Bring 4-6 friends. We'll create a week around you.
A private movement retreat in the Tuscan countryside combining intelligent movement, delicious food, nature, culture and plenty of time to simply enjoy being together.
A retreat made for your group
Imagine arriving in Tuscany with a handful of your favourite people and not having to organise a thing...
At Tranquilea, you have the house to yourselves. Mike takes care of the movement programme, a dedicated chef creates the food, and the rest of your week is shaped around what your group actually wants to experience.
Maybe that's a morning movement practice followed by a long brunch.
Have 1 longer movement class instead of 2 a day
A hike through the mountains and a swim in a cold river.
An afternoon exploring Lucca.
A cooking session in the kitchen.
A massage.
A wine tasting excursion at a bio dynamic winery.
There is no prescribed retreat schedule. We create it with you.
Your home for the week
Tranquilea is a beautifully renovated Tuscan home tucked into the hills near the village of Aquilea, a short drive from Lucca.
Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and the mountains of northern Tuscany, it's peaceful without being remote with Lucca, Pisa, the Tuscan coast and the Apuan Alps all within easy reach.
This isn't a purpose-built retreat centre.
It's a real home.
A place to cook, eat, move, read, swim, explore, talk late into the evening and slow down.
The kind of place where you can lose track of time.
Functional movement and mindfulness with Mike
Mike brings more than ten years of teaching and retreat experience to the week, combining yoga with contemporary movement science.
Sessions can include functional movement, strength, mobility, flexibility, breathwork, mindfulness and restorative practices all adapted to the people in your group.
No need to be flexible.
No need to be experienced.
No need to perform.
The practice is there to serve your body , not the other way around.
The amount, style and pace of movement is flexible, depending on what your group wants.
Food is a big part of the retreat
Good food is not an optional extra here.
Your meals are prepared by an experienced retreat chef, with the menu shaped around your group's preferences and the incredible seasonal produce of Tuscany.
Expect generous, vegetable-forward food, abundant brunches, relaxed dinners and plenty of opportunities to eat together.
You can also get hands-on with a cooking workshop and explore the connection between food, wellbeing and the local landscape.
Come for the movement. Stay for the food. Wine tasting is also an optional add on.
Discover Tuscan gems off the beaten path
Your retreat doesn't happen entirely at the house.
We can help you build experiences into the week depending on your interests:
LUCCA
Explore the medieval streets, markets, cafés and culture of one of Tuscany's most beautiful towns off the beaten mass tourist traps.
MOUNTAINS
Guided hikes through the surrounding countryside, adapted to different levels.
RIVER SWIMS
Take a dip in the fresh mountain water.
THE COAST
Head towards the Tuscan coast for a day by the sea.
CULTURE
Classical concerts, local events and other experiences can be incorporated into your stay.
SLOWER THINGS
Cooking, massage or bodywork, long lunches, informal sharing and importantly plenty of free time.
Everything is optional.
Because a retreat shouldn't feel like a timetable you have to survive.
Create memories worth a lifetime
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Yoga & Wellbeing Options
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Optional daily morning mindfulness meditation and breathwork
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2 functional movement/yoga classes per day
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Breathworkshops in nature
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Outdoor hikes or fitness training with a panoramic view
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Massage / cupping therapy
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1 on 1 coaching
Typical daily schedule format subject to group's requests
Here is an example of a typical schedule, however different activities will take place on different days.
08:00 Optional morning meditation, Sunrise Walk + Tea + Snacks
08:15 Movement Class
10.30 Brunch
11.30 Activity / Excursion
14.00 Village visits, nature stroll
16.00 Downtime
17:15 Grounding Afternoon Class
19.30 Dinner
20:30 Free time or evening activity
Sample extra activities
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Wine tasting
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Cultural excursion to Lucca
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Italian style lunch and coffee
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Italian cooking class
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Market visits
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Classical concert at a local church
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River swim
You will also have free time to unwind and there are many beautiful nature walks to do and charming villages to visit.
LOCATION
PRICE
TEACHERS & CHEFS
Tranquilea in Lucca, Italy.
Only 1 hrs drive from Florence.
Flights also available direct to Pisa. 40 mins drive from airport to house
Trains available to Lucca where pickup can be arranged
Check in: from 3pm
Check out from 11 am
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Equipped with vintage designed, light, spacious Italian country style rooms with shared bathrooms
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State-of-the-art yoga room designed with a Tuscan farmhouse feel merged with modern elements and equipped with yoga materials
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Small corners around the house to read, relax, meditate and journal
Nature walks nearby and in vicinity of many historic villages such as vibrant Lucca, Monte Carlo & Florence
Price range of twin shared rooms
Each appartment unit offers a panoramic view of olive groves and vineyards, creating an authentically Italian experience.
€ 300, (average price)- per person per day in a twin room with a spacious shared bathroom depending on your days
Price includes room, food and drink & packed lunches for the retreat, including food workshops
Suggested time frame 5 nights, 5 days
If coming with a group of 6, price is 1500 euros per person all in.
Mike Van Cauter
500 EYT teacher
Functional Movement, Hatha, Yin, Wall Yoga,
Movement for Injury Prevention and General Restoration & Balance
Sequences are generally stitched in a flow like manner or have a workshop style approach diving into specific themes
Experienced Meditation and Breathwork Coach
Beth Al Rikabi
Retreat Chef She’s just published her first cook book RETREAT KITCHEN, sharing the recipes and ramblings of her time travelling and working throughout Europe. She specialises in championing unsung ingredients, eating more sustainably and inspiring others to think differently around the food they eat. Her dishes are hugely creative with great attention paid to combining colours and textures as well as flavours
Chiara Le Piane
Chef and food stylist specialising in gut healthy foods. Immense information on nutrition and it's link to everyday wellbeing.