6 DAY RETREAT IN ITALY - 7 NIGHTS
6/26/25 through 7/1/25 (Please arrive on June 25th)
Thinking about a vacation in Italy this summer? Come join us for a fabulous retreat in the beautiful countryside of Umbria.
Hosted by Diane and Mike Doban along with Raquel Rosario of A Taste of Umbria, you will be in good hands for your entire vacation!
Everything is taken care of for you! You'll be picked up by our driver at the Rome Airport and taken to the beautiful and elegant resort La Ghirlanda in the gently rolling hills of Umbria. Plan on arriving on June 25th and you'll enjoy a delicious welcome dinner and prosecco at the resort.
Each room at La Ghirlanda is unique and furnished with antique furniture. You'll feel like you are experiencing the real "Old World" Italy at its best. The elegantly landscaped grounds will provide you with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the local beauty. Olive groves and vineyards surround the property, and you will have the opportunity to taste the olive oil and wines produced by the resort. The views from the hill are truly spectacular.
And yes, there are some furry friends!
The retreat consists of six days and seven nights, all included in the price. All meals, classes, excursions, and transportation to and from Rome Airport are also included. Upon arrival on the 25th of June, you will enjoy our welcome dinner featuring delicious local foods prepared by the La Ghirlanda chef, along with local wines
Three days are devoted to Yamuna Body Rolling classes taught by Diane Doban, certified Yamuna Body Rolling practitioner. Whether you are a beginner, or are very familiar with the technique - it really doesn't matter, as everything is explained in detail. Plus, Yamuna Body Rolling is easy to do! Your body will immediately feel the benefits. All equipment and mats are provided for you. The classes are conducted outside on the grounds of the resort. You'll also have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the pool, read a book, take a stroll through the lavender and wild flower lined paths, or whatever you'd like to do. There are even some bicycles available.
Another two days we will be exploring Umbria, and then a cooking class at La Ghirlanda resort where the Contessa will show you how to prepare authentic Italian cuisine. Afterwards, we'll enjoy the meal we prepared at their beautiful al fresco restaurant. The other excursions will include a delicious lunch. You'll be back at the resort in time to enjoy a light dinner.
We haven't yet decided what our other excursions will include, but we are in the process of mulling them over. There are so many beautiful and interesting things to see, including medieval hill towns, visiting wineries, olive oil producers, etc.
One thing we're thinking about might be going to see a demonstration of a truffle hunt. The truffle farm is the very same place featured in the Stanley Tucci series "Searching for Italy" Season 2, Episode 3. We did this in 2023, and it was a blast! Not to mention the luncheon served on the terrace with spectacular views while we enjoyed dishes flavored with local truffles. Let us know if this is something you'd like to do!
And below, in 2023, our group enjoying a truffle-themed lunch on the terrace.
Other possibilities include the town of Deruta, famous for exquisite ceramics, where the technique dates back to medieval times. Or maybe Spoleto, famous for its art festivals including dance and jazz. Or Todi, another medieval hill town with its charming artisan shops and museums. The possibilities are endless, but rest assured, we will have a fabulous itinerary planned for you.
Last year, at the retreat, we had the opportunity to visit a local outdoor market, "mercato", which is a ton of fun, and you can find some real bargains and unusual gifts. We'd like to include that as well if possible.
One of the most enjoyable things is having these wonderful meals prepared with the freshest ingredients, shared with our friends together. It absolutely warms my heart to spend time with our fabulous clients, taking time to get to know each other. Mike and I are really passionate about Umbria and all the local delicacies and we remain always in surprise how wonderful the food and drink are in Umbria.
Oh, and did I mention gelato? Every flavor you can possibly imagine!
In spite of inflation, we have decided to keep our prices the same as last year. You can rest assured that you are getting the maximum value for what we offer. Click the link below to check out pricing, and choose which room you'd like.
The day after the retreat, on July 2nd, you'll be transported back to the Rome Airport. From there, you have the option to fly back home, or........continue your vacation in Italy. Lots of guests make plans to spend an additional week or two visiting other sites, cities and towns in Italy. Pompeii, the archeological excavation is most definitely worth seeing, and that is near Naples. It dates back to 79 AD, and so much stuff is in amazing condition after being completely covered with volcanic ash, and even now, they are still discovering new things!
For more information, you can contact us directly either via email or phone, diane.doban@gmail.com or 818-913-2991
Here's a little video from the retreat 2023.
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