JOIN US IN AN ENLIGHTENING JOURNEY THROUGH ITALY
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Our adventure is a celebration of the love of nature, plant stem cells, research and education, and the timeless beauty of Italian culture
Dates: May 3-10, 2026
This unique retreat will delve into the fascinating world of gemmotherapy, an innovative practice that harnesses the therapeutic power of embryonic plant stem cells. Explore Italy with us and experience a land renowned not only for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture but also for its holistic approaches to wellness and healing.Â
Hear what our past guests have to say about their experiences
Deborah Manke, HNP, IFMCP, ANP-BC, APHN-BC, ADS
Dr. Michael Karlfeldt, ND, Ph.D
Karen Gadol, PA-C, CNC, CLT, Certified Thermographer
OVERVIEW
Over 8 immersive days, you’ll explore Northern and Southern Italy with a small group of like-hearted seekers and wellness professionals. You’ll connect with the roots of plant medicine, immerse yourself in local culture, savor regional cuisine, and deepen your understanding of concentrated plant-based therapies guided by Dr. Joseph Cannillo. You’ll visit locations such as Turin, Melle, Trani, and Bari—diverse regions that offer a rich mix of alpine beauty, spiritual sites, coastal charm, and local herbal wisdom. This retreat features hands-on herbal education, training in spagyrics and gemmotherapy, and deeply nourishing meals and conversations.
PRICING
- Double Occupancy: $4,899 USD per person
- Single Occupancy: $5,899 USD per person
- Space is limited to 16 attendees
PAYMENT TERMS:
- 25% non-refundable deposit to reserve your space
- Remaining balance due by December 31, 2025
“An indescribable experience here in Italy. I was so surprised every day, in almost every moment. If I could give you any words of wisdom…bring larger pants.“
Rita Hogan, C.H.
ARRIVAL
Passport Requirements: U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay in Italy, with at least two blank pages. However, six months of validity is recommended.
ETIAS Notice: Starting in late 2026, U.S. travelers will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization before entering Italy. Learn more at: https://etias.com/etias-countries/italy-etias
Flights:
The adventure kicks off in Turin (Torino) on May 3rd.
We highly recommend arriving in Italy at least one day early to give yourself time to adjust to the time zone, allow for any travel delays, and recover from the journey. Any additional lodging before the retreat begins will be at your own expense.
Please note you must arrive in Turin by May 3rd 2026 and check into hotel NH Collection Torino Santo Stefano after 3PM.
Currently, there are no direct flights from U.S. cities to Turin. It is recommended that you book a direct flight from your nearest major U.S. airport to Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Rome (FCO). From MXP, there’s a direct connection to Milan City Center (Stazione Centrale).
Upon arrival in Milan, the goal is to connect to Turin, and there are two major ways to do so:
Option 1 (recommended): travel by train. If taking the train, the train from Milano Centrale to Torino Porta Nuova (Turin) takes about 1 hour. See below for train services.
Option 2: Bus to Turin
TRAIN SERVICES
TRANSFER TO MILANO CENTRALE: There’s no direct train from Malpensa (MXP) Airport or Linate (LIN) to Turin (TRN), so first, you’ll need to take the Express trains from the airports to Milano Centrale station.
If at Malpensa Airport (MXP), follow the signs saying Treni/Trains to find the Malpensa Express stations. At Terminal 1 the train station is located on the basement level. The ticket desk is open daily from 6:15 AM to 9:05 PM European Standard Time.
Train from Milano Centrale to Turin: From Milano Centrale, you can catch a high-speed train (Frecciarossa) to Torino Porta Nuova. The train ride takes around 1 hour.
In order to get to the hotel upon arrival the train station in Turin at Torino Porta Nuova, there is a tram service available.
TRAM SERVICES: From Porta Nuova railway station: take the tramway no.4 toward Falchera Cap for 5 stops. Get off at Duomo-Polo Reale stop. You will find the hotel 140 meters away from the tram stop. The journey costs approximately €1 – €2 and takes about 15-16 minutes.
TAXI SERVICES: It is 20 minute ride to the NH Collection Torino Santo Stefano from the airport. This is a more convenient way to travel with lots of luggage. Costs €30-€40 . Most taxis make use of credit/debit cards as a payment method.
The public taxi rank is located on the left at the exit of the Arrivals level.
Please note that once you reach the hotel, we’ve got you completely covered! For the remainder of the trip until your departure, you will be in our care. This includes, lodging, meals and transportation.
Accommodation for the night of 4 May: NH Collection Torino Santo Stefano. Check in after 3PM
DEPARTURE
We will conclude the trip in southern Italy. It is recommended that you fly out from Bari (BRI) to Rome (FCO) as Bari currently does not have any direct flights to the US.
Please be advised that traveling to Rome is generally more convenient for connecting to international flights. However, there is also the option to fly to Milan Malpensa (MXP) and then connect to flights departing for the U.S (if for example, you booked a round-trip ticket from US to MXP)
“I loved actually going out to the lab and seeing how it’s all done and getting lots of information from Dr. Joseph.”
Kim Canavan
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. U.S. passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay in Italy. We recommend having at least 6 months of validity.
Yes, starting late 2026. All U.S. citizens must apply online for ETIAS approval before traveling to Italy. Visit https://etias.com/etias-countries/italy-etias for details.
Immigration (passport control) will be at first port of arrival in Europe/Italy. Customs is just a walk through the ‘nothing to declare lane’. You will also clear customs upon arrival in the U.S.
Yes. Generally most regional airlines in Italy tend to have a baggage fee for extra baggage. Travel lightly, space is restricted in most parts of the country, including hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and airplanes.
The trip starts off in the northern part of Italy which is cooler and generally more rainy. The mountains in the Alps require warm clothes and layering and wetness protection. As the journey progresses to the southern part of Italy, the temperatures will start to increase and as such, the layers will start to be shed. The summer wear will come in handy in the south where temperatures will be pleasant and yet not too hot this time of year.
Most places in Italy have accessible Wi-Fi readily available. However it is advisable to organize a data plan with your wireless carrier. Please check data plans with your carrier for Italy, as this is the only country we will be visiting.
Generally there is no need for cash as most places do have access to debit/credit card services. However, it is advisable to have some Euros to buy the occasional coffee, gifts, snacks, etc.
Cellphones can be charged via USB or a USB C port which are readily available.
Please note Italy operates on a 220 volt system which is NOT compatible with the 110 volt appliances (e.g. hairdryers) of North America. We recommend buying 220 appliances on location in Italy or buying a transformer before you leave for the trip. Additionally, you’ll need adaptors for the plugs as the Italian plugs are a different configuration than NA.
It is generally frowned upon to accept tips in Italy. We recommend you do not tip service staff.
Most Italians do speak English, particularly in larger cities, so you will be able to communicate. Note we will have bilingual folks on our trip with us able to do translation. Our WhatsApp group will be our form of connectivity.
When should I arrive in Italy?” Answer should be: Our retreat begins at 6:30 pm on the 3rd so you can choose to arrive that morning. If you’d prefer to arrive the day before, please keep in mind that you will be on your own until the evening on May 3rd.
Have fun!!!!