Join Meredith and Katherine for early autumn in the Italian countryside. We'll spend 6 nights at Ebbio, a 12th-century restored farmhouse nestled on a 7-hectare organic farm between Siena and Florence. Expect a variety of daily yoga, robust vegetarian Tuscan cuisine with produce sourced from Ebbio’s organic farm, time to adventure and explore the nature of the region, visit nearby Siena and Monteriggioni, and ample time to rest, read, relax. For those who wish to deepen their practice, unwind, and have new experiences while spending time with friends.

Meredith [Boston] and Katherine [London] both trained with The Sacred Fig, and first connected at a retreat in Colorado run by a close mutual friend of theirs. Since then, a seeded idea has grown and bloomed into this retreat. Meredith has forged a sturdy path in Boston’s yoga community alongside her work as a ceramic artist, while Katherine teaches alongside being an actor in London. 

You can get in touch directly with Meredith (Meredith@mwcollective.com) and Katherine (kbristow.yoga@gmail.com) with any questions

Arrival/Departure Days

Check-in is at 4pm on the 5th. We will have a post-travel class at 5:30pm before our first dinner together. On the 11th, we'll have a morning practice, breakfast, and check-out at 10:30am. 

From Florence Airport (about 60km) - closest! 

About 1hr drive or Tram + Train Tram from airport to SMN train station, and train from Florence SMN to “Castellina in Chianti - Monteriggioni” about 1 hour 45mins, one change of train in Empoli. Ticket is 12€ per person. Transport from the train station to Ebbio 15€ per person (about 10 mins drive). 

OR Taxis are available to/from Florence +39 055 4390, info@4390.it - 150/160€, you can ask for larger cars (about 1 hour drive)

From Pisa Airport (about 90km)

Train from Pisa airport to “Castellina in Chianti - Monteriggioni” about 1 hour 45 mins. Ticket is 12€ per person. Transport from the train station to Ebbio 15€ per person (about 10 mins drive). 

OR Minivan Transfer through Ebbio - seats a maximum of 7 people and has a cost of 350€, (47€ x person) / normal car, 4 seaters 250€.

Rome Airport (about 300 km) Minivan Transfer - maximum of 7 people, costs of 450€, (65€ x person).

From Siena (about 20km) - 20mins drive - Taxis are available to/from Siena: +39 0577 49 222, 30/35€, you can ask for larger cars. 

An example of what a day might look like:

9-10:30am Morning yoga practice 

10:30 - 12:30pm Brunch

1 - 4:30pm open time for relaxing, hanging out, activities (hike, picnic, village visit, river dips, forage, cooking class, wine tasting, help on the farm), schedule private yoga sessions or massage, read, as you wish

5-6:30pm Evening practice (more gentle and restorative styles)

7-9pm Dinner

Evening fire, relax, read, prepare for bed 

This is just a sample and subject to change. This retreat is designed to offer what you need, with plenty opportunity for activity and adventure as well as rest and down time. Everything is optional. 

How many people will be attending? 

This will be an intimate retreat capped at 14 guests + Meredith and Katherine

Can I still attend if I am new to yoga?

Of course! We welcome all levels of experience, whether beginner or seasoned practitioner.  

What should I bring? Do I need to bring a yoga mat?

Comfortable clothes for yoga, hiking, perhaps biking or any other exploring you'd like to do. Bring a swimsuit, and casual clothes for lounging, picnic, walks to nearby villages, meals. Maybe a nice outfit for our evening out, and something cozy for chiller mornings and evenings. Check the weather beforehand, but the region is known to be 60-80F this time of year (ideal!). It won't be as hot as summer, but you'll still want sunscreen and sunglasses. Bring a good book, perhaps a journal, and everything you need for practice will be provided in Ebbio's fully equipped shala (Manduka mats, blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters). If you would prefer to bring your own mat, you are more than welcome. 

What about bathrooms?

There are 5 shared bathrooms in the house

What if I have food allergies/intolerances?

Please let us know upon booking of any dietary requirements or other allergies. We will do our very best to accommodate, though please note that we cannot make guarantees. See terms and conditions.  

Cancellation Policy: Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds of any kind for deposits, and balance payments vary depending on the timing. If you cancel with more than 45 days notice, you will receive a refund of your balance minus the deposit paid. Should you need to cancel within 45 days of the retreat date, we cannot offer any kind of refund. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. We do not offer refunds or credit for a guest who fails to attend, arrives late, or leaves early. We appreciate your understanding and strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers the cost of your place on the retreat should an unforeseeable event occur.

Ebbio’s liability: Any damage to the property will be the responsibility of the participant. Your stay will be on a rural working farm with animals, both domesticated and wild. Your presence in such an environment is voluntary and taken at your own risk.

Travel documents and immunisations

It is the responsibility of each traveler to obtain all required travel documents including valid passports and visas. In most cases you must have at least 6 months validity on your passport in order to travel. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct immunisations for your travel. If in doubt, please contact your nearest travel clinic for the latest requirements.

Traveling arrangements

It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements to and from the retreat including flights and airport transfers. With your permission we can connect you with other guests joining your retreat, to see if you can arrange shared flights and/or travel options. In this case you take full responsibility for your own travel plans. If you choose to share cars or transport with other guests or retreat hosts and/or teachers, resort/hotel staff members whilst on the trip then please note that you do this at your own risk. We are not responsible for any risk, injury or death occurred through shared cars, transport or any travel.

Insurance

If you are traveling from the USA, we highly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance (this is different from airline cancellation insurance). Taking part in any of the activities that will take place during the retreat, including yoga, tours, and sporting activities, carries a high risk. When you participate in the retreat or in any of the activities that take place during the retreat, you agree that you do so at your own risk. We are not responsible, and do not have any liability for any risk, damage, injuries, illnesses or death that occurs during or as a consequence of your participation in the retreat, whether by reason of negligence or otherwise. You must insure yourself against any such risk, damage, injury, illness or death. We advise all attendees to purchase travel and medical insurance on booking to cover any unfortunate events while traveling and on retreat. Your insurance is NOT included in the retreat price.

Health disclaimer

You must provide us with full details upon booking of any existing medical conditions, disability or injury that may affect your retreat with us (including, in particular, any accommodation requirements) at the time of your booking. If, in our reasonable opinion, the retreat is not suitable for your medical condition or disability then we have the right to refuse to accept the booking.

Should you not give us full details of your medical condition or disability upon booking we reserve the right to cancel the booking at any time, including at the beginning of or during the retreat, if in our reasonable opinion the retreat arrangements are not suitable for you.

Allergies

An environment free of allergens, including but not limited to food allergens, CANNOT be guaranteed on our retreats. It cannot be guaranteed that any particular food product is free of all traces of any particular allergen, that consumption of a food product will not result in some form of allergic reaction, or that the participant will not come into contact with any allergens while in attendance on one of our retreats.

Special requests

Special requests must be submitted in the booking form. We cannot guarantee that the request will be met, although we will try our utmost to accommodate them. Any failure to meet your requests will not be a breach of contract on the part of our team. Confirmation that a request has been made will be included on your booking invoice or upon the acknowledgment of booking. We are not able to accept bookings which are conditional upon a special request being met and these will be treated as a standard booking with request.

Responsibility and behavior

As part of your booking with us, you accept liability for any loss or damage caused by you or any member of your party during the course of your retreat. Payment for any loss or damage must be made to our supplier/venue or us at the time that it occurs or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter. If the cost of the loss or damage is not known at the time, we will reasonably estimate it and if this reasonable estimate exceeds the amount paid, you must pay the difference once known. If less, the difference will be refunded to you. You will also be responsible for and agree to indemnify us in respect of any claim subsequently made against us and all costs incurred by us (including our own and any other party’s full legal costs) arising from your actions. 

You are responsible for your own behavior and for any other members of your party. We maintain the right to refuse service and the right to or refuse to you and/or any other member of your party by terminating your retreat arrangements should your behavior be deemed to be inappropriate, discriminatory, disruptive, upsetting or dangerous to yourself or anyone else, or if you or any member of your party are likely to cause damage to the property. In these circumstances, we will not be liable to pay any refund, compensation or expenses incurred by you if we have to terminate your booking arrangements due to unacceptable behavior. In such a situation we will have no further responsibility for you or any other member in your party (including any return travel arrangements).

Website & advertising

The information contained on our websites, advertising material and social media is our responsibility and to the best of our knowledge is correct at the time of publication. Occasionally errors may occur, and information may change. You must therefore check all the details of your travel arrangements at the time of booking.

Media

In booking with us, you give permission for the capture and use of photography, video, written or verbal testimonial. You hereby grant us unrestricted permission to use and reuse, publish and republish in whole or in part, individually or in connection with other material in any and all publishing and social media platforms now or hereafter known, including the internet and for website marketing use without restriction as to alteration, and to use your name in connection with any use if we choose to do so.

Ebbio reserves the right to take photographic or film records of your stay and to use such material for promotional use without remuneration to the individual.

Medical waiver

I acknowledge that I have voluntarily enrolled to participate in this retreat, willingly assume full responsibility for the potential risks I am exposing myself to and accept full responsibility for any injury or death that may result from participating, volunteering or watching in any physical training, including the yoga, that will take place during the retreat, whether caused by our negligence or that of any other person, or for any other reason. I, the participant, accept all financial responsibility for any injury that I may cause to myself or to any other participant due to my negligence. I realize that liability may arise from negligence or carelessness from other guests on the same retreat, from dangerous or defective equipment or property owned by the venue, maintained or controlled by them or because of their possible liability without fault. I acknowledge that I have no physical impairments, injuries, or illnesses that will endanger others or me. I will advise you  of any impairments upon my initial booking. 

I hereby confirm that I am medically, physically, emotionally and in all respects fit and able to participate in the retreats. If not, I confirm that I have put in writing to Meredith or Katherine to explain and describe as clearly as possible any/all issues that may interfere with the retreat package in question. 

I agree that I will be fully and financially responsible for my own physical condition and well-being during the retreat and will follow all safety precautions and instructions prescribed by Meredith, Katherine, and staff. 

I acknowledge and agree that my participation in the retreat will expose me to food, activities and persons that may result in my exposure to allergens and illness and, in that regard and assuming such risks, I hereby fully release Meredith, Katherine and staff from any and all liability and or responsibility to myself or any third party for death and/ or injuries/illnesses direct or indirect, incidental or any damages that arise out of or relate to my participation in retreat, exposure to food and/or any other allergies caused by insects, animals, plants, pools, chemicals etc.

I acknowledge that you may make suggestions from time to time that are intended to help me and my well- being. However, I take ultimate responsibility for my choices and realize that Meredith, Katherine, and staff are not licensed medical providers and that I must consult my doctor if in any doubt about any physical, mental, medical issues or medicines prior to my retreat. 

If I experience pain or discomfort during the retreat, I will modify the staff’s instruction to suit my individual needs. I will not hold teachers and staff responsible for any pain, discomfort or injury I experience during or after the retreat. I understand that the activities offered on this retreat are not a substitute for medical care. I understand that teachers and staff are not qualified to diagnose, prescribe, or treat physical or mental illness.

By agreeing to the terms stated here in this document and elsewhere on Meredith & Katherine's website I hereby release and discharge my rights and claims for damages or liabilities that may occur as a result of participation in a retreat.

I acknowledge by booking for this retreat that I have read and understood and agreed to all of the above.

Ebbio is a restored 13th century farm beautifully transformed in a tranquil spot for retreats and holidays. Nestled inside an evergreen forest, it sits on an extinct volcano that was sacred to the Etruscans, and overlooks the medieval walled town of Monteriggioni.

Ebbio’s family includes Sibilla, Francesca, Nyshi, Bardhyl, Jane, Elkabira, the beloved Wwoofers, as well as geese, chickens, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats and plenty of butterflies. The country ways of old Italy are preserved here, where we dedicate ourselves to the organic cultivation of our olive trees, vineyards, fruit, vegetables and herbs, which we then use in preparing our home-made vegetarian meals. The unique décor of our ten bedrooms builds on this traditional heritage, with earthly colours and windows onto the rolling Tuscan hills.

Ebbio is committed to sustainability and believes in responsible travel, striving to demonstrate the model for sustainable living.

"Our guests can participate in work on the farm, get their hands dirty and bring the lessons home to live a more mindful life. 

We are committed to nine criteria for measuring our impact as an organisation: energy, water, food, waste, carbon footprint, education, health, employment and happiness.

We are constantly working to improve our systems with renewable energies, heating via biomass, waste recycling, gray and black water treatment and reuse, compost and permaculture. We work closely with the local community, farmers and artisans alike, to raise awareness and create a positive impact through workshops."