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Overview

Flow, Nourish, & Thrive // a yoga retreat in Tuscany
55100 Lucca, Province of Lucca, Italy
Jul 16 - 22, 2023
Matthew Shaw Yoga image
Matthew Shaw Yoga
$1,790

About your trip

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! 

Daily flow and nourishment

✨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.

Travel to Lucca

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!

About your hosts

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.

Cancellation Policy

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

Travel insurance is highly recommended. A travel insurance policy should include trip cancellation and interruption, baggage, accident, emergency assistance, and medical assistance. 

What's included

6 Nights Accomodations

Each room is unique and well-appointed.

Two Yoga Sessions Daily

See the description in the "Itinerary" section for more details about our practices..

Daily Light Breakfast

Pre-yoga small breakfast - light bites: fruit, granola, coffee, tea

Daily Brunch & Dinner

Plant-based, locally-inspired cuisine

Yoga Props

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.**

Set of Towels

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.

Mid-Week Cooking Class

Learn how to prepare delicious vegan food from our amazing chef, Diana!

Pool

Solar-heated, gated, and private - just for us!

WiFi

Broadband Internet

Midweek Maid Service

Self serve laundry

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.

Welcome Bubbly

What's not included

Airfare

Airport to Villa travel

Additional Maid Service

Alcoholic Beverages

We will have welcome bubbly but during the rest of the stay it is BYOB.

Air Conditioning

All rooms have access to A/C - your use will be metered and you'll pay for it at the end of your stay.

Extra Activities

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!)

Travel Insurance

Highly recommended

Private Yoga Sessions

Work one-on-one with Matthew to deepen your practice.

Professional Photography

Andrew, our program coordinator and professional photographer, will be on board the whole week for photo shoots in our picture-perfect estate.

Day 1 • Sunday, July 16

Day 1 • Sunday, July 16  image

Arrival day 😀

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.



Days 2 - 6 • July 17-21

Days 2 - 6 • July 17-21 image

Yoga, Tuscany, Amazing Food, Pool, More Yoga, & Great Friends

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

Day 7• Saturday, July 22

Day 7• Saturday, July 22 image

Departure Day 😞

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

Location

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1. 55100 Lucca, Province of Lucca, Italy

55100 Lucca, Province of Lucca, Italy

About your organizer

Matthew (E-RYT 500) came to yoga teaching after a fulfilling career as a professional opera singer. He was already a long-time yoga practitioner when he started teaching in 2018, and as both a student and a teacher, he found that yoga helped him to find more mental tranquility while also becoming stronger in his body. Matthew’s offerings combine the physicality and athleticism of a strong, breath focused vinyasa flow, along with the powerful mental benefits of mindfulness and introspection. His main teacher is Jason Crandell.

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