Following the success of its sold-out 2025 wellness retreat, specialist tour operator Travel Puglia has opened expressions of interest for its September and October 2026–27 retreat program, inviting Australian yoga teachers, Pilates instructors and wellness facilitators to host bespoke group retreats in Southern Italy.
The launch comes as wellness tourism continues to gain momentum. With Australia’s wellness tourism market forecast to reach $125.7 billion by 2035, Travel Puglia is seeing growing demand from Australian facilitators looking to host boutique, experience-led retreats beyond traditional destinations.
Unlike many retreat providers, Travel Puglia manages all on-the-ground logistics, including accommodation, transfers, restaurants and curated local experiences, allowing retreat hosts to focus on delivering their programs.
“Our 2025 retreat sold out and sparked strong interest from facilitators wanting to create their own experiences in Puglia. We’re seeing increasing demand for authentic, boutique retreats, and our role is to make hosting them as seamless as possible,” said Travel Puglia co-founder Monique Fabris.
Each itinerary is tailored to the retreat leader’s vision, combining yoga or wellness sessions with authentic local experiences such as hands-on cooking classes, sailing through the sea caves of Polignano a Mare, guided walks through the UNESCO-listed city of Matera, cycling through the Valle d’Itria, olive oil tastings at family-run estates, traditional cheese-making experiences and long Puglian dinners beneath the stars.
Returning retreat leader Sherry, who previously hosted a retreat with Travel Puglia in Tuscany before taking her community to Puglia, described the experience as transformational.
“The Travel Puglia team was beyond amazing! Every detail for 25 people was taken care of. I’d highly recommend them to anyone planning a wellness retreat in Italy,” said Sherry.
Group packages start from AU$4,100 per person (excluding international flights), and include accommodation, transfers and curated experiences. Retreat hosts travel complimentary with qualifying group bookings.
For more information about Travel Puglia’s wellness retreat program, or to discuss bespoke retreat opportunities for travel advisors’ wellness clients, contact Monique at [email protected]
