HOST YOUR OWN YOGA RETREAT
It’s easy to do your own yoga retreat: get some friends together, pick one of these amazing villas, and off you go!
Why not gather up a bunch of pals and organise your own luxury rockstar yoga retreat in a gorgeous private villa? Or maybe you’re looking for a special family break or even a celebration week away for a birthday or wedding party, it’s pretty easy to do it yourself if you can get everyone to chip in with the costs. And there’s no better location than Tuscany in Italy. Tuscany Now & More (tuscanynowandmore.com) has an array of exquisite villas and unique experiences perfectly suited to those looking to nurture body, mind and soul. Here we explore some properties that are ideal for yoga and wellness breaks.
I Corbezzoli, Chianti
Set on a hilltop with a beautiful private pool, the villa enjoys stunning views of the vineyards, olive groves and woodland south of Florence on the edge of the Chianti. But what really sets I Corbezzoli apart is its dedicated staff, including a dedicated chef that prepares breakfast, lunch and evening meals — served by energetic staff on your terrace or in the beautiful dining room. Your personal chef can tailor menus to suit all wellness requirements, be it vegan, vegetarian or simply healthy and wholesome. The two houses that make up the property are surrounded by expansive gardens brimming with colourful shrubs, a perfectly peaceful spot for practicing your Downward Dogs. The extensive lawn leads down towards a lovely private fan-shaped swimming pool, with a heated jacuzzi for up to six people. From here you can enjoy wonderful views of the Valdarno valley and the mountains of Pratomagno. In addition, to encourage a healthy body and mind, I Corbezzioli can organise vegetarian and vegan cooking classes catering for wellness-oriented guests.
This 11-bedroom property sleeps up to 22 people. From £11,320 per week.
Il Borgo di Petroio, near Florence
Il Borgo di Petroio is a beautiful stone farmhouse with private swimming pool, set on a 900-acre estate in the hills above Rufina, within easy reach of dreamy Florence. The villa has a swimming pool that is positioned to enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding hills and bathes in the sun all day. The property also boasts its very own yoga barn. A sense of complete tranquillity prevails at the villa making it a popular choice for yoga retreats.
If you’re still bursting with energy after morning yoga, you don’t need to venture far with an on-site astroturf tennis court on the estate, which is shared with the estate’s villa. Newly added is a multi-functional space which features a well-equipped gym area, massage area and an external jacuzzi for up to six people. There are several riding stables in the area as well as three 18-hole golf courses within an hour’s drive. Nearby Monte Giovi, at 992 metres high, and its natural park provides exhilarating walking opportunities.
This 5-bedroom property sleeps up to 14 people. From £4,110 per week.
Il Molinaccio, Chianti
This beautiful stone farmhouse and its private swimming pool sit peacefully on a terraced hillside surrounded by olive groves and woodland enjoying magical views of rolling hills, farmhouses and vineyards. In the heart of the Chianti, the property sits at the end of a private road surrounded by 64 acres ensuring total privacy and peace just minutes from the charming town of Castellina in Chianti.
Originally built as a mill in the 17th century, the current owners have spent years slowly and carefully renovating Il Molinaccio into a very sophisticated modern home, with spacious bedrooms, luxury bathrooms, a modern kitchen and stylish furnishings creating a supremely comfortable home for all seasons. The beautiful, shaded courtyard at the front of the house offers a serene spot for dining and relaxing al fresco with rows of lavender and rosemary leading across the garden to the private infinity edge swimming pool set amongst the terraced olive groves with sweeping views of the stunning valley. Wild swimmers will relish the chance for a cooling dip in a freshwater pond situated near to the river just down the hill from the villa.
Yogis will love the villa’s stunning, double-height yoga barn ideal for practicing peaceful sun salutations out of the glare of the midday sun.
This 5-bedroom property sleeps up to 10 people. From £4,079 per week.
Poggio Alto, Near Montepulciano
Poggio Alto is a beautiful property that sits on a hilltop that offers panoramic views in every direction of gently rolling hills near the medieval villages of Cetona and Montepulciano.
The interior has a sophisticated country residence feel with airy, spacious rooms, elegant furnishings and a truly splendid modern kitchen that leads out into the well-kept garden with a dining loggia and extensive lawns that surround the main house and lead to the large private swimming pool.
A well-stocked library speaks of the owners’ love of books, as do the many peaceful seating and reading areas dotted around the house and garden designed as quiet spots for reading; among these is a meditation garden inspired by German writer Hermann Hesse. This peaceful, zen garden features a pond and mesmerising views of rolling Tuscan hills. Home to a vivid array of colours, a mix of flowers, herbs and aromatic scents: a subtle hint of the four cosmic symbols - the water in the pond, the circle of stones with ashes reminiscent of fires and a blue corner representing the most spiritual dimension.
This 8-bedroom property sleeps up to 14 people. From £ 3,260 per week.
Get started and plan your own yoga retreat.
For further information on all of the above villas (and others) and bookings, contact: tuscanynowandmore.com
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