La Dolce Vita Yoga Retreat in Italy

La Dolce Vita Italian Yoga Retreat

June 30 – July 5, 2026

San Pietro in Lama, Lecce, Puglia, Italy

Step into La Dolce Vita, the sweet life, on this all-inclusive yoga retreat in the heart of Salento, Italy, at the breathtaking Masseria Torre Luciana. Just outside the vibrant baroque town of Lecce and minutes from the crystal-clear, Caribbean-like beaches of the Ionian coast, this boutique retreat center offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. Each day begins with an energizing Sweet Life Flow yoga practice and winds down with restorative yoga and Yoga Nidra led by your retreat leader Dori Thomsen, all in thoughtfully designed spaces that invite stillness and connection. Enjoy authentic Italian meals made with fresh, local ingredients, take part in a hands-on pasta-making class, and drop into deep rest with a magical Handpan soundbath session. Soak in the sun by the pool, unwind in the spa, or savor a quiet moment in the wine cellar. We encourage you to venture beyond the retreat grounds, explore Lecce’s charming streets, discover hidden beaches, and experience the beauty and rhythm of southern Italy. With airport transfers included, your only job is to arrive ready to live La Dolce Vita, one breath, one bite, one beautiful moment at a time.

Enjoy the following on this All-Inclusive Yoga Retreat:

  • 5 nights at Masseria Torre Luciana Boutique Retreat Center
  • 3 wholesome authentic Italian meals each day (local, fresh and organic)
  • Shuttle to/from Brindisi International Airport (see Travel section below for suggested options on how/when to get there)
  • 2 times a day of Asana, Meditation, & Pranayama practice
  • Pasta making class
  • Special Handpan Sound Bath

Is this retreat for you?

  • Solo exploration – YES
  • Couples getaway – YES
  • Girls’/Guys’ Trip – YES
  • Celebrating a Special Occasion – YES
  • This is Your Retreat. Make it your own. All classes/meals/excursions are OPTIONAL to attend.

Location:

In the heart of Salento, Masseria Torre Luciana is much more than a simple retreat center: it is a place born from the vision of the Sew Handpan group, which imagined a space in which Apulian culture, music and holistic well-being come together to create a unique experience.

Every element of the farmhouse reflects this vision: from the authentic beauty of the traditional Salento architecture, to the serenity of the spaces designed for meditation and relaxation.

Designed to offer an unique experience of tranquility and well-being, the farmhouse is the ideal place for those seeking a regenerating and inspiring retreat. Here, tradition meets innovation, creativity meets nature, and every guest is invited to rediscover joy in the present.

Built to offer an experience that combines tradition and modernity, Masseria Torre Luciana is immersed in the enchanting landscapes of Salento.

The retreat center has been carefully restored to keep its historical roots intact, while each space has been enriched with modern comforts for an unforgettable stay. Visit retreat center’s site HERE.

About the area:

Nestled in the heart of Italy’s southern Puglia region, the area around Lecce offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, historic charm, and coastal allure. Often called the “Florence of the South,” Lecce enchants visitors with its baroque architecture, golden sandstone buildings, and vibrant piazzas. With just a short drive the Adriatic Sea beckons with its crystal-clear waters and unspoiled beaches.

The landscape in the countryside where the retreat center is located shifts into a patchwork of vineyards and ancient olive orchards, painting the countryside in lush shades of green. The Salento peninsula is renowned for its production of robust red wines and some of the finest olive oil in the world.

What makes this area truly special is the feeling of stepping into a slower, richer rhythm of life one that promises both relaxation and inspiration for travelers seeking the soul of southern Italy.

Additional amenities included in this retreat:

  • Holistic and Therapeutic Massages
  • Wine Tastings in the Cellar
  • Relax in the Spa and Swimming pool
  • All rooms have a private bathroom and AC
  • Complimentary WiFi

Investment:

  • Flexible Payment Plans Available if it helps 🙂
  • Space is Limited as this boutique retreat center has 4 Rooms that fit (1-3 people) and 1 Tower Suite (4 people)
  • Private Room (1 person): Regular rate: $3949; Early Bird Rate: $3749 (Register before 1/15/26)
  • Shared Accommodations (2-3 people): Regular rate: $1849/person; Early Bird Rate: $1649/person (Register before 1/15/26).
  • Deposit of $500 due to reserve your room. REGISTER HERE
    • A 4% fee will be added to all credit card payments for processing. The fee can be avoided by either bringing a check or cash to Soluna or Venmo us @soluna-yoga-spa.
  • Once you register and pay deposit we will send you an invoice for the remaining balance. The remaining balance will be due no later than March 30, 2026. If you sign up after March 30, the total amount will be due upon sign up. Final day to sign up is June 25, 2026, provided there is still availability.
  • Investment does not include airfare or additional travel expenses.
  • Cancellation Policy: Should you need to cancel your booking, a cancelation fee of $250 will not be returned. All payments made towards the retreat are non-refundable after January 1, 2026 and will be used as a credit minus the cancelation fee for a future retreats or services offered by Soluna Yoga+Spa. Cancelations made within 60 days of the retreat are 100% non-refundable, and a credit will not be issued.
  • Travel Insurance: We highly suggest travel insurance and can refer you to a website to obtain this.
  • Email us at home@solunayogaspa.com with any questions

Travel Details:

  • Arrival: To be included in the airport shuttle transportation included in this retreat, you will want to arrive time to Brindisi International Airport (BDS) that is before 2pm on the June 30, 2026.  If you are unable to arrive in that window of time, we will arrange private transportation for you at an additional cost. It’s only a 20 minute drive from the airport to the retreat center. From the States you will typically be first flying into Rome and then taking a short flight from there to Brindisi.
  • Departure: On July 5, the shuttle will be able to take you back to the airport.
  • Important: We highly recommend, if at all possible, to allow yourself to arrive to Italy a day or more prior to the retreat to acclimate to the jet lag and explore other locales in Italy. The town of Lecce is nearby the retreat center and would be a great place to stay if you arrive early. The beach town of Sant’isidoro is also a good nearby option. We encourage you to make this trip an adventure for yourself and perhaps venture elsewhere in this beautiful part of the world before, during, and/or after the retreat. If you arrive early, you can meet at the airport on June 30 for the retreat transportation.

Dining:

There will be offered a light breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with authentic Italian menus typically focusing on vegetarian or vegan options to complement the wellness experience. Meat and seafood will also be offered on some occasions. Meals will be provided by a nearby organic agritourism partner.

Spa:

The retreat center works with several independent therapists that offer a variety of bodywork. Once the group arrives, we will work with each interested person to schedule this and any additional treatments during available times within your schedule. Prices range from 90 – 130 Euro depending on the treatment.

All within 30 Minutes…Lecce and the coast!……..

Great references and recommendations for the area:

Lecce

Beaches Guide

Travel + Leisure Recommendations

Historic Lecce

About Retreat Leader Dori:

Dori Thomsen, a Florida native, is the Co-Founder of Soluna Yoga+Spa, which she opened with her husband, Christian Thomsen. A 500-hour experienced yoga teacher, Dori’s yoga journey began in 2000 at the University of North Florida where she first explored Yoga as an extracurricular activity. Her interest in the practice deepened when she assumed a leadership role as a scuba diving instructor at a summer camp for teens in the Florida Keys. Here is when she first learned the importance of breath control and mindfulness. At the time, she taught yoga to her fellow instructors and teens at the camp without realizing that one could become certified to teach yoga.
In 2008, Dori & Christian moved to Costa Rica, where she taught English at an art-based preschool. During this challenging period, yoga became an essential part of Dori’s daily routine, helping her maintain her mental health. Encouraged by her yoga teacher, Dori took the leap in 2010 to complete a 200-hour yoga teacher training in Guatemala. Upon returning to Costa Rica, she quickly began teaching yoga across the Guanacaste region, from resorts to health clubs.

Dori expanded her expertise by pursuing further certifications in Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, and Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga. She became one of the first yoga teachers to introduce stand-up paddleboard yoga to Central America and led numerous retreats and teacher trainings. In 2012, Dori opened her own yoga studio, Sol y Paz, near Playa Conchal. However, in 2013, after the birth of their first child, Dori and Christian decided to move back to the U.S. to be closer to family. They settled back into Jacksonville, Florida, where they opened Soluna Yoga+Spa in December 2014. Soluna Yoga+Spa was borne out of the couple’s time spent living abroad in Costa Rica, where they learned the importance of community, slowing down, connecting with nature, and nurturing a yoga and meditation practice. They opened Soluna as a small oasis and retreat center to share these values with others.

She continued her yoga education by earning certification in Yoga Therapy under Dr. Marie Bailey, and in 2016, she traveled to India for advanced training at Aarsha Yoga Vidya under Master teachers Swami Yogesh and Bhoomaji.

In addition to their yoga and wellness work, Dori and Christian have expanded their professional endeavors by becoming real estate agents with Coldwell Banker Vanguard in Avondale. Dori also serves as President of the 5 Points Merchants Association, where she is actively involved in her community’s growth and well-being. Through their business ventures and personal commitment to growth, Dori and Christian continue to serve and uplift the community they are proud to be a part of.

You can find Dori teaching classes and trainings at Soluna and leading trainings+retreats in Costa Rica and Italy. When Dori is not at Soluna, she enjoys spending time traveling with her family, playing in their garden+doing yard work, and taking time to press pause.