Southern Italy, hosted. Slow mornings. Long dinners. Real connection.

This is the Italy trip for women who want the movie version of travel, without the stress, confusion, or doing everything alone.

If your soul has been quietly whispering “I need a break”: not a weekend, not a bubble bath, a real break, this is your sign in 72pt font.

This isn’t a tour. It’s not a hustle itinerary. It’s not “everyone for themselves, good luck babe.”


It’s a hosted guided Southern Italy experience designed to help you exhale, laugh, reset, and remember the version of you that exists outside deadlines and responsibility..

DaTES: Friday September 11– Friday, September 18, 2026

8 Days / 7 Nights • Small group • Hosted start to finish

This is what dreams are made of… but with a plan.

Italy is calling. Not like “hi babe.”

Like… “pack your cute little outfits, sunnies and meet me by the sea.” 🇮🇹✨

Bestie… you know when you’re like: “I just want one week where I’m not the planner, the fixer, the strong one, OR the Google Maps girl.” Yeah. Same.

This trip is for the woman who wants:

  • a built-in bestie squad (no awkward icebreakers, promise)

  • long dinners that turn into laughing fits

  • salty hair, glossy lips, and that I’m alive again feeling

  • a boat day that resets your entire personality

  • dinners so good you start speaking in Italian accents for no reason 🤌

  • and one week where the only thing you’re responsible for is showing up

Passenger princess energy only. Laughing, eating, floating, and making friends like it’s 2012 and nobody is emotionally unavailable.

…and the best part? the magic without the mental load.

This is for you if…

You want Italy hosted (translation: you can relax instead of problem-solving)

You want connection that feels natural, not forced

You want a trip that’s curated but still has breathing room

You’re budget-conscious and you want it to feel special

You want the real Italia, the road less traveled, where life is still local, history feels untouched, and time moves like it hasn’t been rushed by tourism. Not the Rome/Tuscany loop… Southern Italy is the hidden gem Italy’s been keeping to itself.


This might not be for you if…

You only enjoy travel if every hotel is ultra-luxury and perfectly polished

You want “go-go-go” schedules from sunrise to midnight

You’d be disappointed by Calabria being more charming + local than “five-star everywhere”

Calabria isn’t trying to impress you. She’s trying to heal you.


The luxury is the access, the coastline, the long-table dinners, the people, and the way you feel in your body by Day 3.


SOLD OUT

〰️

SOLD OUT 〰️

The souvenir isn’t a magnet. It’s your laugh.

Not the polite little chuckle you do at work. The real one.

The one where you’re snorting at the table and someone’s mascara is running and nobody cares.

Because a week like this does something sneaky:
It reminds you you’re not just a responsible adult with a calendar full of obligations…


You’re a whole person. With sparkle. With stories. With appetite. With life in you.

What you’re really getting:

  • a week of being taken care of (not in a helpless way, in a “finally” way)

  • a little crew that clicks — the kind you don’t have to force

  • moments you’ll replay on hard days like “oh right… my life is allowed to be good”

  • and the kind of energy that follows you home… like a song you can’t stop humming

Somewhere between the sea swims and the long dinners, you start to notice:

  • you’re not rushing

  • you’re not performing

  • you’re not “on”

  • you’re just… there
    …and it feels ridiculous how long it’s been since that felt normal.

It’s the trip that turns into lore.
The one your group chat references for the next year like it’s a cinematic universe.

 

The Itinerary (aka: Plot Twist… We’re in Italy)

This week is built like a rom-com montage: iconic moments, real rest, and just enough structure that you don’t have to think, you just show up and let italia work her magic on youuuuuuu…

Day 1 — Naples: Let your hair DOWN
We land. We meet. We squeal. We take the first “we’re actually in Italy together” group photo. Then we do what we do best: a welcome night that feels like instant besties: a welcome feast, toasts, intentions for the week and that “is this what dreams are made of??” energy. Welcome dinner is included.

Day 2 — Italy starts doing her thing
We sleep in on purpose (time change kindness), let our bodies catch up, and then Italy begins to unfold. Think: our first exploring adventure along the coast, a taste of the Amalfi magic, and then… we start making our descent south into the real Italy, the Italy that isn’t a tourist conveyor belt. You’ll feel the shift.

Day 3 — Beach, sunset apertivos + local adventures
Now we’re in it. Sun on your shoulders, salty hair, coastal joy, and that moment where you realize you’ve stopped checking your phone. Expect beach time, water time, and a day that feels like pure freedom.

Day 4 — Calabria like a local
A full sensory day. The land, the people, the flavors, the stories. This is where you understand why we built the retreat around Southern Italy, it’s not just beautiful, it’s alive. (And yes, it’s delicious.) Think vino tasting, olive grove frolicking, cheese making, pasta making or even choose your own adventure and hike to some waterfalls.

Day 5 — Tropea (postcard perfection)
We head to Tropea, cliffs, turquoise water, walking streets, SHOPPINGGGGG, the kind of coastal beauty that feels fake. It’s the “take 12 photos, no wait, 30” day.

Day 6 — Tropea: More dolce vita
Another day in Tropea because one is not enough. Beach, wandering, shopping, slow meals, golden hour, the kind of day that makes you want to bottle time.

Day 7 — Back to Santa Domenica: Closing ceremonies
We return to Santa Domenica Talao for our closing night. Closing dinner. A little ceremony. A lot of “how did we become sisters in ONE WEEK?” energy. Closing dinner is included.

Departure / Transfer Day — Back toward Naples
We’ll guide the group transfer back toward Naples for departures, so travel day feels clear and supported.

Our rhythm: we plan the anchors, Italy provides the magic.


You’ll have structure and breathing room, so it feels like a vacation, not a checklist.

ROOMS + PRICING OPTIONS

 
September Fall Italy Retreat Dates 2026 (Calabria/Southern Italy)
from $500.00

ITALY 2026 IS CALLING... But This Isn't The Italy You Think You Know

📅 Retreat Dates:

September 11-18, 2026

📍 We’re Going To:

Riviera dei Cedri, Calabria

Please find all the details here: https://www.galsthatbrunch.com/italia2026

Back from Italia and already plotting our next escape to southern Italy—Tiff’s home turf in Calabria. Think tiny hilltop villages, sea-salt sunsets, long-table dinners, and locals-only magic (aka the non-touristy Italy). Retreat #4 is intimate on purpose, very limited spots, alumni already eyeing their seats, and first dibs goes to the waitlist. If you’re craving slow mornings, handmade pasta, and friendships that linger longer than the limoncello… this is your sign. Join the interest list below to snag early access before we open it to the public. 🍋✨

 

Accommodations + Rooming (What to Expect)

We get it, accommodations are one of the biggest “wait tell me everything” parts of booking a retreat. Here’s what we can promise with full confidence:

Where we stay (examples, not promises)

Because routing + accommodations depend on final group numbers and room configurations, we don’t lock every exact property name publicly ahead of time. But if you want a feel for the vibe, here’s where we stayed last year:

  • Tre Fontane (Naples-area welcome night)

  • House 80729

  • Alto Borgo

  • SDT B&B

Some accommodations may be the same this year, and some we may mix up as we refine the flow, improve walkability, and adjust to headcount. Our standard stays consistent: clean, comfortable, charming, wifi, intentionally chosen for the itinerary AND ALWAYS AC (can we get an ahhhhhmen)

We typically don’t disclose the welcome-night hotel publicly until itineraries are released because we want everyone arriving into the experience together (and we learned the hard way that early check-ins can spoil the surprise and split the energy).

You’ll receive your exact arrival + hotel details inside your prep packet after booking, once registration closes or earlier if the trip fills up before then.

BUNK ROOM (3–4 women)

“Summer Camp, But Make It Italy”

This is the laugh-until-you-snort, braid-each-other’s-hair, “wait… did we all just become besties?” option. You’ll typically be in a room with 3–4 women in three or four twin beds (sometimes bunks, depending on the stay). If you want the most budget-friendly way to get to Italy and you love the idea of built-in girlhood energy… this is your slumber party room.

Perfect for: social butterflies, spontaneous besties, “I’m here for the plot” gals, and anyone who wants instant community without trying.

Early Bird: $2,599 *(ends March 30th)

Regular Pricing: $2,899

SHARED ROOM (2 women)

“Cozy Bestie Energy”

This is the sweet spot. You’ll share a room with one roommate (two individual beds — sometimes pushed together if the space calls for it, but still your own bed). Think: getting ready together, late-night “soooo tell me everything” chats, and that quietly magical feeling of having someone right there who becomes your person by day three.

Perfect for: gals who want connection + comfort, introverts who still want a bestie anchor, and anyone who likes a little more space to breathe.

Early Bird: $2,999 *(ends March 30th)

Regular Pricing: $3,399

PRIVATE ROOM

“Passenger Princess Peace”

This is for the woman who loves the group but needs her own landing pad. Your own room, your own bathroom space (where possible), your own quiet, a true private princess suite moment.

And yes, this is also the move if you know you sleep best alone, need extra downtime, or just want your own space to recharge so you can fully show up for the fun.

Perfect for: high-performing women who need quiet to reset, introverts who want alone time without missing the community, and anyone who wants the most “luxury” experience.

Early Bird: $3,799 *(ends March 30th)

Regular Pricing: $4199

WE ARE CURRENTLY SOLD OUT, PLEASE JOIN THE WAITLIST

Rooming is part of the magic, and also totally normal to feel nervous about. We use the onboarding form to collect preferences and match roommates thoughtfully (sleep schedule, social energy, etc.), and we always build in space for alone time even if you’re sharing a room.


FAQ (Your “but what about…” section)

At this point you’re probably like… “How did y’all cover EVERY question?”
You’d think we’ve done this a few times now. 😂

Still curious about something? Email us here if it’s a good question, we’ll add it to the FAQ so the next gal can exhale too.

And if you’re ready…

 

Receipts, your honor 💅

Because I could write poetic paragraphs about Calabria all day… but it hits different when you hear it from the gals who actually went.

 
 
 
 

Meet Your Guide: your Italian sista from another mista 💖🇮🇹

Hi, I’m Tiff, founder of Gals That Brunch (almost 11 years in… still crying) and the girl who will absolutely make sure you never feel alone at a table again. GTB started as a simple dream: women finding real friendship in real life. Not “comment hearts” friendship, the kind where you can exhale, be honest, and feel brave again. Toes under the same table. Pinky fingers locked. A global sisterhood that actually feels like sisterhood.

Now here’s the plot twist: as much as I love our chapters around the world, my big dream has always been… how do we squeeze every gal together? Because what makes GTB GTB isn’t just that we’re in 150+ cities, it’s that women from different places, stories, and seasons keep discovering the same thing: I belong here. “Every nation, tribe, and tongue” energy, but make it brunch and deep healing talks and belly laughs.

Six years ago, I landed in Calabria, Italy, the land of my people, on a burnout-healing journey. I didn’t come looking for a big moment… I came because I was tired. And Italy met me like a reset button. The people, the history, the legacy, the inheritance this place carries, every time I return, it’s like it knits me back together. It reminds me what really matters. It puts the pep back in my step. It makes room in my chest again. And somewhere in that healing, I kept thinking: I want my girls to feel this too.

So instead of waiting for “someday we’ll all be together,” I started hosting small, intimate Italy retreats now and we’re heading into our 4th year. Every single year, women show up from different cities and chapters (some brand new to GTB, some longtime fam), a little nervy, a little hopeful, sometimes straight-up exhausted… and then Italy does what she does: she softens us, she surprises us, and she stitches strangers into sisters around one long table.

And yes, this is the part I want you to understand: you’re not just coming to Italy. You’re coming to my Italy. You’ll spend the week with me, my family, and my friends in a small Calabrian town, the kind of place you can’t find on a highlight reel, where people still wave from balconies and dinner lasts three hours because… why would we rush something sacred? It’s an experience you can’t copy-paste or buy off the internet. It’s lived. It’s personal. It’s home.

If you’ve been craving a week that feels like sunshine for your nervous system and sisterhood for your soul… I cannot wait to welcome you. 🍋🥂🌊

 

Got questions? Curiosities? Need someone to hold your pinky finger while you decide? We're here for it. 🤝💗

Real talk: You don't have to have it all figured out before you book a call with us.

You can show up with:

  • A notes app full of questions

  • A "I think I want this but I'm scared" confession

  • A "my friend thinks I'm crazy" story

  • A "can you just tell me this is a good idea?" plea

  • Literally anything

This call isn't a sales pitch. It's a "let us help you figure out if this is YOUR thing" conversation. Because here's what we know: When it's right, you FEEL it. And when you're not sure? That's okay too. We'd rather you feel 100% confident than 75% confused.

So if you're:

  • Still Googling "is Calabria worth it?"

  • Refreshing this page for the 47th time

  • Texting your bestie "should I just do it?"

  • Waiting for a sign (hi, this is it)

We'll walk you through everything, answer the questions you're too nervous to ask in an email, and help you figure out what makes sense for YOU. Plus its way more fun to put a voice with a voice and name with a name, amiirightttt. 

And if at the end you're like "actually this isn't for me right now"? We'll literally cheer you on and send you on your way with zero weird vibes. Promise.

But if you're like "OKAY YES I'M DOING THIS"? We'll help you get it all sorted out on the spot and start the pre-trip love immediately. 🥂

Calendar's open. Coffee's hot. We're ready when you are. ☕✨