Autumn Olive Harvest & Daily Yoga Retreat in the Tuscan Hills

The retreat is based at Yogasole, a yoga studio and wellness space run by Aroonji and Sofia Mancini on their family's olive farm. The farm sits among olive groves and wooded hills in Fiesole, an elegant hillside town that overlooks Florence. You stay in Il Fienile, a self-contained apartment in a restored 15th-century building, with a private backyard and wide views of the Tuscan countryside.

Each day follows a gentle rhythm. At 07:30 there's morning yoga, breathwork, and grounding meditation. Breakfast is at 09:00, then the morning is spent either in the olive groves helping with the harvest or visiting the local press to see the olives turned into oil. Lunch is light, around 13:30, followed by free time until the evening practice on selected days. Dinner is a long, convivial affair with seasonal Tuscan dishes and the estate's own olive oil.

The heart of the experience is the olive harvest itself. You walk through the groves, learn how the trees are cared for, and if you want, help pick the fruit by hand. A visit to the press lets you witness the moment olives become the bright green 'olio nuovo', followed by guided tastings. It's a rare behind-the-scenes look at where premium olive oil comes from.

Aroonji leads the yoga and breathwork. Born in India, he's a certified Hatha Yoga instructor, trained Waldorf teacher, NLP-certified life coach, and Ayurveda consultant, with experience across India, the USA, and Europe. Sofia, his wife, is a certified massage therapist and music educator who offers therapeutic massage and creative workshops. Between them, they make sure you're looked after without anything feeling rushed or commercial.

With only a handful of guests at a time, you get personal attention and privacy. It suits couples, solo travelers, and close friends who want a real Tuscan experience rather than a hotel-style retreat. The timing is unique: mid-October to the end of November is the harvest season, so you're present for the moment the year's freshest oil is born.

What's included

- Accommodation in a private apartment (Il Fienile) - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily meditation classes - Daily yoga classes - Daily pranayama (breathwork) classes - Transportation during the retreat - Group excursions/activities - Luggage storage - Parking - Wi-Fi connection - Pre- and post-retreat support from our team - One massage per guest - Olive harvest experience and olive oil tasting - Live music evening (if scheduled)

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional treatments (beyond the included massage) - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Airport transfers (available at €86 per person each way)