Umbria Yoga Retreat: Twice-Daily Practice in the Italian Hills

Days follow a steady rhythm. Meditation is at 7.30am, followed by a light breakfast at 8.15am and the main yoga practice at 9am. Lunch is at 11.30am, and the afternoon is free for day trips, spa treatments, massages, hikes or simply reading by the pool. A second, more restorative yoga session runs at 5.30pm, then supper at 7.30pm. The schedule leaves most of the middle of the day open.

What sets this apart from a generic yoga week is the setting. Locanda del Gallo sits on a ridge with views over gardens, woodland and terraced lawns, and the estate covers 70 acres including an olive grove. The spa is small and Moorish in style, with a Turkish bath and a tea salon. There is also a saltwater swimming pool and a jacuzzi hot tub. The property is midway between Gubbio and Perugia, so Assisi, Todi, Orvieto and Spoleto are all within reach for afternoon trips.

Claire Copersino leads the retreat. She is the founder and director of North Fork Yoga Shala in Greenport, New York, and runs the studio's retreat programme across Mexico, Costa Rica, Europe and northern Africa. She has been teaching for years and organises the excursions herself. The page does not list her specific certifications or training history.

The food is a highlight. The chef cooks in the Mediterranean tradition, staying close to the land and making everything from scratch. Vegetables come from the kitchen garden and the olive oil is produced on the estate. Meals are served three times a day, and the dining room is part of the main house.

Rooms vary in size and layout, from double bedrooms to a private cottage. Each has its own bathroom and furniture chosen by the owners, Paola and Irish, on their travels. The whole property is quiet, and the pace is slow. This is not a bootcamp or a detox; it is a week of yoga, walking and eating well in the Italian countryside.

What's included

- 7 nights/8 days at Locanda del Gallo - 3 delicious meals daily - A spacious yoga practice every morning - A gentler, more restorative afternoon practice - Use of the wellness centre including jacuzzi and steam bath - Use of the salt water swimming pool

What's not included

- Flights - Airport transfers - Travel insurance - Massages and spa treatments - Optional excursions - Personal expenses