About halfway between Italy and Tunisia, Pantelleria juts out from the Mediterranean ocean as a black volcanic rock.  Exuding a sense of mystery & magic, its known as the black pearl of the Mediterranean.  While officially Italian, the land & architecture feels somehow closer to Africa than it does to Sicily.  It's rustic and wild: there's no umbrella-lined sandy beaches, thumping nightlife or postcards for sale.  Rather, people come here to spend their afternoons hiking to the Lago di Venere, where the tradition is to get slathered in sulphuric mud from the milky-turquoise water. Wander off property, and clamor down a rocky path to explore the thermal baths below. 

The beauty of Pantelleria is subtle & understated.  This sparsely populated island, with it's terraced slopes of wild herbs, capers & olives, is home to more reclusive icons like Giorgio Armani.  Still today, it's one of Italy's best kept secrets.  The New York Times recently wrote an article about Pantelleria, listing our property as one of the finest places on the island. 

We're staying on the southwest side of the island, near the ancient village of Scauri and the stunning cliff of Arco dell’Elefante.  You might recognize our property from the stunning Luca Guadagnino film, A Bigger Splash.  The surroundings are dotted with caves, lava sculptures, and emerald coves. Our property is dotted with exotic palms, fruit orchards, and a shaded pine forest. The Arabian garden is a stunning structure of ancient lava stone walls protecting the citrus trees inside. At night, the estate becomes charming and magical, conceived for strolls among the trees under the stars.

The seven traditional structures dotted around the property are called Dammusi - a symbiosis between settlement and nature, of closed and open spaces. The decor is a sophisticated combination of functional design furniture and vintage objects.  The property has a few smaller plunge pools and one full-sized swimming pool.  

Le Camere. (the rooms) The property has seven ancient dammusi, beautifully restored to preserve their rustic charm.  Each dammusi has a kitchen and outdoor terrace, some have rooftops to lounge on, some have little plunge pools.  The property spans over 30 acres, with gardens, pools, pine-forests and palm groves. Space for this retreat is limited to 18 students.  Each room is unique, with it's own rustic charm.  Some bedrooms have one large bed, and some have two twin beds.  Some rooms have adjoining living rooms, which have typically have a single bed in as well. Rates vary depending on if you decide to share a bed, to share a room but have your own bed, or opt for a triple. Please keep in mind this is not a resort - it's a private villa. If you are looking for a JW Mariott with staff, central AC and turn-down service, this is simply NOT the retreat for you.  If you appreciate understated beauty, barefoot adventures, a freshwater pool with Roman palazzo tilework, breathtaking herbal gardens, and thermal energy all around you, then this IS for you!  The property is so spacious, with many places to relax, chat or study - and that from our experience people really only use their rooms to sleep. 

La Cucina. (the food) For breakfast, expect eggs, local breads & pastries, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, Sicilian melons, and fresh brewed coffee, .  For lunch, expect cured local meats, rocket salad, beetroot hummus, and caprese. For dinner, expect Italian pastas, both mean & vegetarian options, grilled local veggies, and ancient grains.  Local low-intervention wine is available for purchase at a reasonable price.  NYC-based chef superstar Lauren Gerrie will be our chef for the week, so the food will be spectacular. The menu items listed above are just to give you an idea!  Each dammuso has it's own kitchen. We provide fruits, water, and coffee in each dammuso.  If you would like an early morning coffee before meditation, you'll be able to make your own in your own dammuso.  After morning asana, our chef will prepare coffee along with breakfast for everyone to enjoy.  

How To Arrive. To get to Pantelleria, take a domestic flight from either Palermo Sicily, Catania Sicily, Venice, Milan, or Rome. Check skyscanner.com. The airlines don't announce their summer domestic flights until March 2024, so if you're a super-planner you'll need to chill a bit before booking. 

From Pantelleria Airport to our property is a 40 minute drive through a gorgeous coastal road.  Depending on if you're travelling alone or with a friend, the best option is to rent a car or share a rental car with someone else.  If you don't feel comfortable renting a car (or just don't want to), we will pair you with someone else arriving at the same time, so that you can drive together.  Renting a car in Pantelleria is extremely easy & affordable.  It's important that we have enough cars for everyone to be able to explore the island freely. 

Activities. Our property has a gorgeous swimming pool, perfect for lounging the afternoon away. There are plenty of gorgeous places nearby to explore.  Thermal baths, hikes, hot springs, the lake with its famous sulphuric mud, and the charming nearby town of Scauri.

What's Not Included? Wine, car rental, two meals out, and boats.