Escape the relentless hustle of modern life and step into a day of pure dolce far niente—the sweet art of doing nothing. Designed as an exclusive sensory preview of our immersive international getaways, the Sicilian Spirit Retreat invites you to slow down, breathe, and reclaim your summer. Together, we will trade burnout for bliss through a restorative fascial release session, a luxurious multi-course Sicilian lunch, and an immersive ink workshop that will get you into a flow state. (Bonus aperitivo hour after, included!) If you have been craving a true, unhurried break to restore your wellness and spark your innate creativity, this intentionally paced day is your invitation to experience the rich, restful lifestyle of Sicily right here in Buffalo.
$129 VIP Pricing on Now;
Price Increases to $149 on August 9!
Photo during my recent Ortigia, Sicily retreat with Chloe Manning
Photos by City Lights Studio during a retreat at The Barrel Factory in Buffalo
ITINERARY
(subject to change)
Morning Reset & Mindset Shift
- 9:00: Fascial Release Session: Begin your day by releasing stored tension. Seasoned anatomy & alignment, bodyworker and fascial maneuvers Coach Rebecca Mercurio will guide you through an energizing yet deeply relaxing fascial release class designed to get you out of your head and into your body.
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10:00: Coffee & Conversation: Fuel up with authentic Italian coffee during a casual get-to-know-you circle.
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10:30: The Sicilian Spirit Discussion: Host Dana Saylor will lead an interactive chat on how to adopt a Sicilian mindset. Discover the history of Ferragosto (the traditional Italian summer holiday) and how a culture shaped by centuries of change learned to master resilience, slowness, and joy—and how you can use these secrets to conquer modern American stress.
The Art of Slowness (Unscheduled Sanctuary) -
11:15: Time to Just Be: True to the Italian way, we refuse to rush you. Enjoy a dedicated pocket of open, unhurried time to wander and breathe.
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Explore the Centro: Get lost in the building's rich history as a former library by browsing the English and Italian book collection, visit the onsite museum highlighting Italian-Americans in animation, check out the charming gift shop, or simply lounge with a book in the sun-drenched outdoor courtyard or covered gazebo.
Savor: A Multi-Course Sicilian Summer Lunch -
12:15: Chef Paula will serve a spectacular, multi-course Sicilian-style summer lunch. Every dish is crafted to be simple, fresh, and fiercely focused on high-quality, seasonal ingredients.
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12:30 Table Talk: Over lunch, Dana will host a light, nourishing discussion. Learn how our relationship with food is an act of radical self-care. Seamlessly weave elements of the Mediterranean lifestyle into your own kitchen.
Afternoon: Express & Flow -
1:15: Immersive Creativity Session: Transition into a sacred space of artistic expression. Dana will guide you through a grounding breathwork and meditation moment to tap into your inner landscape.
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Your Personal Expression: With your creative channels open, Dana will quickly teach you how to paint your own meaningful masterpiece of flow and intuition to take home as a physical anchor of your day.
Post-Retreat: Courtyard Aperitivo -
2:00: Extend the Magic: Step out into the courtyard for an included Italian aperitivo hour with one free Aperol Spritz or mocktail. Toast to a day well spent. Cin cin!
Photos by City Lights Studio during a retreat at The Barrel Factory in Buffalo
Photos by City Lights Studio during a retreat at The Barrel Factory in Buffalo
"Dana guides people with such conviction, spirituality and love. I gained a lot of tools that I'm still using daily. The trip was incredible. I've traveled the world, and what she did to organize this trip was organized, thoughtful, tasteful. Not one thing was missed. The thought and dedication she put into this retreat was impressive."
- Maria
WHO WE ARE
Seasoned anatomy & alignment, bodyworker and fascial maneuvers Coach Rebecca Mercurio will guide our opening Fascial Release session and lead us into the discussions.
Global retreat leader, artist and historian Dana Saylor is organizing this day-long retreat and will guide the discussions and intuitive art session. She creates wellness and creativity retreats, primarily in Europe but she's also planning group trips to Thailand and Egypt in the near future.
Paula has cooked for the Italian Cultural Center for years. She has created our Mediterranean menu to match the season and capture a sense of Sicilian Spirit. She has traveled to Sicily and Italy many times and is experienced with authentic cuisines.
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Our host space is the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo, or Italian Cultural Center. Their home is the former North Park Library which they have lovingly renovated. Learn more here.