Retreat and Cultural Discovery, Tuscany – Italy

Italy evokes beauty, art, great food and lively, expressive people! We invite you to spend 7 days in Tuscany, one of the most beautiful regions of Italy. The purpose of this trip is to make you enjoy the best Italy has to offer while at the same time relax and regenerate

Trip offered from 14th to the 20th of May 2017 and from the 01 st to the 7th of October 2017

In collaboration with Yoga Versilia

Mathieu Deschenes and Laura Sacchelli

DISCOVERY OF TUSCANY

ACTIVITIES DURING THE RETREAT

We built this retreat so that all activities are optional. We recommend that you take advantage of everything that is offered, but we believe it is also important to rest, so if you want to stay at the villa to relax every other day and enjoy the surroundings you are welcome to do so. There will be a yoga session every morning and evening and a a daily trip to a one of the many wondeful places Tuscany has to offer. Here we list for you just a few potential destinations.

Keep in mind that, if you decide to skip an activity, there will also be space for trekking, riding horses, we will make sure to have a wine, cheese and oil tastinghaving cooking classwine and olive oil degustation !

VINEYARD AT BOLGHERI

Visit and Wine tasting at one of the biggest vineyard in Bolgheri, this small village which is renowned for its wines made from classical Bordeaux grape variety, the soil and climate being conducive to these types of grapes. Bolgheri, is one of the most famous wine regions of Tuscany.

FLORENCE

A visit of the capital of Italian Renaissance, Florence with its architecture, museums and gastronomy. You will have the opportunity to visit the “Galleria degli Uffizi” one of the most important museums in the world as for the value of preserved paintings, the Uffizi is host of the famous David by Michelangelo and several paintings of the same great artist. The historical center is an architectural marvel with buildings dating from the 11th century. You can also visit the Cathedral “Santa Maria del Fiore”, it’s dome decorated with frescoes, the largest ever built, was painted by many of the greatest artists of the early Renaissance.

CINQUE TERRE

“Cinque Terre” and Porto Venere are in Liguria, just across the Tuscany broder. With colorful houses built on steep valleys, the “Cinque Terre” is one of the prime spot in northern Italy. Before the railroad was built in the early 20th century, It was pretty much disconnected from the outside world. Today, there is still no traffic in the “Cinque Terre”, but just a long trail resulting in a beautiful hike along the ligurian coast!

SPA – THERMAL BATHS

One particularity of the region, the country is full of hot springs and therapeutic thermal baths. The thermal water comes from the depths of the earth, heated by geothermal energy. Many studies have now proven their effectiveness in the treatment of several chronic conditions and temporary ailments. We invite you to come with us to le Terme di Sassetta. Located inland just south of Livorno, it was built on a pure land with the intention of creating an environment free of polluants and renew a contact with nature. There is an agriturismo on the spot, you can eat at the restaurant while you are visiting. Everything they serve here comes from their land!

LA VERSILIA

This is where you will be staying. Very well known to italians less known to the rest of the world la Versilia is a small stretch of the northern Tuscany coastline. Bordered by the mediterrenean sea and the apuan alps, la Vesilia offers a very particular setting as the mountains are only 7 miles from the coast. You will have some opportunities to go trekking on the mountains (there are routes accessible to all and everyone) and you will also have time to relax the beaches of Versilia. You can enjoy the water of the Mediterranean Sea, the sun and beautiful scenery.

PIETRASANTA AND LUCCA

Pietrasanta is in the heart of la Versilia. The whole region has been thriving from the marble industry for decades, the famous Carrara marble comes from the apuan alps. Pietrasanta is where the artists settled. After Michelangelo started carving marble from here, the region became a prime spot for sculptors. Pietrasanta has many art galleries and expositions to show for. The "piazza" is always dressed up, somehow shocasing the the art of local artists. Pietrasanta is a very lively town with nice restaurants, it is a great place to spend an evening in an enchanting atmosphere.

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Starting at 1200 US

RESERVE YOU TRIP HERE

RESERVATION – IMPORTANT INFORMATION

A deposit of 30% of the value of the trip is required to confirm your reservation. This deposit is non-refundable. The balance is due 45 days before departure.

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YOUR TEAM

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ACCOMMODATION

LA VILLA

This is an exemple of what the accomadation will look like. The villa may be subject to change depending on the size of the group and availability.

You will stay in a beautiful villa located on a typical Tuscan hill filled with fruit trees, olive groves and vineyards. The villa is only a few kilometers from the Mediterranean sea and near the medieval village of Lucca. The place is equipped with a whirlpool bath, a steam bath, a swimming pool. The villa also proposes massage therapy services on demand. There is plenty of space to enjoy the sun and the place is ideal for for a little hike breathing fresh air!

INCLUDED

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Taxes

7 nights accommodation

Breakfast

Lunch*

Dinners

Yoga session (13)

Guided Tours

NOT INCLUDED

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International flight

Airport tax

Travel insurance **

Gratuities

Other activities not included

Personal expenses

*Lunches are not included during the day trips. It will be offered to those who decide to stay at the villa.
**Travel insurance strongly recommended

IMPORTANT : Each traveller must have a valid passport through 6 months after the return date.

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RESERVE YOU TRIP HERE

+39-3931015515

MATHIEU DESCHÊNES

Mathieu Studied political science and translation at the University of Montreal and Concordia. But particular encounters during some of his many travels got him to be interested in alternative medicine. First to energy therapy, hypnosis and nutrition, then to yoga and meditation. Mathieu studied Yoga in Mysore, India with Barath Shetty.