'Dolce Far niente'
The sweetness of doing nothing
Yoga, pasta, nature, rest
The Wild Times in Italy
7-13th July 2024
Do
Arrive and settle in on Sunday afternoon, with snacks and drinks on arrival before starting the retreat with yoga and our opening circle. Minibus transfers to and from the airport are included if you arrive on the recommended flights in time for the minibus, otherwise we can recommend how to get to us (you can hire a car or get the train!)
The start of our retreats are all about grounding and resting, so we will do yin yoga before dinner and yoga Nidra (A.K.A sleepy yoga).
This retreat is all about 'Dolce Far Niente' - the sweetness of doing nothing. This is one of our favourite phrases - encapsulating an Italian philosophy of delicious idleness. So that's what we will be doing (or rather, being) - deliciously idle.
We will have vinyasa yoga in the mornings, and yin and/or nidra in the afternoons. There will be plenty of time to relax, sunbathe, walk, read and swim in the pool.
Midweek there will be an optional hike to the beautiful Farfa gorge and river, maybe even with a swim.
On Thursday - our penultimate night - there is an included pizza and wine dinner in the local village.
Saturday morning will be vinyasa yoga, meditation and breakfast, before our closing circle and departures. The yoga classes are themed around the natural elements, bringing nature into your practice.
All activities are optional but encouraged, so you can nap, read or swim and explore - it’s completely up to you.
If you have any questions about the retreat you can always email us and set up a call with the Founder Jenny before booking.
Stay
In the rolling hills of Sabina, with its ancient forests, medieval hilltop towns, castles and abbeys - a world away from the rush and bustle of modern life, yet within easy reach of Rome and its airports. Off the beaten tourist track, Sabina remains an unsung, secret gem in the heart of the Italian countryside, in Lazio, near the border with Umbria.
Our venue comprises of two lovingly restored rustic, ancient stone farmhouses. The extensive grounds are cultivated with care and reverence for nature with shaded terraces, intimate hideaways and quirky nooks.
The magnificent, shaded outdoor yoga platform designed by Marco Antonini, perches on the hillside overlooking the valley and brook below. It is surrounded by stunning views and the natural splendour of cypresses, olive groves and walnut trees. The restful, refreshing swimming pool, the myriad outdoor and indoor spaces for leisure and practice, the simple, elegant, distinctive bedrooms with artworks by local and international artists are all designed to nurture, soothe and inspire.
Rooms will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis. There are a range of double and twin rooms in the two properties that make up our venue, as well as two bell tents to choose from. Most of the rooms are en-suite but three share a bathroom. There are two solo occupancy rooms available.
Three of the bedrooms can be set up for triple occupancy for 3 friends (in a single and double bed). The bell tents contain small double beds for solo occupancy. They are warm in the day but cool at night.
Eat
All the food on the retreat is prepared by Beth the Free Range Chef, our chief Wild Times chef. It is all nutritious, wholesome and vegetarian. All meals, snacks and our pizza & wine dinner out are provided.
You can join in a 'mindful making' pasta workshop, with our amazing chef Beth. Beth actually used to live here and started her retreat cheffing career here, so she knows a thing or two about Italian food and this beautiful region!
There will be fruit and a hot drink station for you to help yourself to throughout, with herbal teas, coffee, fresh mint, lemon and ginger.
We can cater for most dietary requirements if you let us know beforehand but unfortunately we can't cater for gluten free guests on this retreat - we will send you booking forms around 8 weeks before to get your dietary requirements and more information.
Location: Lazio, Italy
This area of Italy is tuly a hidden, wild gem - and only around 1.5/2 hours from Rome too. The Sabine Hills have views aplenty, with natural springs, rivers and streams, countryside walks and nature reserves.
From our peaceful venue Sabina’s historic villages are within easy reach, with breath-taking panoramic views, artisanal traditions and gastronomic delights. You can walk to the historic local village Casperia within 35 minutes, between the left bank of the River Tiber and the western slope of the Sabine Hills.
If you would like to explore further you can either hire a car in Rome or hop on the train. We also have a few Rome reccomendations for you if it's your first time visiting!
Example Schedule:
Sunday
3-5pm: Arrive, settle in, tea time.
5.30pm: Opening circle, meditation and yin yoga.
7pm: Dinner
9pm: Yoga Nidra
Monday
8.30am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
10am: Brunch
1.30pm: Lunch
5.30pm: Yin yoga
7pm: Dinner
Tuesday
8.30am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
10am: Brunch
1.30pm: Lunch
3pm: Pasta making workshop
5.30pm: Yin yoga
7pm: Dinner
8.30pm: Yoga Nidra
Wednesday
8.30am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
10am: Brunch
11.30am: Hike to the Farfa Gorge
5.30pm: Yin yoga
7.30pm Dinner
Thursday
8.30am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
10am: Brunch
1.30pm: Lunch
5pm: Yin yoga
7pm: Pizza & Wine dinner out in the village
Friday
8.30am: Vinyasa, meditation
9.30am: Brunch
1.30pm: Lunch
5pm: Yin yoga
7pm: Dinner
Saturday
7.30am: Vinyasa, meditation
9am: Brunch
10am: Closing circle, departures
Schedule subject to change / the weather / your mood / going with the flow. Do as much or as little as you like.
What’s Included
● Accommodation in a beautiful, peaceful retreat venue
● All delicious meals, snacks + drinks
● 12 x 1/1.5 hour yoga classes
● Daily guided meditation
● Minibus transfers to and from the airport (only if you are on the recommended flight times)
● A pizza & wine dinner in the local village & return transport
● A day trip and hike in the Farfa gorge & return transport
● Pasta making workshop
● Yoga mats & bolsters
● Luxury goodie bag
What’s not included
● Transport to and from the retreat (if not on the recommended flight times)
● Travel insurance - make sure you have it upon booking, thank you