Tuscany Retreat
August 29-September 7, 2023

More About Suzanne…

Suzanne has spent the last 20 years helping people live healthier, happier lives. She has been committed to living and teaching a holistic lifestyle for many years, as an N.A.C.C. Chaplain, working in hospitals, with the Red Cross, and in hospice, in her years as a yoga teacher and studio owner, and in her work as a health coach. She has extensive experience working with clients, addressing their wellness challenges, and providing them with assistance to look and feel their best.

In addition, Suzanne has traveled extensively in Italy over the past 14 years and has hosted several retreats in Tuscany. This trip is a deep dive into Italian Culture, and, if you are open to it, a life changing experience.

Suzanne is excited about this retreat and offers it with the hope of supporting clients overall health and wellness, transforming their lives and the lives of those around them.

Package Includes…

• Lodging for 9 nights in memorable, well located accommodations

• All meals at Spannocchia, and in Florence, breakfast is included

• All excursions and tours

• The full time services of your guide Suzanne Lynch and the local experts we partner with to help make Italy come alive for you

• A day with our guide in the Medieval City of Siena

• A spa excursion to the ancient Thermal Baths of San Giovanni in Rapolano

  Link: https://www.termesangiovanni.it/en/home

• The tour of Spannocchia

• Hikes in the Nature Preserve

• Wine tasting and tour at Podere Le Ripi in Montalcino (This tour takes us through the UNESCO-listed Val d’Orcia)

• Once we arrive in Spannocchia, morning yoga classes.

• A day in Florence with our guide, Anna Piperato, including a morning walking tour and afternoon sightseeing.

• All tips for drivers and guides

• Travel from Florence to Spannocchia

• Group transportation back to Florence on September 7th at 8am. We will stop at both the airport and the train station. (Note: Schedule your departure flight noon or later on 9/7th)

Investment…

This trip is priced at $4995

Reserve your spot with a $500 nonrefundable deposit. All balances are due by May 10th

Scenes from past trips…

What we have planned:

• A full day tour in the Renaissance city of Florence.  Our guide Anna Piperato will help this city come alive with a focus on Michelangelo, and his iconic work The David. We’ll visit to the Accademia, and the Medici Chapel.

• We’ll be guided on a tour at Spannocchia through the Castello and its grounds. Our tour of the farm and gardens will help us better understand the history of Spannocchia, it's connection to the International Slow Food Movement, and more about sustainable living.

• Led day hikes on the Spannocchia grounds and the Merse Nature Preserve by Bruce Maslack MD.  We also allow plenty of free time for your own strolls on the property, visits with animals, relaxing by the pool or just reading in your room.  

• A day in the Medaival City of Siena

• Wine tasting and tour of the award winning vineyard, Podere di Ripi in Montalcino, and a drive through the UNESCO World Heritage site within the stunningly beautiful region of Val d’Orcia.

• A day of touring the medieval city of Siena

• Excursion to the thermal baths in Rapolano. These ancient baths are an oasis of peace and healing. We’ll spend a good part of the day to restore and relax, taking part in wellness Italian style.

• Optional: morning yoga and meditation at Spannocchia, to make your vacation a truly rejuvenating experience.  Classes are supportive for all levels, no experience necessary.

• All lodging in Florence and Spannocchia, and, once we arrive at Spannochia, all meals there are included. All excursions and tours are included, as well as van transportation between Florence and our base, Spannocchia. At the completion of the retreat, van transportation will be provided back to Florence airport/train station on 9/7 at 8am. Airfare is not included.

Important To Know:

This retreat is physically active! It's an essential part of the Tuscany Retreat experience. For the 10 Days we are together — among other things — you'll need to happily…

1. Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (possibly several blocks) and up stairways to reach your hotel, then possibly up several flights of stairs to reach your room. (Help will be available, of course, but pack light.)

2. Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, possibly in all weather conditions.

3. After an orientation lesson, navigate for a few hours of free time in Florence on your own.

Itinerary for this year’s retreat:

• Day 1: Tuesday 8/29: Afternoon arrival in Florence at the Hotel Pendini, located in the heart of the city. As the group gathers you’ll have free time to explore Florence.

• Day 2: Wednesday 8/30: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast together at the Hotel Pendini. After breakfast we meet our guide Anna at 9:30am. With a Michalengelo focus this year, we'll visit the Accademia, as well as the Medici Chapel. After lunch together we'll tour the Santa Croce one of the most important churches in the history of the city. Free time on your own afterwards, meeting up for dinner later in the evening.

• Day 3: Thursday 8/31: Breakfast together at the Hotel Pendini with a 10am departure for our “base camp” for the rest of the week, Spannocchia. We will have time to settle into our new home, with afternoon restorative yoga before dinner.

• Day 4: Friday 9/1: Full day to settle in at Spannochia: optional yoga, swimming, with a tour of the estate and relaxing.

• Day 5: Saturday 9/2: A day in the medieval city of Siena; stroll in the winding streets, see the Duomo, and get to know this historic town with our guide Anna Piperato.“

• Day 6: Sunday 9/3: “Retreat Day” at Spannocchia: hikes, yoga, swimming, & relaxing.

• Day 7: Monday 9/4: A day at the San Giovanni Baths in Rapolano. Rejuvenate the way Italians have been doing for centuries.

• Day 8: Tuesday 9/5: Retreat Day” at Spannochia: hikes, yoga, swimming, & relaxing.

• Day 9: Wednesday 9/6: Tour of the award winning Podere Le Ripi Vineyard with a stop for lunch and exploration in Montalcino.

• Day 10: Thursday 9/7: Breakfast together and then 8am departure for Florence, vans stop at the train station and the Florence airport.

Total cost:

This trip is priced at $4995 (Double room with bath, a single supplement is an additional $500—if we have a single open. ) All meals at Spinnocchia are included. (4 lunches and 2 dinners not included.)

Reserve your spot with a $500 nonrefundable deposit. All balances due on May 10th.

This trip is limited to a VERY small, friendly group of 12 participants, half the size of most other groups; we recommend you reserve your spot well in advance.

AND…if you’ve been a past participant on one of my Tuscany Retreats you’ll receive a $250 discount off this retreat!

We suggest arriving in Italy a couple of days before the retreat begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. The Hotel Pendini will extend a special rate to our participants.

SAVE MY SPOT!

Questions: Please email Suzanne@SuzanneLynchWellness.com

Health & Safety Pledge

Testimonials

A special moment from our retreat to Italy was hanging out my laundry at Spannocchia, the beautiful Tuscan estate where we stayed. It hit me, "I'm drying my clothes under the TUSCAN SUN!" So simple and yet profound to be fully present, joyful, and at peace in that moment.

The retreat was all about ease and being beautifully guided, led, and fed by Suzanne, Bruce, and the staff at Spannocchia. I could have figured out the logistics by myself, but I didn't have to and really appreciated their support. The promise of the retreat was to the into the rhythm of life that Italians enjoy and we did! The act of hanging out my clothes and enjoying a delicious lunch with my lovely traveling companions showed me a different and more fulfilling way to live which was the best souvenir I brought home with me!

— Adele Michal

I thoroughly enjoyed this retreat. Traveling with the group was a real relief, I could totally relax and enjoy Tuscany, knowing everything was taken care of.

Our accommodations were lovely and the staff at both places was fantastic, and the food was excellent. Daily yoga classes were great, and helped me get stronger as the trip went on.

Suzanne was unflappable and met challenges on the trip gracefully. Our tour guides, both in Siena and at the estate, were knowledgable, the photography teacher, Jackie, was engaging and helpful.

I loved meeting people who lived in Tuscany, and the other guests staying at Spannocchia. All in all I had a great time in Italy. I now feel more confident and positive about travel in general.

—Pam Grace

I enjoyed gathering each evening before dinner on the terrace for a relaxing glass of wine and a chance to connect with our group as well as other guests. The view of the valley was stunning, especially at sunset. One evening we were blessed not by one, but TWO rainbows over the valley. This was not like staying at the Holiday Inn!

I also really enjoyed our thoughtful Italian hosts, Francesca and Randall, who introduced us to the incredible history of the estate. Their commitment to sustainability and the earth was tremendously inspiring.

—Eileen Mack