OVERVIEW

PEAKS + FORESTS + FLOW — PRIVATE RETREAT

Join us for daily movement, breath, and wellness, combined with adventures in this spectacular backdrop to stimulate our senses.

ACCOMMODATION

Illustrious. Exclusive. Privileged. Located on a mountain ledge high above Merano with views of the Adige valley, Castel Fragsburg Relais & Chateau is a great place to stay. It offers peace and quiet, far away from bustling cities and noisy traffic, paired with fresh, clear mountain air and wonderful views. It is a hideaway for exacting standards, while the guarantee of countless hours of sunshine will make your time on the terrace even sweeter.

A Place of Inspiration.

Castel Fragsburg has been created as a place where you can experience change and strive for fulfilment. Where life and love are celebrated. The extraordinary aura of the historical building provides strength and acts as a muse so that you can focus on yourself, explore new avenues and recognise and harness your body’s energy.

On the heights of Merano, in South Tyrol, stands Castel Fragsburg, an exceptional hotel from the 17th century, majestically perched above the town. Distinguished not only by its style, but also by its unique philosophy and art de vivre, it is a true refuge surrounded by glorious, unspoiled nature. From its elevated terraces, enjoy spectacular views over the Adige Valley; or bask in the heart of its five-hectare fairy-tale garden and reconnect with the beauty of the world through a celebration of the senses. Inside its twenty suites, discover elegant interiors that combine alpine comfort and Mediterranean sensuality for optimal relaxation. This spirit is echoed in the Alchemistic Healing Spa, the first of its kind, which offers marvelous beauty treatments, as well as in the jacuzzi and the heated outdoor pool, where unforgettable moments under the sun are sure to be had. In the gourmet restaurant, the South Tyrolean chef highlights healthy regional products and invites you to savour exquisite aromas that also serve as wonderful elixirs of life.

ACTIVITIES

Our day trips will allow us to experience the many unique landscapes and activities that this area has to offer. We will not only enjoy the expansive grounds of the hotel, castle and gardens, but also will venture to a nearby winery for a tour and tasting one day before visiting the famous Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, a botanical garden nestled into a twelve-hectare amphitheatre at an altitude differential of 100 meters. Trauttmansdorff offers spectacular views of exotic gardens and breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains and the spa resort town of Merano.

We also will take a day for some time in the town of Merano “where the Mediterranean meets the Alps”. A modern mix of culture, history, Mediterranean flair and Alpine charm gives the city in the heart of South Tyrol a levity typical within that region. Guests and locals alike can sense the joie de vivre that’s all part of the flair. Exclusive boutiques and bars have become an integral part of the picturesque alleyways, which are also lined with magnificent historical buildings. Go for a stroll along the promenades and alleyways that carve their way through this gem of a city or walk along the Tappeiner Promenade, past the Powder Tower, taking in the enticing aromas of the public herb garden and end up at the Mediterranean terraces. After some time to explore we’ll enjoy a dinner out in town.

Another day will be spent further in the mountains at a local farm to see how some of the food, plants, and products are produced - of course we’ll enjoy a lunch as well. Then we will round out the week with spa treatments at the on-site Healing Spa where the resident Alchemistic Spa uses the power and energies of nature to pamper and have an effect on the body, mind and soul in equal measure. We’ll also get to have a private lesson from this modern alchemist, an expert in natural healing, incense and holistic nutrition who combines the healing knowledge of her ancestors in a ‘biophilia expedition’ where we’ll learn about and use the plant-based concoctions.

One morning will be spent on a guided meditation walk of “Forest Bathing” (shinrin-yoku in Japanese) where we will full immerse ourselves in the healing nature of the forests surrounding the castle.

CUISINE

Healthful, vegetarian food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfast and dinner daily, as well as selected lunches. We've carefully chosen delicious and fresh meals from renowned restaurants and chefs which will give guests an expansive experience of the cuisine. Our dinners will include a few multi-course tasting menus at the hotel’s restaurant, emphasizing honest, healthy, and delicious Italian food, as well as various meals out in town and on our day trips. We’ll experience a visit to a winery for a tasting, a farm tour with samples of the local specialties, and learn about the nourishment that is foraged from the forests. We’ll end the week with a farewell dinner at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant with a tasting menu and wine pairing.

*In the yogic tradition, meals on our retreats are vegetarian. When the company was founded, we wanted to create consistency and integrity within our yogic lineage as well as finding the most consistent way in each location to leave a light footprint. We know not all our guests are vegetarian, but we ask that they be open and understanding of the principles that guide this choice for just the few days that we are together. That said, breakfast is an open menu with all diets being represented, so there are usually options of meat / fish. Plus, a couple of the provided meals at sea-based locations will have an option for seafood, and of course guests can choose whatever they prefer from menus when we are on our own for a few meals during the week. Special allergies can be addressed and noted.

WELLNESS

Daily meditation and yoga will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced.* Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students' needs, and with our limited retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice.

At this location we will be practicing our meditation and yoga classes in various special spaces around the property - from terraced vistas overlooking the vast alp peaks, to grand ballrooms in the castle interior and a walled private garden.

ALISON SAGER

This retreat will be led by our EPM guide, Alison Sager who is certified 500-hr RYT in mindful vinyasa, movement studies and restorative yoga through New England School of Yoga Therapeutics and has completed advanced studies in the intersection of Yoga, Mindfulness, Neuroscience, Psychology, Movement Studies, and Contemplative Practice. She studied under the guidance of Bo Forbes and mindfulness teachers, Bill and Susan Morgan, founding members of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy in Cambridge, MA USA. Her extensive background includes trainings with Leslie Kaminoff, Judith Hanson Lasater, Tom Myers, Tias Little and Chelsea Roff. She is a certified Radiant Child Yoga Teacher and certified in Eat Breathe Thrive’s Yoga, Food & Body Image Intensive.

Alison has worked privately one-on-one with clients, consulted and developed yoga and mindfulness programs for corporations and schools, and has taught group classes. She also participated in a Clinical Supervision Group in Yoga Therapy for three years from 2013 – 2016. Additionally, she has assisted trainings, online courses and workshops including at The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health and Yoga Journal Live! New York. Her work has appeared in Organic Spa magazine. A longtime practitioner of yoga and mindfulness, Alison has an integrative, embodied approach to teaching. Her extensive background in yoga therapy enables her to tailor classes and private sessions to accommodate challenges such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, injuries, neurological disorders, body image and disordered eating and long-term illnesses.

* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!

DETAILS / PRICING

• 6 days / 5 nights (May 23-28, 2027)

• Inclusive Retreat Price = $4895USD spot in shared Junior Suite* (4 available and can be in 2 separate beds or 1 large bed).
  + $395 spot in shared Deluxe Suite (3 available and can be 1 large bed or 1 large bed plus added smaller bed to room)
  +$1050 for single Deluxe Room (1 available)
  + $1600 for single Junior Suite
  +$2300 for single Deluxe Suite

• Deposit to hold space = $1500

  * PLEASE NOTE: Shared rooms will not be confirmed until 2 spots are filled within the room. Shared rooms can have 2 separate beds or 1 large bed on request for couples.

INCLUDED*:

• Hotel Accommodation (spacious bedrooms each with private bathrooms, linens)

• Daily Breakfast and Dinner

• Transportation to/from day trips

• Daily yoga classes

• Use of hotel amenities (spa, pool, gardens, trails)

• Welcome Reception

• Winery Visit, Tour & Tasting

• Visit to the famous Trauttmansdorff Gardens & Castle

• Time in the historic town of Merano

• Dinner in Merano

• Visit to mountain farm for tour + tasting lunch

• Spa Treatment

• Guided Forest Bathing Meditation Walk

• Biophilia Experience with Modern Alchemist

• Michelin starred Dinner & Wine Pairing

• Taxes

* airfare not included
**activities may change based on weather or unforeseen circumstances

TRAVEL:

Airports = Innsbruck (INN) and Verona (VRN), approx. 90 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by car 
Bolzano (BZO), approx. 30-40 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by car

Closest Train Stations: Merano Train Station (approx. 15 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by taxi) and Bolzano Train Station(approx. 30-40 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by taxi). You can get to Merano and Bolzano comfortably and conveniently by train from all neighboring airports.

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.

• Comfortable outdoor walking shoes

• Swimsuit (pool, spa)

• Weather-proof layers

• Yoga clothes

• Plug adaptors / converters