La Dolce Vita Tuscany
Yoga + Somat + Food + Culture
October 1-8, 2016
Take a deep breath…
You’ve just finished your yoga practice with a view of the Italian countryside. Next you might decide to explore neighboring villages or simply rest, anticipating the authentic Tuscan meal you’ll enjoy among your new friends before heading to a magical local winery or healing hot springs. Later, you’ll head to your Somat session, a unique therapeutic offering designed to unwind your back & neck in true Italian style.
Italian native turned Seattle-based yoga instructor Chiara Guerrieri has teamed up with Jennifer Mitchell and Twist Yoga for a week of unforgettable discoveries, transformational yoga and living the good life in the Tuscan countryside.
Relax by the pool at our restored villa, enjoy a massage, and delve into our daily yoga and Somat classes. We will begin each day with a vigorous morning practice and conclude with Somat sessions. Created in Italy but making its way worldwide, the Somat is a purposefully designed mat that follows the length and contours of your spine, allowing you to experience a slowing down of thinking and more vivid connection with your body and breath.
After practices, we will explore the local region through walks, bike rides and day trips to experience the beauty of this ancient region and its rich culinary heritage. Meals made from the freshest of local ingredients will be prepared for us by our personal chef and enjoyed around a traditional family-style table.
After a week of nourishing your spirit with Chiara and Jen, we think you’ll return in the most blissful mood.
Registration
(Updated 8/18/2016) We have just 3 vacancies left on this trip and have discounted the fee by 20%. Email us to inquire about any remaining openings.
Proposed Itinerary
Day 1: Ciao! Retreat begins at 4pm. Late afternoon asana, welcome dinner
Day 2: Morning yoga, bike through Tuscan countryside to Villa Grabau and explore Lucca’s cobblestone streets, handsome piazzas, and historic cafés. Evening Somat.
Day 3: Morning yoga. Afternoon wine tasting & private vineyard tour. Evening Somat.
Day 4: Morning yoga. Optional excursion to Petriolo Natural Hot Springs. Evening Somat.
Day 5: Morning yoga. Afternoon Italian cooking class. Evening excursion and dinner out in artist village and Mediterranean coastal town, Pietrasanta Village.
Day 6: Morning yoga. Excursion to Sienna. Evening Somat, final evening dinner party
Day 7: Morning yoga, breakfast and arrivederci at 10am!
Accommodations
Accommodation is in two beautifully restored 17th-century stone farmhouses approximately 20km from the Mediterranean Sea. With simple, stylish rooms overlooking olive groces, fruit trees, and the verdant surrounding hillsides, the grounds are abundant, with gardens, sauna, and swimming pool
Gallery
Inclusions
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- Twice daily yoga most days
- Tours and exploring: Italian cooking class, local winery tour & tasting, excursion to Pietrasanta Village, Guided bike tour to Lucca and Villa Grabau, day trip to Sienna or Pisa.
- 3 delicious vegetarian meals per day, except for one lunch and one dinner.
- Fresh juice at breakfast
- Unlimited fruit, water and herbal teas throughout the day.
- Local wine at dinner
- Use of the salt water swimming pool, Jacuzzi and all facilities within the grounds of the villa
- Use of the Turkish sauna
- Use of the WIFI (available in the common room only)
- Laundry facilities in each house for your use
Exclusions
- Entrance fees (not listed in inclusions)
- Airfare
- Applicable tourist visas
- Incidentals
- Travel insurance
- Airport taxes
- Tips or gratuities
- Optional tours or optional admissions
Rates
Shared double room, shared bath: $2,245*
Shared double room, private bath: $2,445
Single (twin bed): $2,545
All prices listed are per person.
* Take $100 off your rate if you pay by check or money order
Registration
(Updated 8/18/2016) We have just 3 vacancies left on this trip and have discounted the fee by 20%. Email us to inquire about any remaining openings.
Getting to This Event
Getting there – nearby airports:
- Pisa international Airport “Galileo Galileo” – 18 Miles from Lucca
- Florence International Airport “Amerigo Vespucci” is 50 Miles from Lucca
- If you are flying into Rome, Fiumicino Airport is 162 miles from Lucca
From airports to Il Borghino retreat villa:
- Option 1: Make your way to the nearby village of Lucca, and take the free shuttle we’ve arranged (one pickup, at 3pm) from Lucca to Il Borghino
- Option 2: Make your own way to Il Borghino. Airport Transfers or other transfers outside of the scheduled drop-off will be at your own expense
Free Ground Transport from Lucca
- Arrival Day Pick-up: Check-in time at Il Borghino is 4:00pm. On the day of arrival, there will be one scheduled FREE pick-up from Lucca (town) to Il Borghino (retreat villa) at 3pm.
- Departure Day Drop-off: Check-out time from Il Borghino is 10:00am. On the day of departure, there will be one scheduled free drop off to Lucca Train station at 10:00am.
Cancellation Policy: Please be sure you will be able to attend our retreat before you submit your deposit. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment is due in full 10 days prior to the start of the retreat. If you cancel 30 days or more prior to the retreat start date, you will be issued a refund, less your $300 non-refundable deposit. Please purchase trip insurance; due to retreat centers’ own refund policies, we cannot offer any refunds, transfers or credits for cancellations for any reason (including legitimate ones like illness, injury, family emergencies) within 30 days of the retreat start date. No refunds or credits for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat.
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