DOLOMITES, ITALY \ PEAKS + FOREST + FLOW \ OCT 12-17, 2025
DOLOMITES, ITALY \ PEAKS + FOREST + FLOW \ OCT 12-17, 2025
PEAKS + FOREST + FLOW - Join us in the spectacular Dolomite region of Italy 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.
HIGHLIGHTS: FOREST BATHING • SPA TREATMENTS • ALCHEMY CLASS • GARDEN TOUR
OVERVIEW
PEAKS + FORESTS + FLOW
Join us for daily movement, breath, and wellness, combined with adventures in this spectacular backdrop to stimulate our senses.
ACCOMMODATION
Illustrious. Exclusive. Privileged. Located on a mountain ledge high above Merano with views of the Adige valley, Castel Fragsburg Relais & Chateau is a great place to stay. It offers peace and quiet, far away from bustling cities and noisy traffic, paired with fresh, clear mountain air and wonderful views. It is a hideaway for exacting standards, while the guarantee of countless hours of sunshine will make your time on the terrace even sweeter.
A Place of Inspiration.
Castel Fragsburg has been created as a place where you can experience change and strive for fulfilment. Where life and love are celebrated. The extraordinary aura of the historical building provides strength and acts as a muse so that you can focus on yourself, explore new avenues and recognise and harness your body’s energy.
On the heights of Merano, in South Tyrol, stands Castel Fragsburg, an exceptional hotel from the 17th century, majestically perched above the town. Distinguished not only by its style, but also by its unique philosophy and art de vivre, it is a true refuge surrounded by glorious, unspoiled 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. Inside its twenty suites, discover elegant interiors that combine alpine comfort and Mediterranean sensuality for optimal relaxation. 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, where unforgettable moments under the sun are sure to be had. In the gourmet restaurant, the South Tyrolean chef highlights healthy regional products and invites you to savour exquisite aromas that also serve as wonderful elixirs of life.
SURROUNDING AREA
Our day trips will allow us to experience the many unique landscapes and activities that this area has to offer. We will not only enjoy the expansive grounds of the hotel, castle and gardens, but also will venture to a nearby winery for a tour and tasting one day before 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.
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. After some time to explore we’ll enjoy a gourmet meal in town.
Another day will be spent further in the mountains at a local farm to see how some of the food, plants, and products are produced - of course we’ll enjoy a lunch as well. Then we will round out the week with spa treatments at the on-site Healing Spa where the resident Alchemistic Spa uses the power and energies of nature to pamper and have an effect on the body, mind and soul in equal measure. We’ll also get to have a private lesson from this modern alchemist, an expert in natural healing, incense and holistic nutrition who combines the healing knowledge of her ancestors in a ‘biophilia expedition’ where we’ll learn about and use the plant-based concoctions.
One morning will be spent on a guided meditation walk of “Forest Bathing” (shinrin-yoku in Japanese) where we will full immerse ourselves in the healing nature of the forests surrounding the castle.
CUISINE
Healthful, vegetarian food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfast and dinner daily, as well as selected lunches. We've carefully chosen delicious and fresh meals from renowned restaurants and chefs which will give guests an expansive experience of the cuisine. Our dinners will include a few multi-course tasting menus at the hotel’s restaurant, emphasizing honest, healthy, and delicious Italian food, as well as various meals out in town and on our day trips. We’ll experience a visit to a winery for a tasting, a farm tour with samples of the local specialties, and learn about the nourishment that is foraged from the forests. We’ll end the week with a farewell dinner at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant with a tasting menu and wine pairing.
WELLNESS
Daily meditation and yoga will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced.* Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students' needs, and with our limited retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice.
At this location we will be practicing our meditation and yoga classes in various special spaces around the property - from terraced vistas overlooking the vast alp peaks, to grand ballrooms in the castle interior and a walled private garden.
AMY COMMANDER
Amy found yoga in 2003 after a knee injury from long distance running. Following the advice of a friend, she started taking classes in an effort to help get her knee healthy enough to continue running in marathons and racing. It did not take long for her to realize that yoga was a much healthier and more sustainable form of mental and spiritual exercise, eventually leaving running behind in favor of yoga. In 2008, Amy opened her first yoga studio that she successfully ran for over twelve years. In addition to being a studio owner and having over 14 years experience actively teaching, Amy is an accomplished intuitive. Having completed her advanced training with Astrologer Debra Silverman, Amy enjoys providing in-depth astrology readings to support members in their healing journey. She is also a certified master Reiki healer, an oracle/tarot reader, and certified holistic nutrition counselor. After losing one of her closest friends to cancer in 2020, Amy went back to school for nutrition, successfully graduating from IIN (Institute for Integrative Nutrition). Amy has since started a new business, Yogi Bites, offering nutrition services of all kinds, including home baked goods. She is the owner of “The Studio”, in St Augustine Florida.
* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!
DETAILS / PRICING
6 days / 5 nights (Oct 12-17, 2025)
Inclusive Retreat Price = $4,695 (shared Junior Suite*, +various supplements for upgraded room choices and single occupancy rooms. All viewable on sign up page)
Deposit to hold space = $1500
Max # Guests = 14
* Guests traveling alone can choose the shared room and we match up based on guest profile. Rooms are spacious with separate beds and private bathrooms.
** 50% of final balance due 120 days before retreat start date, and remaining 50% due 60 days before retreat start date.
Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.
INCLUDED*:
Hotel Accommodation (spacious bedrooms each with private bathrooms, linens)
Daily Breakfast and Dinner
Transportation to/from day trips
Daily yoga classes
Use of hotel amenities (spa, pool, gardens, trails)
Welcome Reception
Winery Visit, Tour & Tasting
Visit to the famous Trauttmansdorff Gardens & Castle
Time in the historic town of Merano
Gourmet Dinner in Merano
Visit to mountain farm for tasting (cheese, fermentation class, etc)
Spa Treatment
Guided Forest Bathing Meditation Walk
Biophilia Experience with Modern Alchemist
Michelin starred Dinner & Wine Pairing
Taxes
* airfare not included
** all meals are vegetarian. special dietary restrictions can be accommodated
*activities may change based on weather or unforeseen circumstances
TRAVEL:
Airports = Innsbruck (INN) and Verona (VRN), approx. 90 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by car
Bolzano (BZO), approx. 30-40 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by car
Closest Train Stations: Merano Train Station (approx. 30-40 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by taxi) and Bolzano Train Station(approx. 30-40 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by taxi)
You can get to Merano and Bolzano comfortably and conveniently by train from all neighboring airports
SUGGESTED PACKING:
Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.
Comfortable outdoor walking shoes
Swimsuit (pool, spa)
Weather-proof layers
Yoga clothes
Plug adaptors / converters
It was more than lovely 11 out of 10 trip! Meeting so many like-minded women, being able to bond and come together has filled my heart and soul with joy and love!