One Month in Italy – Ortigia, Sicily

April 7 – May 6 2026

Sold out! Email us to be put on the list for 2027 details.

I have a dream – maybe it’s yours too.

For years I’ve dreamed of living in Italy—not just visiting, but truly living there. Shopping at the market. Writing by the sea. Speaking Italian. Wandering. Slowing down fully. Just being.

And now—after 15 years of hosting rejuvenation retreats across Italy and Europe—all of that is finally within reach. With everything happening in the world, it feels like Carpe Diem time. So, I’m doing it!

I’m choosing myself – and I’m encouraging you to choose yourself too!

in april 2026 (april 7-may 6), i’m offering:

One Month in Ortigia, Sicily

a deeper, more spacious way to live, create, connect, and simply be and I’m inviting you to join me.

We’ll make space for magic together!

This is perfect if you are craving a break – Working remotely, retired or semi-retired – Or simply envisioning of a month to let go of to-do lists, work on a creative project or dream up your next chapter and live la dolce vita!

Each person will have their own apartment with a kitchen, all in the same building. So you’ll have your independence and privacy—with a built-in circle of kindred spirits nearby.

This experience is sure to be a transformational, soul-nourishing, joy-filled chapter in your life.

Goethe wrote after visiting the island in 1787, “To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything.” The island was once ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish, and each civilization has left its mark.

When you come with me to live for a month in Sicily, you’ll experience this ancient history along with the visual and cultural treasures still there today. See the Temple of Apollo at the entrance to Ortigia below!

Why ortigia, Sicily?

Ortigia is a jewel—part of Syracuse on Sicily’s southeast coast. Walkable, soulful, and surrounded by sparkling Mediterranean water; it’s a sensory wonderland. Envision ancient stone streets, artisan shops, mouthwatering food, outdoor markets, golden evening light, full‑moon magic—and a warm and friendly Sicilian spirit.

Ortigia is thousands of years old with Greek and Roman ruins, a stunning Duomo, lively piazzas and everything you need within walking distance.

You’ll have the option to take day trips to UNESCO cities like Noto, Ragusa, Modica as well as Marzamemi on the coast, Agrigento with an amazing archaeological site, bustling Catania, stunning Taormina and more. But, honestly, if we’re talking about slow living, you might want to stay put and exhale.

And April? Mild weather, fewer tourists, and the energy of spring everywhere.

Sicily is the perfect place to feel inspired and re-ignite your own wishes for your life. Being able to let go of all responsibilities and be present to your own needs is a true gift. And you’ll be staying right in the middle the charming city

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your home in ortigia

We’ll be staying in a beautifully restored Sicilian palazzo right in the heart of Ortigia’s historic center—just steps from the sea, morning markets, and vibrant daily life.

Each apartment has been lovingly designed by a local female entrepreneur I connected with during my Sicily travels. She gave me a tour in Italian (hooray for my Italian studies!) last year while it was under construction and that’s when the seed of this idea was born! You’ll feel her care in every design detail.

You’ll be welcomed into your very own Sicilian home-away-from-home. You’ll have your own space which blends old-world charm with modern comforts like high-speed Wi-Fi, Smart cable TV, air conditioning, iron and ironing board, Lavazza espresso machine, desk and a fully equipped small kitchen.

Thoughtful touches such as a welcome drink, plush towels, slippers, memory foam pillows, and a curated courtesy kit make it feel homey. Towels are changed every three days; sheets changed every six days and there is a daily tidy up service. If you want new towels or sheets more frequently, there is a nominal fee.

Peaceful and full of natural light and charm, your apartment will be the perfect place to land, unwind, and soak it all in.

My friend – this month is all about You! It’s time to dream bigger and expand your ideas of what’s possible in your life.

Whether you stay in a cozy studio apartment on the ground floor or a larger one with a kitchen and bright spaces, you’ll find the perfect option for your month in Ortigia just 50 meters from the sea.

Each apartment is unique, designed with a different color scheme. Some have a Juliet balcony with a quiet inner courtyard view and others have a balcony to the street.

The apartments are spread across multiple floors (ground floor, 1st floor and 2nd floor.) There is no elevator as it’s an historic building.

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In Italy, I feel giddy—like I’m in love. I always wish I could bring “vacation Jayme” home with me. As I wander the beautiful streets, my heart opens, my thoughts expand, and my spirit feels free. Ever since studying Italian in college, I’ve dreamed of living in bella Italia—and I know I’m not the only one.

For the past 15 years, I’ve led women’s retreats all across this beautiful country — from Lake Como and the Italian Riviera to Tuscany, Veneto, Puglia, and Sicily creating soul-nourishing experiences that help women travel with ease, dream bigger, and reconnect with themselves and what truly matters.

I’m also the best-selling author of “Feng Shui Your Life,” and my greatest passion is helping people live happier, healthier, more inspired lives in every season and every space they inhabit.

This time, I’m doing something different. I’m inviting you to live like a local in Sicily with me – not just visit. To sip your cappuccino slowly, wander cobblestone streets with no agenda, soak up sea breezes, and remember what it feels like to truly flourish.

A recent guest called my Italian retreat “a light, beautiful, heart-felt adventure with mind-opening experiences, a truly life-changing event.”

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You’ll have an individual apartment with its own kitchen, design and character in a beautifully restored palazzo in the heart of Ortigia. You’ll enjoy privacy and community—with kindred souls just a few steps away with a central inner courtyard for gathering.

Your package includes:

• 30 Days/29 nights in your own apartment
• 29 Italian breakfasts (fresh fruit, pastries & coffee/tea)
• Daily tidy up service
• New towels every 3 days, sheets every 6 days
• Arrival group transfer from Catania Airport
• Welcome aperitivo + handpicked Sicilian provisions
• “Live like a local” activities with Jayme
• A gentle rhythm of connection and inspiration:
  • 2 weekly group meals plus a Welcome and Final Dinner – (6 Dinners & 4 Lunches)
  • 1 creative workshop/sharing circle per week
  • 1 special weekly experience (i.e. farm-to-table Sicilian cooking class, boat excursion around the island, local artisan/historical tour, or day trip to a UNESCO city nearby)
• Access to help with travel and booking activities on-site
• Reception open daily from 8am-6pm
• Lots of freedom and time to relax, walk and dream in Italy

Note:

• All group meals and activities are optional
• You can join the weekly group experiences you desire
• Package price remains the same whether you join or not

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life enhancement circles with jayme barrett

Once a week (maybe twice), we’ll gather in a nurturing circle to reconnect with our dreams, desires, and what truly brings us joy. These sessions are all about creating space—for reflection, insight, and a little everyday magic in Sicily.

Through journaling, breathwork, and creative or energetic practices, we’ll explore ways to invite more peace, love, health, and success into our lives. Using principles of lifestyle feng shui and manifestation, you’ll be guided to align with what feels true and meaningful.

Jayme creates a safe, supportive space for sharing, bonding, and inspiration. For 25 years, she’s been facilitating circles, leading workshops and speaking to large and small groups to help people live happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Bring your journal, an open heart, and a willingness to welcome in everything your heart is ready for. To read more about Jayme, visit www.jaymebarrett.com.

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The rest of our time will unfold naturally and spontaneously: mornings in the courtyard, cappuccinos and conversations, walks by the sea, and sunset spritzes. A world to explore—or not. You get to decide. Reception can book a hair appointment, massage, mani pedi and more.

This one month stay is for people who want the best of both worlds: solo space and community. A little structure, a lot of independence, and a truly beautiful place to land. Below is the island of Ortigia!

There are only 7 apartments and it’s first-come, first-served with a deposit.

If you are serious about joining, email us here as soon as possible to secure your space. When you email us to book your spot, please indicate your 1st and 2nd choice apartment. (Details and pricing below.)

♥ Optional activities – (additional fee where applicable)

Throughout the month, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a variety of optional activities in Ortigia and surrounding areas. From Italian classes and yoga to wine tastings, art or pottery workshops, and day trips to nearby UNESCO cities—there’s something for every mood.

Explore the Duomo and Jewish quarter, swim in the sea, visit Greek ruins, or simply wander the island on foot or by bike. Enjoy street food or dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, browse the outdoor markets, cook fresh simple meals in your kitchen, journal in a sunny piazza, or get lost in a creative project.

Ortigia is full of culture, beauty, and opportunities to live la dolce vita—your days can be as lively or as peaceful as you like.

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Delicious sicilian food

Every day, you’ll have the chance to wander through Ortigia’s famous open-air market, crowded with vivid colors, market calls, and the scent of citrus and the sea. It’s a foodie’s playground—perfect for picking up something delicious for lunch on the go or picnicking by the water.

Expect mouthwatering sandwiches, antipasti platters loaded with caponata and arancini, fresh seafood, cured meats, roasted veggies, and the sweet perfume of pastries and desserts around every corner.

The street food scene is phenomenal and if you’re craving something extra special, you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants and trattorias where every meal feels like a celebration. In Sicily, food isn’t just fuel—it’s a daily pleasure, a ritual, and one of the most memorable parts of every day.

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What’s not included

Not included:

• Flights to and from Sicily
• Travel insurance
• Wine or alcoholic beverages
• Tips/gratuities for local vendors, guides, or housekeeping
• Optional activities (such as excursions, classes, or special experiences)
• Anything not specifically mentioned in the above description

HERE are photo highlights of a week long retreat in Sicily from last year. And HERE is a post with more pictures about this new experience.

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Past guests describe jayme’s retreats as:

Magical, heavenly, positive, relaxing, fun, beautiful, joyful, enlightening, bonding, heart-warming, upliting, supportive, rich and meaningful, invigorating, well-organized, nourishing, fabulously-curated, infused with cultural exploration, eye-opening, breath-taking, fulfilling, spiritual, diverse, educational and good for the soul. The genuine feeling of community and friendship is amazing!

• “It’s a priceless way to spend eight days saturated with beauty, love, authenticity and excitement.”
• “Unbelievable in every way… connection, community, spiritual and full of creative energy. Not to be missed!”
• “To be able to bond with caring, nuturing women in such a beautiful locale was more than I could have ever imagined!”
• “I will follow Jayme anywhere! She’s a warm, positive, skillful leader with a heart of gold.”

When you come on a Jayme Barrett retreat or month long stay, you’ll laugh, share, bond, explore and learn ways to uplift your life in a welcoming environment within a kind-hearted community.

Many people join year after year and some are coming on their 2nd-14th retreat this year. For some, it will be their first experience. On this 15th year, Jayme will be leading her 46th retreat. ♥ Here are testimonials from past guests of our one week retreats.

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PAYMENT, DEPOSIT & REGISTRATION

This will be a small, intentional gathering of kindred spirits drawn to connection, inspiration, and beauty. With just 7 apartments, and an enthusiastic response already, this month long experience will fill quickly. To honor the intimacy of the group, we’ll schedule a video chat to ensure it feels aligned.

If your heart is calling you here, I’d love to connect.

DATES: APRIL 7 – MAY 6, 2026

DEPOSIT: $1500 (non-refundable) when your place is confirmed. Prices are per person for 30 days/29 nights.

payment options

We accept Zelle, Venmo and PayPal. If you would like to use a credit card through PayPal, there is an additional 4% fee within the US and 6% outside the US.

to complete your reservation

We require you to sign and return an: “Acknowledgement of Risk, Release and Indemnity.” This form includes additional terms and conditions of travel, including limitations of obligations to you. This document along with a Covid Release form will be sent to you after you have paid your balance. Please read it carefully. The document must be completed, signed and returned to us no later than 50 days before travel. Our receipt of the completed and signed forms will finalize your reservation.

**If the Euro is higher than 1.20 USD to every Euro at the time of final payment, some adjustments will be made to the final price.

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yes i want to book this month in sicily!

If you have any questions about this stay and/or would like to sign up, email us here as soon as possible to secure your spot. We will send you a registration form after your place is confirmed.

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this is your time to thrive!

this Joyful Journey gives you the opportunity to:

• Live in Italy for a month without the hassle of figuring everything out alone
• Access to a seasoned retreat leader and transformational guide (me!)
• A curated, optional rhythm of creative connection, community, and exploration
• An air-conditioned apartment with a kitchen, wifi and a desk in the historic center.
• On-site support, energy, heart, and hosting for the entire month
• The confidence of stepping into a safe, beautiful and energetically aligned space – intentionally curated by someone who knows Italy intimately, speaks some Italian, and has trusted connections in Sicily to ensure everything flows with ease.

At the end of last year’s 15th retreat season, I shared “This year, 46 women felt part of a sacred sweet sisterhood where they could let down their guards and get back in touch with their own rhythm and desires, where they put themselves first and let go of daily routines.

On retreat, they honored their feelings, learned ways to uplift their daily lives, saw stunning places, had meaningful cultural experiences with locals, ate incredibly delicious food and belly laughed in some of the most beautiful places in the world. We all embraced in a circle of love, a circle of belonging, a circle of heart-centered connection, a circle of joy and peace – a circle of like-minded sisters.“

I know this will happen even more in our slow-living month in Sicily!

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travel and flights to sicily

You will be responsible for booking your own travel and flights to Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA).

The group pick-up will be a the Catania Airport at 12:30pm on TUESDAY APRIL 7th. Meeting spot TBD. Please eat some lunch beforehand. Our first meal will be our Welcome Dinner.

If you’d love to explore a bit of Sicily before our one month together (and get on the European time zone), consider arriving a few days early. The lively city of Catania is fantastic (with wonderful shopping, street food, cathedrals etc) and worth visiting for a few days before coming down to Ortigia. Also, the beautiful town of Taormina (famous from the TV show “The White Lotus”) is one hour north. Of course, you can visit those cities during our month together as well.

Booking Flights

The site www.skyscanner.com is a great resource for seeing all your flight options. However, we recommend booking directly with the airline whenever possible. Most likely, you’ll have a stopover in a European or Italian city on your way to Catania Airport (CTA). You could also fly into Rome (FCO) and then take a short connecting flight to Catania.

In 2025, Delta has a non-stop flight to Catania from JFK (check to see if this is happening in April 2026), and Norse Atlantic Airways flies direct to Rome if that works better for you.

Important Layover Tip: If your flight has a layover, especially a “Self-Transfer” where you need to collect your bags and check in again, please ensure you have at least 3 hours between flights to allow plenty of time to get through immigration and security. You might also want to consider booking FLEXIBLE flights that allow changes, just in case.

Airport Transfers: A ONE-WAY arrival group transfer to our palazzo is included in the fee. The drive from Catania Airport to Ortigia is approximately one hour. The transfer back to the airport is not included although we will help you book it. We want to give you the freedom to leave at whatever time you wish or go to another part of Sicily, Italy or Europe.

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medical issues, travel insurance and passport

If you have any medical issues that will require professional care while on your trip, you must bring and be responsible for all necessary items and treatments related to your condition. Before travelling with Jayme Barrett, we strongly recommend you review your personal insurance and health insurance to ensure you have coverage appropriate to meet your needs in case of any loss of property or illness, injury or death.

Insurance: The trip price does not include any insurance coverage, and Jayme Barrett highly recommends the purchase of travel insurance to protect your trip investment in the event of medical emergencies, lost bags, a cancelled trip or any other unforeseen trip or pre-trip related event. All deposits are non-refundable so it’s important to protect your peace with travel insurance. You can get travel insurance including medical through www.squaremouth.com, www.insuremytrip.com, www.worldnomads.com or call your travel agent. You need travel AND medical coverage. Review all plans carefully. More about insurance under “Cancellation Policies” below.

Passport: Make sure your passport is up-to-date and it should be valid through October 2026.

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cancellation policies

We understand that life happens—and sometimes travel plans must change. Because Jayme Barrett‘s Retreats & Stays are intentionally kept small to create a deeply personal and meaningful experience, we’ve designed the following cancellation policy to be fair to both guests and our team, helping us all share in the financial responsibilities of unforeseen changes.

Deposit Policy

• Your initial deposit is non-refundable.
  However, if you are unable to attend and find a like-minded replacement (with Jayme’s prior approval), we’ll do our best to transfer your spot. A $350 service fee will be applied.

Payment Schedule

• 50% of the remaining balance is required within 120 days of departure. This payment is non-refundable.
• The final remaining balance is required within 60 days of departure..
• Cancellation from 60 days prior to 50 days prior: cancellation fee is 50% of final remaining balance.
• The trip is nonrefundable inside of 50 days. If a like-minded replacement (with Jayme’s prior approval) is secured, travelers will get a refund less $350.00.

• If you wish to cancel the trip outside of 50 days, a written cancellation request is necessary.

Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended)

No one books a retreat or stay with the intention of canceling, but unexpected events do occur. For your peace of mind, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes:

• Trip Cancellation & Interruption Coverage
• Medical Coverage, including international care
• Emergency Evacuation (where applicable)

Most providers require that you purchase insurance within 14 days of booking to receive full coverage. It’s your responsibility to understand what is and isn’t covered by your policy. Jayme Barrett is not liable for any expenses incurred due to trip cancellation or modification, including airfare, hotel stays, or other personal costs related to your travel.

Retreat Cancellation by Organizer

In the rare event that we must cancel a retreat due to inadequate registration or unforeseen circumstances, all payments made to Jayme Barrett will be fully refunded. We will notify you of such cancellation at least 30 days before the retreat’s start date, whenever possible.

That said, we cannot reimburse you for personal expenses such as airfare or other costs incurred, so please plan accordingly with proper travel protection.

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questions and booking

This is your invitation wander, wonder and thrive in one of the most beautiful and culturally rich places and I’d love YOU to join me in living like a local in Sicily.

all you need is a passport, plane ticket and a month for yourself.

Only 7 apartments available – first come, first served.
I can’t wait to create this experience together!

When you email us, send us your 1st and 2nd choice apartments. Also, please tell us why this month in Sicily is calling your name.

If you have any questions and/or would like to sign up, email us here as soon as possible to secure your spot. We will send you a registration form as soon as your place is confirmed. You can pay your deposit by ZELLE, VENMO, or a credit card on Paypal (4% fee added within US, 6% outside US). 

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frequently asked questions

Is this a retreat?
Not exactly—this is living like a local experience with retreat-like activities interspersed throughout the month. It has gentle hosting and a soft rhythm, but no expectation of attendance. It’s a spacious way to be present, create, connect, and explore.

Do I need to know Italian?
Not at all! A few phrases are lovely, but Italian is not required. There will be an opportunity to take Italian classes if that appeals to you and there will be some “live like a local” outings.

What if I need to work remotely?
The apartments have Wi‑Fi, each with its own router, so you’ll be able to work on your laptop and smartphone. You can also go to a coffeehouse which I’ll be doing. I want to be out and about in Sicily!

What if I don’t get an apartment?
If all spots go, you can still join the waitlist. Sometimes a spot opens, and I’ll be planning future One Month in Italy stays.

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come rejuvenate in sicily!

Ready to dream with me? If you’ve ever said to yourself:

“I just want to live in Italy for a month and be.”
“I want to wander without a plan and drink cappuccinos by the sea.”
“I need a pause from doing… and space to dream again.”

Then this experience is for you! Come let your spirit be infused by Sicilian culture and discover new ways to create positive energy and peace in your life. You’ll experience “La Dolce Vita” in one of the most stunning parts of the world. I hope to welcome you in Sicily my friend!

Choose Yourself and Choose your Apartment! Email us here as soon as possible to secure your space.

Let’s not postpone our happiness. It’s here for us in April!

With love, pink light and Italian baci – ♥ Jayme