Stromboli | Flow Arts Retreats ⌘ Explore, Grow, & Glow at Stunning Destinations ⌘

June 4 - 12, 2025

STROMBOLI POI RETREAT

Teachers: Rónan McLaughlin & Vojta Stolbenko

Discover the magic of the Stromboli, a unique opportunity to practice poi spinning on the slopes of an active volcano!

The retreat, led by world-class instructors Vojta Stolbenko and Rónan McLaughlin, takes place in the charming village of Stromboli, known for its picturesque whitewashed houses and breathtaking Mediterranean views.

Transformative poi workshops are offered against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Europe’s most active volcano. In addition to mastering your poi skills, there are mini-workshops in other Flow Arts disciplines, and you can enjoy the delicious Italian food and the natural beauty of this extraordinary island.

Join us for an unforgettable journey of creativity and connection! 🔥🌋

VOJTA

Poi, Body Movement, Long Staff

Meet Vojta, Czech Republic's famous...

Meet Vojta, Czech Republic’s famous poi artist who blends dance, acrobatics, and technology to redefine the art of Poi spinning. Renowned for his innovative techniques, Vojta has transformed the flow arts with groundbreaking moves that captivate audiences and inspire performers globally.

With more than a decade of experience as a fire artist, Vojta has toured the world with elite troupes, including Supercho, Mandalights, Cercle de Feu, Fusion Arts, and the Phoenix Fire Dancers. These collaborations have shaped his artistry and strengthened his connection to the global performance arts community. He currently performs with acclaimed Czech artists Tom Hora and Kristina Zebrova.

Vojta’s passion lies not just in performance but also in teaching. Through international workshops and retreats, he shares his expertise with budding artists. Beyond spinning, he’s a skilled videographer, known for producing standout videos like “The Future Is Now.” His platform, PoiTutorials.com, offers over 150 tutorials, making his knowledge accessible to Poi enthusiasts everywhere. Visit his website to explore his artistry and dive into the world of Poi!

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Rónan McLaughlin

POI, LEARN TO LEARN

Meet Rónan, the Irish trailblazer of fire...

Meet Rónan, the Irish trailblazer of fire and object manipulation who’s revolutionized the art of poi spinning. With nearly two decades of experience, Rónan is credited with inventing contact poi, a staple in the flow arts world today.

What sets Rónan apart is his fusion of influences. Drawing from juggling, object manipulation, Taichi, meditation, and even illusion-based dance, he’s created a movement style that’s as innovative as it is mesmerizing. His performances embody a unique synergy of fluidity, precision, and artistry that captivates audiences globally.

Beyond performing, Rónan’s curiosity for learning efficiency has driven him to share his knowledge far and wide. With years of experience teaching Poi and Learning-to-Learn workshops worldwide—plus a TEDx talk to his name—he’s become a master educator in the art of movement.

Rónan’s passion lies in inspiring others. Witnessing the transformative power of these arts has fueled his mission to keep exploring and spreading his craft to every corner of the world. From performances to workshops, he’s sharing the magic one spin at a time.

Ronan McLaughlin Learn Poi, Contact Poi (2)

Ronan McLaughlin Learn Poi, Contact Poi (6)

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what our attendees say

what you'll all get

Stromboli Poi Retreat learn poi spinning, fire poi, learn poi jugging (44)

Poi boot-camp

– 3 Hours of Poi Workshops per day, and other props
– Time for Individual Questions
– Get all the Video Recaps from the workshops, to practice at home

cosy apartments

– Choose your preferred room
– All apartments have their own bathroom and kitchen
– Apartments are built in authentic Aeolian style

the real Italian food

– Breakfast, and a delicious Lunch Buffet are optional to include
– Every apartment has a kitchen, and there are also plenty of restaurants and supermarkets

awesome activities

– We’ll hike up Stromboli
– We’ll have a private boat to go around the island
– Fire spinning on the beach, fuel will be provided

Stromboli Room Choice

THE PRICES BELOW ALL INCLUDE:
– Your accommodation during the retreat
– All the Workshops
– Boat tour with our private boat(s)
– Fuel for fire spinning

The daily lunch buffet for 15 euros per lunch is optional. You can prepare your own breakfast or have it at the restaurant. We’ll mostly be out exploring, so dinner will be at different locations every day; order pizza at the beach and go to “the Osservatorio,” where you can see the eruptions while enjoying your dinner.

The length of the retreat is your choice: 6 days or 9 days! Take the maximum length for more fun, workshops, and time to chill and explore the picturesque village, it’s beaches and taste all the differnt gelato flavors 🍨

Hippie House

Bedroom: 2 – 3 people
Apartment: 7 people
This apartment is mixed-gender

Hippie House , price per person
– June 4-9: 640 euros
– June 4-12: 790 euros
Early Bird price: book before the 1st of February and get a discount of 25 euros! Lazy Bird prices after the 4th of May are +50 euros

BOOK NOW – 2 MORE BEDS AVAILABLE

Triple Apartment

Bedroom: 1 – 3 people
Apartment: 3 people
We’re trying to put you in an apartment with your preferred gender, but we can’t guarantee this will be possible.

Triple Apartment, price per person
– June 4-9: 725 euros
– June 4-12: 875 euros
Early Bird price: book before the 1st of February and get a discount of 25 euros! Lazy Bird prices after the 4th of May are +50 euros

BOOK NOW – 2 MORE BEDS AVAILABLE

Twin Apartment

Bedroom: 2 people
Apartment: 2 people
Give your gender preference to share the room, and we’ll put you in the room with your preferred choice.

Twin Apartment, price per person for
– June 4-9: 875 euros
– June 4-12: 1025 euros
Early Bird price: book before the 1st of February and get a discount of 25 euros! Lazy Bird prices after the 4th of May are +50 euros

BOOK NOW – 2 MORE BEDS AVAILABLE

Private Bedroom

Bedroom: private
Apartment: 7 people
Have your own, closed, bedroom in the Hippie House

Private bedroom, price per person
– June 4-9: 900 euros
– June 4-12: 1050 euros
Early Bird price: book before the 1st of February and get a discount of 25 euros! Lazy Bird prices after the 4th of May are +50 euros

BOOK NOW – 2 MORE BEDS AVAILABLE

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Private Apartment

Bedroom: Private
Apartment: Private
Charming apartments are set in a beautiful Aeolian villa surrounded by lush gardens—just a three-minute walk from the main accommodations at Salvo’s.
This spot has an extra perk: free breakfast every morning!

If you stay here, you’ll still enjoy full access to all communal spaces at Salvo’s. Relax in the gardens, eat lunch in the restaurant, or dance the night away at the bar. These apartments offer the perfect blend of privacy, peace, and connection, ensuring you won’t miss out on any fun or activities at Salvo’s place!

Private apartment, price per person
– June 4-9: 1050 euros (couple 875 euros)
– June 4-12: 1175 euros (couple 1025 euros)
Early Bird price: book before the 1st of February and get a discount of 25 euros! Lazy Bird prices after the 4th of May are +50 euros

BOOK NOW – 2 MORE BEDS AVAILABLE

what's all included?

STROMBOLI POI RETREAT
5 or 8 nights of accommodation
3+ hrs of workshops per day
Fuel for fire jams
Bedding, towels and soap
Private boat(s) to go around the island
Hike on the volcano of Stromboli
TaiChi classes

what's not included?

Transport from and to Stromboli
Food is not included, choose your preferred options;
Breakfast: prepare it yourself, or on-site restaurant
Lunch: book the lunch buffet for 15 euros per lunch
We'll have dinner at various locations

Buy your ticket

The Tickets are exclusively available on the Flow Arts Shop website

We have a Pre-Sale now, only for our past attendees…

The Tickets will become available on the 20th of October, at noon 12pm!

How to reserve my ticket?

Buy the deposit ticket at Flow Arts Shop for your room of choice. You will receive your order confirmation message and a second email
containing the Info PDF with all the info about the retreat.
The rest of the fee is due at the start of the retreat.

Didn’t get your order confirmation message? Check your spam for

Come toghether!

If you would like to bring your partner, friend, parent, or child who will not be participating in the workshops, the retreat fee will be 15% discounted.
The person will not participate in the Flow Arts workshops, but all the other things will be included: accommodation, boat trip, hike, and TaiChi. After buying your deposit tickets, please note that your partner, friend, parent, or child doesn’t participate in the workshops, and the remaining fee will be edited.

Why Stromboli?

Stromboli is no ordinary volcanic island. It’s not merely Europe’s most active volcano—though that alone makes it extraordinary! It’s a place of enchantment, with a unique rhythm and atmosphere that feels alive. The striking contrast of black volcanic rock with vibrant flowers and trees, or the balance between its destructive power and the life it nurtures, creates an awe-inspiring connection to nature’s authority.

In 2013, a young and eager poi enthusiast, Vojta, stepped onto this island, drawn by the renowned “Festa del Fuoco di Stromboli.” This legendary fire festival brought together the greatest flow artists of the time, and for Vojta, it was a dream come true. The experience profoundly changed his life, igniting a passion for volcanoes, forging bonds with a new Strombolian family, and inspiring his journey into the flow arts world.

Sadly, this remarkable festival ended after the untimely passing of its founder, August Schuldes. Yet, by returning to Stromboli, we honor his legacy and keep the flame alive.

When you visit this island, you’ll understand why so many were drawn here to celebrate flow arts. Its peaceful yet untamed volcanic energy is unforgettable, offering a true fire show crafted by nature itself.

an active volcano

Stromboli, the fiery giant of the Mediterranean, has been dazzling spectators with its volcanic performances for nearly 2,000 years. Like a perfectly choreographed dance, its eruptions follow a rhythmic pattern of explosions from its summit craters. These bursts, ranging from gentle to moderate, send glowing volcanic bombs into the sky every few minutes to several hours.

What can you expect to see? On average, Stromboli erupts about every 20 minutes. You’ll witness small but dramatic explosions of lava and fire, accompanied by occasional rumbles and plumes of smoke. The eruptions can shoot tens to hundreds of meters into the air, but from our safe vantage point, they appear mesmerizingly contained.

Our adventure includes hiking to a viewpoint at sunset when the glowing lava becomes even more vivid. Later, during the boat tour, we’ll return to the other side of the island after dark, offering another chance to spot explosions from the water’s edge.

Want a preview? Check out the live webcam capturing the volcano’s activity. Remember that winter conditions like fog or mist can obscure the view. The webcam is stationed near the summit at around 700 meters, though for safety, our hike will probably allow us to a viewpoint at 300 meters.

ALL LEVELS ARE WELCOME

All skill levels are welcome to join all workshops! We offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced options for most techniques, and we might also split the group into different levels to ensure the best experience for everyone.

a day in the poi boot-camp

TAI CHI WITH RÓNÁN: 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Reconnect your mind, body, and energy with morning Taichi and Qigong moving meditations led by Rónán. Realign, release, and flow into the day with clarity and strength.

POI CLASSES: 10 AM – 1 PM
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced spinner, these poi classes have something for everyone. Beyond tricks, the workshops emphasize body movement and flow. Beginners will learn foundational moves, while intermediate and advanced spinners will explore tailored exercises to elevate their skills.

LUNCH: 1 PM
Savor a delicious buffet lunch prepared daily for you, or choose to prepare your own meal.

Afternoon Activities

The afternoon activities are as diverse as they are exciting, ensuring every day feels inspiring. You’ll explore Stromboli’s stunning trails on the hike(s), venture around the island on a private boat trip to take in its breathtaking scenery, and spend time unwinding on the beach, relaxing, enjoying the sun, jamming, and spinning fire by the shore. Of course, no day would be complete without indulging in a gelato break and savoring the island’s sweetest treats. Additionally, multiple mini-workshops will feature props like staff spinning, tech fans, and other surprises yet to be announced. The afternoons are structured for group purposes but leave plenty of room to venture out alone or with a smaller group to do what you want.

BOAT TRIP AROUND THE ISLAND

No visit to Stromboli is complete without a boat trip around the island to truly see everything! We’ll snorkel near Strombolicchio, a striking rock formation rising dramatically from the sea like a satellite to Stromboli’s volcanic planet. Its constant presence on the horizon adds a touch of magic to the adventure.

Our journey also takes us to the charming village of Ginostra, a picturesque haven on the island’s quieter side. As the sun sets into the sea, we’ll indulge in delicious Italian antipasti paired with authentic Strombolian wine, creating the perfect backdrop for this unforgettable evening. Once night falls, the fun continues with a fire jam under the starry sky.

The boat trip also reveals one of Stromboli’s most awe-inspiring sights: the Sciara del Fuoco—this steep volcanic slope where lava can cascade into the sea and where we can witness possible explosions after dark.

FAQ Stromboli

When? June 4-12, 2025

Choose your retreat length: 6 days (June 4-9) or 9 days (June 4-12)!

Opt for the full 9 days to enjoy more workshops, relaxation, and time to explore the charming village, its beaches, and every delicious gelato flavor. 🍨

Where? Stromboli, Italy

The retreat will be happening at the village of Stromboli, Italy.

How to get to Stromboli?

To get to stromboli, you’ll have to take a boat from Sicily (takes around 2h) or the overnight boat from Napoli (takes 10 hours).

FROM SICILY – FLYING TO CATANIA
– Flight Options: Look for flights to Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA).
– Getting to the Messina Port:
Take a bus or train from Catania to Messina (approx. 2 hours).
The central train station in Messina is walking distance from the port. The costs will be 8 to 20 euros.
– Boat from Messina to Stromboli Cost: Around €30 for a ticket, for 2 hours by boat.

FROM NAPELS (NAPOLI), ITALY
– Flight Options: If flights to Catania aren’t convenient, look for flights to Naples International Airport (NAP).
– Getting to the Port: From the airport, take a taxi or bus to the port, taking 15 to 45 minutes.
– Overnight Boat to Stromboli Cost: €90 for a pedestrian ticket.
€125 for a private room (cheaper if shared). Duration: Approximately 10 hours.

CLICK HERE for the full description on how to get to Stromboli

For who? All levels

Our classes cater to everyone—from total newbies to beginners to advanced spinners. While we’ll cover tricks, the focus extends beyond them, so even if you’re new to poi, you’ll benefit from body movement workshops and receive guidance on any moves you’re missing.

Workshops will combine group sessions and individual attention. For certain exercises, we might form small groups based on skill level and interests to ensure personalized learning.

To get the most out of this retreat, it’s helpful to know some basic poi moves, such as 3-beat weaves (forward and backward), windmill, watermill, hip-reels and turns, butterfly (same-time and split-time), and buzzsaw.

If these moves are new to you, don’t worry—we’ll teach you! For those who want to get a head start, check out Vojta’s online tutorials at PoiTutorials.com.

What about food?

Food is not included with the retreat ticket, though the Private Apartment option offers free breakfast (check the room description for details). We offer the option to add a lunch package. You can also choose to prepare the meals yourself.

The island has a wide variety of restaurants, markets, and food stores to explore. Every apartment is equipped with a kitchen or kitchenette for meal prep.

Breakfast: You can choose from several breakfast options each day at Salvo’s restaurant. No need to reserve in advance—just order when you’re ready.

Lunch Package: A delicious, (warm) lunch buffet will be provided daily for 15 euros per day. The buffet is vegetarian.

Still unsure about the lunch package? We highly recommend it! Our local chefs will prepare fresh, flavorful meals using ingredients from their own garden. Eating at a restaurant won’t save you money, and after a mornig of workshops, you’ll appreciate having a hearty lunch buffet ready and waiting for you. However, if you prefer to cook your own meals and save on food costs, the option to skip the meal plan is available.

Dinner: Each evening, we’ll explore a different dining experience. From ordering pizza on the beach during a fire jam to enjoying a special dinner at “The Osservatorio,” where you can watch the volcanic eruptions while savoring your meal, every night promises a unique culinary adventure.

We recommend personal travel insurance that covers reimbursement for any pre-booked events or excursions.

For an example, you can check out this insurance option: Allianz Travel Insurance.

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Meet Vojta, Czech Republic's famous...

Meet Rónan, the Irish trailblazer of fire...

Poi boot-camp

cosy apartments

the real Italian food

awesome activities

When? June 4-12, 2025

Where? Stromboli, Italy

How to get to Stromboli?

For who? All levels

What about food?

Room Sharing: Can I share a room if I don’t know anyone?

How to reserve a room with a friend?

Deposit and Payment

FACEBOOK event page