il dolce momento . . .
The sweet moment.
It’s that moment you first arrive at Locanda Cugnanello and your heart stirs.
That moment sipping cappuccino as the sun slowly warms la terra Toscana.
That moment sitting quietly in the tranquility of your practice.
That moment basking in the intoxicating Tuscan light—the light that inspired the artists of the Renaissance.
That moment enjoying a glass of wine as the sun sets over the hills.
That moment slowly savoring a taste of local formaggio and olio d’olivia.
It’s that moment of spontaneous laughter shared with friends old and new.
Let yourself experience il dolce momento. Countless sweet moments await as you immerse yourself in the seductive beauty of le colline della Toscana for this weeklong yoga and cultural adventure.
THE TUSCANY RETREAT EXPERIENCE
Our home for the week is an 800-year-old villa – Locanda Cugnanello – that sits majestically on a hill in rural Tuscany, inviting us to retreat in its tranquil antiquity. Close by there are hikes to explore and country roads to encounter that lead to medieval towns like Radicondoli, Castelnuovo di Val di Cecina, and Volterra.
The natural light, ancient history and rich culture of Tuscany enliven our senses. This place delivers picturesque landscapes; rolling-hilltop villages; exquisite local wines, cheeses and olive oils; and enchanting Tuscan culture.
Daily yoga practices complement our adventures, as we take time to soak in the Tuscan sun, breathe deep the fresh country air, and embark on excursions to explore the natural and cultural beauty of this rich land. Each day begins with a sunrise contemplation/meditation, and most days include one or two additional yoga practices, depending on the other activities planned for the day.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
7 nights lodging at Locanda Cugnanello, a beautifully restored 800-year-old villa in the Tuscan coutryside.
Morning meditation and daily yoga practices.
All meals, fresh and locally sourced (except for lunch on Volterra day trip). A late lunch will be served on our arrival day.
Complimentary house wine offered nightly with dinner.
Day-trip excursion to San Gimignano, a medieval hilltop town famous for its ancient towers and its saffron, the exotic spice cultivated here since the 1200s. We’ll get a guided tour of the town and visit a nearby saffron farm.
Lunch at an agriturismo during our San Gimignano day trip.
Day-trip excursion to Volterra, a vibrant town off the beaten path known for its alabaster craftsmanship and its history as one of the most important Etruscan cities. Includes a guided tour of town and a visit to an alabaster workshop. (Lunch is on your own.)
Side trip to Bolgheri for a vineyard tour and wine tasting.
Agriturismo outing to a local family-owned cheese farm for a tour and tasting.
Wine tasting on site at Cugnanello*: Pietro, the gregarious proprietor of the popular Enoteca Il Salotto in nearby Colle di Val d'Elsa, delivers an entertaining and informative tasting of wines, olive oil and balsamic vinegar in Cugnanello’s cozy wine cellar.
*NOTE: You may substitute a cooking lesson, if you prefer.Pizza night—build-your-own pizza, cooked in an outdoor, traditional Tuscan wood-fire brick oven.
All-day beverage service at Cugnanello, including Italian coffee, hot chocolate and hot tea; sparkling water and juices; and filtered water (bring your own refillable bottle).
Group transportation between Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Train Station and Locanda Cugnanello on the first and last days of the retreat.
Hiking (includes transportation to trail heads, when needed).
Van transportation for short trips near Cugnanello.
Outdoor saltwater swimming pool (not heated).
Boccia ball, sand volleyball, and fitness room.
What’s NOT Included:
Airfare
Cost of lunch on day-trip to Volterra
Cost of extra activities, such as cooking lesson, massage, or horseback riding
Cost of travel insurance (highly recommended; see below)
Gratuities
YOGA OFFERINGS
Sunrise Meditation/Contemplation: For those of you who wake early, we will meet for sunrise meditation/contemplation. Weather permitting, we will meet outside. Wear layered clothing to keep warm
Wisdom Flow Yoga: A mindfully sequenced, alignment-based vinyasa flow practice. This vigorous style of yoga awakens the deep connection between breath and movement, with balanced strength, supported flexibility, and inspiring insights. Options are always offered.
“Linda has a great classroom presence and ability to share her extensive knowledge and experience of yoga with students on a variety of levels, from subtle body level to gross body therapeutics. She offered options for each practice, so each student could adjust to their own level of energy and experience.”
Whole Body Yoga Therapeutics: An exploration of therapeutics that blends yin and yang and incorporates elements of somatic movement, joint activation, viniyoga, and restorative yoga. This practice regulates the nervous system, as we slow down and stabilize as well as mobilize with fluid movement. A great offering for everyone!
Restorative Practice: Certain days will include a late afternoon or early evening practice with elements of slow, fluid movement; yin yoga; restorative yoga; or yoga nidra.
YOUR RETREAT, YOUR WAY
... relax, reflect and renew at your own pace
There are a number of activities scheduled daily. Please do not feel pressure to do it all. You may participate in as much or as little as you wish. This is your retreat, so make it what it needs to be for you, no one else. Please allow yourself the time and space to relax and renew in body, mind and spirit. Go at your own pace. Honor your inner nudges and whispers and let them guide you to an appropriate level of activity, striking a healthy balance between community time and time on your own.
Take time for yourself and take advantage of all this place has to offer — open spaces, breathtaking views, peaceful solitude, and nature's bounty all around.
Let it refresh and nourish you!
TRAVEL PLANNING
ARRIVAL DAY -- SATURDAY, OCT 15, 2022:
Group transport from Florence to retreat venue — Vans will be provided from the Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Train Station to Locanda Cugnanello (the retreat venue), departing SMN at approximately 1:30 PM. It is a 90-minute ride to Cugnanello. There is no public transportation to Cugnanello.
Room check-in — We check in upon arrival at Cugnanello.
Our first evening — Retreat activities begin around 5 PM with a Welcome Yoga Practice (for about 60 minutes or so). Then it’s time to enjoy our first Tuscan sunset together (sunset is at 6:33 PM). We’ll bask in the afterglow for a bit, perhaps with a glass of wine. Dinner will be served around 7:30 PM.
DEPARTURE DAY -- SATURDAY, OCT 22, 2022:
We will have an early morning yoga practice followed by breakfast, our final meal together.
Room check-out time is 10:30 AM.
Group transport from Cugnanello to Florence— Vans will depart Cugnanello by 11:00 AM for the Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Train Station. Plan for an arrival time of 12:45 PM at SMN station. A separate, earlier group departure from Cugnanello can also be arranged, if there is sufficient interest/need.
Note: We recommend that you stay over Saturday night in the city of your departure airport and fly out on Sunday (or later), so as to not feel rushed, and to ease your transition from “retreat” mode back to “daily life” mode.
NEAREST AIRPORTS:
You can fly directly to Florence from numerous U.K. and European cities, and directly to Rome from a number of U.S. cities (sometimes with cheaper fares than Florence). Train travel is fast and efficient in Italy, so don’t be afraid to fly into a different city and hop a train to Florence, where group transportation will be provided to and from Locanda Cugnanello (the retreat venue).
Florence (nearest): Transport options from the airport to the Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) Train Station (where group transportation to Cugnanello will pick up) include:
Taxi: 10- to 15-minute trip; fare is about 25 euros
Tramway: The T2 Vespucci-Unita light rail line departs from the airport for the SMN train station every 5 or 6 minutes during peak hours; 11 stops, 20 minutes to SMN station; fare is 1.5 euros (buy ticket at kiosk before boarding)
Pisa: 60-90 min by train to Florence SMN station
Bologna: 60-90 min by train to Florence SMN station
Rome: 30-min train from airport to the Termini Train Station in Rome, then transfer to a 90-min high-speed train from Rome to Florence SMN station
Milan: 2 hrs 30 min by train to Florence SMN station
TRAVEL TIPS and SUGGESTIONS:
TRAIN TRAVEL to Florence from other airports is easy — Train travel in Italy is convenient, efficient, and can be fun, too! If you find favorable flights into an alternate airport (see above), it’s easy enough to hop a train to Florence, where group transportation will be provided to and from the retreat venue. You can find train schedules at http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en.
ARRIVAL timing: Consider arriving a day (or more) early to avoid travel delays and beat the jet lag — If your schedule allows, we highly recommend you arrive in Florence or elsewhere in Italy at least one day prior to the start of the retreat, to allow for unexpected travel delays and to shake off the jet lag—-at least a bit—-so you are better rested and refreshed for the start of the retreat.
DEPARTURE timing: Consider staying an extra day (or more) after the retreat — We recommend that you stay over Saturday night in the city of your departure airport and fly out on Sunday, so as to not feel rushed, and to ease your transition from “retreat” mode back into daily life.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to cover the nonrefundable costs of your trip. It is the best way to protect yourself from any unforeseen circumstance. Depending on the type of travel insurance, it can protect you in the following situations: you cancel your participation in the yoga retreat; the retreat is cancelled due to weather, natural disaster, political upheaval or other unforeseen circumstance; lost luggage; medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become ill or injured; and more.
PRICES AND PAYMENT
ROOM DESCRIPTIONS: For pictures and descriptions, visit the Locanda Cugnanello website.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
If registering before July 15, 2022, a $500 Nonrefundable Deposit is due with your completed registration form, with the Balance Due July 15, 2022.
If registering on or after July 15, 2022, Full Payment must be submitted with your completed registration form.
FORMS of PAYMENT ACCEPTED:
Check made payable to LINDA MEACCI YOGA
Credit card (a 3.5% processing fee applies)
PayPal funds transfer (a 3.5% processing fee applies)
CANCELLATION and REFUND POLICY:
A Cancellation Fee of $500 applies to all cancellations. The $500 Nonrefundable Deposit serves as the Cancellation Fee.
Cancellation requests must be made via EMAIL to info@lindameacciyoga.com.
If cancellation request is received on or before July 15, 2022: Your payment(s) will be refunded, except for the $500 Cancellation Fee.
After July 15, 2022, no refunds will be given.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to cover the nonrefundable costs of your trip. It is the best way to protect yourself from any unforeseen circumstance. Depending on the type of travel insurance, it can protect you in the following situations: you cancel your participation in the yoga retreat; the retreat is cancelled due to weather, natural disaster, political upheaval or other unforeseen circumstance; lost luggage; medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become ill or injured; and more.