Italian Riviera Yoga & Hiking Wellness Escape in Cinque Terre

The retreat is based at Ginepri, a stone farmhouse and barn sitting on four hectares of private land in the Lunigiana hills of northern Tuscany. It's about an hour from Pisa airport, positioned halfway between Cinque Terre to the north and the Versilia coast to the south. The property has a pool, gardens, and views across to the marble peaks of the Apuan Alps.

Yoga runs daily, led by Maité, an E-RYT 500 instructor with close to twenty years of teaching experience. She trained in Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Yin, and Aerial Yoga, and has logged over 10,000 hours of instruction across retreats worldwide. Sessions happen on the villa's terrace or in the garden, depending on the weather and the group's energy. Expect a mix of flowing sequences in the morning and slower, restorative work later in the day.

The hiking programme is led by Marco Brizzi, a certified local guide who knows the Cinque Terre trails better than the tourist maps. He takes the group to beaches and coves that aren't on the standard itinerary — places you'd never find on your own. Two guided hikes are included, plus a full day visiting the five villages by train and boat. All transport during the retreat — shuttles, trains, and ferries — is covered.

Meals are handled by Lilla, who doubles as a Thai Yoga Massage therapist (optional, not included). Breakfasts are buffet-style with fresh fruit, yogurt, homemade granola, and hot dishes. Lunches are vegetarian, often packed as picnics for hike days. Dinners feature Italian dishes made with local produce — Mirco's cooking class mid-week gives you a hands-on look at regional recipes.

The photoshoot isn't an afterthought. Léone has designed specific concepts around the Italian aesthetic — think flowing fabrics, golden light, and vineyard backdrops. She's present throughout the week capturing candid moments, and each guest gets a dedicated session for portraits. You leave with files you can actually use, not just phone snaps.

Groups run between seven and twelve people, so the villa feels full but not crowded. The vibe is intergenerational — past retreats have drawn guests from their late twenties to their sixties — and while most attendees are women, men are welcome too.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in a restored Tuscan stone villa - 3 daily meals (breakfast buffet, vegetarian lunch, Italian dinner) - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Welcome drink on arrival - Daily yoga classes with Maité (E-RYT 500) - Two guided hikes to hidden beaches and coves with Marco - Full day excursion to Cinque Terre villages - Wine tasting experience in a lemon garden - Cooking class and dinner with local chef Mirco - Individual Dolce Vita photoshoot with Léone - Professional event photography throughout the week - All on-site transportation (shuttle, train, boat transfers) - Luggage storage on departure day - Wifi throughout the property - Use of pool and villa facilities - All yoga equipment (mats, blocks, props)

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Airport transfers (available for €180 per person each way) - Optional Thai Yoga Massage with Lilla - Additional spa treatments - Activities not listed in the itinerary - Personal expenses - Alcoholic beverages beyond included wine tasting