May 11-18, 2024
June 8-15, 2024
September 7-14, 2024
September 14-21, 2024
Inspired Adventures presented by the Island Hopper with Tricia Heaton and Courteney Bird
EXPLORE YOUR ARTISTIC TALENTS AMONGST THE BEAUTY OF TUSCANY. THIS CREATIVE RETREAT FOR WOMEN WILL CELEBRATE THE JOYS OF LUCCA AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
Magical moments at the villa will include our Italian book club discussions, photography, social media workshops, cooking class, journaling, and more! We will take to the road for plein air watercolor at a nearby villa, sculpture and quarry visits, and swimming in the Mediterranean.
The Island Hopper founders Tricia Heaton and Courteney Bird have created a series of Inspired Adventures in Lucca and the surrounding areas.
This creative retreat for women will include our art classes, Italian book club discussions, photography, cooking class, journaling, enjoying the world famous Carrara marble quarry, and swimming in the Mediterranean.
Enjoy sisterhood in the Italian countryside!
Imagine waking up with the rays of the warm Tuscan sun, opening the window overlooking the beautiful garden full of flowers and plants. A row of cypress trees, a typical symbol of Tuscany, accompanies the view towards the Lucca countryside. Furthermore, imagine sleeping in a villa that was founded in the 1500s and renovated in the 18th century. This and much more will accompany you throughout the week and prepare you every day for unique adventures together with other amazing women.
Location
Our unique retreat home for the week will be Villa Tramonte – which boasts comfortable lodging in fully restored 18th century estate, an outdoor pool, and delicious meals of farm-to-table vegetarian Tuscan cuisine — complete with local olive oil and wine.
Typical Daily Schedule
In addition to our magical stay at an authentic Tuscan home estate with landscaped gardens, outdoor pool, and a wood burning pizza oven, this wellness retreat has these amazing inclusions:
- 7 nights accommodation
- Homemade Tuscan vegetarian food and local wine for dinner
- A guided Tour of Lucca
- A day trip to the Cinque Terre
- A visit of the famous Marble Quarry of Carrara
- A visit at the Villa Reale Garden
- A visit at Pietrasanta
- Evening Italian Aperitivo!
This retreat has been designed for you to experience a lot with great ease and with plenty of wide, open spaces in the itinerary to relax and/or explore on your own or with others. Your investment practically covers everything!
Who is the retreat for?
Women who want to spend time exploring Tuscany and doing creative things, such as painting, needlepointing and taking photos. Don’t worry if you are traveling solo: that’s your chance to meet new delightful people and spend precious time with them in Italy!
ABOUT TRICIA HEATON
Tricia Heaton is a needlepointing, party throwing, traveling, bookworm. An eternal optimist who sees beauty in everything, she most often has a camera in hand or at the bottom of her purse covered in M&Ms. A love of all things design related began as a small girl who was obsessed with the set of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood of Make-Believe and a beloved custom dollhouse inherited from her mother. As the youngest child in a family of sailors, Tricia grew adept at bringing toys and books with her for long hours of sailing on Long Island sound on her family’s Pearson 36, Chocorua.
Tricia began island hopping during her first summer of life as she joined her parents, brother Henry, and sister Puddy on their annual summer vacation to Martha’s Vineyard. She has since returned to this dearly loved island and others, up and down the eastern seaboard, most summers of her life.
ABOUT COURTENEY BIRD
Courteney runs all of our logistics of the Island Hopper retreats. She keeps all of our travelers updated on the group’s International travel plans and will make sure that if any of you are on the same flights or in the same train stations, you can find each other.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- 7 nights accommodation (including linen and towels)
- 3 vegetarian meals each day + wine at dinner (except for one lunch out + one dinner out)
- Evening Aperitivo
- Access to the pool and yoga facilities
- A guided tour of Lucca
- A day trip to Cinque Terre
- A visit of the Villa Reale Garden
- A visit to Carrara marble quarry
- A visit at Pietrasanta
- Transfers to and from Lucca train or bus station to the retreat centre at the start and finish of the retreat. There will be one scheduled pick up and drop off only. Any transfers outside of this are not included
- Use of the WIFI
- Laundry facilities for use by guests
What’s Not Included?
- Airfares (Suggested Airport Pisa)
- Travel insurance (which is strongly recommended)
- Two meals out during excursions to Cinque Terre + Pietrasanta
- Other travel related expenses outside of the retreat
- Additional in-house treatments eg facials and massage
- Other optional excursions or activities not included in the retreat
* Transfers outside the scheduled pick-up or drop-off can be arranged for an additional fee
RETREAT PRICING
Your retreat investment includes almost everything and is from $4515 (USD) depending on the accommodation type you choose (single, twin or double) – all inclusive. Upon registration, you will be given all travel information, packing list and a full itinerary.
Cancellation Policy
Initial deposit is non-refundable.
INCLUDED EXCURSIONS + ACTIVITIES
CINQUE TERRE Mediterranean seaside charm
An excursion to one of Italia’s Mediterranean treasures, Cinque Terre, where we will take a day trip to explore the picturesque cliff-side villages or simply chill in a
seaside cove for the day. (Includes ground transportation with a driver + entry into the national park. Lunch not included).
LUCCA tour with the fabulous Federico
Coming from a noble Lucchese family. Federico’s family have strong roots in the area and he is passionate about its history, culture, art, food and wine. The tour takes in the ancient walls of Lucca pointing out places of interest through the medieval streets.
COOKING CLASS
Enjoying an Italian cooking class is a culinary journey through the tradition, is not just about recipes but it’s a cultural expedition. You will learn some Tuscany specialities, the importance of seasonal organic ingredients and some secrets of the Chef. Handmade pasta, sauces, desserts, surrounded by the warmth of rustic cuisine and lively conversations with and without hands.
THE WHITE GOLD OF CARRARA – Tour in the Apuan Alps
A unique experience! Enter the suggestive tunnels dug into the rock on board a 4×4 jeep. A unique adventure that will fill your eyes with the brilliant white of the precious marble. Marble excavated since Roman times which became famous thanks to artists such as Michelangelo.
PIETRASANTA – Artist village “the small Athens”
Pietrasanta is a thriving art centre full of galleries, shops and restaurants spilling onto the pavements. Best known for its marble and bronze artistic works, Pietrasanta often hosts international art exhibitions in the local Piazza’s where you can sit over aperitivo and watch the buzz unfold.
VILLA REALE GARDEN – Napoleon’s Sister “Home-sweet-home”
Camellia walkways, Italian Garden, Spanish Garden, Lemon Garden, Green Theatre, the Lake, Pam’s Grotto and flowers, trees, are surrounding the Villa Reale di Marlia, one of the oldest Villa in Lucca, passed through the hands of important families such as Napoleon’s Sister, Elisa Baciocchi Bonaparte. It’s the perfect place to find yourself, to make beautiful pictures, do an en plein air painting, relax on the grass , go for a walk or enjoy an aperitiv.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS
GETTING TO AND FROM THE RETREAT CENTRE
The nearest airport to Lucca is Pisa international Airport “Galileo Galileo” – 18 Miles from Lucca
Florence International Airport “Amerigo Vespucci” is 50 Miles from Lucca
If you are flying into Rome, Fiumicino Airport is 162 miles from Lucca.
Regular trains and buses run from both Pisa and Florence airports to Lucca and are very reasonably priced. Trains also run regularly from Rome airport but the trip is much longer and takes around 4.5 hours.
Check-in and Check-out
Check-in at the retreat center is strictly 4:15pm on the day of arrival.
When booking your flights, we recommend you plan your arrival time in Lucca for around 15:45, to coincide with the group transfer to the retreat centre at 16:15 There will be one scheduled pick-up only. Please email your arrival details to laura@yogainitaly.com as soon as they are available. If you are unable to make the pick-up, we can arrange for a taxi to bring you to the retreat center.
Check-out from the retreat center is strictly 09:00am on the last day. Please plan your departure flights accordingly.