July 4-10, 2015
Yoga and the Tuscan Sun
Take your time, slow down and surrender to the beauty and simplicity of life under the Tuscan sun.
In stillness, we can discover a secret wellspring of health and vitality within ourselves.Yoga is a refined practice for optimal physical and mental health. It integrates movement and breath to unify body, mind and spirit.
And the Tuscan Sun Yoga Retreat combines the beneficial aspects of this ancient practice with the good life as lived in the beautiful countryside of central Italy, offering both a memorable cultural holiday and a profound self-reflective experience.
Heal and rejuvenate yourself in a peaceful and relaxed environment, undisturbed by emotions, tension or impulses.
Bend and bloom.
Daily yoga and meditation sessions will be followed by a family-style lunch overlooking the grounds. Afternoons will be mostly free, with one afternoon of Pranayama and meditation, and two evening classes taught by Anna Lisa Tempestini, our winemaker yogini and host. Our last evening together, we will gather for a last meditation under the Tuscan sun, to end our time together.
The ancient historical ambiance of Tuscany provides the perfect backdrop for intensive, extended yoga practice. Immerse yourself in an old-world appreciation of peace and tranquility, slow-food cuisine, connection to nature, deep yoga and meditation, set in a place of pilgrimage for monks, ascetics and weary travelers looking for rest and inspiration through the ages.
Join me under the Tuscan sun for a week of stillness and space.
Remind yourself how truly important it is to unplug and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Take time to sink into the soothing sensations of this magical place.
Practice in a monastery on a hilltop, surrounded by the echoes of ancient prayers, nature’s abundance and the production of precious olive oil and wine. Take a meditative walk through the vineyards; discover the art and craft of local cuisine, and the depth of Tuscany’s culture and history.
Retreat Detail
7-Days of Enjoying An Inner Journey
Yoga & Meditation: $850 for 7 Days
Sat July 4
4:00p Restorative Yoga, Meditation
Followed by Private Chef Dinner
Sun July 5 – Fri Jul 10
9:30a – 12:30p Yoga with Cora
12:30p-2:00p Farm to table Lunch
Tues 7/7
3:00p-4:30p Pranayama & Meditation
Mon 7/6 & Wed 7/8
6:30p-7:30p Yoga with Annalisa
Thurs 7/9
5:00p Final Gather & Meditation
Followed by Private Chef Dinner
9x Yoga Classes, 6x Farm-to-table Lunches + 2 xDinners
This is a non-residiential retreat. All accommodations book directly with hotels.
There will be a music festival nearby to visit in the afternoon – 6th Southern Tuscany International Festival Musica negli Horti
Location – Fattoria Reste
In 1573, Martino del Nero engraved his name in the wine cellar of his monastery. Fattoria Reste is now a sanctuary of stillness that is home to yogis, wine enthusiasts and chefs around the globe.
This is a jewel lit by sunlight, producing small quantities of passion in a bottle. Passion requires discipline and diligence, so everything here is hand crafted. Fattoria Reste is a nourishing home for seekers of Spirit, with grounds extending over views of Montalcino, lush and abundant with San Giovese groves.
Daily yoga and meditation sessions will be followed by a family style lunch overlooking the grounds. Afternoons will be mostly free, with 2 afternoon Restorative classes, and a final gather to end our time together.
The vineyards and natural hot springs of Bagno Vignoni and Bagni di San Filippo, along with the famous Pecorino di Pienza and the finest extra virgin olive enhance our Farm-to
-table-meals. Create your own adventure amidst the castles, fortresses, and historic architecture in this exquisite corner of Italy.
The region is a gem with rich culinary heritage for the quality of food and drink, and particularly its olive oil, one of the best in the world. Connect to this rich past through day trips or hikes to nearby medieval villages, and explore your own inner journey to your self.
Housing Suggestions
The following suggestions are in the area, and friends of Annalisa, our host. They will help you to find your way in the area, and can guide you to more adventures under the Tuscan Sun!
Podera Cunina www.agriturismopoderecunina.com
+39 339 8350580
Agriturismocombines the Italian words for “agriculture” and “tourism” as a style of vacationing in farm house resorts. An agriturismo is an independently-owned farm that the owners have decided to use partially for rental. Most owners of your “hotel” are, primarily, farmers, and the room is in the farm’s house, or an annex nearby.
An agriturismo vacation can be simple to luxurious. Rooms range from large, independently-built mini-apartments to cozy, basic rooms in the main house. One of the best ways to experience Italy is to learn about its land and people, so you will be staying at someone’s working farm to watch Italian farm culture up close. This Podera offers several apartments that range from two to four bedrooms with kitchens and large living areas to share.
Isabella Barlocher runs several hotels:
+39 338. 7409245
Cretaiole www.cretaiole.it
+39 0578 748083
Cretaiole is located just outside of Pienza, between Montepulciano and Montalcino in the heart of the magnificent Val d’Orcia (UNESCO World Heritage site). Cretaiole is more than just an ancient Tuscan farmhouse to find refuge at the end of the day—it is your chance to live in the culture and to taste the true essence of this timeless land. This generous and friendly community will live long in your memory.
Casa Morriciani www.casamorricciani.com
Near Siena, Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano
+39 0578. 748083
Casa Moricciani is the perfect place to stay for an authentic Tuscan experience in refined style. The villa is in the historic and picturesque medieval hamlet of Castelmuzio, and the owners Isabella and Carlo Moricciani have restored it into an elegant home of gracious living. The Moricciani family have provided expert guidance to visitors for nearly 30 years, and Isabella knows the “Hidden Tuscany” to make this trip a memory of a lifetime.
Additional Information
We highly recommend you rent a car so you can sight see around the area.
Taxi service is not readily available, so arrangements must be made with private car. The hotels will be able to help make these arrangements, but remember that this is the countryside of Italy, so things have their own pace, and will flow as they will.
There is much to see in the surrounding area; rolling Tuscan hills of bountiful vineyards, including the famous wine area of Brunello di Montalcino, the landmark Leaning Tower of Pisa, Thermal Springs and Spas to promote health and wellness
You can take advantage of the thermal hot springs and taste the samplings of the special Pecorino cheese, the finest first press olive oil, white truffles and the abundance of famous and family vineyards. This area has inspired countless artists and crafts people to find their home. It is now a bustling area of culture, commerce and gastronomic delights.
Take time to enjoy the area, and discover your own journey into stillness.
Sights, Sounds & Spas
International Festival Musica negli Horti July 5 to July 11, 2015 in San Quirico d’Orcia
“The Leaning Tower of Pisa SB” by Saffron Blaze – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa_SB.jpeg#/media/File:The_Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa_SB.jpeg
Lonely Planet Sights in Montalcino
Truffle Hunters and the Associazione Tartufai delle Colline della Bassa Valdelsa