEY AND HEIDI CREATED SOMETHING SO INTENTIONAL, THOUGHTFUL, AND BEAUTIFULLY CURATED FROM BEGINNING TO END."
-CAROLINA C.
TEXAS
THE DETAILS
WHEN: May 11-16th, 2027
WHERE: Maniero Villa, Montecassiano, Le Marche, Italy
WHO: 8 women; we are keeping the retreat intimate on purpose so each woman gets our full attention and the full spectrum of this magical experience.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This is for you if...
You've been doing deep personal work for a while, or you started in the last year, and are really committed to improving your inner dialogue, manifesting more peace, and reprogramming limiting beliefs.
This retreat is just as much relaxation as it is deep, personal work within a group setting.
This retreat is for women who are excited to expand their capacity for both the good and the uncomfortable parts of themselves - to bring compassion to all parts and find liberation in the process.
“ YOU ARE NOT A MACHINE. YOU ARE A GARDEN. YOU NEED DIFFERENT THINGS TO BLOOM.”
– MORGAN HARPER NICHOLS
WHAT TO EXPECT
- workshops that include meditations, journaling, art therapy, and somatic practices
- group breath work & reiki
- a group empowerment photoshoot with individual and group photos
- a private, fine-dining chef cooking every meal, snack, drink, dessert
- 4+ hours of free time every day for integration & rest
- a pool, sauna, and jacuzzi
- daily gentle movement/yoga
- deep bonding, and unforgettable memories
- 1 free day to explore the nearby beach town
Testimonial
“ IM LEAVING WITH INTENTIONAL CURRICULUM THAT WAS TAUGHT TO US WITH HEART AND LOVE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WEEK. HAILEY HAS DONE A MAGNIFICENT JOB OF SETTING US UP TO RECIEVE AND LEARN WHATEVER WE WERE MEANT TO, AND COMBINED WITH BEAUTY OF VILLA…ITS UNBEATABLE. "
-DEB H.
WASHINGTON
Itinerary
DAY 1.
TUESDAY, May 11th
Shuttles pick us up near Rome Termini Station (downtown Rome) at 12 PM. Arrive at the villa around 3 PM. Welcome snacks. Opening ceremony. Dinner. Bedtime yoga nidra.
DAY 2.
WEDNESDAY, May 12th
Breakfast. Morning movement & intention. Workshop #1 & Group Breath Work. Lunch. Free time. Cooking class with our chef. Dinner.
DAY 3.
THURSDAY, May 13th
Breakfast. Morning movement & intention. Workshop #2. Lunch. Free time. Workshop #3. Dinner.
DAY 4.
FRIDAY, May 14th
Breakfast. Morning movement & intention. Open day - option to pay for own shared taxi into the nearby beach town. Dinner & movie night back at the villa.
DAY 5.
SATURDAY, May 15th
Breakfast. Intention ceremony for photoshoot. Photoshoot. Lunch. Free time. Closing ceremony. Dinner in the garden.
DAY 6.
SUNDAY, May 16th
Breakfast. Pack. To-go lunches prepared by chef. Say goodbyes. Shuttles leave at 11 AM to go back to Rome.
“REST IS THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN WHAT WE LOVE TO DO AND HOW WE LOVE TO BE.”
– DAVID WHYTE
Testimonial
“ I HAVE A HIGH-DEMAND LIFE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT THAT HAILEY CREATED HERE WAS SAFE AND EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED TO EXPLORE WHAT ELSE I WANT FROM LIFE. THE EXPERIENCE OF GETTING TO UNPACK AND UNPLUG HAS LEFT ME CLEARER ON WHERE I WANT TO GO NEXT WITH EVEN MORE POWER AND MAGNATISM"
-STEPHANIE O.
WASHINGTON
ROOM OPTIONS
01. PRIVATE LUXURY SUITE
*only 1 available
Stay in the villa's luxury suite. Over 600 sqft of gorgeous Italian decor. Huge private bathroom with rain shower, massive walk-in closet and vanity. King-size bed.
$6500
02. PRIVATE SUITE
*only 1 available
Enjoy your own king-size bedroom and private bathroom on the top floor with a gorgeous view.
$6250
03. SHARED
*6 available
All shared rooms are beautifully decorated, with private bathrooms, and lots of space. Each room will only hold up to 2 people.
$5500
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Private Luxe Suite - $6500
Private Room - $6250
Shared rooms - $5500
Payment plans are available for up to 6 installments.
Paying in full will receive a discount.
Deposits are refundable within 7 days of payment. After those 7 days, deposits are non-refundable.
If you pay your deposit within 90 days of the retreat start date, nothing is refundable.
You can 100% transfer your deposit and payments (your ticket) to another guest up to 90 days before the retreat. -
- 5-night stay at a luxury Italian villa
- Empowerment photoshoot with Hailey
- Movement/yoga, and breath work with Heidi
- All food & drink
- All the amenities of the villa (pool, sauna, jacuzzi, gym, firepit, pickleball courts, outdoor cinema, beach volleyball, etc.)
- Seamless logistics, you don't have to plan or lift a finger
- Daily workshops with Hailey
- Transportation to & from Rome
- Other surprises ;) -
No, your flight(s) is not included in the ticket price. Shuttles to and from the airport are included.
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Absolutely not! This is your retreat. Everything is optional.
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Not at all! Most of the intentional movement we'll be doing isn't really full yoga. Think of it more like deep stretching to tend to our bodies and to feel good.
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There is one private suite with a king bed. One private room with a king bed. Three shared rooms with two twin beds. All rooms have private bathrooms with rain showers.
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Of course! There's a spot at the bottom of the intake form where you can state who you want to room with.
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There will be a blend of group photos and individual photos from the empowerment photoshoot. Everyone will receive 10-20+ images from this shoot, as well as all the photos Hailey takes of the retreat during the week.
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Yes, we will have an excellent private chef accommodating our dietary needs. He is AMAZING!!
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Yes, it’s mandatory.
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Not at all. Everything is optional. And, everything we'll be doing is gentle.
The whole point of having yoga and meditation is to give our minds and bodies (nervous systems) love, space, grace, and a break from our normal go-go-go routines.
Both yoga and meditation are a part of this retreat to help you slow down, relearn how to connect with your intuition/bodies/emotions, and listen to yourself.
No one is expecting you to be perfect or skilled at anything. All that matters is that you show up in a way that feels good to you and honors your needs/growth.
THE PROCESS
01. INQUIRE OR CALL
Click any of the buttons on this page to either go to the retreat application or to schedule a consult call. Once you fill out the application, you'll receive a confirmation email.
02. SIGN UP
Inside the confirmation email, you can select to schedule a quick consult call or move forward with the proposal - sign the contract & pay the deposit.
03. SUPPORT
Once your deposit is paid, you'll get access to the extensive Google Doc with all things travel planning - from a packing list to Italian phrases to know - and the What's App group chat. It's critical to me you feel supported & at ease.
04. ZOOM MEETING
Once your deposit is paid, you'll get access to the extensive Google Doc with all things travel planning - from a packing list to Italian phrases to know - and the What's App group chat. It's critical to me you feel supported & at ease.
OUR TEAM
HEIDI MEYER
Heidi is the founder of Restorative Excavation Wellness and a somatic breathwork facilitator, meditation guide, Reiki practitioner, and 200-Hour certified yoga instructor dedicated to helping people come home to themselves. Her work weaves together breathwork, movement, and creative exploration to support nervous system regulation, emotional release, and deep self-connection.
Yoga, Breathwork, Reiki
HAILEY AITKINS
Hailey is the owner of Nota Lux, a wellness brand that uses photography as a healing tool. She has been a professional photographer for over 5 years, and has started stepping into coaching and leading workshops in the last year. Hailey’s mission is to help guide women back to themselves, where they can remember and reclaim their self-worth, peace, and success.
Host & Photographer
Want to meet us in Italy?
Time to yourself is worth everything
All photos are at the actual Maniero villa, where we'll be staying, from the 2026 retreat.
Photo credits: Hailey Aitkins/Nota Lux/@nota.lux
Visit the villa website at https://www.manieromontecassiano.com/