Join Radiance yoga teacher Jacinta O’Leary for a glorious retreat in the beautiful Tuscan countryside staying at Villa Benvenuti, just outside the medieval city of Lucca. Based on dedicated twice daily yoga and inspirational guided walks, the retreat combines cultural tours, sightseeing, wonderful regional food and a stunning setting for a deeply relaxing, rejuvenating and inspiring Italian yoga holiday.

Villa Benvenuti is a beautifully restored 17th century villa perched high on a hillside overlooking a panorama of olive groves, fruit trees and vineyards with a lovely pool and extensive gardens. Each day begins with inspirational morning yoga in the dedicated yoga space followed by a scrumptious buffet breakfast on the terrace. After breakfast head off for a guided walk through nearby villages, pilgrimage routes and local trails or enjoy one of our optional group day trips. Before lunch we gather for a core strength class or a guided meditation. Afternoon restorative yoga is followed by a nourishing candlelit dinner under the stars. Before bed we gather for Yoga Nidra, a guided relaxation for a good nights sleep…

Apart from all the yoga and walks the retreat offers a choice of inspiring optional tours including a day trip to the amazing Cinque Terra walking between World Heritage listed villages, enjoying a dip in the beautiful sea and lunch on the hillside overlooking the Mediterranean. There’s a guided cycle tour around Lucca exploring the beautiful streets, cathedrals, gardens and museums. You can also opt to learn Tuscan cooking in-house, attend a local vineyard for a wine tasting with a traditional lunch.  Another tour showcases the historical Villa’s of the region and there’s always plenty of opera to attend in Lucca – being the birthplace of Puccini. Of course you may simply opt to relax around the Villa, swim and daydream in the beautiful gardens…

This inspirational retreat Includes:
7 nights deluxe accommodation at Villa Benvenuti
morning and afternoon yoga classes with Jacinta O’Leary
All delicious vegetarian meals (excluding group dinner out mid week)
village walks and other daily hikes including one to a hilltop village with a picnic lunch
group trip to a beautiful nearby town full of art and culture, dining out a local restaurant
evening meditations and yoga nidra
pre-lunch core strength classes
unlimited water, fruit and herbal teas and fresh juices with breakfast
wine with dinner and afternoon tea, aperitivo with prosecco on the last night
use of all yoga equipment and villa facilities
airport transfers from Pisa airport (scheduled pick-up at 3:00pm)
free pick up form Lucca train or bus station

*Massage and range of holistic treatments are available in-house (€75 per hour)

About the yoga: For this Radiance Retreat yoga is taught by Jacinta O’Leary who’s inspirational classes are designed for all levels from the beginner to the experienced practitioner. Jacinta is a passionate Iyengar Yoga teacher who’s been teaching on Radiance Retreats in Spain and Italy. Her classes cater to all levels, with a focus on developing the foundations of the yoga postures. This is of particular benefit to yoga beginners, as well as those with more experience who want to refine their personal practice and go deeper. Her classes combine dynamic physical work with soothing and relaxation practice for deep restoration, as well as meditation and pranayama. Many variations of the postures are given so people can practice according to their experience with plenty of individual attention and yoga adjustments.

A sample retreat day:
7.00 am             morning yoga
9.00 am             cleansing juice and nutritious breakfast on the terrace
10.30 am           free time or depart for one of our inspiring walks or other optional excursion
1.30 pm             core strength class followed by delicious lunch at the villa
3.00 pm             free time to explore local villages, nature walks, relax or  enjoy an in-house massage
6.00 pm             afternoon restorative yoga & meditation
8.00 pm             delicious home cooked dinner using fresh pickings from the garden or local producers.
9.00 pm             yoga nidra (lying down relaxation)

Villa Benvenuti  is located just thirty minutes from Pisa and one hour from Florence. Everything at Villa Benvenuti has been arranged with nature and simplicity in mind with traditional terracotta tile flooring and wooden beams, simple and elegant furnishings and beautiful outdoor living spaces. The grounds are extensive and lush with both formal and informal garden areas. There are several grassed terraces for enjoying the beautiful vistas, a secret garden waiting to be discovered and a swimming pool set away from the house amongst olive groves and oak trees.

About the food:  Our retreat menu is vegetarian with delicious healthy meals based on what is in season and the region’s specialities. As we are in Tuscany, we do indulge in organic cheeses, pasta, breads, wines and other delights, and so this retreat is not a strict cleanse but offers plenty of healthy choices. Food is organic where possible and sourced from the Villa’s vegetable garden or from local producers. Wine, olive oil, herbs, vegetables & fruit are all produced in abundance on the estate and provide the essential ingredients for our deliciously fresh, vegetarian meals, cleansing juices and herbal teas. Special dietry requests can be catered for, just let us know when booking.

Retreat cost:
Twin room with shared bathroom 1250 euro pp
Single room with shared bathroom 1450 euro pp
Twin room with private ensuite bathroom 1450 euro pp
Single room with private ensuite bathroom 1650 euro pp
7 nights / 8 days
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Many people coming on their own opt to share a room, we put you with a same gender person. Otherwise you can book a single room. 

Some of the optional excursions & costs
Apart from lots of yoga and healthy daily walks through gorgeous countryside the retreat offers a range of optional excursions, you can choose to:
day trip to Cinque Terra (50-80 Euro pp)
hire a bike for the week and explore the local area at your leisure (€80 pp)
join a Tuscan cooking class (€50 pp)
join a guided visit to the beautiful medieval city of Lucca, a lively historic town still encircled by an imposing 16th century wall and full of cafes and shops ( €20 pp including transport and informal guided tour),
join a half-day wine tasting excursion to Lucca Hills & Montecarlo with lunch included (€75pp).

Not included in the price: airfares, optional excursions and activities (these are very affordable) and dinner when we eat out. Transfers from Florence or elsewhere can be arranged. Let us know upon booking.

Getting to Villa Benvenuti:
By Air
If you are flying into Italy, the closest international airports are Pisa & Florence. Pisa International Airport (Galileo Galilei) is 35 minutes away by car (www.pisa-airport.com). Easyjet, Ryanair and British Airways serve the UK. Delta flies direct to NYC and there are numerous flights to Germany, France, Switzerland and the rest of Europe. Florence International Airport (www.aeroporto.firenze.it) is approx 1 hour by car and has many flights to connecting hubs within Europe.
By Train (www.trenitalia.it)
All airports are connected via the Italian railway system. Lucca train station is the closest station to Villa Benvenuti.
By Car
Villa Benvenuti is located in San Macario in Monte – a small village approx 15 minutes from Lucca. A map showing the route from Pisa, Florence, Rome, Milan and Lucca to Villa Benvenuti will be supplied with confirmation of booking. The main car hire companies operate from Pisa and Florence airports, car hire is also available in Lucca.
Buses: There are local buses which serve San Macario in Piano (www.clapspa.it) and buses which serve all the main towns and cities in Tuscany which depart from Piazzale Verdi in Lucca (www.lazzibus.it)

More retreat details and information about how best to get to the retreat are emailed to you upon registering or email for more information. We can also assist you with flight bookings.

WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SHARED ABOUT THEIR RETREAT EXPERIENCE:

"I feel utter bliss at the end of the Italy retreat from the fabulous yoga, the divine villa and those running it, amazing fresh, local food, the excursion to the archetypical Tuscan town as well as many trips to Lucca. I made some great new friends. Nights were spent in the Piazzas watching children play, cellists, magicians and tango dancers. The half moon rising over the cypress trees in the villa's garden was a very special sight. Seeing a large family of wild boar running in the grounds from my window at 6am a treat. The yoga calm has stayed with me all the way home and into my working days. This was my third Radiance Retreat and it will not be my last"
Sheena, 54, Naturopath - Tuscany Yoga & Walking Retreat 2012

"Nowhere to go and nothing to do - Jessie shows you how to just BE. Her serenity is infectious!"
Adrienne, 38, Wife, Mother, Business Owner

"A beautiful location with inspiring and heartfelt tuition from Jessie and her helpers. An experience to be treasured and aspire to be repeated."
Cathryn, 53, Remedial Massage Therapist and Yoga Instructor

"Thank you Jessie and team. My purposes in attending this retreat have been met - and more! I leave feeling healthy, flexible, refreshed and relaxed."
Kate, 61, Leadership Coach and Writer

"With Jessie you take a journey, learning the practice of yoga in a supported environment, cleansing your body with ease, and remembering that with balance in your life you become the person you are."
Alix, 44, Public Servant

"Radiance Retreat was an exceptional experience on all levels. Such care and nuturing support from all staff. Wonderful food with soul--Thank you."
Dianne Fisher, Client Services Manager/Financial Planning

Click here to read more Radiance Retreats Testimonials

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from previous retreats