Family-Friendly Tuscan Yoga & Adventure Retreat at Historic Villa La Dogana

The retreat runs from August 29 to September 4, 2027, based at Villa La Dogana near Lake Trasimeno in Tuscany. That's the last week before school starts for a lot of families, which is part of the appeal. You fly into Rome Fiumicino, and a round-trip group shuttle picks everyone up at 1pm on the 29th. The ride to the villa is included in your price. On September 4th, the shuttle leaves the villa at 8am to take you back to the airport.

A typical day has two yoga sessions with Celeste Cusumano — open-level vinyasa flow in the morning and yin plus meditation in the evening. In between, there's breakfast, and then either free time at the pool or one of the organized excursions. Three of the days include professionally guided city tours to Assisi, Pienza, and Montepulciano, with transportation provided. You'll also do a winery tour and tasting, an olive oil mill tour and tasting, a truffle hunt with a professional guide followed by a lunch featuring the truffles you found, and a pasta-making class.

What makes this retreat different from a standard yoga week is the family setup. Kids 7 and up are welcome, and childcare is included during the yoga classes and at additional select times. The childcare is run by a local group called Bambino Tours, who organize treasure hunts at La Dogana, craft activities, and cooking classes. So parents get their morning and evening practice without juggling a toddler, and kids get their own thing going. The villa itself is a historic property that's been hosting this retreat for five years, so the logistics are smooth.

There are optional extras you can book on site: a boat ride on Lake Trasimeno with a trip to the little island town in the center, a day trip to Siena, and massage bookings. The pool is available throughout the week for anyone who just wants to float and read. Meals are mostly at the villa — six breakfasts and six three-course dinners including wine, and they can handle vegetarian and gluten-free requirements. There's a kitchenette in every apartment if you want to make your own lunch or snacks.

Celeste Cusumano is the retreat leader. She's the one teaching the daily vinyasa and yin classes, and she's also the point of contact for questions and for making apartment-sharing suggestions if you're traveling solo. You book directly with the hosts at Villa La Dogana, not through a third-party platform. A 30% deposit reserves your spot, and the balance is due four weeks before departure. Payments are non-refundable, so travel insurance is a good idea. The group transfer from Rome FCO is included; airfare is not, and they recommend direct flights from Newark to Rome.

What's included

- 7 days, 6 nights accommodation in a private room or apartment at Villa La Dogana - 6 breakfasts - 6 three-course farm-to-table dinners including wine - Twice-daily yoga classes with Celeste Cusumano (morning vinyasa, evening yin and meditation) - Childcare during yoga classes and at additional select times - 3 professionally guided city tours (Assisi, Pienza, Montepulciano) with transportation - Winery tour and tasting - Olive oil mill tour and tasting - Truffle hunt with a professional guide - Lunch featuring the truffles found on the hunt - Pasta making class - Round-trip shuttle service to and from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

What's not included

- Airfare - Lunches (except the truffle lunch) - Optional boat ride on Lake Trasimeno and island town trip - Optional day trip to Siena - Massage bookings - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Passport and visa fees