Join us on a picture-perfect week in breathtaking Tuscany. This six-night, seven-day retreat takes place at Villa Boccella, a beautiful 17th Century Tuscan estate set amongst the hills and olive groves of Northern Tuscany.
This will be our backdrop for a week of invigorating yoga, incredible plant-based dining, exploration, and rejuvenation.
In addition to the Villa, we have rented the Dependance, another stunning property on the estate. These gorgeous premises give us the space and comfort to relax and rest when not engaged in the week's excitement.
Any questions about the rooms or anything related to the retreat? Click the blue 'ask a question' button and we’ll get back to you right away!
✨Please see the "Itinerary" section below for more details.✨
Each morning will begin with a dynamic vinyasa flow - a well-rounded, mindful practice that will invigorate your entire body. Throughout the week, you'll deepen your physical practice of hip openers, backbends, standing poses, arm balances, and inversions, while also incorporating meditation and pranayama.
The yoga we'll do is for all levels, and options will be given to "level-up" or "level-down". Matthew's classes are often vigorous and sweaty, and you're always welcome to slow down, rest, and take modifications. That said, in order to take full advantage, we recommend having some experience in vinyasa yoga before you arrive.
Our morning yoga practice will be followed by a relaxed and hearty family-style brunch.
Afternoons are yours, whether you wish to rent a bicycle and visit the local wineries, relax by the pool, or follow your heart to the ocean or one of the wonderful nearby Italian cities; abundant culture and nature saturate the vicinity.
The estate is only 10 minutes by car (or a little longer by bicycle along the river path) to the beautiful and historic city of Lucca. In Lucca you can explore the winding streets full of interesting culture, shops, cafes and restaurants.
In the late afternoon/early evening, you'll be welcomed back for a two-part yoga practice, the first part being more challenging, focusing on arm balances and inversions, and the second part being a slow flow: quiet and restorative, concluding with Yoga Nidra. You are welcome to attend either or both of these sessions. This will be followed by a delicious plant-based dinner.
We recommend you book your flight to arrive at Pisa International Airport (PSA). PSA is 36km (22 miles) from Villa Boccella, our retreat center. Depending on traffic, Pisa International Airport is a 40-60 minute drive (https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Pisa-Airport-Italy/Lucca) and Florence is a bit more (https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Florence-Airport-FLR/Lucca). The Villa recommends using Consorzio Tuscany Dream for transportation to and from the airports. They are open 24 hours a day and speak English. Telephone: +39 3334803367 or email: info@consorziotuscanydream.com. Cost from Pisa is 90€ and from Florence is 150€ with room for up to 8 people.
A few tips on finding affordable flights -- set up a flight tracker (with Google, Kayak, or Skyscanner for example) and don't be discouraged when looking very far in advance. Airlines often drop prices around 80-90 days before a flight (but if you see a good deal beforehand, snag it!). VPN's have also in some cases helped, as it works against airlines exploiting your browsing history to jack up prices!
Matthew is a certified yoga teacher (E-RYT 500), a former opera singer, a dog dad, an ambitious learner, and a recovering perfectionist with a B.S. in Psychology and both a B.M. and an M.M in Music. He helps busy, high achieving people improve their strength, flexibility and overall fitness through mindful movement (and probably a little sweat). Flowing with him will give you the mental escape you've been waiting for all day. To learn more about Matthew, CLICK HERE.
German food blogger & cookbook author Diana Scholl will be your culinary host for the week – providing you with delicious, plant-based meals highlighting the abundant Tuscan summer produce. Diana’s cooking is full of flavour, nourishing and fulfilling, she loves spices, herbs, carbs & grains, nuts, dips & dressings and will indulge you with freshly prepared delicious family-style meals throughout the retreat.
“I can’t wait to prepare all the beautiful Italian produce for you guys – Tuscan summer produce is a dream come true. Juicy tomatoes, peaches and melons, fresh asparagus, peppers, squashes and greens … we’ll have so much fun eating all this goodness”.
Andrew is your program coordinator. During the retreat he will be around to assist and answer any questions you may have. Originally from Ohio, Andrew moved as quickly as he could to the New York City, where he earned his bachelor's degree in music, then Philadelphia where he earned his Masters. For the past five years Andrew has been working as a singer, photographer, and dog dad, based in Stuttgart, Germany.
In the unfortunate event that you need to cancel your trip, you will be refunded the following amount:
· up to 90 days before the retreat start date, a cancellation fee equal to the previously stated down payment (20%) applies;
· from 60 to 90 days before the retreat start date, 50% of the total price of the trip is non-refundable;
· from 60 to 30 days before the retreat start date, 70% of the total price of the trip is non-refundable
· from 30 days or less before the retreat start date, 90% of the total price of the trip is non-refundable.
Travel insurance is highly recommended. A travel insurance policy should include trip cancellation and interruption, baggage, accident, emergency assistance, and medical assistance.
Each room is unique and well-appointed.
See the description in the "Itinerary" section for more details about our practices..
Pre-yoga small breakfast - light bites: fruit, granola, coffee, tea
Plant-based, locally-inspired cuisine
Villa Boccella has all the props that we'll need, including yoga mats. If you would prefer to have your own props with you, feel free to bring them. **We do suggest you bring your own yoga mat.**
1 x hand towel, 1 x bath towel, 1 x bath mat, 1 x pool towel. Each bathroom has a hairdryer and a wrapped bar of hand soap.
Learn how to prepare delicious vegan food from our amazing chef, Diana!
Solar-heated, gated, and private - just for us!
Broadband Internet
Both The Villa and The Dependance have a utility room with a washing machine, dryer, iron and an ironing board. Detergent is provided free of charge.
We will have welcome bubbly but during the rest of the stay it is BYOB.
All rooms have access to A/C - your use will be metered and you'll pay for it at the end of your stay.
Beautiful beaches are a 40 minute car ride away and stunning hikes are to be found all around the area. Lucca itself is worth a visit (or two!)
Highly recommended
Work one-on-one with Matthew to deepen your practice.
Andrew, our program coordinator and professional photographer, will be on board the whole week for photo shoots in our picture-perfect estate.
Feel free to plan your arrival ANYTIME - we'll be ready to welcome you and show you to your amazing room!
Depending on your timing, you can explore the Villa Boccella estate, relax by the pool, and get to know the other retreat participants.
5:30pm • Welcome Practice
We'll do a short slow-flow practice to help you shake off the travel (think: juicy hip openers, shoulder stretches, and grounding breathwork).
7pm • Dinner
We'll pour the bubbly, toast to the start of an incredible week, and then sit down (most likely al fresco!) to enjoy our first dinner together.
Here's what our daily schedule will look like:
Light Breakfast • 7:30 to 8:30am
Morning Practice • 8:30 to 10am
A well-rounded, energetic flow during which you'll deepen your physical practice of hip openers, backbends, standing poses, arm balances, and inversions, while also incorporating meditation and pranayama.
Brunch • 10:00 to 11:30am
FREE TIME • 11:30am to 4:30pm
Afternoon Practice, Part 1 • 4:30 to 5:30pm
A more challenging practice concentrating on the arm balances and inversions that we touched upon during the morning session.
Afternoon Practice, Part 2 • 5:30pm to 6:30pm
A slow, quiet practice, with longer-held postures, breathwork, and concluding with Yoga Nidra.
*For those who want a more intense practice, come to the first session. For those who want a more chill, quiet experience, come to the second session. For those who want it ALL, come to both! In other words, you are welcome to attend either or both of these sessions to make the afternoon your own.
Dinner • 7pm
We'll round out our incredible week by squeezing in one more rejuvenating practice and sharing our final meal together!
8am • Short Morning Practice
A simple, steady flow to get your body and mind ready for travel, and to connect as a community one last time.
9am • Breakfast
10am • Check Out