The Energy Lab // Excursions
9-Day Founder
Wellness Experience
June 1st – June 9th ’24 | East Sicily
Put your needs first. Take a break from the entrepreneurship grind to recharge, reconnect, and renature — the Founder Wellness Experience 2024.
Designed for Entrepreneurs
As a founder, entrepreneur, or business owner, you carry a heavy weight on your shoulders. Day in and day out you make numerous decisions that have an impact, big and small. That’s exhausting.
As a thought leader, you put your needs aside. You see arranging a retreat for your people as a great investment in the long-term success of your business. But a retreat for yourself? Indulgent. Trivial. Logistically impossible.
That leaves little room to recharge or reconnect with yourself, family, or peers. You never mind reflecting on business or life goals.
It awaits you a week to recharge the body and nourish the mind. You plunge into awe-inspiring destinations, rejuvenating activities, and healthy food experiences, helping you return home feeling even better than when you left.
You’ll seamlessly blend exploring and experiencing one of the most beautiful gems on earth with adopting and embodying a naturally healthier lifestyle.
Is this experience for me?
Travel Style: Wellness
Discover awe-inspiring destinations combined with rejuvenating activities like yoga and hiking, and healthy food experiences to recharge the body and nourish the mind.
Service Style: Upscale
High-quality accommodations and more inclusions like meals, private transport, and activities.
Physical Rating: 3 — Average
Some activities may include movement classes, yoga, and light hiking in addition to walking.
Trip Type: Small Group
Limited group experience — max. 12
Our wellness excursions strike a good balance between a well-planned itinerary and the flexibility and freedom to retreat and explore on your own.
They are designed for founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners interested in natural fitness, health, and personal growth. You’ll be surrounded by supportive peers while exploring mindfulness, movement, and natural nourishing food.
Expect to move, cook, challenge yourself, and have some fun! Our movement and cooking classes and other activities are designed to be accessible, exciting, and totally inclusive.
You don’t need to be a yoga master, fitness fanatic, or world-class chef – you just need to be a human being who’s ready to step outside your comfort zone and embrace growth.
The Energy Lab Excursions are NOT for everyone.
What sets our trips apart (and makes them special) is the perfect blend of fantastic destinations, active adventures, and the absolute best we usually offer our coaching clients.
This Trip is for You if you:
- Like getting the ultimate package deal that leaves you feeling energized, inspired, and ready to take on the world
- Want to discover breathtaking places and exciting activities that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime
- Love to come out of this experience feeling like an upgraded version of yourself
- Seek to combine adventure, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences
This Trip is NOT for You if you:
- Expect a laid-back, relaxed beach vacation
- Are more the closed-minded type who is content with what he knows and where he's at
- Prefer an unstructured trip where you have plenty of time for yourself
- Are not interested in increasing your health and life span — the holistic way
Mindful
Your journey starts with an intention setting ceremony upon arrival. During the trip, you can reconnect with yourself through yoga practices, mindful movement classes, and optional meditation sessions.
Revitalizing
You reactivate your physical side through easy, adventurous activities in picturesque natural settings — mostly hiking and walking.
Nourishing
Food is more than a meal — it’s a moment to be savored among friends. We’ll opt for healthy, local ingredients that cater to living well.
Connect
Get to know other purpose-driven entrepreneurs who intentionally build, live, and enjoy a high-impact life (10 guests on average).
Grow
Implement simple and easy habits of the Mediterranean Diet and an active lifestyle to take wherever you go.
De-stress
Leave your business behind and upgrade your health and well-being by exploring new ground — internal and external.
Move
Assemble an active lifestyle so that you become a radiating source of energy for everyone you meet.
Savor
Discover natural and healthy Mediterranean food — finger-licking good. You’ll even learn how to cook it at home.
Satisfy
Your naturally curious mind wants to travel, explore, and discover authentic places and unique experiences.
Hi, we're Ketty & Markus.
Your Chief Experience Officers with a capital E
My name is Ketty, I am a certified nutrition coach with a corporate background. And as a true Sicilian, I am obsessed with food.
To help my clients drop excessive weight, feel fully energized, and love being in their own skin, I combine my passion for food with my knowledge and experience in nutrition and holistic fitness.
Markus and I co-founded The Energy Lab not just as an online fitness hub, but a place where purpose-driven optimizers can cultivate healthy living as the foundation for next-level business performance and impact.
Hey, my name is Markus, burnout brought me on the path of yoga, spirituality, and personal growth.
2018 I got certified as an RYT 200 Hatha Yoga Instructor in Rishikesh, India. Since then, I’ve been helping founders rediscover and reconnect with their body and mind.
Over the past 7 years, I used my own struggles and former injuries to build a unique skill set that helped me and countless others to develop a strong, agile, and pain-free body, a deeper understanding of self, and consciously create powerful forward motion in life and business.
Itinerary
Day 1: Catania
Arrive at any time. Enjoy an included airport transfer to your Catanian exclusive villa and join the group for a welcome meeting. Take this opportunity to set your intention for the trip ahead.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment – Meet Your CEO and Group | Your Foodie Moment Experience Sicilian flavors with seasonal cuisine based on 0 km and organic fresh ingredients.
Day 2: Mt. Etna
Enjoy a guide-led morning hike to Mt. Etna. You’ll have a simple Sicilian picnic on Europe’s highest volcano followed by a CEO-led stress management workshop in nature.
The evening is entirely devoted to culinary delights.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Wellness Moment Yoga Practice @ Néroli Bio Relais | Your Wellness Moment Guided hike Mt. Etna | Your Growth Moment CEO-led Stress Management Workshop on Mt. Etna | Your Foodie Moment The world’s best wood oven pizza
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 3: Taormina
Visit a local sustainable agriculture farm. Learn about their background and impact and sample some of the products they offer. Continue on a relaxing boat trip around Isola Bella, explore picturesque Taormina, and round off the day with a sunset visit to Castelmola.
You’ll have plenty of time to explore by yourself.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Wellness Moment Yoga Practice @ Néroli Bio Relais | Your Wellness Moment Boat tour Isola Bella | Your Wellness Moment Sunset @ Castelmola
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4: Savoca
This morning, learn the Mediterranean way to increase life and health span and relax your body and mind at the ancient monastery.
The afternoon is reserved to follow the tracks of The Godfather followed by a mouth-watering early seafood dinner.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Wellness Moment Yoga Practice @ Néroli Bio Relais | Your Growth Moment CEO-led Longevity workshop @ Néroli Bio Relais | Your Foodie Moment The world’s best seafood freshly caught on your plate
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5: Catania / Syracuse
Travel to Catania and get lost in the colorful vibrant fresh food market. The afternoon is free to explore the Eastern capital on your own before you transfer to your second destination: Siracuse.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Wellness Moment Yoga Practice @ Néroli Bio Relais
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6: Laghetti Cavagrande
Enjoy a mindful morning stroll through Ortigia’s alleys. After breakfast, you’ll drive to Cavagrande Natural Reserve and descend to the natural ponds where you’ll savor a delightful picnic.
In the afternoon you’ll learn to stretch and mobilize your tired limbs for the best recovery and vitality.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Wellness Moment Mindful morning walk through Ortigia | Your Wellness Moment Guided hike Cavagrande | Your Growth Moment Mindful Mobility Workshop
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 7: Ortigia / Vendicari
Discover Ortigia on your own. Get lost in the narrow alleys where something new awaits you around every corner.
After a Sicilian culinary cooking class with lunch, you’ll head to Vedicari Nature Reserve to plunge into the sea at some of the most pristine beaches in Sicily.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Wellness Moment Guided morning meditation by the sea | Your Foodie Moment Sicilian Culinary Cooking Class
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 8: Noto / Cava Carusello
Early you’ll head out to ancient Noto, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1693, followed by a short hike to Cava Carosello.
The afternoon is free to explore picturesque Noto on your own.
Together, you’ll enjoy the farewell dinner of the excursion with a sea view.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Wellness Moment Guided hike Noto Antica and Cava Carosello | Your Foodie Moment Farewell dinner right by the sea
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 9: Syracuse / Catania
Bid farewell to Ortigia and travel back to Catania. Trip ends on arrival at Catania Airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive Workshops
We’ve curated three exclusive workshops where you’ll get our top-notch knowledge and secrets that we usually reserve for our clients:
Nutrition
You’ll learn how to prepare food in a healthy, quick, and yummy way.
Plus the best tips and tricks to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle when eating out.
Mindfulness
We know life can get stressful, so we’re here to help you find your zen.
You’ll learn effective stress-relief techniques and the best tools to live a more mindful and balanced life.
Movement
You’ll learn how to improve or establish a simple daily exercise and movement routine.
You’ll get stronger, more flexible, and more agile (no matter your age or history).
Experience Life 110%
Wellness Moments
Foodie Moments
Growth Moments
More from Wellness Week East Sicily
What's included?
General
- Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment – Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Foodie Moment Experience Sicilian flavors with seasonal cuisine based on 0 km and organic fresh ingredients.
- Your Wellness Moment 4x Morning Yoga Practice @ Néroli Bio Relais
- Your Wellness Moment Guided Hike Mt. Etna
- Your Growth Moment CEO-led Stress Management Workshop on Mt. Etna
- Your Foodie Moment The world’s best wood oven pizza
- Your Wellness Moment Boat Tour Isola Bella
- Your Wellness Moment Sunset @ Castelmola
- Your Growth Moment CEO-led Longevity workshop @ Néroli Bio Relais
- Your Foodie Moment The world’s best seafood freshly caught on your plate
- Your Wellness Moment Mindful morning walk through Ortigia
- Your Wellness Moment Guided hike Cavagrande
- Your Growth Moment Mindful Mobility Workshop
- Your Wellness Moment Guided morning meditation by the sea
- Your Foodie Moment Sicilian Culinary Cooking Class
- Your Wellness Moment Guided hike Noto Antica and Cava Carosello
- Your Foodie Moment Farewell dinner right by the sea
Accommodation
- Converted ancient monastery (4 nights)
- Grand Hotel (4 nights)
Meals
8 Breakfast | 4 Lunch | 4 Dinner
Transportation
Private van, walking
Staff & Experts
Your two CEOs and fitness & wellness lifestyle coaches (Ketty & Markus) during the entire trip, local guides
Our partners:
"We wish your stay at Néroli Bio Relais to be steeped in sensations, scents and emotions. Discover the real essence of Sicily with its scents, colours and flavours. Experience the magic of a red and orange sunset that colours the breathtakingly landscape and makes your time with us memorable.
"The charm of the past combined with the comfort of today. The Grand Hotel Ortigia will take you to discover the majestic baroque architecture, the bright sunsets over the sea, and the best traditional Sicilian delights to give you an unforgettable experience."
How to Join the Trip
June 1st – June 9th ’24 | East Sicily
We select our groups carefully, partnering with like-minded people who are the best fit for the excursions.
Step 1
Pick your accommodation package
Double Classic
Classic Double Room-
8 nights double or twin room
-
Double occupacy
-
8x Breakfast, 4x Lunch, 4x Dinner
-
3 exclusive wellness workshops
-
Private van
Double Superior
Superior Double Room-
8 nights superior double room
-
Double occupacy
-
8x Breakfast, 4x Lunch, 4x Dinner
-
3 exclusive wellness workshops
-
Private van
Single Classic
Classic Double Room-
8 nights classic double room
-
Single occupacy
-
8x Breakfast, 4x Lunch, 4x Dinner
-
3 exclusive wellness workshops
-
Private van
Step 2
Schedule a call with us
Step 3
Receive your booking details
Step 4
Secure your spot by making the payment
Or directly contact us via WhatsApp
FAQs
How is it different from a standard retreat?
A retreat is usually happening in one place. The Active Wellness Excursion offers a more adventurous travel experience.
In addition to visiting Sicilian hidden gems, you will acquire skills and knowledge during the trip. These can be applied in your everyday life to achieve better balance and greater well-being.
How do you select the participants? Any specific criteria?
Please see the “The Energy Lab Excursions are NOT for everyone.” section.
For us, it’s important that participants share the following values: mutual respect, a growth mindset, a willingness to try new things, open-mindedness, and flexibility.
How do I secure my spot (aka book the experience)?
- You select your accommodation package
(Our accommodation standard is already upscale. This being said: “Classic Double” = an upscale double room — double occupation, “Superior Double” = a premium upscale double room — double occupation, and “Single Classic” = an upscale double room — single occupation.) - You schedule a call with us
- You receive your booking details via email
- You secure your spot by making the payment (payment details provided in the email)
I have never attended an active wellness experience. What should I expect?
We blend an active retreat, adventurous vacation, and fitness & wellness coaching.
Our main goal is to provide you with:
- A pleasurable experience in our beloved island — Sicily
- An exclusive community that will share this experience with you.
- Knowledge and tools to assist you in achieving a healthier lifestyle.
What is the overall level I should expect from this excursion?
Expect comfort and organization from locals, while still enjoying flexibility for personal exploration. Our itinerary is well structured, yet leaves room for independent retreat, reflection, and discovery.
How many people participate in this experience?
We limit the group size to a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12. This allows us to provide you with the best premium experience possible.
What if I have former injuries, allergies, or particular sicknesses?
Please tell us right away in the discovery call and we’ll take particular care of it.
I'd like to participate, but the notice is quite short. Are there other dates available?
We’re planning another one in October 2024. If you’d like to get notified, please fill out the short form here. We won’t spam you. Promise.
Are flights included?
No, flights are not included.
No, flights are not included. However, as experienced travelers, we’re more than happy to help you find the best flights.
© The Energy Lab 2024. All rights reserved.
© The Energy Lab 2024. All rights reserved.