Awakening Presence, Freedom, and Joy
August 15 - 22, 2026
Sicily, Italy
with
Dr. Larry Cammarata & Linda Cammarata, RYT
Learn and explore within a friendly, supportive small group setting.
Click the play button below for a video overview of the retreat location and surrounding area.
Nestled in the sun-drenched hills of southeastern Sicily, Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a place where time seems to slow and the senses gently awaken. Celebrated for its honey-colored Baroque architecture, the town glows with a quiet elegance that reflects both human artistry and natural grace. Fragrant citrus groves and the shimmer of the nearby Mediterranean invite visitors into a natural rhythm of presence and ease. Noto’s graceful piazzas and winding streets encourage unhurried reflection, while the surrounding countryside offers wide horizons and restorative stillness. With its rare blend of beauty, warmth, and timeless simplicity, Noto provides an ideal setting for the practice of mindfulness and the joy of being—a place where learning and awareness unfold naturally amid the harmonious meeting of art, nature, and community.
Our retreat setting is a beautifully restored 19th-century farmhouse, nestled in the lush natural landscape of southeastern Sicily, surrounded by 80 acres of fertile farmland and the serene Mediterranean Sea. This tranquil sanctuary is nestled among olive and almond groves, just 15 minutes south of Noto, one of Italy’s most stunning World Heritage towns. A short 15-minute drive east brings you to the Vendicari Nature Reserve, a haven for wildlife with some of the island’s most secluded golden-sand beaches. Here you will enjoy a freshwater infinity pool, relaxing patios, two massage rooms, and a sunset terrace. For your comfort, all rooms are equipped with Egyptian cotton sheets and towels, complimentary organic toiletries, and Wi-Fi. Explore the groves, take a refreshing swim, or visit the nearby beaches and historical towns.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
For complete CE information for licensed mental health professionals, physicians, and nurses, please click on Educational Programs prior to registering.
Mindfulness, Psychological Flexibility, and the Art of Improvisation with Dr. Larry Cammarata
This educational program explores the intersection of mindfulness, psychological flexibility, and improvisation as effective approaches for enhancing clinical efficacy and cultivating cognitive, emotional, and relational health. Drawing upon key concepts such as present-moment awareness, acceptance, cognitive defusion, and embodiment, the program reveals how principles and practices from improvisational arts—particularly the foundational “Yes, And” framework—can foster creativity, empathy, compassion, and therapeutic connection. These practices and perspectives can be successfully applied in the treatment of individuals and couples suffering from psychological disorders and relationship dysfunction. The ethics, limitations, and boundaries of using these practices will also be reviewed.
RETREAT OVERVIEW
Educational Program
Mindfulness, Psychological Flexibility, and the Art of Improvisation with Dr. Larry Cammarata
For complete CE information for licensed mental health professionals, physicians, and nurses, please click on Educational Programs prior to registering.
Also included at the retreat
Beautiful accommodations with Wi-Fi
All meals included
Scheduled excursions to places of historical, cultural, and/or scenic interest, including a beach excursion to the pristine turquoise Mediterranean Sea
Yoga classes with Linda Cammarata, RYT
Retreat Fee, Registration, and Contact Information
$ 3650: Double occupancy (USD credit card, per person, double occupancy; airfare not included)
$ 4250: Single occupancy (USD credit card, per person, space is limited for single occupancy; airfare not included)
Register now to reserve your place. Space is limited.
Registration and Payment: Please email Linda Cammarata to register or to inquire about private room availability prior to submitting your payment. After registering, you may pay by credit card through an online invoice that will be emailed to you.
Questions? Email Linda Cammarata
Please see our Bios below.
Larry Cammarata, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist specializing in mindfulness-based clinical education. He serves as Director of Education for Mindfulness Travels, an organization providing mindfulness-oriented continuing education to health professionals in various locations throughout the world. He is also the Director of Training for East Bay Mindfulness Center. For more than two decades, Larry has taught mindfulness and mindful movement in medical settings, workshops, and at international conferences and retreats. His approach integrates the philosophical and practice-based insights of traditional contemplative teachings with the framework of modern psychology. Trained in both the United States and China, Larry is also an experienced instructor of the Chinese martial and meditative movement arts of Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong. He was recognized as an Author-Expert by IDEA for his contributions to mind–body health, fitness, and wellness, and has presented his mindful movement work at the 11th Annual International Scientific Conference of the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine. Larry’s background also includes extensive work in the performing arts—music, poetry, storytelling, movement, and theatrical improvisation—which informs his dynamic, creative approach to teaching and clinical work.
Linda Cammarata, RYT is a Registered Yoga Teacher and retired Registered Nurse who specializes in applying mind-body practices of self-regulation to stress, mood, and sleep health. She is the Founder and Director of Mindfulness Travels. Linda has designed and presented wellness programs at world renowned spas in the US and internationally. She integrates mindfulness, gentle yoga, qigong, and contemporary science into her teachings. Her professional experience spans over 30 years in tradtional and complementary healthcare and wellness settings.