9 Reasons to Escape to Tuscany
Tuscany has been a bucket list destination for travellers for a long time and with good reason. The magic sunsets setting over the rolling hills, foodie heaven, ancient medieval market towns & we can’t forget the most famous reason - the Vino! We are totally in love with this part of Italy, its evergreen forests, offering a true escape to ‘simply be’. There is nothing quite like a yoga retreat in Italy to re-ignite your soul. We love Tuscany so much that we are running two escapes this May, to soak up all the eat, pray, love vibes at our second home, Ebbio. Here is why we love escaping to Tuscany, it was very hard to narrow it down to just 9, it could’ve been 90!
The Villa - Ebbio Tuscany - We call Ebbio our second home because it truly feels like you are a part of the family! The villa is run by a local family who purchased the 13th century farm in the 90’s and have been running retreats since. They are the kind of hosts that sit down at the beautiful outdoor dining table underneath the vines with you & tell you stories of their life on the farm & travels. The family takes pride in every detail from the beautiful interiors & rustic yet luxe Tuscan feel of the house to their farming, with an organic garden onsite. The villa is set overlooking the rolling Tuscan hills, where we believe have the best sunsets in the world!
The Yoga Shala - A space that embraces heritage and earthy colours. With hardwood floors and a modern-rustic feel, ceiling archways that create a welcoming feel, you will be immersed not just in the practice of yoga but also the natural surroundings. With retreats being held in the space for over 20 years there really is something about the energy in the shala & a special place to dive deep into the practice. You may even see Ebbio’s horses wandering around outside the shala, a reminder of all the beauty & life that surrounds you on the estate.
Farm to table organic produce - Ebbio dedicates itself to its onsite organic fruit, vegetables and herb garden, which are used to prepare farm to table meals daily. The ultimate farm to table yoga retreat. Anything served not grown on site has been locally sourced through local farmers, with all produce being certified organic. They have their own olive trees & vines, where their own grapes are turned into wine at a local vineyard, which you will enjoy evenings on retreat. Meals will be served at large communal tables, with farm to table produce on the outdoor patio. Their mantra is ‘food is medicine’, and their meals complement what’s in season at their farm. Mediterranean flavours meet new creations in their healthy and vibrant cooking.
Explore Monteriggioni - Only a 25-minute walk from the venue you can explore the medieval walled town of Monteriggioni. The town truly takes you back in time. You can walk the castle walls offering views of the surrounding Chianti region. Or relax in the piazza in the middle at one of the Trattorias, wine bars & our personal favourite the Gelato shop!
A sustainable retreat - At Ebbio living sustainable is a way of life and sharing with all guests on how to live a more mindful life. Their commitment to living sustainably is displayed through 9 step criteria from: energy, water, food, waste, carbon footprint, education, health, employment and happiness. They are constantly working to improve our systems with renewable energies, heating via biomass, waste recycling, gray and black water treatment and reuse, compost and permaculture. We work closely with the local community, farmers and artisans alike, to raise awareness and create a positive impact for those visiting their venue. Our personal favourite is they use their own lavender oil grown onsite in their yoga mat cleaner!
Community & Connection - The reason we retreat! We love connecting with students from around the globe and offering them a space where they feel seen, heard and loved! Our big focus is community and we love watching groups create lifelong friendships on retreat. This escape is an intimate escape where we will enjoy a cooking class together, share meals at the communal table outside under the vines, drink wine overlooking the rolling hills at sunset & have many long chats & laughs!
Visit a local Vineyard - We love a day trip on retreat! We will be visiting Montechiaro Vineyard for a tour & wine tasting, where we will learn all about the estate, dating back to the 17th century, their wine production & finish it all off with a wine & food pairing tasting. If you're a vino lover, this one's for you!
Hikes at your doorstep - With walks, & hiking trails at your doorstep we believe this is one of the best ways to explore the region & see it from above. Breathtaking views of evergreen forests, rolling hills & great view points of Monteriggioni. You will feel completely lost in the moment & soaking up the Tuscany sun rays!
Find Balance - This retreat is a yoga retreat for everybody. For the beginner yogi to the dedicated practitioner. An escape to be surrounded by nature, a true escape from Urban life and the daily grind. For those who want some down time & freedom to create their own path with ‘free days’ on retreat. The health-conscious foodies or those who like their yoga with a side a vino! The music lover, with a live music & bon-fire night. We are all about #balance on retreat! Our hope & ethos is to make everyone feel welcome, included & offer students a space to reconnect with themselves & re-discover their zest for life!
Join us this May, 19-24th or 25-30th. We cannot wait to retreat in Tuscany with you!