Known as the black pearl of the Mediterranean, Pantelleria is a wild volcanic island located off the coast of mainland Sicily. It is a unique place where time seems to have stood still. Ancient dammusi stone houses lie hidden in the hills and dusty, winding roads weave through abundant green nature. The whole island is like a big natural open-air spa with smoky fumaroles, thermal baths and hot springs.

Our retreat is a beautifully designed property in the heart of the archaeological Sesi park. Set just 200 meters from the sea, surrounded by breath-taking landscapes, art and history, you’ll find a collection of restored dammusi and stylish villas where the black volcanic stone architecture is seamlessly integrated into the landscape. Dotted around the spacious property you’ll find peaceful relaxation places, a large pool and plenty of rooftops perfect for sunset views.

Our hosts Margot and Massimiliano have spent the last three years restoring the dammusi at Parco Dei Sesi. They were originally built by Massimiliano’s father, the artist Filippo Panseca, in the Seventies. The Grand Dammuso was already there, covered in rocks when he bought it.
Pantelleria is a wild and quite raw place – much of the tiny island is undeveloped and it takes a bit of time to find the beautiful spots. Swimming is mostly off rocks in beautifully clear pools, but there are no beaches.

Due to its remote location it can sometimes be quite windy, so be prepared to plan your days around the weather.

The island is small and the pace of life is slow so you can take your time exploring. We have a sea swimming spot 10 minutes’ walk from our retreat, or you can head to a lido a short drive along the cost.
Included in your retreat is a trip the harbour village of Cala Gadir to soak in the thermal sea baths and a trip to Specchio di Venere, a heart-shaped lake in a volcanic crater where you can slather on mineral-rich mud then rinse off with a swim in the emerald and aquamarine water.
On our last day, we’ll walk together with our local hosts on Montagna Grande, the islands highest peak, visit a natural hot sauna in a grotto on the mountain before wandering to the top where you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the island.

Mid-week you’ll have a day off where you can choose to stay home relax by the pool or head out to explore the island. You can explore by boat for the day, where you’ll find some beautiful swimming spots hidden in the quiet coves or book a guided kayaking trip and seek out some of the other hidden swimming spots on the island.

We will have 2 movement practices a day, except mid week, excursion day, the morning one where we will practice drills to enhance our movement patterns then incorporate them in a flow.

We will "workshop" how to load the wrists so that the tissue can strengthen and your bodyweight classes will be more enjoyable as well as becoming stronger. We will deep dive into the feet, how to connect better from the ground up and how to strengthen and mobilize them, so that your day to day becomes sturdier, be it walking down the beach or hiking in the mountains. We will address hip movement and practice ways to create better mobility and range of motion, strengthening the tissues around the joint to build resilience. And we will address the most important component of movement- the mind and how that alone can make or break how you show up in a class and in life.

The end of day will be a practice to help us un do the do from the day. A night cap if you will.

We will also have journals to document moments of joy and "a-ha's" we experience each day.