Join experienced Radiance Yoga teacher Jessie Chapman in the glorious Tuscan country side just outside the medieval walled city of Lucca for an inspirational week of dedicated yoga practice, scenic guided walks, beautiful sightseeing, wonderful regional food and an immersion into the inspiring art and culture of Tuscany.

We stay 7 nights at Villa Benvenuti, a beautifully restored 17th century villa perched high on a hillside overlooking a panorama of olive groves, fruit trees and vineyards. Each day we journey through morning and afternoon yoga in the dedicated yoga studio overlooking landscaped gardens or outside on the grassed terraces. After breakfast we’ll hike along ancient pilgrimage routes and trails exploring local villages with wonderful vistas.

Retreat Inclusions:
7 nights accommodation at Villa Benvenuti
morning and afternoon yoga classes with Jessie Chapman
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
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 facilites
massage and holistic treatments are available in-house (€75 per hour)
airport transfers from Pisa airport (scheduled pick-up at 3:00pm)
free pick up form Lucca train or bus station

As well as all the yoga and scenic walks there's a selection of optional activities to enjoy including bike riding, a Tuscan cooking class and wine tasting or you may opt to simply take time for contemplation and rest in the picturesque surroundings of Villa Benvenuti.  In house massage and holistic treatments are also available. In the late afternoons, we come together for afternoon yoga before recounting our day’s experiences over a delicious dinner at the villa. 

Jessie has been practicing yoga since 1991 and teaching since 1996. Her inspirational classes are designed for all levels from the beginner to the experienced practitioner. Jessie allows people to journey deep into their practice with awareness and ease. The classes combine gentle warm up sequences with Vinyasa yoga (moving through the postures with breath awareness) and holding in postures to build strength, stability and alignment. Many variations of the postures are given so people can practice according to their experience. All levels are well catered for. People are challenged 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. 

Optional excursion 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:
hire a bike for the week and explore the local area at your leisure (80 Euro pp)
join a Tuscan cooking class (30 Euro 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 ( 30 Euro pp including transport and informal guided tour),
join a half-day wine tasting excursion to Lucca Hills & Montecarlo with lunch included (75 Euro pp).
Not included in the prices: 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