Dolce Vitality
by Le Sirenuse
The Italian Fitness Retreat
Spring 2025
16 - 22 March
Imagine an iconic hotel transformed for one week each spring into a fitness retreat that combines mountainous trekking with restorative yoga, a world class spa and some of the most delicious healthy food known to man. Imagine Dolce Vitality.
“For many, Positano is la dolce vita. It speaks of beautiful people sipping cocktails as the sun sets over the Mediterranean. But my hometown also has a rugged mountain soul that most visitors never discover. My aim in founding Dolce Vitality was to invite a small group of like-minded guests to explore this other world with me, my family and a passionate team of locals. One thing I can never stress enough is how tough the morning treks can be, with their seemingly endless flights of ancient steps. But the rewards are many. Breathtaking views, far from the crowds. Exquisitely prepared natural food, good company, yoga and meditation to recalibrate mind and body. Each retreat is, for me, a revelation.”
Antonio Sersale
What is Dolce Vitality?
Dolce Vitality is a six-day health and fitness retreat that takes place just once a year, in the week before Le Sirenuse opens in March. It centers on a series of challenging morning hikes in the mountains behind Positano that require, at a minimum, previous hiking experience and a good level of physical fitness. Each retreat runs from Sunday to Saturday and is open to no more than 30 guests, who have the whole hotel to themselves. The price includes:
- six nights’ accommodation in a sea-view room at Le Sirenuse
- five days of technically and physically challenging treks in the mountains surrounding Positano, led by expert local guides
- complimentary laundry service daily from Monday to Friday
- a bioelectrical body composition assessment (BIA)
- a pescatarian menu – low-calorie, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free – prepared daily from fresh, local, seasonal ingredients by Le Sirenuse’s executive chef and served at a communal table
- special menus for vegans or those with other special dietary requirements
- one on one private session with on-site nutritionist
- daily yoga classes with a world-class instructor
- afternoon Pilates sessions
- guided post-trek stretching sessions
- daily 45-minute restorative massages
- access to all the hotel’s amenities, including the gym, swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, plunge pool and ice room
- all transfers, including pick-up and drop-off at Naples train station or airport
A limited number of places are available for each six-night retreat (Sunday to Saturday) at a cost of € 8,500 per person excluding city tax and VAT. This all-inclusive price covers the complete program, with transfers to and from Naples, spa treatments, meals and accommodation. Applicants should possess previous hiking experience and good levels of fitness, and on enquiring, will be contacted by our team to ensure they understand the challenging nature of the morning treks.
Enquire now about Dolce Vitality Spring 2025 (March 16th – March 22nd)
The Hikes
“Why spend time on a treadmill staring at a wall?”
Why spend time on a treadmill staring at a wall when you can be breathing pure mountain air, admiring spectacular coastal landscapes, foraging for wild asparagus, absorbing the rural culture of a very special part of southern Italy? Dolce Vitality uses as its open-air gym Positano’s intricate network of ancient footpaths and mule tracks, from celebrated routes like the Path of the Gods to relatively untrodden paths. Maintained by volunteers, among them our team of dedicated hill-walking guides, these stunning trails traverse lemon and olive groves, pass ancient chapels and shrines, climb winding stairways to tiny perched villages with sweeping sea views. Bear in mind that these hikes are strenuous and fast-paced, often involving long climbs up what can seem endless flights of steps. They are designed for those already in good shape who are looking for an exhilarating new challenge that will push their fitness to the max.
Daily Schedule
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Arrival Day
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MORNING
- Transfers organized for all arrivals from train station and airport
- Arrival at Le Sirenuse, settle into guest rooms, relax, enjoy the hotel
- Individual body composition assessments conducted through a BIA analysisAFTERNOON
1:00 pm
Welcome lunch3:30 pm / 4:00 pm
Mountain safety and uphill technique session – an introduction to Amalfi Coast trekking4:00 pm / 5:30 pm
A guided walking tour of Positano’s intricate stairways7:00 pm / 8:00 pm
Dinner and overview of the week ahead
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Monday – Friday: Core Days
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MORNING
5:30 am
Wakeup call6:00 am / 7:00 am
Sunrise Yoga7:00 am / 7:45 am
Breakfast8:00 am / 12:30 pm
Guided hike in the mountains above PositanoAFTERNOON
12:30 pm / 1:00 pm
Refresh and change in room1:00 pm / 1:15 pm
Guided stretch on the terrace1:15 pm / 2:00 pm
Lunch2:00 pm / 7:00 pm
Free time/individual 45-minute restorative massages. Guests will leave and return to the afternoon program according to their allotted timeslot4:00 pm / 4:45 pm
Pilates6:00 pm / 7:00 pm
Restorative Yoga7:00 pm / 8:00 pm
Dinner8:00 pm
Post-dinner digestion walk on the beach
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Departure Day
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MORNING
6:00 am
Wakeup call6:30 am / 7:15 am
Sunrise Yoga7:15 am onwards
Breakfast, final measurements, free time until departures
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Fitness from dawn to dusk
“Yoga classes focus holistically on body and soul”
Guided by experienced teacher and Reiki master Jennifer Warakomski, early morning and late afternoon yoga classes focus holistically on body and soul, integrating breathwork and incorporating stretches for tired muscles. In the afternoon, high-energy Pilates sessions aim to tone those areas the morning treks didn’t reach ¬– and challenge a few they did. Relief is on hand via guided post-hike stretching sessions and personalized daily massages in our Spa.
The Food
“Who knew healthy low-calorie meals could be so delicious?”
Who knew healthy low-calorie meals could be so delicious? Working in close collaboration with leading health coach Valentina Dolci, Le Sirenuse’s executive chef Gennaro Russo has created an organic plant-based menu with the addition of some omega-3-rich local fish and seafood, one that entirely avoids gluten, dairy products and refined sugar. Rooted in the Mediterranean diet, Gennaro’s menu is designed to deliver a tasty reduced-calorie diet with optimal nutritional benefits. The energy needed to get you up those hills is topped up by snacks – including Gennaro’s delicious homemade granola bars. Meals are enjoyed on a long convivial table and for those who want it, a glass of local organic wine is available. A range of adaptogenic blends and tisanes are also available throughout the day.
Dolce Vitality Equipment Guide
CLOTHING
- Technical trekking or running clothes in synthetic fibers that wick moisture from the skin are recommended. Please consult your local hiking outfitter if you need advice
- At least 4 sets of hiking/fitness/yoga clothes, though bear in mind that these can be interchangeable. In addition, you should pack a light to medium fleece-type jacket and a water-resistant hiking jacket with a hood
- 2 pairs of comfortable, breathable, broken-in light trekking or trail-running shoes, with good grip even in wet conditions, and at least one month of use.
- 3 pairs of not too thick hiking or running socks. We do not recommend cotton socks, as they can cause blisters. Please ask a professional hiking store what they recommend for 10 miles of daily mountain hiking with a light pack, especially if you are not accustomed to hiking
- We recommend casual clothing that allows you to be comfortable in the evenings, and discourage formal attire
- A bathing suit
- A sun hat
OTHERS
- A hydration backpack with a hip belt, such as a Camelbak or Osprey, that will comfortably hold at least 3 liters / 100 oz. of water, plus room for other personal items (toiletries, sunblock, windbreaker, etc.). Please get properly fitted at the store before purchasing
- Sunglasses
- Sunblock
- Bandanas/neck tubes