Women's Heart and Herb Retreat in the energies of Mount Etna, Sicily 11th – 18th May 2027

Dive into Sicily's flower-rich and fragrant spring. Hike in the Etna Nature Park and experience the top of the volcano. Learn to identify herbs and plants and their use as food, herbs and in rituals.

Treat yourself with Italian cuisine. Feel the intense fire energy, the magic of Sicily, participate in nature rituals, release yourself, laugh and enjoy. Take time for yourself away from everyday life, relax and experience the colorful Sicilian lifestyle.

Where?
In Italy, Sicily, in the village of Letojanni on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, in the armpit of Etna volcano.

What to expect
Program:

Day 1. Good morning Sicilia

Meeting at Catania airport in Sicily, from where we travel together to our hotel, in the village of Letojanni on the Mediterranean coast.

Dinner on the hotel terrace and descend into the energies of Sicily; the Mediterranean and Mother Etna.

Day 2. Taormina and Castelmola, herb identification and hiking

The morning starts with breakfast and Raija's rousing morning session. We leave with shared transport towards the picturesque villages of Taormina and Castelmola. Taormina is called the pearl of Sicily. Located on top of a high hill, Taormina has colorful houses, narrow alleys and wonderful sea views. The mighty volcano Etna rises majestically in the background, and below, the Mediterranean sea alternates between turquoise and deep blue. We start hiking in the village of Castelmola, where we still enjoy gelatos (ice creams), they are famous, wonderfully sweet and rich, just like the Sicilian culture. During the hike, we can admire the plants and the splendor of the Sicilian spring flowers. Raija tells us about the herbs we encountered and the wonderful edible plants of the Mediterranean. We descend the hill all the way to Taormiina, where we get to dive into the Italian way of life and admire the beautiful alleys and green gardens. The day in Taormina culminates with dinner in an Italian trattoria, where we can enjoy the fresh flavors of Italian cuisine and the serenades of street musicians.

We return to the hotel after dinner.

Day 3. Etna nature park and mountain villages

The morning starts with breakfast and a stimulating morning session. We are heading towards the Etna nature park, where a wonderful all-day hiking on the paths of the nature park awaits us. We get to meet Etna's ancient oaks and a container of wood energies. Raija guides us to herbs and plants. In the place of strength, we keep the circle of fiery women's heart and creativity. Our heart opens to the senses as the drum beats and the circle ends in a wild creative dance. We enjoyed dinner as guests in a Sicilian home in a small mountain village. We get to taste the typical dishes of the Etna region seasoned with local herbs. We still enjoy coffee and visit the hosts' garden. In the evening we return to the hotel in Letojan, where the Mediterranean sea lulls us to foreign lands.

Day 4. Sea and stone day

The morning starts with breakfast and Raija's stimulating morning session. Friday is the day of water, Mother Earth and stone energy. We walk along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, where we do nature exercises together, we get to enjoy the waves of the Mediterranean Sea and dive into the energies of the sea.

We enjoy a Mediterranean lunch in a beach village at a local trattoria.

Return to the hotel, relax and have your own time.

Day 5. Fire energy and creativity

The morning starts with breakfast and Raija's rousing morning session. Wednesday is the day of the element of fire, creativity and the summit of Mount Etna. Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. As we climb the slopes of Etna, we get to admire the fertile valleys of the volcano, small villages, the Sicilian way of life and we gradually dive into the chestnut forests of the Etna Natural Park. The landscape becomes more barren and lava valleys open in front of us. The stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea are breathtaking. The bus takes us to an altitude of 1,800 meters, from where we continue with the gondola lift towards the top of the volcano. At the top, we do a joint hike at about 2500-3000 meters. The energy of the volcano is strong and we get an incredible energy charge from Mother Etna.

We return to Letojanni village for dinner. In the evening we stretch and study the messages and energy of the volcano.

Day 6. Holiday

Breakfast at the hotel, then free time. In the vicinity of the hotel you can walk at your own leisure, on the beach of Välimenre you can relax, read or go for a walk or even go shopping.

Day 7. Water walk in the lava valley of Gole dell'Alcantara

The morning starts with breakfast and a stimulating morning session. We head to the mountain scenery in the beautiful Gole dell'Alcantara valley. There are green citrus plantations in the valley, across which we pass. We will admire the Alcantara river flowing below, which has formed through erosion a wonderful narrow lava valley, where we can hike in the river. We sensed the powerful energy of the lava and the gurgling and splashing power of the stream. A quiet mindfulness river walk makes us feel the incredible power of both water and lava. The beauty of the valley dazzles and we get to admire the rustle of Eucalyptus trees and the spring greenery of nature.

We enjoyed dinner in a small village under walnut trees. We are guests of a local family and we get to enjoy traditional foods and wines. After dinner, the final circle of fiery women's hearts and creativity. We burn the incense in the ancient hum of the drum. Women's heart energy is beautiful and powerful. The smoke and smell of incense create a mystical atmosphere and the energy of Mother Earth from Etna volcano grounds us. Fire women's heart beats strongly with creative and wild power.

Day 8. Arrivederci Etna and Sicily

The morning starts with breakfast. Afterwards, a joint closing party and ceremonies on the Mediterranean beach. We will enjoy a shared lunch, after which it will be time to say goodbye to our wonderful accommodation and wonderful new and old friends. Shuttle to the airport.

More information:

Heidi Jokela

heidi.jokela@polarstartravel.fi

010 325 4044

Raija Kivimetsä raija@raijakivimetsa.fi

Responsible tour operator Polar Star Travel

Price
Trip price: €1,599

Single room supplement: €300

The price includes accommodation in a room for 2 people with breakfast, 6 wonderful meals, airport transportation, transportation to excursions, the conquest of Etna and a wonderful strong women's program, Raija's plant guides, information about using plants as food, herbs and in rituals, Heidi's drumming relaxation and drumming rituals, tour leaders and tour guide services.

The price does NOT include flights.

We have booked a quota for the group on a Finnair direct flight Helsinki-Catania-Helsinki. Ask Heidi for these flights.

The registration fee of 399 euros is paid when booking from the link on the right.

Final payment €1200 by 03.03.2027.

Cancellation terms:

If returned before 3 March 2027, 199.5 euros of the 50% registration fee will be refunded

4.3. – 31.3.2027 the final payment of 1200 euros will be returned.

1.4.2027 – Retreat fees are non-refundable. We recommend taking out travel insurance in case of illness.

Retreat leaders
As tour leaders: wild herb educator, herbal therapist, nature connection instructor, FM Raija Kivimetsä and Polar Star Travel's luminous strongwoman and entrepreneur, nature connection instructor Heidi Jokela.

Heidi has lived in Italy and Sicily for a long time and knows the customs and culture of the country inside out.