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From £732 pp
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Ayurvedic Yoga & Cooking Holiday

Highlights

  • Accommodation includes a lovely natural swimming pool and beautiful gardens
  • An Ayurvedic treatment along with cultural excursions
  • Authentic Italian cuisine and a hands-on cooking lesson
From £732 pp
  1. Select the starting date on the calendar ( Saturdays between May and October, or Mondays for the other months) )
  2. Select the number of people
  3. Choose the room and occupancy
  4. Check availability
Request Availabilty

What you'll do

Overview

Unwind and rejuvenate your tastebuds and mind with this 6 night Italian cooking and yoga holiday in Conversano; discover the secrets behind delicious Italian cuisine while centering your mind with daily yoga sessions & special Ayurvedic treatments on this holiday with a difference. The starting day is SATURDAY between May and October and MONDAY during the rest of the year.

The charming region of Puglia in southern Italy, renowned for its rich cuisine and tranquil scenery, will be the setting of this 6 night / 7 day Italian cooking and yoga holiday. High atop a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside you will find the beautiful country house where your courses will take place.

Every morning, wake up to fresh air, gorgeous countryside, and relaxing yoga sessions, to start your day rejuvenated. This serene location also sets the scene for a traditional Mediterranean-influenced cookery lesson with some of the expert village women from the region as your guides. Tucked away in the gorgeous on-site kitchen, you will create a wide range of appetizers as well as traditional Puglian dishes, passed on through generations of locals.

Then spend some time with Mariangela for a refreshing Ayurvedic treatment to completely reset your body and mind before indulging in delicious meals. With a holiday this full of decadence and relaxation, it will be hard to leave this Italian paradise.

During your retreat, stay in a gorgeously renovated country house in one of its 3 guest rooms, complete with a wonderful view of the surrounding grounds or countryside. Each room has its own character, having been renovated from old buildings, with much of the character retained, and  decorated with chic Apulian style.

There are spacious grounds with a luxurious natural swimming pool, beautiful gardens, making this Italian cooking holiday an ideal place to unwind and cook up a storm.

Rooms

All rooms are en-suites with unique character.

They are available for single or double use, please see the booking page.

Trullo Alloro room:

A stunning renovated room with charm and character. There is a French bed located in privacy of a stone alcove and a sofa bed that can accommodate two more people if necessary. Perfect for a family or couple.

Iris Room:

An old stone stable transformed into a beautiful room with a veranda overlooking the lake. It also has a small kitchenette with a fridge and sink.

Ruin “Il Fico” Room:

This spacious room has the option of having a double bed or twin beds. The room boasts a large kitchen and bathroom with a beautifully crafted marble plate and pebble mosaic shower.

Arrival

The starting day is Saturday between May and October and Monday during the rest of the year.

 

– Check into your room anytime after 14.00 and take time to settle in
– Join a quick presentation covering everything included in the week’s programme
– Visit Conversano, one of the most ancient cities of Bari
– Enjoy dinner in the dining room
– Spend a free evening exploring the house, gardens, pool, and local area

Accommodation

– Your accommodation is just 4km from the coastal village of Conversano in the Puglia region of Italy
– You’ll stay in a renovated country house surrounded by the lovely Italian countryside for plenty of peace and quiet during your stay
– If you are travelling solo, stay in a twin/double room for sole occupancy for a small supplement or share a room with another solo traveller of the same sex (subject to availability)
– Rooms all have private bathrooms
– There is a lovely secluded natural pool in the grounds for guests’ use
– The house is surrounded by wonderful gardens where you can relax
– An on-site kitchen caters all of your meals throughout your stay
– Accommodation is included for 6 nights / 7 days
– Check in anytime after 2.00pm on day 1 and check out by 10.00am on day 7

Yoga and Ayurvedic treatment

 

– Start your morning with an awakening yoga session including a warm-up, breathing techniques, and meditation
– After a leisurely breakfast, head to the treatment room for an ayurvedic test and treatment
– Once you are completely relaxed, enjoy a free afternoon with plenty of time for a walk through the fields of almond, cherry, and olive trees or simply to lay by the pool
– Your evening meal is served in the dining room

Yoga and cultural tour

– Spend a bit of your morning getting set for the day ahead with a morning yoga session including a warm-up, breathing techniques, and meditation
– After yoga, enjoy an energising breakfast
– Follow up this savoury meal with a cultural excursion
– Depending the weather and the day, cultural excursions are as follows:
– Polignano a Mare and its sea caves
– Monopoli and the castle of Charles V, the Baroque Cathedral, and the Civic Tower
– Alberobello, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site
– Have the entire afternoon free and choose what you would like to do or ask your hosts, who would be happy to provide advice on the best things to do in the area
– Return to the country house for dinner.

Cooking

– Wake up for energising morning yoga with a warm-up, breathing techniques, & meditation to get centered for the big day ahead
– Breakfast at your leisure, then head to the kitchen for a day of authentic Italian cooking
– Prepare fresh pasta such as  cavatelli and orecchiette complete with the best sauces to suit the different styles then, learn how to make focaccia barese with stone ground flour
– During the cookery course, learn about Mediterranean food according to Ayurveda Medicine as well as the use of herbs & spices for body and mind
– For lunch, it is time to dine on your creations for a typical large Italian meal
– After lunch, unwind with a free afternoon to explore or lounge by the pool
– Enjoy a delicious dinner and relax after a long day in the kitchen

Yoga and Ayurvedic treatment

 

– Start your morning with an awakening yoga session including a warm-up, breathing techniques, and meditation
– After a leisurely breakfast, head to the treatment room for an Ayurvedic test and treatment
– Once you are completely relaxed, enjoy a free afternoon with plenty of time for a walk through the fields of almond, cherry, and olive trees or simply to lay by the pool
– Evening meal served at the country house

 

Yoga and cultural tour

– Spend a bit of your morning getting set for the day ahead with a morning yoga session including a warm-up, breathing techniques, and meditation
– After yoga, enjoy an energising breakfast
– Follow up this savoury meal with a cultural excursion
– Have the entire afternoon free and choose what you would like to do or ask your hosts, who would be happy to provide advice on the best things to do in the area
– Return for a delicious dinner

 

Departure

– After a leisurely breakfast guests are asked to check-out of their rooms by 10am ready for departure taking home with them new cooking skills, a refreshed body and mind, and an insight into authentic Italian culinary life that will stay with them long after the holiday is over.

 

What's included

Included

  • 6 nights accommodation in a twin/double room
  • You can check in any time after 2pm on Day 1 and check out by 10am on Day 7
  • One Italian cookery lesson followed by lunch
  • Daily Hatha yoga sessions
  • All breakfasts and dinners
  • Conversano village visit
  • Monopoli visit to the caves and various historic sites
  • A visit to Alberobello, the UNESCO World Heritage site
  • 2 Ayurvedic treatments
  • All transport to and from the various cultural sites plus entrance fees
  • Transfer from Conversano train station (airport transfers can be arranged at an extra cost)
Your local host

Carola

Italian-born host, Carola, has years of experience organising courses and projects, and has plenty of information to share with you about the region of Puglia and its ancient traditions. Carola has also studied the Ayurvedic techniques, Pranic healing, yoga and mediation in centres across Greece, India, and Italy.

She is joined by Mariangela, a trained therapist and guide, who has worked as a masseuse and therapist since 2000. Born in Conversano, Italy, Mariangela is always looking to improve her studies and uses multiple techniques in her work, which she loves to share with all of her guests during their ayurvedic treatments.

Italian-born host, Carola, has years of experience organising courses and projects, and has plenty of information to share with you about the region of Puglia and its ancient traditions. Carola has also studied the Ayurvedic techniques, Pranic healing, yoga and mediation in centres across Greece, India, and Italy.

She is joined by Mariangela, a trained therapist and guide, who has worked as a masseuse and therapist since 2000. Born in Conversano, Italy, Mariangela is always looking to improve her studies and uses multiple techniques in her work, which she loves to share with all of her guests during their ayurvedic treatments.

Carola image
Sustainability Efforts

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At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

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Location

Stay in beautifully refurbished traditional Puglian buildings, where there is plenty to keep you occupied – take a dip in the natural bio lake or travel through the olive and cherry tree groves by bike or on foot. Encircled by  gorgeous gardens, enjoy plenty of relaxing privacy while still being only 40 minutes from Bari airport and 3km from the coastal village of Conversano.

Getting there

Please note that prices for the holidays do not include flights. We recommend using www.skyscanner.net to check flights.

Nearest airports:
Bari (40 minutes away – see transfer details in FAQ’s below for transport options to accommodation)

or Brindisi (50 minutes away – a taxi would be required to accommodation as no direct public transport)

 

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Cookery courses are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced cooks
- Yoga courses are gentle and relaxed and suitable for all levels
- Minimum age is 18 for this cookery and yoga course
- Your hosts are Italian, and all cooking and yoga classes are taught in both Italian and English as required
- Vegetarian diets can be accommodated for the cookery portion of this course

When can I start?

- Arrivals are every Monday starting at the end of October until the end of May and then on Saturday from June to September
- Cooking and yoga holidays are for 6 nights / 7 days

What can I do in my free time?

- This Italian cooking and yoga holiday is packed with culinary delights and historic and food tours to immerse you in the culture of the local area
- In your free evenings, you can explore Conversano (only 3km away) and wander to the harbour and through the quaint streets, or take a bike ride or walk through the surrounding countryside, and pop in for a visit to the 17th-century murals at the rural chapel
- Your hosts can give you lots of information on what activities are on offer in the local area as well

Features

- 40 minutes from Bari International Airport and 50 minutes from Brindisi International Airport with optional transfer that can be scheduled at the time of booking
- Just 7km from the beach and 3km from the pretty coastal town of Conversano
- Traditional Italian farmhouse that has been renovated and converted into private rooms
- Surrounded by spacious gardens and sprawling countryside
- Luxurious large bio pool for guest use
- Rooms equipped with WiFi, heating/air conditioning, television, telephone, mini fridge, ceiling fan, security box, and hair dryer
- English and Italian speaking hosts with plenty of knowledge about the area
- Ensuite bathrooms in each room
- Dinner each evening is Mediterranean-style, using locally-sourced fresh produce and traditional Puglian recipes

How can I get there from the airports?

By taxi:
Taxis are readily available outside of the airports but can be very expensive. It is recommended you book a private car transfer in advance. Upon booking the host can help you to schedule one.

Transfers from Bari airport with the host cost £75 one way or £115 return per car, please request this on booking.

By train:
Transfers from Conversano train station to the accommodation are included in the price.

From Bari International Airport, you can take the metro (15 minutes, €5) or shuttle bus (25 minutes, €5) to Bari Central train station and from there take the train to Conversano (40 minutes, €2.10). From there, you can arrange a free transfer to the house with the host after booking.

Please note that shops and restaurants in towns in rural Italy are usually closed on Sundays - so on your departure day please anticipate this if you have an evening flight or train booked.

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