MESSAGE FROM GRAYSON

Welcome, Ladies! 

I am thrilled that we are about to embark on this epic adventure together. After listening to a "Wiser than Me" podcast episode, I am reframing how I think about aging. Jane Fonda describes life in "Three Acts," which makes sense given her profession. This idea really resonates with me because I just can't believe you start to descend in your mid-40s. I feel like I'm just getting started. 

If we follow this outlook, our First Act runs from 0-30, the Second from 31-60, and the Third from 61-90. Anything over 90 is a beautiful encore. A couple of us on this trip are in our First Act, most in our Second, and one in our Third. My wish for us all over this week together is that we connect, play, and remember what life is all about as we create the next scene in our lives. 

Here's to where we've been, where we are right now, and where we are going.

I love you all! 

Grayson  

OVERVIEW

CONNECT + PLAY

Join us on this unique private retreat created for Grayson and the special women in her life. Her intention is to theme this as “CONNECT + PLAY” and it will be a beautiful combination of taking care of ourselves, connecting with this beautiful culture as well as each other. Besides a daily yoga class, we will also enjoy learning about and experiencing firsthand the amazing site and flavors of this region. Each day, we'll be able to savor mouth-watering cuisine and take part in regional tastings, all while lazing in the Italian countryside and embracing ‘la dolce vita’.

LODGING

This magnificent retreat will take place in the picturesque Italian countryside, along the border of Tuscany and Umbria. A beautifully restored farmhouse awaits your arrival, complete with sprawling vistas over the rolling hills in all directions. Former cantinas and stables on the ground floor have been transformed into apartments that are works of art. One can immediately see the careful attention that went into restoring, decorating, and preparing these rooms. Two large apartments are divided into different rooms of various size accommodations, each complete with private bathroom and linens.

The grounds are spacious with plenty of outdoor space to sit alone, relax on the outside terrace overlooking the meadows, or enjoying an open-air lunch. Also, the house is located on a large estate ground with plenty of hiking available and even a pool to cool you down in the warmer summer months.

There is an on-site staff to take care of your needs and prepare meals for the week, and overall create an atmosphere of being part of a family during your time there.

CUISINE

Healthful food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfasts and dinners daily, as well as some selected lunches. The cuisine is simple, delicious and Italian, using fresh ingredients from the onsite garden or local market in Chiusi, much of which is organically grown. Dishes may include seasonal tastes like pumpkin risotto, pasta al forno, slow roasted fennel with red onions, salads with wild rocket, pecorino and fresh figs, and more. Selection is seasonal, and you can guarantee to love and appreciate each bite. 

Our dinners will include a range from Italian family-style to tasting menus as well as tastings of the regional specialties throughout the week. We'll experience tastings from where certain local delicacies are produced, like vineyards, cheese farms, small family kitchens and traditional trattorie overlooking a bustling piazza. And while on-site we'll dine with the house’s breath-taking scenery overlooking the Tuscan countryside.

SURROUNDING AREA

You will not only enjoy the house and encompassing estate, but also the richness of the Italian towns in nearby regions. Day trips will allow you to add arts, culture, adventure, and natural beauty to your retreat experience. Trips include visits to small villages, historic hilltop towns, and outdoor activities, See smaller villages that few tourists visit, and get a true education and taste of Italy with an olive oil, cheese, and wine tasting.

Besides visiting the lovely town of Chiusi, other nearby villages and visits to some of Italy's most prized "food capitals" will be explored, including the area of Pienza and the wine town of Montepulciano. We'll get a full experience of the flavors around us and how they work together to create one of the world's most sought-after culinary hot-spots.

WELLNESS

A daily meditation / yoga class will be offered each day in a way to relax, stimulate, and help start the day with the right mindset to stay connected during the week. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle, restorative, and more flow styles.

An added Creative Visioning workshop will be offered on one of the days with a combination of art techniques, vision board creating, and a manifestation meditation.

Certified yoga instructor and EPM founder, Erin Lewis, will facilitate the classes, helping each student focus on improving their practice and gaining new insights into their bodies and movements. She's studied various types of yoga disciplines since 1998, concentrating on the Ashtanga discipline since 2008. She received her teacher certification in Florence, Italy and has continued her education with various specialty certifications throughout the years. She now combines movements with more anatomical-based core vinyasa flow and restorative movement in her personal practice and teaching style. A mix of somatic movements and meditations may also be incorporated such as walking meditation, yoga nidra, and qi gong.

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

DETAILS / PRICING

• 6 days / 5 nights (June 19-24, 2024)

  • Inclusive Retreat Price = $2,395 base price

  • Base price is with minimum 6 guests. A $150 discount will be attached to each guest file per extra attendee added over 6 and will appear on final balance, bringing the possible base price down to $2,095

• Deposit to hold space = $950
  
  ** Final balance due 60 days before retreat start date.
  Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED *:

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

• Daily Breakfast

• Select lunches and dinner on day-trips or on-site

• Transportation to/from day trips

• Meditation / yoga classes

• Use of estate premises

• Cheese farm visit with tour & tasting

• Olive Oil tasting

• Visit to local Etruscan town of Chiusi with tour, pizza lunch

• Italian coffee tasting experience

• Visit to Montepulciano

• On-site cooking class with pasta demo

• Various visits to nearby towns and villages

• On-site massage treatment

• Creative Visioning Workshop

• Visit to Cortona

• Italian film night under the stars

• Day with Professional Photographer

• Use of yoga mats

• Tips & taxes

* airfare not included 

LOCATION:

• Countryside on border of Tuscany and Umbria

• Nearest town: Chiusi, Tuscany

• Nearest major airports: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO - Rome), Galileo Galilei Airpot (PSA - Pisa)

• Nearest local airports: Sant'Egidio Airport (PEG - Perugia), Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR - Florence)

• Nearest train station: Chiusi-Chianciano Terme

SUGGESTED PACKING:

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

• Bathing suit for pool

• Comfortable shoes (walking tours)

• Yoga clothes

• Personal yoga props (mats and straps will be provided, but if you have a prop you prefer, feel free to bring it along)

• Plug adaptors / converters

• Sun hat, sunscreen