OVERVIEW

ACCOMMODATION

Our home for the week will be an amazing luxury thermal spa in the beautiful Tuscan hills. Located amidst the splendid scenery of the Val d’Orcia in Tuscany, halfway between Florence and Rome, the Fonteverde Tuscan Resort & Spa is the 5* home to an exquisitely developed set of natural springs in the Tuscan countryside. The hotel complex is affiliated with “The Leading Small Hotels of the World” and was built in the 17th century by the Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici to take advantage of the beneficial properties of the hot springs

The spectacular panoramic pools, as well as the ones used for treatments and relaxation, are filled with the natural heat of the thermal springs. Fonteverde is a jewel and a timeless haven where you can discover a new dimension of well-being and reach a higher level of harmony. Relax at this resort and spa in Tuscany, where the unmistakable style of Italian hospitality meets the essence of pure wellness.

CUISINE

Healthful, vegetarian food is part of the retreat, including breakfast and dinner daily, as well as selected lunches. We've carefully chosen delicious and fresh meals from renowned restaurants and chefs that will give guests an expansive experience of the cuisine. Our dinners will include a few multi-course menus, as well as tastings of the regional specialties throughout the week. We'll relish in a range of local eateries, like cantinas, family osterias, and Michelin-starred chefs and have hands-on experiences with lessons such as truffle hunts, wine tastings, cocktail class, and a Tuscan chef cooking class.

ACTIVITIES

Our day trips will allow us to experience the many unique landscapes and activities that this area has to offer. We will begin our week with a true Tuscan countryside experience when we head off to meet with a truffle hunter and look for these coveted gems of the land. Along with his dog who will guide us through the fields, we’ll learn about this amazing and prized fungi and of course get to savor them during a gourmet truffle tasting lunch! We’ll continue our tasting experience in the afternoon with a winery tour and tasting at one of the area’s most beautiful cantinas. Award-winning wine and architecture abound at this location. We’ll walk the vines and explore the innovative space before settling in for a wine and tasting aperitivo. The next day, we’ll relax and take advantage of the luxury thermal spa at our hotel, where we’ll enjoy treatments with the thermal healing properties before working alongside the chef for a Tuscan cooking class and lunch. That evening, we’ll head into the local town of San Casciano dei Bagni for a gourmet meal. Next, we’ll cross over into the neighboring region of Umbria to spend a day in the gorgeous town of Orvieto, which boasts one of Italy’s most glorious cathedrals. We’ll enjoy a walk through the town, some time for shopping and a lunch before coming back for an Italian spritz and cocktail class with the mixologist at the stunning bar. Towards the end of the week, we’ll relax further into additional spa treatments and thermal pool time before heading to another neighboring village and castle for a Michelin tasting dinner.

WELLNESS

A daily meditation and yoga class will be offered at the start of the day in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle, restorative, and more vigorous vinyasa flow and ashtanga styles.* Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students' needs, and with a small intimate retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice.

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!

WHAT PAST GUESTS ARE SAYING

DETAILS / PRICING

• 6 days / 5 nights (Jun 30 - July 5, 2024)

• Inclusive Retreat Price = $3,795 (shared room*), +$750 (single room supplement)

• Deposit to hold space = $950

• Max # Guests = 12
  Many of our guests come alone and we match up based on guest profile
  ** Final balance due 60 days before retreat start date.
  Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED*:

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

• Daily Breakfast and Dinner

• Selected Lunches

• Transportation to/from day trips

• Daily yoga classes

• Use of hotel amenities (pools, thermal spa, gardens, etc.)

• Regional Tasting Tours - winery, truffle hunt, etc

• Truffle Hunt + Tasting Lunch

• Winery visit - tour, tasting aperitivo

• Visit to Orvieto -sites, cathedral

• Freetime for shopping / lunch in Orvieto

• Michelin starred chef tasting dinner + wine pairing

• Visit and dinner in San Casciano dei Bagni

• Thermal spa day + Thermal treatment

• Second spa day with treatment

• Onsite Tuscan cooking class with chef

• Italian spritz & cocktail class with mixologist

• Taxes

* airfare not included
** all meals are vegetarian. special dietary restrictions can be accommodated
***activities may change based on weather or unforeseen circumstances

LOCATION / TRAVEL:

• Located in San Casciano dei Bagni, Tuscany

• AIRPORTS: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Florence Peretola Airport (FLR). From both airports there are easy train connections to the station nearest the hotel. Full details on how to best arrive will be given to guests.

• TRAIN STATION: Chiusi/Chianciano Terme (25 min drive away from hotel)

• Group transfer provided from Chiusi/Chianciano Terme Train station on start/end days of the retreat. ARRIVAL pick up will be at 2pm on start day, and DEPARTURE from hotel will be at 10am on end day. For guests arriving at other times, we can provide recommendations for a private driver or public transportation. Taxis are available at any time from Chiusi Station, and private cars are available for door-to-door service from airports.

SUGGESTED PACKING:

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

• * YOGA MATS ARE PROVIDED *

• Bathing suit (on-site pool, spa)

• Yoga clothes

• Personal yoga props (blocks, straps, etc.)

• Plug adaptors / converters

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Journal