6-Day Yoga and Permaculture Retreat in Italy's Abruzzi National Park

The retreat takes place on a family-run organic farm in the mountains of Lazio, on the edge of the Abruzzi National Park. The farm grows a wide variety of Mediterranean fruits and vegetables, and the family cooks with them daily. You'll find a lively community of volunteers living on the farm, so the atmosphere is a mix of retreat, homestay, and intentional community. It's a place where you can be as social or as quiet as you like, and where most guests end up feeling at home by the second day.

Each day begins with a yoga class on the wooden platform in the forest, just a five-minute walk from the farm. The teachers are international—Ana and Michael are both experienced in tantra and hatha yoga, and Antonello, who runs the farm, also teaches. The practice is suitable for all levels, and it's a calm, steady start to a day that might include hiking, a walking meditation by the lake, or simply time to read in the garden. The schedule is loose; you'll plan the next day's activities together over dinner the night before.

A highlight for many is the visit to the Oasi Verde permaculture property, run by Eli. It's a 90-minute introduction to how a small family can live off-grid and in harmony with the land. You'll tour the orchard with its 25-plus fruit and nut trees, learn about no-dig gardening, composting, and water management, and get a real sense of how the principles of permaculture can be applied in daily life. It's far from a dry lecture—it's inspiring, and it's a big part of what makes this retreat different.

One of the reasons guests return is the meals. Dinner is a communal affair, served at a long table with the other guests and volunteers. Four nights a week you'll eat at the farm; the other three, you'll go to a nearby local restaurant for a change of scene and a taste of the region. The food is vegetarian or vegan, made with organic vegetables from the farm, and it's the kind of simple, healthy Italian cooking that feels like a hug. Breakfast comes after yoga, with fresh bread, jam, fruit, eggs, and porridge, and lunch is available for an extra €11 if you're hungry after exploring.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation in your chosen room type - Daily yoga classes (2 per day) - Breakfast and dinner (as specified) - One 1-hour treatment: reiki or massage - One walking meditation in the lake nature reserve - Visit to the Oasi Verde permaculture site (90-minute tour) - Free WiFi - Luggage storage - Use of farm's common areas and garden - Access to hiking trails from the property

What's not included

- Airport transfers (FCO not provided) - Travel insurance - Flights costs - Visa fees - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments (e.g., Thai massage, extra reiki sessions) - Lunches (available at €11 per meal) - Personal expenses