Yoga and Culture Week in the Umbrian Hills with Kristin Cork

Mornings start with yoga and meditation in a glass barn overlooking the Umbrian hills, with the time set around that day's excursion schedule. Kristin teaches a blend of Vinyasa Flow and Gentle/Yin, using classical postures and sequences that move between flowing and holding, active and passive work. Every class includes guided meditation, breath work and modifications, and all props are provided. The studio is reserved for the group for the whole week, so you can also use it for your own practice outside class hours.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are organic and served on site, except on the full-day excursion days. Local Italian wines and aperitifs are poured on the veranda before dinner. A cooking class is held on the Sunday, and the rest of the week is built around day trips: Assisi on the Monday, a vineyard in a restored castle with wine tasting and lunch also on the Monday, Gubbio's market on the Tuesday, and a full day in Cortona and other villages on the Wednesday. Transport and city taxes for these excursions are covered.

The Thursday and Friday are left free. You can hike the trails around the property, pick figs, bike, or travel to local weavers and potters. The infinity pool and hot tub are open morning and evening, and there are eucalyptus steam showers. Optional spa treatments can be booked at Locanda del Gallo at your own cost.

What separates this from a standard yoga week is the balance of scheduled culture and unscheduled time, and the fact that the whole inn is taken over by the group. Locanda del Gallo sits in the Umbrian hills close to the Tuscan border, so both regions are within reach. The property has Covid protocols in place, and the group's time is organised around the safety of guests and Locanda staff. Excursions may change if the transport company needs to alter them, and masks may be required by the government in certain areas.

Kristin Cork owns Be.Yoga in Avon, Connecticut, and has taught more than 15,000 hours of yoga in over 10 countries. She runs retreats several times a year and has travelled to Italy repeatedly. She handles the trip logistics so guests can focus on the week itself.

What's included

- 7 nights lodging at Locanda del Gallo with private en-suite bathrooms - Separate bed for each guest - 3 organic meals each day, except on full-day excursions - Vegetarian meals on request - Daily yoga and meditation with Kristin Cork - Use of the private yoga studio for group and personal practice - Local Italian wines and aperitifs before dinner on the veranda - Use of the outdoor infinity pool and hot tub - Authentic Italian cooking class - Visit to Assisi - Visit to a vineyard in a restored castle, with wine tasting and lunch - Visit to Gubbio's market - Full-day excursion to Cortona and other villages - Transport and city taxes for the listed excursions - All Italian occupancy taxes

What's not included

- Airfare to Italy - Transport to and from the airport - Personal incidentals and food off site - Optional spa treatments at Locanda del Gallo - Individual taxis for smaller, optional excursions - Beverages from the on-site honour bar - Any Covid-19-related costs, including pre- and post-travel testing - Trip insurance