Experience The Art of Slow Travel in Italy and Greece

Small-group slow travel retreats focused on food, culture, and connection.

Person sprinkling herbs over a pizza on a wooden cutting board, with a bowl, vases, and bottles in the background.
A single wooden director's chair with white fabric sits on a stone patio overlooking a body of water, with a distant mountain range under a pastel sunset sky.

Savour The Slow invites you to immerse yourself in curated retreats, where ancient landscapes, generous tables and unhurried days create the space to reconnect.

This is your invitation to step away from the rush, immerse yourself in the beauty of Southern Italy, and reconnect with what truly matters. Designed for curious travelers, solo adventurers, and lovers of food and culture, our intimate group experiences take you beyond the tourist trail. Stay in breathtaking, family-run accommodations, share long table meals with new friends, and uncover the traditions, flavours, and rhythms of Puglian life.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, connection, or a much-needed reset, this is your chance to travel with intention and savour the slow.

Two women walking along a narrow pathway bordered by lush bushes and cactus plants, passing in front of an old stone building with architectural details, a window with decorative grilles, and a wall-mounted sculpture of birds.
People relaxing by a swimming pool on lounge chairs outdoors with trees and blue sky in the background.
A view of a rustic stone and wood exterior wall leading into a bedroom with a partially open door, white bed, and bedside table, outdoor patio with a white chair.

A slower way to experience Mediterranean.

If you’ve been thinking about a retreat like this, this is the best place to start. Join the Savour the Slow list to receive curated retreat details and upcoming availability in Southern Italy and Greece.

Your 2026 Savour The Slow Retreats

Travel the Mediterranean way, slowly, intentionally, beautifully. In 2026, Savour the Slow is offering four distinct retreats, each with its own rhythm, depth, and flavour. All are six nights, seven days, thoughtfully curated and hosted with love.

DISCOVER ALL RETREATS
  • A patio with white benches and columns, covered with a grapevine pergola. Green bushes and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    Food, Culture & Slow Travel, Signature Retreat

    Hosted by Jacqui Toumbas

    Puglia, Italy
    6 – 12 September, 2026

    Discover Retreat

  • Salt, Olive Oil & Stories, Italian Culinary Immersion

    Hosted by Jacqui Toumbas

    Puglia, Italy
    13 – 19 September, 2026

    Discover Retreat
  • A cozy outdoor seating area with a stone wall, a white cushioned lounge, a small white table, a deck chair, and views of water and mountains in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

    Trapezi, Greek Cypriot Food Immersion

    In Residency with Gabriella Simonian

    Andros, Greece
    28 September – 4 October, 2026

    Discover Retreat

See what a week with Savour the Slow feels like

Step into the rhythm of slow travel, where every moment is intentional and unhurried. Across Italy and Greece, days unfold through sun-drenched mornings in the countryside, hands-on cooking experiences with local artisans, and time spent immersed in food, culture, and place.

Savour long lunches beneath olive trees, explore historic villages beyond the guidebooks, and connect with like-minded travellers drawn together by a shared love of meaningful travel experiences.

This is an invitation to travel slowly through the Mediterranean, to immerse deeply, and to return home feeling inspired, restored, and connected.

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Love Notes From Retreat Guests

  • Person pouring olive oil onto dough on a wooden board during food preparation.

    "It was the best gift I could have given myself this year."


    When we arrived at the retreat Jacqui asked us why we had taken time out to be here. My response was “to be taken care of”. And for that week, I really was. From being the first people in over 200 years to stay at an incredible historic monastery, to the beautifully prepared Italian banquet dinners, to the cooking classes, cheese making, ceramics and beach trips, and getting to know the locals, this week was one I’ll never forget. If, like me, you’ve been thinking about doing something like this, take the plunge and go for it, it may just be one of the best experiences of your life.

    ALEX

  • People gathered outdoors under a wooden pergola with white columns, some hugging, others standing in line, with potted plants and string lights.

    "The best parts of travel are meeting people and sharing experiences."


    Being part of a group allowed me to enjoy things I would never have done solo, especially staying in a rural masseria, which was a real highlight due to the accommodation, the family owners, and the home-cooked food, as well as the ability to relax without having to plan or make decisions.

    STEF

  • Beach scene with people lounging on chairs, a woman in a red swimsuit standing in the water, and colorful buildings with green shutters in the background under a clear blue sky.

    "A journey I’ll be thinking about for years to come."


    What made this retreat truly special wasn’t just the stunning surroundings or cultural experiences, it was the way we felt held in the present moment. There was space to reflect, to connect with others, and to savour the beauty of life at a gentler pace.

    If you’re craving a getaway that nourishes your soul, invites connection, and awakens your senses, this retreat is truly something unforgettable.

    KATHY

  • Group of women sitting at a table outdoors, enjoying a crafting activity with paints, brushes, and flowers, surrounded by trees and greenery.

    "Pure magic from start to finish."


    The setting, the people, the experiences, it all felt like something out of a dream. Every single detail was so thoughtfully curated. I already can’t wait to return.

    COURTNEY

  • Two people sharing a bowl of pasta in a restaurant, with one person holding a fork and the other using a spoon.

    "A retreat that feeds the soul."


    It’s hard to put into words how special this experience was. Every meal, every conversation, every moment felt intentional. I left feeling deeply connected, inspired, and completely recharged.

    ROSHELLE

  • Shadow of two people making heart shapes with their hands on a sandy surface.

    "A once-in-a-lifetime experience."


    I came for the food, but I left with so much more - lifelong friendships, a newfound appreciation for slow living, and memories I’ll cherish forever. The most beautiful retreat in every way.

    MICHAEL

  • People practicing yoga outdoors on mats amid trees and desert plants.

    "It's been life changing (and I don’t say that lightly)."


    Be prepared to come away from this trip with new thoughts, ideas and beliefs. The slow pace really does impact you, not just for the few days in Puglia, but long-term. My biggest takeaway from the trip, was the ability to slow down (as a busy Mum of three children) and allow myself to reconnect with myself, which was something I had not been able to do for a really long time. I will definitely be back for more Puglian and Savour the Slow adventures! Well done Jacqui for such a beautiful and thoughtful week.

    CELESTE

  • People sitting in a golf cart decorated with pink and purple flowers, with trees and a stone wall in the background during sunset.

    "A rare opportunity to pause and reflect in an inspiring setting."


    Jacqui and Tilli delivered an experience that exceeded expectations. Their thoughtful approach created a space for genuine connection and meaningful conversations among guests. It was a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and build relationships in an inspiring setting.

    BRONTE

  • A group of smiling people in a kitchen, wearing aprons, gathered around a chef holding a bowl of eggplants.

    "I left feeling refreshed, grounded, and creatively re-energised."


    Savour the Slow in Puglia was a truly special retreat. Jacqui and Tilly created an experience that was creative, nurturing, and deeply inspiring, while being in the stunning Puglian countryside.  Every detail encouraged slowing down and reconnecting, and I left feeling refreshed, grounded, and creatively re-energised.

    I also found an amazing group of people to connect with.

    AMANDA

View through a stone-lined doorway to a bedroom with white bedding inside a rustic house.

This is where it begins.

Join the Savour the Slow email list to receive retreat availability, behind-the-scenes stories, and first access to upcoming weeks in Southern Italy and Greece.

Experience the Mediterranean at a slower pace.

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What part of yourself are you craving space for right now? People aren’t coming on retreat to Italy for the destination. They’re choosing a version of themselves they’ve been too busy to listen to. The one who slows their mornin
Trapezi, meaning table in Greek, is an intimate retreat on the island of Andros centred on connection to food, culture, and one another. Guided by Gabriella @_noregrettispaghetti, the experience is steeped in Greek–Cypriot heritage, where recip

Savour the Slow offers curated small-group retreats in Southern Italy and Greece, guided by slow travel, regional food and artisan-led experiences. Each retreat, curated by Jacqui Toumbas, includes one-of-a-kind cultural moments that connect you to each place.

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