May 4–9, 2027 · Val D'Orcia, Tuscany
There's a particular kind of tired that doesn't go away with a weekend off. You know the one — the tired that sits behind your eyes during a Tuesday staff meeting, the tired that makes you scroll your phone instead of falling asleep, the tired that whispers when was the last time I felt like myself?
That's who this retreat is for.
In this article:
1. A Retreat Born From a Real Friendship
In 2025, I started working with Lisa, an experienced yoga teacher from New Hampshire, to build something neither of us had done before: a retreat that felt less like a curated wellness product and more like being welcomed into a Tuscan family for a week. In 2026, that idea became real — and it worked. Our guests left lighter, sun-kissed, and a little reluctant to go home.
For 2027, we're bringing it back, and we're making it even better.
2. Why May
We chose May 4–9 on purpose. It's wildflower season in Tuscany — the hills are green and blooming, not yet baked by summer heat. The days are long and gentle, perfect for lingering outdoors without rushing back inside. It's the kind of light that makes everything look like a painting, and the kind of air that makes you actually want to be in it.
3. A Home in the Hills, Not a Hotel
We return to the same intimate retreat property we fell in love with — perched among Tuscany's rolling hills with an unobstructed view of Pienza and Montepulciano. Every comfort is here, but nothing about it feels corporate or staged.
That's largely thanks to Antonella, the property's owner. She's a beekeeper, an organic olive oil producer, and a patron of the arts — and she treats every guest like family, inviting you into her home and sharing her culinary secrets with the kind of warmth you can't manufacture.
4. What Your Week Looks Like
Mornings begin gently with Lisa leading yoga sessions designed to be accessible to every body and every level — no pretzel poses required, just movement that meets you where you are.
Around that foundation, I've built a week of experiences rooted in the land itself: slow, authentic, and connected to the people who actually live here.
Sound healing under an oak tree. On your first evening, Maria Cristina — my favorite sound healer — will guide a meditation woven with live instruments, helping the group set intentions for the week ahead.
Wild foraging & a hands-on cooking class. Caterina, a local botanist and mycologist, will lead you through the surrounding countryside to discover wild herbs, then bring you to the table for a masterclass on cooking with what you've found.
A morning with the bees. Antonella will open up her apiary, sharing stories and honey lore that remind you just how connected — and fragile — this ecosystem really is.
Pool afternoons and village wandering. Plenty of unstructured time to swim, breathe, and explore nearby hilltop towns steeped in centuries of history and beauty.
What You'll Actually Take Home
You'll be welcomed like part of a new family. You'll learn to stop fearing carbs — we Italians eat pasta every single day, and somehow we're fine. You'll sit around a long table for hours without once reaching for your phone. And when you go back to work, you'll bring an energy with you that no long weekend at home could ever give you.
This isn't a retreat about pushing yourself. It's about putting everything down for five days — and picking it back up again as someone a little more rested, a little more rooted, and a lot more you.
The Sweet Earth Retreat runs May 4–9, 2027, in the hills between Pienza and Montepulciano, Tuscany.
Spots are intentionally limited (only 8 spots!) to keep this experience intimate. If this is calling to you, don't wait too long to reach out.
