The Tuscany Experience - POSTPONED

PranaVerdana Mindful Travel is special! 

Not only is the destination of Tuscany truly amazing, but this trip is infused with daily yoga, mindfulness, and great company. Everything about this trip is intentional. We've worked with the best Italian tours professional, consulted experienced Italian travelers, and given much attention to the flow of the itinerary to create a vibrant experience. Review the Itinerary below and you'll see!  The vision of this trip has been with me for awhile and I am absolutely thrilled that it is manifesting. Be a part of it!

September is the best time to travel in Italy. The weather is great and the summer tourist season is finished. We stay in two beautiful Villas in the Tuscan countryside about an hour south of Florence. The total number of participants is 18. Four of those spaces are already filled with the hosts, so 14 spaces are available. The trip is amazing and priced really well, so these spots will go quickly.  A deposit of $1,500 secures your spot. The balance is due 60 days before departure. Let me know if you have any questions.

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY (PDF)

Trip Itinerary

CODES: B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner V=Villal G=Guide ET=Entrance Ticket

PD=Private Driver PT=Private Transfer WT=Wine Tasting Y=Yoga CL=Cooking Lesson

Day 1 Friday September 11, 2020 - Depart USA

International flights USA – Florence (Tuscany), Italy, booked independently.

Day 2 Saturday September 12, 2020 - Arrive Florence, Villa

Buongiorno e Benvenuti/Welcome to La Bella Italia! Upon arrival at Florence International Airport meet your private driver in the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name, for transfer to your villa in the Tuscan countryside. You will have the remainder of the afternoon to rest or relax at the Villa, adjusting to the time change. You will have sunset yoga (tea, juice and water provided) before you share your first meal together in Italy. Overnight at villa. PT/D/Villa/Y

Day 3 Sunday September 13, 2020 Day trip to San Gimignano

Sunrise yoga and breakfast at the Villa. Meet with your driver this morning for transfer to the idyllic hamlet of San Gimignano. You will enjoy a cooking lesson together in a local farmhouse, where you will learn how to prepare healthy Tuscan specialties and then enjoy them for lunch! Following your cooking lesson, you will have time to independently explore the beautiful and genuine Tuscan town of San Gimignano, which we like to refer to as an outdoor living room. This tiny and pristine city has remained intact over the centuries and is situated on top of the rolling hillside. It is famous for its numerous medieval bell towers, frescoes and other art treasures. Here you can also try some of Italy’s best artisan gelato! Return to the villa with your driver in the early evening. Sunset yoga and villa for overnight. B/PD/L/CL/Villa/Y

Day 4 Monday September 14, 2020 Cinque Terre

Breakfast at the villa and then departure for the Cinque Terre. The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre, are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, for “Cinque” in Italian means five. The unusual landscape of this area was created by a series of folds that were formed when the rocks were pushed, raised and pressed together during the Tertiary period. Through millions of years of erosion, countless mini peninsulas and bays have slowly formed gifting this terrain with its modern-day façade. From the study of jewelry and decorated shells that have been found through significant archaeological excavation, it has been proven that prehistoric man inhabited this stretch of coastline from very early times. Enjoy time at your own pace. Instead of an organized guided tour, you will engage in leisurely exploration of this majestic land with its characteristic towns and rugged seashore. Engulfed in wind kissed vineyards, Le Cinque Terre is a chain of five small paesi (or villages) which are connected by foot paths. Quite undiscovered until recently, it is a wonderful chance to indulge in the old world charm and grace of everyday Italian life. Much walking on less than perfect terrain is required during this leg of the tour. You may also choose to take a romantic stroll along the Via D’Amore. Yoga and overnight at villa. B/PD/Villa/Y

Day 5 Tuesday September 15, 2020 Day trip to Chianti

Sunrise yoga and breakfast at villa. This morning, meet your private driver for a scenic ride to Greve in Chianti. There you will partake in a delicious and memorable wine tasting and lunch at our favorite castle in all of Tuscany! Enjoy learning about the gastronomical wonders of this area. The 14th century castle and rolling hills are a perfect backdrop to this meal. After this amazing experience, return to the villa with your driver in the late afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Sunset yoga and overnight at villa. B/PD/WT/L/Villa/Y

Day 6 Wednesday September 16, 2020 Day trip to Orvieto

Sunrise yoga and breakfast together. This morning meet your driver for a lovely ride through the Italian countryside to a beautiful town in Umbria called Orvieto. The origins of Orvieto date back to the Etruscan Civilization.

The first Etruscan settlements, going back to the 9th century B.C., in fact were found inside the tuffaceous caves in the bedrock upon which today rises the city itself. You may choose to visit the Duomo as it is the most famous Cathedral of the city. Construction of this Italian Gothic style structure took 100 years to complete and dates back to 1263. The Duomo houses the blood-soaked cloth which is the relic related to the miracle at Lake Bolsena which occurred in the same year. The modern day Roman Catholic Festival of Corpus Christi is a result of this miracle. Another possible sight could be Saint Patrick’s Well, or you may simply enjoy sitting and sipping a cold glass of local white wine as you observe the local color of the town.

We will arrange for you to have lunch in one of our favorite restaurants in Umbria. It is an ancient rope-makers cave that has been transformed into a unique restaurant that serves delicious food. If shopping is your goal, there are many beautiful shops to explore as well. One of our favorite things to do is to sit back and observe the Orvietani (citizens of Orvieto) themselves, as Orvieto is a very tranquil and contained city and independent exploration is a pleasure. After your time her, meet your driver for a ride back to the villa. Sunset yoga and villa for overnight. B/PD/L/Villa/Y

Day 7 Thursday September 17, 2020 Day trip to Florence

Breakfast at the villa. Today, you will meet your driver at the villa for private transfer to Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance. Upon arrival, meet your private bilingual and certified guide for a pleasant 3-hour walking tour of the city. This morning you will visit the Galleria Academia to view the beautiful sculptures by Michelangelo, the slaves or prisoners of the rocks and the unforgettable statue of David. The Academia houses some of the most important sculptures of Florence (to avoid the long lines, we will prearrange entrance tickets for you). Then you are on to the famous Duomo of Florence (the fourth largest church in the world), with its grandiose cupola by Brunelleschi, Giotto's bell tower, and the Baptistery with its famous bronze doors. Your guided tour will include the Piazza Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio. During your free-time, you may choose to rest at a local trattoria or visit the open-air markets of the San Lorenzo or the Mercato Del Porcellino. In the late afternoon to return to the Villa for sunset yoga. Dinner and overnight. B/PD/G/ET/D/Villa/Y

Day 8 Friday September 18, 2020 Down day at the Villa

Sunrise yoga and breakfast at the Villa. Entire day at leisure to reflect upon the cherished moments of the past week. Today you may enjoy a quiet walk on the beautiful property that our villa is located or a dip in our private pool. As well, you may simply enjoy gazing at the spectacular Tuscan Countryside surrounding you. Early evening farewell dinner and prepare for overseas flights. Overnight at the Villa. B/D/Villa/Y

Day 9 Saturday September 19, 2019 Depart Florence

Breakfast at the Villa and check out. Meet your private transfer to the Florence International Airport for return flights to the USA. Arrivederci, Bella Italia! B/PT

Your custom itinerary includes:

• 24/7 concierge service from Diana & staff
• 7 nights in a villa
• 7 breakfasts
• private transfers/drivers as needed while in Italy
• 1 wine tasting
• 3 lunches, with wine
• 3 dinners, with wine
• daily yoga
• 1 cooking lesson
• 1 private bilingual certified guide
• 1 entrance ticket per person, skip the line

Custom itinerary, including yoga, is $3378 per person. A deposit of $1,500 secures your spot. The balance is due 60 days before departure. International airfare is NOT included. Single Room Supplement is $546.00 per person.