Sicilia-Vita retreat and tours
Next Retreat: 14 - 25 June 2027
Join Sicilia-Vita for 12-day retreats through the heart of Sicily - where ancient streets, sun-drenched coastlines and centuries-old kitchens come together. From hands-on cooking classes rooted in Sicilian tradition to guided explorations of hilltop towns, temples and vineyards, this journey blends flavour, history, culture and wellbeing into one unforgettable experience.
It's an invitation to slow down, taste deeply, and rediscover yourself amid the island's rich history and the warmth of its people.
The journey
Twelve days where nourishment goes beyond the plate. You'll move through amazing fruit groves and ancient towns, cook alongside women who've done it for generations, and let the island's rhythm slow your own. This is a journey that feeds you fully: body, mind and soul - leaving you not just rested, but renewed.
Immunity Kitchen cooking classes
Discover authentic Italy through hands-on cooking classes, local tastings, wellbeing practices, and cultural and historical tours across the island - adventures designed to inspire connection, spark learning, and create memories that last well beyond the journey home.
Hosts
Sicilia-Vita specialises in curating retreats filled with excitement, cultural immersion, and carefully crafted experiences to truly discover all that Sicily has to offer.
We began with a friendship - one that grew into a shared dream of bringing others to Sicily. What started as conversations between two friends became a retreat built on connection: to place, to food, to history, and to each other. Get to know Lisa and Lori, the friends behind the journey.
They provide specialist classes and guided experiences in Sicily.
Lisa Strickland is a Nutrition Consultant and Chef with many years of experience helping others find their way to better health through food. She is the author of Immunity Kitchen - The Beginnings, a cookbook born from her passion for nourishing, flavour-rich cooking with real wellbeing benefits.
Lisa is a first-generation Australian, born to a father who left his home on the east coast of Sicily at 24 to build a new life in Australia. That heritage has shaped Lisa deeply - even growing up on the other side of the world, Sicily was never far from her table or her heart. Over the last few years, she found herself drawn back again and again, not just for the food and the history, but for the people: their warmth, their generosity, and the sense of belonging she felt every time she returned. That pull eventually became permanent - Lisa now calls Sicily home, having traded the pace of Australian life for the island's slower rhythm, where meals are an occasion rather than a task, and where she now shares that way of living with others through Sicilia-Vita.
Lori Anderson is a Life and Resilience Coach from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She has spent many years helping others discover what she believes at the core of her work: that everyone is their own superhero, stronger and more capable than they realise, and fully able to achieve what they set their mind to. Lori's approach is one of forward motion - building, growing, and moving people toward the life they want, one step at a time.
It was through her long friendship with Lisa that Lori found her own love for Sicily taking root. What began as shared conversations and a mutual pull toward the island grew into something more - together, Lisa and Lori brought that vision to life, hosting their first retreat in May 2025. Since then, Lori has brought her gift for resilience and self-belief into every Sicilia-Vita journey, helping guests not only savour the food and culture of Sicily, but also step into their own strength along the way.
Inclusions
Exclusions
Note: There will be a questionnaire sent out after registration for you to state your dietary requirements or let us know of any allergies.
FAQ
It is a warm time of the year, so make sure you have light clothes that breathe, a cardigan or jacket for the evening, just in case.
We do a lot of walking. You need to have good sneakers that give you support.
You need to take what you can carry. There are minimal lifts/elevators around in Sicily and always stairs so make sure your luggage is not too heavy. There will be laundry facilities in our accommodation.
In Sicily there are nearly always stairs and we are doing a lot of walking on our tours and the surfaces can be uneven so make sure as stated in Question 2 that you wear very good sneakers or comfortable walking shoes.
Yes, it is a requirement of Sicilia-Vita retreats that you have comprehensive travel insurance.
Guest Reflections
"I so loved our "Escape to Italy" trip organised by Lisa and Lori from Sicilia-Vita. When I think of Sicily, I remember perfect sunny weather with blue sky, turquoise sea, magical landscapes, different flavours of yummy food, incredible rich colours and textures, beautiful places we have visited, and great people. The Itinerary of the trip was great, perfectly balanced between sightseeing in beautiful Sicilian cities, free time for shopping and relaxing, and vegan cooking classes. My favourite day was when we were visiting the pistachio farm and olive oil farm on the cliffs of Mount Etna. On this trip, we have learned about Sicilian agriculture and how rich Sicilian soil helps grow amazing fruits and vegetables. Thank you, Lisa and Lori, for this beautiful adventure."
"The Escape to Italy Retreat in Sicily was excellent. We explored lots of places on the east coast of Sicily, did hands-on vegan Italian cooking classes, and engaged in meaningful mindfulness discussions. I loved staying in Ortigia - its charming, narrow streets and rich history created the perfect atmosphere. I especially enjoyed sampling the diverse, fresh local fruits and vegetables, which were delicious! The sessions with Lisa and Lori gave me a fresh perspective on my health and well-being, which I deeply appreciate. To anyone considering this retreat, I'd say: "Go for it!" I would absolutely do it again - it was truly amazing."
