TUSCANY, ITALY

FORM+FOCUS – Join us for a creative + healthful week on this yoga and art retreat. This trip always fills up fast and we can’t wait to enjoy Italian cuisine, thermal spa, daytrips from the countryside to the cities of Siena and Montepuciano.

FORM + FOCUS

We are so excited about this special collaboration and enhancement to our classic Tuscany retreat. EAT.PRAY.MOVE will feature Julian Hyzler from EASEL&LENS to combine a look at creative focus with art projects in sketching and “ifonography” (smartphone photography) throughout the week. Yoga and meditation classes will be held daily to prepare our bodies and minds to find a creative way of focus on our excursions through the Italian countryside. *NO PREVIOUS ART OR YOGA BACKGROUND REQUIRED. All levels are welcome, and participation is voluntary. Projects and classes will be offered as a completely exploratory, unintimidating and personal experience.

THE VILLA

This magnificent yoga retreat will take place in the picturesque Italian countryside, along the border of Tuscany and Umbria. A beautifully restored villa awaits your arrival, complete with sprawling vistas over the rolling hills in all directions. Former cantinas and stables on the groundfloor have been transformed into apartments that are works of art. One can immediately see the careful attention that went into restoring, decorating, and preparing these rooms. Two large apartments are divided into different rooms of various size accommodations, each complete with private bathroom and linens.

A large and open art studio awaits those interested in exploring various art mediums while visiting, and also can serve as location for some “art as meditation” courses or a journaling room. The grounds are spacious with plenty of outdoor space to sit alone, relax on the outside terrace overlooking the meadows, or enjoying an open-air lunch. Also, the villa is located on a large estate ground with plenty of hiking available and even a pool to cool you down in the warmer summer months.

Host and villa owner Julian (from EASEL&LENS Art Courses) and his team, will spoil guests with their hospitality, mouth-watering cuisine, and fun-packed side trips. Julian’s extensive knowledge of Italian cities and art history will allow for a special and unique look into the surrounding areas. Also, this art instructor will share his love of the medium in his session of “art as meditation”. Don’t be surprised when you leave feeling as if you have made friends for life. You’ll almost feel part of the family when you stay at their lovely property.

CUISINE

Healthful, vegetarian food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfasts and dinners daily (with 2 special restaurant dinners out), as well as some selected lunches. The cuisine is simple, delicious and Italian, using fresh ingredients from the local market in Chiusi, much of which is organically grown. Cooks will prepare dishes like pumpkin risotto, pasta al forno, slow roasted fennel with red onions, salads with wild rocket, pecorino and fresh figs, and more. Selection is seasonal, and you can guarantee to love and appreciate each bite. Not only is the food provided, but also the wine. Guests will enjoy good local wine, from the famous vineyards of Montepulciano, produced less than an hour from the villa.

SURROUNDING AREA

Guests will not only enjoy the villa and encompassing estate, but also the richness of the Italian cities in nearby regions. Day trips will allow students to add arts, culture, adventure, and natural beauty to their retreat experience. Trips may include visits to small villages, large cities, and outdoor activities, even a thermal spa deep in the heart of Tuscany where guests can swim, schedule spa treatments, or simply enjoy the sun. See smaller villages that few tourists go, and get a true education and taste of Italy with a mozzarella and olive oil tasting.

Besides visiting the breathtaking city of Siena, we will also explore areas not as frequented by tourists. Plus we’ll get our fill of the tastes of the area in the wine region of Montepulciano, plus tastings of the cheeses, olive oils, and other regional specialties. Julian and Erin will be your guides around the city, museums, and outlying walks. Enjoy seeing world famous works of art, as well as monuments, and one-of-a-kind lookouts during our exciting week.

YOGA

Daily meditation and yoga classes will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle, restorative, and more vigorous vinyasa flow and ashtanga styles.* Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students’ needs, and with a small intimate retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice. Depending on each retreat location, classes will be held in a dedicated indoor yoga space and some also offer outdoor options as well for us to use if the weather is agreeable.

* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!