Included below is a high-level view of the retreat schedule, to give a feel for the general flow of the week. Please note: The schedule is not set in stone. Only a few things are firmly scheduled, such as our day-trip excursions (Monday and Wednesday) and a few other activities, so we'll have some flexibility to adjust our schedule and specific activities as the week unfolds, depending on the group's preferences.

And as always, everything is optional. You can choose what you'd like to participate in (or not) and create exactly the retreat experience you want or need.

Saturday (Oct 12) -- Retreat Start Date:

• 4:00 pm Room Check-in begins

• ~5:30 pm Welcome Yoga Practice

• 8:00 pm Welcome Dinner

Sunday through Friday (general flow only; specifics vary day to day):

• Pre-dawn Contemplation/Meditation (daily)

• Early Morning Yoga (daily) -- Alignment-based Vinyasa Flow or All-Levels Practice

• Breakfast (served 8 to 10 am)

• Late Morning Therapeutic Yoga Practice (only on certain days; depends on other activities and touring)

• Lunch (1 pm)

• Afternoon activities vary (two days are day-trip excursions; other days could be group or individual activities in or around the farm and may include hiking, biking, horseback riding, cooking lessons, wine-tasting, etc.)

• Early Evening Therapeutic or Restorative Yoga Practice (only on certain days; depends on other activities and touring)

• Dinner (8 pm)

Sunday (Oct 13):

• BioAgriturismo Il Cerreto Annual Seed Festival (afternoon) -- Join people from Pomarance and the surrounding community on the farm to celebrate the sowing of seeds for next season's harvest. There are activities and a ceremony, then everyone walks the tilled rows and sows seeds.

• Full Moon is at 11:09 pm local time (Moonrise is 6:53 pm)

Monday (Oct 14) — full-day excursion:

• Day-trip Excursion to Volterra -- Depart the farm at 9:15 AM (drive time ~30 minutes). Guided tour plus time on our own in Volterra until ~3:30 pm (you are on your own for lunch).

• Winery and Olive Oil Estate Tour and Tasting -- From 4 to 6 pm, we visit MonteRosola, an organic vineyard and olive-growing estate in the Tuscan countryside, for a tour and tasting. Arrive back at Il Cerreto ~7 pm.

Tuesday (Oct 15):

• Tour of Il Cerreto Farm Operations (mid to late morning) -- Learn about biodynamic agriculture and the Brivio family's philosophy of stewardship for the land. Stroll the grounds and see the greenhouses where crops are grown and the barns where grains are cleaned, wrapped and stocked. Learn more about Il Cerreto's farming methods here and here.

Wednesday (Oct 16) — full-day excursion:

• Day-trip Excursion to Siena -- Depart the farm at 8:45 AM (drive time ~90 minutes). Guided tour plus time on our own in Siena until ~4:30 pm (you are on your own for lunch).

• Visit Colle di Val d’Elsa or another town -- If the group wants to, we may break up the drive home from Siena by stopping along the way in another Tuscan town for a snack and/or walkabout. Arrive back at Il Cerreto between 6:15 and 7:30 pm.

Thursday (Oct 17):

• Hike into Pomarance, or other activities (afternoon) -- Hike into the village of Pomarance (~90 minutes walking one way) for a visit, then hike or take a van ride back to the farm. Or spend your afternoon enjoying an entirely different activity, or just some R&R.

Friday (Oct 18):

• Various activities or R&R (afternoon) -- Unscheduled afternoon time to do as you please.

Saturday (Oct 19) -- Retreat End Date:

• 7:30 - 9:00 am Final Yoga Practice

• 8:30 - 10:00 am Breakfast

• 10:00 am Room Check-out

• 10:30 or 11 am Vans depart for Florence (earlier departure is also possible)