Earlier this month, I had the immense pleasure of running the first-ever Signature Wellness Retreat with Viva Adventures. It was everything I had dreamed of and more. “Ciao for Now: Reconnection, Yoga, & Wellness in Tuscany” lived up to its name, providing a week full of being in community, slowing down, and wholesome practices to connect deeply with self, others, and place.
I got to experience a place that I’d long daydreamed of visiting, run a sold-out wellness retreat along with some of my best friends in the world, and spend some quality time hanging out with some awesome people I’ve met throughout my career in travel and tourism (plus a few new acquisitions).
I also got to test a theory I’ve been developing for a while—that intentional planning and leadership can turn a simple getaway into a transformative experience for everyone involved.
Cadence of the week
It’s hard to describe the magic I felt as the week unfolded, whether it was the shared laughter (and sometimes tears), unlikely connections, poignant beauty, or slower pace of life. It felt like a gift to spend hours over the shared outdoor table eating the most delicious, homemade, and fresh meals prepared for us by the staff at Le Pianore—who were like family to one another, and became family to us by the end of the week—and have time to converse deeply with one another.
We had daily (and sometimes twice daily) yoga classes led by the lovely Anki Cramer, where we got to sit in silence, learn (or re-learn!) how to do simple yoga poses well, build to a dynamic flow, and even play a little amongst our peers. The setting was unparalleled: a beautiful open-air yoga shala with views of the rolling Tuscan hillside, and sunny, summer breezes cooling us off. Anki also performed her magical adjustments on the group, which was a high for everyone as she helped us dip deeper into relaxation and proper alignment with her deft touch.
As for how we filled the long summer days outside of yoga—well, there was a lot of time spent both in and around the cool, saltwater pool. With temperatures in the mid 30s (or low 90s in Fahrenheit) the pool turned into a central hub where people would bring their books and read, take cat naps, and spend hours swimming and frolicking. There were even a few brave souls doing daily early morning or late evening cold plunges.
Le Pianore is a vast property with several nearby towns to explore, and everyone took advantage: visiting the natural spring (replete with tadpoles and swimming frogs), checking on the resident donkeys (one of whom was born a mere week before our arrival), and/or heading up to the town of Monticello Amiata for an afternoon gelato or Aperol spritz. Exploration felt like a bonus, really, as everything we needed was located right where we were.
The beautiful Le Pianore Agroturismo in Tuscany
Le Pianore is a small, family-owned, organic “agroturismo” or independently-owned working farm where you can stay, and we were lucky enough to both witness and participate in some of the many goings-on. We learned how to make homemade Italian pasta—and then had it for dinner which, naturally, ended up being most peoples’ favorite meal. We sampled the organic, biodynamic, and award-winning wines from the farm—a land that has never seen the use of pesticides. We did a workshop on making homemade, biodegradable soaps made from the farm’s olive oil. We participated in a forest bathing experience where we had the opportunity to slow down and connect deeply with nature.
We also took the opportunity to visit a nearby beach town, where we wandered the streets, visited an old fortress, and enjoyed the respite of the sea breeze. We drank cappuccinos on cobblestone terraces, bought copious amounts of local fruit, and at the end of our day, cooled off by dipping into the crisp Mediterranean sea.
What struck me most was the ease with which, as a group, we co-created a routine that filled our cups in so many ways: rest, soulful and honest sharing, play time, and inside jokes. It felt like we’d all known one another for years, and by the end, there was a definite feeling of “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
A transformational experience?
To start the week, guests shared what brought them to the retreat—whether facing unknown transitions, starting exciting new chapters, reconnecting with themselves, or simply pausing to take stock. Everyone opened up honestly and authentically, and it created a culture of sharing and deep connection.
At the end, we all discussed what we were grateful for and what we were taking home with us. For some, it was a [re]commitment to a regular yoga practice. For many, it was a sense of pride at getting out of their comfort zones and doing things that felt intimidating. For others, it was a realization that they already had everything they wanted and needed, made possible by having a different perspective on the matter if just for a week. For everyone, it was a sense of gratitude for the ability to have shared a beautiful week together amongst new friends.
Whether folks go home and incorporate their learnings and findings into their normal lives remains to be seen. I am delighted to be working with a few of the participants in a wellness coach capacity to help with integration—to intentionally take those thoughts and moments of clarity experienced during the wellness retreat and mindfully incorporate them into their everyday life.
A travel experience that brings up deep feelings, emotions, and realizations can either be a catalyst for positive, lasting change OR a missed opportunity if participants just launch back into their busy lives with no strategy. This concept, according to the Transformational Travel Council, is at present the weakest point in making a travel experience truly transformational, rather than just a momentary escape.
My own “A-Ha!” moment
On the last night of the retreat, I cried like a baby as I tried to find the words to express my gratitude. I couldn’t quite find them at the moment, needing to think them through slowly and with intention. Yet here it is. I am in such awe of this career I’ve been blessed with: the people whose paths I’ve crossed and the stories I’ve heard shared (of strength and resiliency). I’ve been able to lay eyes on the most heartbreakingly beautiful places. And I have been able to learn from and channel any moment of personal pain or disappointment into something more beautiful, in community and through my work.
This week of connection, rest, and deep wellness practices did feel like a personal peak and professional “a ha” moment. It really came into focus for me that this type of travel—the kind that moves you and changes something, reinvigorates you or stokes an ember that had been buried under ash—well, it’s the only kind of travel that I am really interested in being a part of anymore.
Tourism, like anything, has its costs. For the benefits to truly outweigh the downsides, travel should help participants connect with their purpose, inspiring them to become more invested in creating a better world and building stronger communities.
That is the path ahead of me. I’ll be learning, practicing, trying my best—and occasionally failing—to ensure that every travel experience I create endeavors to do exactly that.
