Italy Retreat
NICE MOVES IN TUSCANY
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2024
Guided by Sofia and Cait take time away in a beautiful 16th century villa to embrace magical moments of movement in community, quiet reflection, delicious Italian food, and adventure. Our itinerary holds space for daily Pilates-based mat practices; dive into an exploration of presence + strength with morning moves overlooking the mountains and valley below. In the evening, we’ll create space for movement rituals that support your well-being and deepen your awareness.
Afternoons spent exploring the Italian countryside, taking in local cuisine + culture, relaxing by the pool, and cruising Lake Trasimeno by boat.
This well-balanced program leaves plenty of time for both vibrance and stillness. We look forward to seeing you there!
What’s Included:
→ 6 nights stay at the private Villa Ruffignano located just outside of Cortona in Tuscany
→ Daily mat movement practices led by Sofia & Cait
→ Daily breakfast with fresh local ingredients
→ 1 lunch at the villa
→ Cheese making workshop at a local farm incl. lunch
→ 4 private chef dinners at the villa incl. a cooking class and pizza making workshop
→ 1 group dinner out in Cortona
→ Villa snacks
→ Boat tour on Lake Trasimeno with snacks + aperitif on board and stops at Isola Polvese and Isola Maggiore
→ Limited edition studio tote filled with goodies to support your retreat journey
* 2 classes per day Monday thru Friday
* 1 class per day on Sunday + Saturday
* total meals incl: 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners
Not Included:
→ Flights + transfers
→ Travel insurance
→ Alcohol (except for aperitif on boat)
→ Meals not mentioned above (3 lunches + 1 dinner)
→ Gratuities
Optional Add On:
→ Wine tour day! Opt in to visit two wineries and enjoy a delicious lunch at the vineyard ($375 CAD per person including tastings, lunch and group transportation)
The private and luxurious Villa Ruffignano dates back to the 16th century and has been recently renovated in a style that harmoniously intertwines traditional Tuscan characteristics with modern comforts.
With breathtaking views over the mountains and valley, the villa is nestled into a private oasis of around 100 hectares, surrounded by natural beauty. The secluded location is ideal for relaxing in absolute peace; leave behind your daily routine and sink into a ritual of self-care in the Italian countryside. The villa is spread over three floors, with a ground floor that consists of a wine cellar, a large living room area with a cozy fireplace, a large dining area to enjoy those Tuscan meals, and a large fully equipped professional kitchen.
Spend time exploring the beautifully manicured garden area, which is terraced with three different levels. You find different lounge areas to sit with a book or enjoy a beverage.
There is a private pool with stunning views over the valley and you can stroll through the property exploring the nearby woods.
Enjoy meals outdoors, in the open air, made with love and fresh local produce.
Rooms + Pricing
THIS IS A SMALL GROUP TRIP. Much like all experiences at the studio, we opt for quality over quantity. The intimate size of our programming allows for a feeling of spaciousness while fostering community and connection. Everybody is arriving with different lived-experiences; all looking to immerse themselves in a multi-sensory week of both inspiring and restful moments to nourish body and soul.
THIS TRIP IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT. Please note, rooms can be booked with single occupancy (one person in a room) or double occupancy (two people in a room). Some rooms have 1 bed and some have 2 beds. Some rooms have an en-suite bathroom and some share a bathroom with another room. Please take note below so that you can specify your room selection on the booking form. We do not match folks up in rooms, you must be travelling with someone to book a double occupancy room. The villa has a/c and wi-fi throughout.
Queen bed
with en-suite Bathroom
THIS ROOM CATEGORY IS SOLD OUT
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (for 2 people)
$4,195 +hst per person
SINGLE OCCUPANCY (for 1 person)
$5,995 +hst per person
Queen bed
with Shared Bathroom
THIS ROOM CATEGORY IS SOLD OUT
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (for 2 people)
$3,995 +hst per person
SINGLE OCCUPANCY (for 1 person)
$5,595 +hst per person
2 Single Beds
with Shared Bathroom
THIS ROOM CATEGORY IS SOLD OUT
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (for 2 people)
$3,995 +hst per person
great for a group of friends looking to travel together :)
A non-refundable deposit of $900 +hst per person is required to reserve your space with the remaining balance due 100 days prior to the Retreat start date. Prices in Canadian Dollars.
All travel payments are processed by our Travel Professional Keeley Vickerson (T1430567) as per TICO regulations
Getting there …
You’ve decided to dive in!
Here are some details to help you get to + from, and perhaps stay a while longer 🌾
YOUR TRIP BEGINS ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 29:
Near Cortona at the Villa Ruffignano in the early afternoon around 2 pm.
The closest airports are Perugia (1-1.5 hrs drive), Florence (2 hrs drive).
YOUR TRIP ENDS ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 5:
At the Villa Ruffignano after breakfast at 10 am.
Keeley Vickerson is our travel specialist. She can support you with :
→ Booking your flights ($50 service fee applies)
→ Arranging airport transfers
→ Purchasing travel insurance (highly recommended!)
→ Adding pre/post trip adventures
keeley@islandsandvillas.ca
TICO T1430567
(403)990-4773
Sample Schedule
-
LATE AFTERNOON:
Arrive, settle in, reconnect. We’ll have some snacks and refreshments and get familiar with our surroundings.Early evening group welcome, followed by a restorative Pilates practice.
Our private chef will provide a nourishing meal and we’ll dine together under the setting sun.
-
MORNING:
Fresh fruit + coffee / tea
A sweet and stretchy morning Pilates practice to ease travelling bodies and get us ready for our journey together. Breakfast to follow.
AFTERNOON:
Relax by the pool, explore the vast property, or let us know if you’d like us to arrange a transfer into town for you.Lunch will be at the Villa today.
EVENING:
A restorative practice set’s the scene for a peaceful night. Our private chef is back at the villa and we’ll enjoy a cooking class that prepares our dinner spread. -
MORNING:
Fresh fruit + coffee / tea
An uplifting morning Pilates practice will set us up for a day of adventure and local experiences.
AFTERNOON:
Today, we’ll visit a real working farm and enjoy a hands-on cheese making lesson in the company of the farmhouse owner. They will guide you step-by-step during the transformation of milk into cheese! We’ll finish with a beautiful lunch and taste our cheese.
EVENING:
Take some time to rest by the pool before a relaxing evening Pilates practice. Our private chef is back at the villa for dinner. -
MORNING:
Fresh fruit + coffee / tea
An uplifting morning Pilates practice will allow us to check back in and see what’s shifted over the last couple of days of our Tuscan journey together.
Followed by breakfast.
AFTERNOON:Optional wine tour day!! Or let us know if you’d like to transfer to a near by town, or arrange for a hike or a bike ride.
EVENING:Tonight we’ll enjoy a slow evening practice (perhaps after a nap!) and then you’ll have some time + space on your own for dinner. We can arrange a transfer for you into town and recommendations for where to eat.
-
MORNING:
Fresh fruit + coffee / tea
A chill morning Pilates practice get’s a started before we head to Lake Trasimeno.
We’ll have breakfast and then pack our day bags for an adventure on the water.
AFTERNOON:
Lake Trasimeno is the fourth largest lake in Italy. We’ll explore the lake, and its islands, with a wonderful 4 hour boat tour. We begin in Tuoro, a town situated on the north side of the lake, where we will board the boat complete with skipper and guide and aperitif on board. Our first destination will be the area around Passignano, located on the most southern side of the lake. Enjoy the ride to Isola Polvese where we can stop for a swim and/or walk around the island (about 1 hr). The next stop will be at Isola Maggiore where we can visit the quaint village and walk through the cobblestone streets, visiting shops (and find a place for lunch on your own) along the way (about 1 hr). Finally, we make our way back to Tuoro by boat, and back to the villa by car
EVENING:
A short + powerful practice awaits us this evening. Afterwards we’ll set up for an evening of pizza making! -
MORNING:
Fresh fruit + coffee / tea
Maybe it’s a day to sleep a little longer or lounge by the pool before you start moving.We’ll flow into our day with a wakeful Pilates practice followed by a late breakfast (brunch anyone!).
AFTERNOON:Perhaps you’ll plan for some quiet moments of reflection. An afternoon to curl up with a book or write + reflect on your journey so far.
Relax by the pool or take in the property. If you’d like us to arrange a guided hike or bike ride for you, please let us know. Or perhaps a transfer to a nearby town.
EVENING:
An early evening practice before we all transfer to Cortona for a lovely last meal in town together. -
MORNING:
Fresh fruit + coffee / tea
Our last morning practice together. Gentle, sweet and full of gratitude!
Breakfast will be waiting for you and then it’s time to pack and look towards a safe journey home.
cheese making
·
pizza pasta pizza
·
naps in the sun
·
movement to reconnect to self
·
celebration
·
magical moments
·
cheese making · pizza pasta pizza · naps in the sun · movement to reconnect to self · celebration · magical moments ·
NICE MOVES IN TUSCANY, SEE YOU THERE 👋🏻