SICILY, ITALY
Join us on the historic island of Sicily for a 5-day knitting, crocheting and wellness experience. This Crafty Sicilian Fibre Arts & Wellness Retreat is dedicated to quality time with like-minded people, mindfulness and creativity.
Let the sun caress your skin as you drink in the incredible views from the deck of our villa in Sicily. Sip wine and swap yarns and patterns with other adventurous crafty practitioners filled with gratitude for the exquisite journey. Half of the days will be dedicated to crafting and another half to exploring the fabulous surroundings combined with wellness practices.
Our retreat is open for all levels of crafters and yoga practitioners. Beginner knitters and crocheters will receive all the help and encouragement needed to leave with a newfound skill and more seasoned fibre artists can dedicate their time on bringing their handcrafted creations to life at our private luxurious villa.
“Breathe new life into your crafting and yoga practice, enjoy relaxing at the countryside and indulge in Sicilian cuisine.”
Getting Crafty
The retreat guests are welcome to bring their own projects to the retreat or come completely unprepared as we will provide a choice of yarns, patterns and tools for all levels to choose from. Each participant will also receive a crafty goody bag.
Before the retreat we will get in touch with different ideas for the projects at the retreat so that everyone can focus on what they really want to craft and on improving their skills.
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
4 nights, 5 days stay at a luxurious Sicilian villa
Creative Knitting & Crocheting workshops
All crafting materials
Daily yoga classes
Daily meditation and Yoga Nidra
Sound healing sessions
Exclusive excursions to the nearby towns
3 healthy and nutritious meals daily
Unlimited drinking water, coffee and tea
Transportation to and from Catania or Palermo Airport
Meet The Retreat Leaders
Marta Diaz
Marta is looking forward to welcoming you in gorgeous Sicily. In this retreat Marta is bringing together her three passions: knitting/crocheting, yoga and travelling. She is a Yoga Alliance certified RYT-500 yoga teacher and Yoga Nidra facilitator with many years of teaching experience in various yoga styles in different locations. Before she became a yoga teacher though she was a well-established fibre artist creating crochet and knitting patterns for different skill levels. Her patterns are still popular on crafty communities like Ravelry and she also has her own YouTube channel with video tutorials for some of her most popular patterns.
Although originally from Estonia she has spent years living in Japan, Thailand and Costa Rica and has been travelling around the world for more than two decades.
Marta is also the founder and owner of Om & Flow Yoga.
During the retreat, Marta will guide and support our fiber arts sessions, sharing her knowledge of knitting and crochet while encouraging everyone to explore their own creativity. There is no pressure to produce something perfect. Instead, these sessions are about slowing down, learning from one another and experiencing the meditative rhythm and simple satisfaction of making something by hand.
Maarja Ojassalu
We are delighted to welcome Maarja as co-host of our Fibre Arts & Wellness Retreat in Sicily.
Originally from Estonia, Maarja is a lifelong maker whose love of handicrafts began in childhood. Over the years, knitting and crochet have remained an important part of her creative life, developing from a much-loved pastime into a genuine area of expertise. At one point, her passion for making even led her to run her own online shop selling her handmade creations.
Maarja is particularly skilled in Haapsalu shawl knitting, a beautiful and intricate Estonian lace-knitting tradition known for its exceptionally delicate patterns and fine craftsmanship. Her connection to this traditional technique brings another dimension to our retreat: an opportunity not only to make something with our hands, but also to celebrate the heritage, patience and knowledge carried through generations of textile craft.
Alongside her creative experience, Maarja is also an experienced educator. She holds a Master’s degree in Andragogy (Adult Education) from Tallinn University and has more than ten years of experience in training, education and facilitating learning. This combination of craftsmanship and teaching experience makes her a wonderfully patient and encouraging guide, whether you are picking up knitting needles or a crochet hook for the very first time or arriving with years of experience and a project already underway.
Curious by nature and happiest when learning, creating and sharing knowledge with others, Maarja brings warmth, patience and a playful sense of experimentation to everything she does.
The Accommodation
We will be staying at a private, luxurious and modern villa nestled in the southern Sicilian hills covered in olive groves and wild flowers. The spacious villa is spread over two floors. On the ground floor you will find a living room with two sofa beds, a large kitchen, a second living room, two bedrooms, four bathrooms and a laundry room. Going up to the first floor there are three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The exterior features a large covered veranda with a hob, swimming pool, garden and parking spaces.
You have a choice of booking a shared twin room with a single bed or a private double-bed room all for yourself, please specify your preferred room option at the notes when signing up for the retreat.
SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE:
8:00 Morning Yoga & Meditation
9:30 Nourishing Breakfast
10:30 Creative Time (Day Trip/Knitting & Crocheting Workshops)
13:00 Delicious Lunch
15:00 Creative Time (Day Trip/Knitting & Crocheting Workshops)
18:30 Wholesome Dinner
20:00 Inner Space Time (Sound Therapy, Yoga Nidra, Reiki session etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to know how to knit or crochet?
No. Complete beginners get all the help and encouragement they need from Marta and our co-host Maarja, and leave with a new skill. Experienced makers can spend the time bringing their own creations to life.
Do I need to bring my own materials?
No. You’re welcome to bring your own projects, or come completely unprepared: we provide a choice of yarns, patterns and tools for all levels, and every participant receives a crafty goody bag. Before the retreat we’ll get in touch with project ideas, so you can focus on what you’d really love to make.
What does a typical day look like?
We start the day with morning yoga and meditation, followed by a nourishing breakfast. Late morning and afternoon are creative time: knitting and crocheting workshops, or a day trip to explore the nearby towns. After dinner, we close the day with Inner Space Time: sound therapy, Yoga Nidra or a Reiki session. Roughly half of the days are dedicated to crafting and half to exploring Sicily.
Do I need to be experienced in yoga?
Not at all. The retreat is open to all levels of crafters and yoga practitioners, and the yoga, meditation and Yoga Nidra sessions are gentle and suitable for complete beginners. You’re always encouraged to listen to your own body.
Where will we stay?
We stay at a private, luxurious and modern villa in the southern Sicilian hills, surrounded by olive groves and wild flowers. The villa is spread over two floors, with five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, two living rooms and a large kitchen. Outside there’s a large covered veranda, a swimming pool and a garden. You can choose between a shared twin room and a private double room.
How do I get there?
Fly into Catania or Palermo airport. Transfers from and to the airport on the first and last day of the retreat are included, and we coordinate pick-up times with everyone’s flights.
Can you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes. Three healthy, nutritious vegetarian meals are included every day, inspired by the flavours of Sicilian cuisine. We can also accommodate vegan and gluten-free requirements with advance notice. Please let us know about any allergies or dietary needs when booking.
What is your cancellation policy?
Your place is secured with a €500 deposit. The deposit is fully refundable if you cancel at least 90 days before the retreat. After that it can’t be refunded, but you can transfer it to a future Om & Flow Yoga retreat or training. Please read our full Terms & Conditions before booking.
Limited spots available, reserve your space now and don’t miss out!
★★★★★ 4.85 from 51 reviews on BookRetreats