ITALY RETREAT ~ 2026 | Sacred Sanga

Sacred Sanga’s Italy Retreat

~ October 26th to November 2nd, 2026

(7 nights / 8 days)

The Sacred Sanga Italy Retreat invites you to
~ deepen your connection with yourself for healing and growth
~ be part of a conscious community (sanga)
~ an exploration of "What it means to be fully alive right now"
~ while enjoying the magic of the Italian dolce vita.

The retreat blends together
~ yoga philosophy and practices
~ family or system constellation sessions
~ guided reflections and facilitated sharing circles
~ nature connection
with adventures in the sacred hills of Umbria.

We balance fun, reflection, shared experiences, and the joys of the Italian dolce vita.

As a sanga, together we will heal, grow, and fully embrace each moment
with ourselves, others, and the sacred in Italy.

Get Inspired

Retreat Venue

Le Silve Nature-Wellness Resort is recreated from an historic medieval Franciscan pilgrimage hostel dating back to 1200 AD, which has been beautifully restored and converted to a luxury nature-wellness resort hotel, set in the Monte Subasio Regional Park, near the medieval village of Armenzano, and the city of Assisi, spiritual home of St Francis and St Clare, and a spiritual heartland of Italy and pilgrims from all over the world. The resort has everything you might want for a week of slowing down and settling in, with luxurious rooms, delicious fresh local food cooked in the incredible in-house restaurant (Armentum), a beautiful swimming pool, health spa facilities, and plenty of space on the property and surrounding hillside for you to wander, explore, and simply be in nature.
See more details about Le Silve Nature Resort

What to expect?

Our inner exploration will be enriched by savoring Italy’s beauty—stunning countryside, delicious food and wine, and the warm hospitality Italy is known for.

This intimate retreat, set in a secluded luxury nature-health resort, offers:

Daily yoga, including breath-centered postures, relaxation, breathwork, and meditation
Mindfulness, conscious awareness, and presence cultivation
Nature immersion and forest bathing
Special local day tours
Walking meditation pilgrimages, including the Way of St. Francis of Assisi
Support for inner work, self-discovery, and personal growth
Yoga philosophy through Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Family or system constellation sessions
Conscious community connection (sacred Sanga)
Fresh, local cuisine and wines

Joyful experiences of la dolce vita!

DAILY PRACTICES

Each morning will begin with a gentle and energizing yoga practice, setting you up for a more mindful and vibrant day. The yoga practices are generally taught by one of your hosts, Michael de Manincor, one of Australia's most experienced and highly regarded yoga teachers. The practices will emphasize a personalized breath-centered approach, which is naturally mindful and meditative. The sessions will integrate postures and breath-centered movement, breathwork, deep relaxation, and meditation. You will have the opportunity to choose the pace that feels right for you, making it suitable for yoga practitioners of all levels, including beginners. Most afternoons will include a wind-down practice, with deep relaxation, yoga nidra, or meditation.

Some days will include excursions to the local countryside and historic towns, including Assisi and the secluded spiritual hermitage of St Francis, as well as pilgrimage walks on the via di Francesco ~ Way of St Francis

Other days will be spent at the resort, with sharing circles, reflections, or opportunities to simply relax, sit by the pool, wander around the property and local nature surroundings, or book in for a massage or other wellness offerings at the resort.

Evenings will include a space that is held by sitting in circle for shared reflections with the group, deep relaxation, yoga nidra, or meditation practice, before a pre-dinner drink, spilling over into a sumptuous Italian dinner.

YOUR RETREAT HOSTS

Michael de Manincor

Michael has been seeking to live with meaning and purpose from a very young age — a path that has led him into deep inner exploration and a life of connection and service.

He works as a psychologist and psychotherapist, is also a passionate yoga teacher, and an academic researcher in the field of mind-body integrative medicine.

With a heart-felt sense and love for community and connection, Michael founded several organisations including The Yoga Institute, The Yoga Foundation (a charity offering yoga-based support to those experiencing hardship and trauma), Sacred Sanga (a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to community connection and consciousness), and also co-founded the Ground Up Psychotherapy Institute.

Michael is guided by the intention to live more fully from the heart, learning to live with greater love, kindness and compassion.

Nicole Hercus

Nicole began her professional life as a journalist where she felt called to work towards growing our collective capacity to meet some of the deep and intractable social issues we face collectively.

Today, Nicole works as a facilitator and executive coach with leaders who are bringing about positive change in organisation like Corrections, Child Protection, Immigration Detention, and Youth Justice.

At the heart of her work lies the question “How might we grow the collective skills, capacity and resilience to bring light to the darkest corners of our humanity?”

Nicole is committed to living life fully, with an open heart, grounded in loving compassion so that together we might weave a brighter future for us all.

Together....

We were fortunate to meet and form a deeply loving relationship in mid-life — a gift we are truly grateful for. Finding love at this stage of life is a powerful reminder that to truly live, we must have the courage to stay open, be challenged and take risks.

Our own journey into mid-life loving relationship began in sanga, with the support of dear friends who have held us with care, believed in the best for us, and gave us the courage to stay open to love.

It continually reminds us that living fully is not something we do alone.

Now, together, we are creating Sacred Sanga —

a community rooted in connection and guided by what is sacred in or lives.

Our wish is to nurture a space where others, too, feel supported to live with full hearts and open lives.

RETREAT DETAILS

ARRIVAL: Monday, October 26th, 2026

We will begin our programme with a group meet & greet at around 4pm, followed by a centering yoga practice and dinner.

Getting to Le Silve.....
Le Silve can be reached directly by car, or by train or bus to Assisi, with transfers provided from the train or bus stations to the resort.

Further details provided with your registration.

DEPARTURE: Monday, November 2nd, 2026

Our programme will conclude after breakfast on Monday November 2nd.

Check-out and departure will be at your own leisure.

Return transfer to Assisi is provided, for those who require it.

REGISTRATION
Registration includes

7 nights luxury accommodation
Yoga Practices ~ 2 yoga practices each day (most days)
Meals ~ breakfast, and one other main meal each day (lunch or dinner) depending on outings and excursions
Excursions to local towns (including Assisi)
Guided walking tours in the surrounding countryside and la via de Francesco (pilgrimage of the way of St Francis)
Workshops ~ facilitated sharing circles; exploration of yoga teachings; family or system constellation sessions
Transport ~ arrival and departure transfers between Assisi and the retreat venue; and for all-day excursions throughout the retreat
Resort Facilities, including access to the 200 acres of property surrounds, swimming pool, sauna and wellness spa (additional charges for massage and spa payable directly to the resort)
Sacred Sanga ~ time spent with a wonderful group of like-minded people

COST

$500 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT

FOR PAID REGISTRATIONS BEFORE MAY 1st, 2026

STANDARD PRICES -

Single Room ~ $TBC

($500 deposit payable on registration + balance paid in full by October 1st, 2026)

Double (or Twin share) Room ~ $TBC per person

($500 deposit payable on registration + balance paid in full by October 1st, 2026)

NOTE: Double or Twin-share room bookings are for 2 people only. It is not possible to make a twin share booking for 1 person (otherwise, bring a friend!)
~ Beds in the twin share rooms can be arranged as either double for couples or separate beds for each person.

TERMS OF PAYMENT, REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY

Payment of your deposit confirms your acceptance of the following Terms of Payment, Refunds, and Cancellation Policy

Deposit payments are required to secure your registration. Deposits are non-refundable. Full balance payment for this event is required by October 1st, 2026.
Cancellations received more than 60 days prior to the event will receive a 100% refund of the balance payment.
Cancellations received between 30 and 60 days prior to the event will receive a 50% refund of the balance payment
Cancellations received within 30 days of the event, or no-show for the event, will not be eligible for any refund.
You may transfer your registration to another person at no cost, with prior approval of the event organiser.
Payment of your deposit confirms your acceptance of these Terms of Payment, Refunds, and Cancellation Policy

Event Cancellation: In extenuating circumstances, Michael de Manincor and the Trustees of Sacred Sanga reserve the right to cancel the event. In the unlikely event that this occurs, a full refund of registration fees paid will be returned to the participant. However, no responsibility will be accepted for any consequential loss in any circumstances.

Travel Insurance: Adequate travel insurance is highly recommended