We are excited to share some insight into a new retreat location, the Dolomite region of Italy! We will be collaborating with TARA STILES of STRALA yoga this APRIL and wanted our EPM community to know more about this gorgeous mountain region in northern Italy.
Our home base for the week will be Castel Fragsburg Relais & Chateax, an exceptional hotel from the 17th century majestically perched above the town of Merano. Distinguished not only by its style, but also by its unique philosophy and art de vivre, it is a true refuge surrounded by glorious, unspoilt nature. From its elevated terraces, enjoy spectacular views over the Adige Valley; or bask in the heart of its five-hectare fairy-tale garden and reconnect with the beauty of the world through a celebration of the senses. This spirit is echoed in the Alchemistic Healing Spa, the first of its kind, which offers marvelous beauty treatments, as well as in the jacuzzi and the heated outdoor pool. We can not wait for the time to unplug and reconnect with nature!
One of our days will be spent visiting the famous Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, a botanical garden nestled into a twelve-hectare amphitheatre at an altitude differential of 100 meters. Trauttmansdorff offers spectacular views of exotic gardens and breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains and the spa resort town of Merano. The gently meandering paths through the garden offer visitors the opportunity to explore four garden worlds home to plants from all over the world, across sunny terraces and past gurgling stream waters.
Forests of the World offers shade, exotic ferns and primordial plants. This area features a glass house, home to tropical crop plants and orchids. As well as a Japanese Garden and Palm Beach, a beach of fine sand and shady palm trees, a tropical dream come true – with a twist: panoramic views of snow-capped mountain peaks.
The Sun Gardens will sweep you into an exotic, Mediterranean world. It includes the Forbidden Gardens, in this spine-chilling garden, Nichtlinde the Witch and Rostolph the Raven watch over a ragtag bunch of bizarre sculptures – symbols of the vilest work of witches – and many a poisonous plant. There is also a 700 year old olive tree and relaxing Lemon Terrace to round out your time in this garden!
The Water and Terraced Gardens area is graced by stairways and water features that connect various levels, where there are interesting elements of European landscape architecture: spherically manicured boxwood, geometric plantings, and a maze evoke the Italian Renaissance garden. These gardens feature a maze, sensory garden and palm grove with over 200 trees.
Finally we have The Landscapes of South Tyrol area of the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle which is set up along a man-made waterway: a mountain stream lined by green alder follows an alluvial forest with alders and willows then merges into lakeside vegetation with reeds and cattails. This area features a cottage garden, orchard and alluvial forest.
We also will take a day for some time in the town of Merano “where the Mediterranean meets the Alps”. A modern mix of culture, history, Mediterranean flair and Alpine charm gives the city in the heart of South Tyrol a levity typical within that region. Guests and locals alike can sense the joie de vivre that’s all part of the flair. Exclusive boutiques and bars have become an integral part of the picturesque alleyways, which are also lined with magnificent historical buildings. Go for a stroll along the promenades and alleyways that carve their way through this gem of a city or walk along the Tappeiner Promenade, past the Powder Tower, taking in the enticing aromas of the public herb garden and end up at the Mediterranean terraces.
We hope this gives you a little taste of what this beautiful region has to offer. Please come join us for a week of luxurious self-care, daily yoga, forest bathing meditation, spa time, and learning how to find ease and flow in our lives! Learn more about the retreat HERE.