OVERVIEW

ELLEE’S FAB FASHION/FOOD/FESTIVITIES

Join Ellee while she celebrates a milestone birthday in the fabulous heart of Italy. Join us in the capital of Tuscany and heart of the Renaissance - Florence, Italy where we’ll enjoy a week of amazing cuisine, wine, wellness, self-care, tours, art, fashion, and getting a taste of la dolce vita!

HOTEL

Our week will be spent at the beautiful Villa Cora - just outside the bustling city center, surrounded by gardens and vistas - a true retreat feel. A “Leading Hotel of The World” group hotel, Villa Cora is a five-star award-winning hotel in a stunning part of Florence.

Step back into 19th-century opulence, in a converted noble estate, set inside a centuries-old park overlooking the Boboli gardens, just minutes from the city center. At home in its elegant rooms and suites and magnificent common areas, you will feel like a true Florentine aristocrat. Each floor of the Villa reflects a particular style, from Empress Eugénie and her passion for roses, to an oriental style, to the America of the 1950s. Created in harmony with the seasons, memorable gourmet meals are served in the Moorish room or at Le Bistrot. The Bellevue roof terrace is the perfect spot for enjoying impressive views and mesmerizing sunsets, while the heated pool is open all year round for relaxation. The Benè Spa boasts a tepidarium, sauna, hammam and gym. A complimentary shuttle ensures guests can easily reach key points in the city. — lhw.com

SURROUNDING AREA / ACTIVITIES

Our day trips will allow us to experience the many unique landscapes and activities that this city and area has to offer. We will begin our week with a welcome dinner with a lookout over Florence and the next day a walking tour to introduce us to this incredible collection of masterpieces that make up this unique city. We’ll enjoy some insights into the creative energies of artisan crafts and fashion as well. The next day we’ll head to the nearby countryside for some vistas and a winery visit before a cooking class with dinner and an accompanying opera concert. The middle of the week we’ll decompress with a spa day on site then a fashion visit once again into town for a museum visit and fancy aperitivo before a pizza party dinner.

The next day we’ll head out of town to the nearby Tuscan town of Arezzo, where the Oscar-winning film “Life Is Beautiful” was set, to learn about the Renaissance and pre-Renaissance inspiration of the area before a truffle dinner. Then the week will conclude with more of Florence as we wander through the Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace before a wine tasting lunch, followed by a visit to the famous Uffizi Galleries and a wine pairing farewell dinner. Each day we’ll enjoy a yoga class, and a couple of creativity classes will be offered to help guests connect to the present moment.

CUISINE

Healthful food is part of the retreat, drawing on the in-season harvests from the local area. Daily breakfast is prepared on-site and the itinerary includes most dinner and lunches as well, many incorporating a visit or experience in the nearby area. We've carefully chosen delicious and fresh meals from renowned restaurants and chefs that will give guests an expansive experience of the cuisine. Throughout the week we will get to sample several of the regional specialties like olive oil, coffee, wine, cheese, and some in-season truffle! We'll relish in a range of local eateries, like cantinas, family osterias, and award-winning chefs and have hands-on experiences with an Italian cooking class.

YOUR HOSTS

ERIN LEWIS

Erin is the founder of EAT.PRAY.MOVE and now calls Italy home. She loves to share this area with guests and finds that there is a yogic spirit of connection (to oneself, others, and the present moment) by traveling and experiencing new things. Besides carrying this practice throughout the week and allowing our senses to be heightening with our activities, meals, and time together, Erin will also offer a daily meditation and yoga class to help us relax and restore and reconnect. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced.

JULIAN HYZLER

EPM collaborator, Julian Hyzler, has lived in Italy for over 15 years and is an artist, art teacher, and the founder of Easel&Lens Art Experiences. He’s guided groups throughout Italy and abroad for many years and will be our guide on various creativity classes throughout the week as well as imparting knowledge about the cities and places we visit during our tours and day trips with extensive knowledge about the culture and art background of the Renaissance and pre-Renaissance areas such as Florence and Arezzo.

* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!

DETAILS

• 7 days / 6 nights (Nov 11-17, 2023)

INCLUDED*:

• Private villa accommodation (spacious bedrooms each with private bathrooms, linens)

• Daily Breakfast

• Selected Lunches & Dinners

• Welcome Aperitivo & Orientation Reception

• Transportation to/from day trips

• Daily yoga class

• Creativity / Art classes

• Use of yoga mats

• Use of hotel amenities (pool, spa, gardens, etc.)

• Walking Tour of Florence with Site Visits

• Ferragamo Museum Visit

• Italian Artisan tour and demo

• Chianti daytrip

• Winery visit, tour and tasting

• Cooking class in countryside

• Dinner and Opera

• Daytrip to Arezzo with walking tour of Renaissance and pre-Renaissance sites

• Truffle Dinner

• Visit to Gucci Museum + Aperitivo at Gucci Garden

• Boboli Gardens + Pitti Palace entrance

• Uffizi Galleries Tour

• Wine Tasting Lunch

• Spa day at on-site spa with Treatment

• Taxes

* airfare not included
**activities may change based on weather or unforeseen circumstances such as weather, etc

TRAVEL:

• Located in Florence, Italy

• MAIN AIRPORT: Florence Peretola Airport (FLR)

• NEARBY AIRPORTS: Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Pisa Airport (PSA) From both airports there are easy train connections to Florence Train Station where you can get a taxi to the hotel. Or private cars can be arranged.

• TRAIN STATION: Florence (FIRENZE SMN, Santa Maria Novella)

• We can provide recommendations for a private driver or public transportation. Taxis are available at any time from Chiusi Station, and private cars are available for door-to-door service from airports.

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.

• YOGA MATS ARE PROVIDED

• CREATIVITY CLASS SUPPLIES ARE PROVIDED

• Bathing suit (on-site pool, spa)

• Yoga clothes

• Plug adaptors / converters

• Comfortable walking shoes