Immersive Italy Retreat: Tuscany & Umbria
with Erin
before you leave:
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take a look at our travel check list
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remember to bring your yoga mat
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if you need transport to di colle in colle reach out to fabrizio
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look through this itinerary and sign up for extra activities in advance
Sunday Sept 27: Day of Arrival
at the airport:
If your luggage is lost go straight to the assistance desk located in the baggage claim area before exiting. They will ask you to fill out a form that includes the address where they should send your luggage. Fill out the form using the following format:
Indirizzo: agriturismo di colle in colle
Numero: 30
Cap: 06065
Città: passignano sul trasimeno
Provincia: pg
getting to Di Colle in Colle
traveling by train:
use the train-line website to purchase your tickets and make your way to Terontola-Cortona train station (make sure it is terontola-cortona and not cortona-camucia)
pLEASE MAKE SURE TO COMMUNICATE in advance YOUR ARRIVAL TIME AT TERONTOLA-CORTONA STATIOn.
the cost for transport to the venue from the train station will be 55€ to be shared between however many people will be in the vehicle. we will try to have to share when possible.
Transfer before 7am and after 10pm will incur an extra charge.
please be aware:
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there lightly will not be taxis readily available at terontola station
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there is no uber in the countryside
at the venue:
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there will be wine at dinner and it’s one bottle for every three people, all drinks ordered outside dinner are not included in the price of the retreat and will be added to your tab
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you will be asked for your passport at check in
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items in your minibar are not included in the price of the retreat and will be added to your tab
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you will be expected to pay your tab on the last day
time TBD: Yoga lesson
7pm: Welcome Dinner
9.30pm: Guided meditation
monday September 28: Pienza & Montepulciano
7am: Yoga
8-9am: Breakfast
9:30am: Departure
you will be in the vehicle for one hour at a time and the road is windy, if you suffer from motion sickness take your medication before departure or put on your writes band. in the second town you visit you will be walking up a very steep road, wear comfortable shoes.
10:30am: arrive in pienza:
restrooms are here next to where you get off the bus
1:30pm: meet the bus here (you'll be on the bus for 20min)
what to do:
head for the main square: enter the duomo church for free or the palazzo piccolomini for 12€
take the iconic walk along the walls and read the side street names. look for via dell'amore to take a picture
take a look at the view from here to see where the gladiator was filmed.
DID YOU KNOW?
pienza has been nicknamed the renaissance utopia because the center of town was rebuilt in renaissance style. learn more about the renaissance while having a laugh here
Pienza was originally called corsignano but then renamed by pius II in honor of himself after he had the center refurbished. Pius ii was quite a character and they called him the pagan pope. learn why here.
infamous pope alexander vi borgia lived in pienza for a few years when he was still a cardinal and already he started to get a reputation for his abominable behavior. learn more here
shopping:
Pienza is famous for it's pecorino (sheep cheese). as long as you it's at least 6 months old and vacuum sealed you can take it home to the usa. no meats though!
the best shop is la bottega del naturista and it is entirely run by women
other items better found here than in the next towns are ceramic. linda and her husband have an adorable shop in the cutest spot off the beaten track and inside you can even see an ancient well at the back of the shop
best restaurants:
prosit: very small and very slow. small menu and only very fresh ingredients. delicious natural wine. inexpensive.
Beccofino: traditional local dishes in a quirky and artistic atmosphere. great pasta. average cost.
idyllium: gourmet top notch with breathtaking view. renown for the incredible cocktails (you must try the cocktail with the electric flower). expensive.
gelato: don't get it on the main street, the good stuff is here
extra activities:
join a 1,5h walking tour of pienza that includes a cheese tasting along the way. 50€ sign up by emailing lizzy BY AUGUST 27TH and if the minimum number of 6 participants is met she will reach out with a payment link
next stop is montepulciano
the bus will drop you off here and you should take the stairs to get into town here. you are now on the main street that goes down to your right and up to your left.
4pm: meet the bus here . (you will be on the bus for 1h)
what to do:
head for the main square: enter the Palazzo comunale and climb the tower 3€
restrooms are here on the left side of the building
go to piazza san francesco to enjoy the view
make your way down towards porta al prato looking at shops and '500 palazzos
visit sant'agostino church
did you know?
montepulciano is nicknamed the pearl of the '500 for the many noble families family homes built during this century
montepulciano is known for giving it's name the the nobile di montepulciano: one of the oldest blends to be produced in italy. this wine was drunk during the renaissance and praised by thomas jefferson
the bravio delle botti is competition held at the end of august where representatives of the town districts push barrels uphill as fast as possible.
shopping:
this is the best town to buy leather. there are many shops, my favorite is pratesi
gelato: this is where the good stuff is
extra activities:
join a 1,5h wine tasting in a 700 year old family run winery 50€. sign up by emailing lizzy BY AUGUST 27TH and if the minimum number of participants is met she will reach out with a payment link
back at the venue:
time TBD: Yoga lesson
7pm: Dinner
9.30pm: Guided meditation
Tuesday September 29: cortona & siena
7am: Yoga
8-9am: Breakfast
9:15am: Departure (30min drive)
10:45am: arrive in Cortona:
1:30pm: meet the bus here (you'll be on the bus for 1h)
what to do:
head for the main square.
restrooms are here
walk along via nazionale and check out the boutiques
look at the view from piazza garibaldi
hike to santa margherita along the via crucis
did you know?
Cortona was founded by the etruscans: a civilization that lived between the 8th and 7th century bc. learn about the etruscans here.
the etruscans had a very different religion that fascinated even the other contemporary people of the Mediterranean. learn about it here.
cortona was the setting for the book and the movie under the tuscan sun.
shopping:
cortona has great jewelry, art shops and in general great boutiques.
for prints, small paintings and artisanship visit ivan's gorgeous galleria il pozzo, it also has an ancient well in it. don't miss it, it's down a little side street
for very unique jewelry visit the shop of contemporary artist massaruto
best restaurants:
enoteca enotria: light lunch with delicious focaccia and charcuterie, this is the locals favorite. inexpensive
nessun dorma: delicious and my absolute favorite. owners are a little unhinged and slow serving but totally worth it. average price
osteria del teatro: totally deserved Micheline start. incredible food and great service. more expensive
gelato: here is the good stuff
extra activities:
join a 1h etruscan museum tour 50€. sign up by emailing lizzy BY AUGUST 27TH and if the minimum number of 6 participants is met she will reach out with a payment link
next stop is Siena:
the bus will drop you off here and you will walk into the center (15min)
4:30pm: meet the bus here . (you will be on the bus for 1h)
what to do:
head for the main square
PUblic toilets are here
visit saint catherine church and see the famous relic
climb the mangia tower, the city hall building tower, 400 steps, 10€
did you know?
Twice a year, the entire city of Siena holds its breath for 90 seconds for the palio. Ten horses race bareback around Piazza del Campo representing rival neighbourhoods called contrade. The winner contrada receives a painted silk banner — the palio — and brings pride to the whole neighborhood until next year's palio. 45.000 spectator come to siena twice a year to see the race and take part to the event.
Siena is the hometown of Saint catherine, italy's patron saint. She wielded extraordinary influence for a laywoman of her era, corresponding boldly with popes and political leaders to push for Church reform and the return of the papacy from Avignon to Rome. She was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970 — one of the first women ever to receive that title — recognizing her Dialogue as a masterpiece of mystical theology. learn about her here
shopping:
manufactus in this pretty shop you can get a leather notebook with your initials imprinted in real time
best restaurants:
la finestra in the old market square just few steps from piazza del campo, pici, local handmade noodles, are their specialty
osteria la sosta di violante good traditional menu with a modern twist and vegetrian options
gino cacino this place is a must do stop if you don't want to seat at the table for a full meal. here you find traditional panini and schiacciate with amazing local products
gelato: here is the good stuff
extra activities:
join a 2h guided tour including entrance to the cathedral and visit to a contrada headquarters 70€. sign up by emailing lizzy BY AUGUST 27TH and if the minimum number of 6 participants is met she will reach out with a payment link
7.30pm Dinner
9.30pm: Guided meditation
Wednesday Sept 30: Wellness Day
8-9am: Breakfast
10am: Yoga - 1 hour
Free time:
Truffle experience €100. sign up by emailing lizzy BY AUGUST 27THand if the minimum number of 6 participants is met she will reach out with a payment link
winetasting
HORSEBACK RIDING
MASSAGE
day trip to florence: use the train-line website to purchase your tickets from Terontola-cortona station to FIRENZE sANTA mARIA NOVELLA
7.30pm Dinner
9.30pm: Guided meditation
thursday October 1: Perugia & Assisi
7am: Yoga
8-9am: Breakfast
9:15am: Departure (30min drive)
10:45am: arrive in perugia:
the bus will drop you off here and you will walk to the center (10 min)
1:30pm: meet the bus here (you'll be on the bus for 30min)
what to do:
head to Piazza iv novembre and Corso Vannucci
walk to the belvedere and enjoy the view
did you know?
Perugia was already a thriving Etruscan city centuries before Rome. The proof is still standing: you can walk through the Arco Etrusco, over 2,300 years old and completely intact.
Perugia invented Baci — dark chocolate, hazelnut, love note inside — back in 1922, and has been taking chocolate very seriously ever since. Every October, Eurochocolate turns the historic centre into ten days of tastings and chocolate excess.
shopping:
The official Perugina shop sits right on Corso Vannucci, you can't really miss it. mix and match different Baci flavors and find varieties that don't turn up in supermarkets.
Mogré is a little ceramic studio on Via dei Priori — everything in it is made by the owner's hands, and it shows. she's also an art therapist and Her daughter makes the jewellery. Worth stepping in even if you don't buy anything.
best restaurants:
Il cantinone: traditional and delicious umbrian menu with medium prices
turreno enobistrot: right behind the duomo, great selection of wines and a modern menu, vegetarian options and great desserts
Antica salumeria granieri: TRAditional porchetta stall, the best panino with porchetta in town, take your panino and eat it at the park giardini carducci enjoying the panoramic view
gelato: here is the good stuff
extra activities:
join a 1h chocolate tasting 50€. sign up by emailing lizzy BY AUGUST 27TH and if the minimum number of 6 participants is met she will reach out with a payment link
next stop assissi:
the bus will drop you off here and you will walk into the center (10min)
4:30pm: meet the bus here . (you will be on the bus for 1h)
what to do:
head to basilica of st. francis
walk to the rocca maggiore, the ancient castle on top of the hill, visit the castle 6€
did you know? Assisi is one of the most famous historic towns in italy, known above all as the birthplace of Saint Francis. 5 million visitors come here every year
every May, the medieval streets of Assisi erupt in color, music, and rivalry for the calen di maggio, an historical revival where the Two factions of the town clash in a spectacular four-day battle of costumes, torchlit processions, and songs.
shopping:
a gallo colors: in the town of giotto's frescos you can buy artisanal precious watercolors in this beautiful shop
best restaurants:
trattoria pallotta: a family owned restaurant with a traditional menu with a modern twist, the seatings outisde are in the spectacular location of the volta pinta, the arch painted with grottesche frescos right under the ancient and still used city hall building
extra activities:
join a 1h tour of the basilica with entrance 50€. sign up by emailing lizzy BY AUGUST 27TH and if the minimum number of 6 participants is met she will reach out with a payment link
7.30pm: Dinner
9.30pm: Guided meditation
Oct 2: Wellness Day
7am: Yoga
8-9am: Breakfast
10am: Yoga - 1 hour
Free time: Optional herbal remedy lesson €70. sign up by emailing lizzy BY AUGUST 27TH AND and if the minimum number of 6 participants is met she will reach out with a payment link
WINETASTING
HORSEBACK RIDING
MASSAGE: book upon arrival with reception
day trip to florence: use the train-line website to purchase your tickets from Terontola-cortona station to FIRENZE sANTA mARIA NOVELLA
7.30pm Dinner
9.30pm: Guided meditation
Oct 2: DEPARTURE Day
pLEASE MAKE SURE TO COMMUNICATE YOUR DEPARTURE TIME.
traveling by train:
use the train-line website to purchase your tickets and make your way to the airport/next destiantion from Terontola-Cortona train station (make sure it is terontola-cortona and not cortona-camucia)
reach out in advance to fabrizio to arrange your pick up from the venue to the train station