Umbria Yoga and Cycling Retreat: A Week in the Italian Countryside

The retreat runs eight days and seven nights, from Saturday 5 September to Saturday 12 September 2026, based at Locanda del Gallo near Gubbio in Umbria. The estate sits on a hilltop off the beaten track, surrounded by 28 hectares of gardens, meadows, olive groves and woods, with views in every direction. It's been restored over 30 years by its owners, Paola and Irish, and furnished with pieces from their travels. Condé Nast Traveler described arriving there as "finding the Platonic Ideal of the Italian countryside inn."

Yoga is led by Julia Ingersoll. The morning class is a dynamic, alignment-based Hatha Flow, all levels, built around breath and strength rather than speed, and the practice is designed to build over the course of the week. Late-afternoon sessions are gentler and restorative. The shala is fully equipped with props, so you don't need to bring a mat. Participation in any of it is optional.

Cycling is the other half of the week. Rides are on quiet country roads and are led by a local guide team alongside Julia, with full vehicle support. Two routes are hilly, comparable to Tuscany but more rugged; two are mild-to-moderate and mostly flat, following the Via degli Ulivi through the Umbra river valley. Distances run from about 12 to 35 miles and you ride at your own pace. Electric-assisted bikes are available to rent and are recommended if you want the hills to be easier. If you'd rather not ride at all, there are signposted nature trails around the estate, including one to a waterfall, or you can take a seat in the support van.

Excursions fill the rest of the week. There's a guided day in Assisi, including the Basilica of Saint Francis, with a professional guide. There's a visit to a local wine-maker in an Umbrian castle and to the wineries around Montefalco. On the free day you can opt for an excursion to Perugia to shop. The routes and visits are chosen to take in the smaller towns of the Valle Umbra — Spello, Bevagna and Gubbio among them.

Julia has lived in Italy for close to a decade, is fluent in Italian, and has led more than 30 retreats there, including cycling tours, yoga retreats, culture tours and painting intensives. She trained at the Florence Academy of Art after retiring from professional bike racing, and the art and history of the region are part of how she leads the trips. She has long-standing relationships with local guides, producers and restaurants, which is how some of the visits happen.

Evenings follow the same rhythm: aperitivo at sunset, then a multi-course dinner at the Locanda with wine pairings. After dinner people tend to sit outside, use the jacuzzi, or keep talking. The atmosphere is relaxed and sociable rather than structured — the group eats together most nights, and the property is yours for the week.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation at Locanda del Gallo, a boutique country estate with spa - All bountiful meals for the week (except two simple lunches when out on tours) - Lunch at the Locanda on days you remain on the property - Daily yoga and meditation with Julia Ingersoll - Use of the fully equipped yoga studio with all props provided - Guided bike tours with a professional local guide team - Other guided excursions through the landscape to villages, abbeys and towns - Expertly guided tour of Assisi, including the Basilica of Saint Francis - Full access to the spa: jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, pools and tea room - Access to all property facilities, including the honesty bar with local wines, drinks, coffees and snacks - Regional vineyard visit to a local wine-maker in an Umbrian castle - Expertise and services of the experienced leaders and additional local guides - Transportation to all excursions and bike tour locations - Glass-bottled mineral water, flat and sparkling, with all meals

What's not included

- Airfare to Italy - Land transfer to the retreat (can be organised for you) - Bike rental - Two simple lunches out on tour days - Alcohol and drinks - Travel insurance