The estate comprises three villas, completely restored, combining traditional materials with new technology, modern kitchens and bathrooms, wooden beamed ceilings and finished in local Tuscan style. The excellent accommodation offers both elegance and comfort in a historical setting. Most of the twin-bedded rooms have their own bathroom.

The complex also offers a large tiled patio area for al fresco dining with panoramic views over historic Lucca, towards Pisa and the sea, and is completed by a large infinity pool and landscaped gardens. A spacious studio with fabulous underwater views of the pool provides the ideal setting for the daily four-hour yoga sessions. There is a large dining room with a fireplace where group lunches are taken. In addition there is a BBQ and wood-burning oven. In the immediate vicinity there are two excellent restaurants renowned for their Tuscan cuisine.

Catering

Breakfasts are taken in the individual villas with food provided. Buffet lunches, with vegetarian alternatives, are prepared by Fiona to eat in the large communal dining room, after yoga. Two evening meals are also provided: one a get-together evening meal cooked by our pizza chef, making cooked pizzas to order in the traditional outside pizza oven, and the other a special four-course Italian dinner cooked by Paola.

On other evenings Lucca itself offers an amazing choice of restaurants, or you may prefer to prepare your own dinner in the kitchen of your villa. A mini-bus and taxi service will be on call to and from the centre of Lucca for a small extra charge. The nearest shops/supermarket is 5km towards Lucca and there are two excellent restaurants within easy walking distance of the villa.

About Your Instructor

Melanie began practicing yoga as a teenager in South Africa. She holds the British Wheel of Yoga teaching certificate. Her own evolving, original style draws on the yoga and teachings of Vanda Scaravelli.

Melanie's teaching includes yoga retreats at in Tuscany and in Sardinia. Students of all levels of experience are welcome. Her approach to yoga is directed by the breath, gravity and the mobility of the spine. Gravity anchors and grounds us, and is always acting on the body. The feet and hands are alive and make strong contact with the earth. Once we have allowed gravity to rest the body, the spine can release and grow. The body moves as a whole, in response to something deep down in the earth that rests us.

Being awake and listening inwardly to the body's intelligence brings the yoga postures to life. A key element of the yoga practice is to allow the breathing and poses to gradually unfold, without effort and strain, with alert undoing. Attention is clear and focused and a form of meditation in itself. Practice becomes about being fully in our bodies.

You will begin by relaxing in a simple resting posture, as we pay attention to the breath. During pranayama we practice controlled and conscious breath techniques that we use to energize and mobilize the body, focusing our attention on the present moment. This is followed by asana practice, linked with pranayama. We end with total relaxation in savasana, where we can integrate what we have practiced.

The sessions are held from 10.00-13.00 and 18.00-19.00 hours, Sunday to Friday. Sessions are suitable for all levels, and yoga mats are provided.

Extra Activities

During the afternoons, for your well-being and relaxation, we offer a range of alternative massage therapies by qualified local practitioners, including:

SHIATZU • AYURVEDA • REFLEXOLOGY

Melanie is also available for private yoga lessons.

For local exploration bicycles can be hired (racing and mountain), and for discovering more of Tuscany we organize trips upon your arrival, including to Pisa and Florence which are both within easy reach.

HOW TO ARRIVE

Pisa airport (Galilei Galileo) is the closest airport and a taxi transfer is offered from Pisa airport at a cost of 30€ each way. (This can be paid on arrival).
You may also fly into Florence and take a train or coach directly to Lucca where a taxi can be arranged for transfer.
You may also fly to Rome and catch a train to Lucca but this would be a 2-3 hour journey.

For further inquiries or to register, click here.



CANCELLATION POLICY
Less than 12 weeks before holiday start date - loss of deposit and booking fee
Less than 8 weeks before holiday start date - loss of 50% of full price and booking fee
Less than 6 weeks before holiday start date - loss of 100% of full price and booking fee

CLIENT REMARKS

"The accommodation and setting is wonderful. The houses are of a very high standard ... The yoga classes were wonderful." - Mary, Australia

"We had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The yoga was inspirational, challenging and well-structured. Many thanks to Fiona for the delicious catering, it's redefined our concept of a 'light lunch'. Grazie mille for the Shiatsu massage - a new experience and one we intend to repeat. A big thank you to Paladino and the cyclists, and especially to Isabelle for being a great guide. It was a great team effort but carried out in such a relaxed way that we felt welcomed and pampered right from the start. We would like to book again for next year." - G. & K.

"Thanks for everything and making me so welcome. Had a wonderful week. I shall really miss our sessions and will try to take home with me all the wisdom you have imparted." M.D." We both had such a wonderful holiday, thank-you very much again for everything. We are hoping to come back again next May." - J. & G.

"Just wanted to say thank you once again for a truly inspiring retreat last week. The yoga was wonderful and I am trying to practice daily! Your attention to detail, warmth and concern for everyone made the whole week a very relaxing experience." - J.J.