Satsang Tuscan Yoga Retreat

Transcription

1 Satsang Tuscan Yoga Retreat by Laurie Sickles at Perillo's Learning Journeys

2 Summary Tuscany is certainly one of Italy s best-loved and beautiful regions. Looking for a real Tuscany? Visit the countryside! It s dotted with delightful villages, medieval castles and graced with a combination of sun, vineyards, olive groves, and signature cypress trees. Tuscany s rich artistic heritage includes exquisite art and architecture, a glorious history, excellent wines and delicious food. This would be a special way to travel with your friends and stay at the elegant Tuscan Villa that was built at the end of 14th century and located in the heart of a Tuscan town - Figline Valderno - near Florence. Villa is surrounded by magnificent garden and offers spa treatments. Restaurant is known for delicious local dishes from its own farm estate and wine from the ancient wine cellars. FEED YOUR BODY, MIND AND SOUL: Come join Satsang Yoga on a journey to a land as old as the gods, where good food and wine are a way of life...reconnect your body and soul with daily meditations and yoga...sit at our table and savor our wines...immerse yourself in our culture, our family, and our country...let us welcome you to the heart and soul of Italy. What's included? Arrival and departure transfer from To Florence airport 07 nights in double standard room at Villa Casagrande in Tuscany area Daily Breakfast Daily Yoga Welcome dinner at the Villa Casagrande (1/4 wine and ½ water included) Farewell dinner at the Villa Casagrande (1/4 wine and ½ water included) 01 cooking class at the Villa (from am to pm at the ancient Kitchen of the Villa, based on the preparation of 3 recipes. At the end, dinner based on what you prepared) 01 full day excursion in Florence with a Morning guided tour and inside visit of the Accademy Gallery 01 full day guided excursion to Siena and san Gimignano Wine tasting at Farm in San Gimignano area Excursion to Pisa and Lucca Community service project City tax at the Villa Porterage in/out hotel (1 piece per pax)

3 From Saturday, 2 April To Sunday, 3 April Depart U.S. for your Tuscan Yoga Adventure! From Sunday, 3 April To Monday, 4 April Ciao! Welcome to Italy. Meet your assistant and driver at Florence Airport. Arrival transfer from Florence airport to Villa Casagrande in Figline Valdarno. Check in to you accommodations and get settled. Welcome dinner at the villa. Overnight at the villa.

4 Hotel Villa Casagrande Hotel Villa Casagrande

5 Hotel Villa Casagrande Hotel Villa Casagrande

6 Hotel Villa Casagrande Hotel Villa Casagrande

7 Hotel Villa Casagrande AM Yoga. Breakfast. From Monday, 4 April To Tuesday, 5 April After breakfast at the Villa, we journey to Florence by bus or rail. After meeting the guide we will enjoy a morning walking guided tour of the cradle of the Renaissance: stroll down cobblestone lanes, through majestic squares and across ancient bridges, pausing along the way to visit and learn about Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, the cathedral with Giotto s bell tower and the Accademia (entrance fees and reservation included). Free time for optional sightseeing or shopping to discover the beauties of the city on your own. Stroll down cobblestone lanes, through majestic squares and across ancient bridges. Florence offers the largest number of historical buildings and works of art in Italy, as well as several world-class museums. You might like to do a little leather, gold or clothing shopping near Ponte Vecchio. Late in the afternoon back to the Villa and Overnight

8 AM Yoga. From Tuesday, 5 April To Wednesday, 6 April Breakfast. Morning free to discover the village of Figline Valdarno. In the afternoon (around 4pm) participate in your first cooking class with Mamma Paola. During the class, which will last about three hours, you will learn to prepare many traditional and seasonal Tuscan dishes. Dinner to follow based on your efforts! Overnight. AM Yoga. Breakfast. From Wednesday, 6 April To Thursday, 7 April Excursion to Pisa and Lucca. Visit two of Tuscany's most important towns - Pisa and Lucca on this day excursion from Florence. The first stop today is Pisa! In the heart of the city is Piazza dei Miracoli where you will simultaneously see the Leaning Tower, Baptistery, Cathedral, and the Monumental Cemetery. Each of these buildings are stunning in their own way and have unique stories to tell. Be sure to take a photo of you holding up the leaning tower! Then continue onto Lucca. Walking along all the small shops, you'll come to the circular Piazza del Mercato which is built on top of the remains of the Roman amphitheater dating back to the second century BC. Also, see the Cathedral of San Martino and the Guinigi tower before tasting the typical cake from Lucca: the Buccellato. Return to the villa for overnight.

9 AM Yoga. Breakfast. From Thursday, 7 April To Friday, 8 April After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Siena and a half-day guided tour of this unique city with the red of the Piazza del Campo - with an alchemy geometry of the Piazza, suggestively neo-gothic and cathartic - commanded by the Duomo and surrounded by narrow streets and alleys. Sweet-smelling Trattorias, the sounds of the artisans and spouting fountains; Fontebrande and the mystery of the Diana, a famous river underneath Siena. These are the reasons why Siena opens up its heart more than any other place, as the famous inscription reads on the Porta di Camollia. After lunch on your own, depart to san Gimignano: with its towered silhouette rising from the hills of the Upper Elsa Valley, facing the land of Volterra and positioned right on one of the most important stretches of the medieval Via Francigena. A similar renown can also be claimed by its Vernaccia wine, recently awarded the D.O.C.G., the highest acknowledgement and guarantee for quality in Italian oenology. At the end, stop for a Visit and Wine Tasting at a Local Farm. Overnight at the Villa AM Yoga. Breakfast From Friday, 8 April To Saturday, 9 April Day at leisure. Optional activities available.

10 Breakfast. AM Yoga. From Saturday, 9 April To Sunday, 10 April Community Service Project. Farewell Dinner at Villa. Overnight at Villa. From Sunday, 10 April To Monday, 11 April Breakfast and return transfer to Florence airport.