Yoga Retreat . Food . Wine .
August 29 - September 5, 2021
Early bird pricing through 1/15/2021! Registration link below!
This will be a small, intimate retreat and will sell out!
"Magnificent trip! Everything was beyond wonderful.
Food, wine, people, accommodations, EVERYTHING!" - Flora
"I choose now. I choose to live in the only moment where there is life: the present moment. I choose to let go of my painful chains to the past, and instead let the present determine my future. I choose to live and love right here, right now. I choose to slow down enough to reconnect with the gift I'm given in this moment. I choose to be here, now. There is nowhere else I would be." - Jennifer Williamson
Join us in the UNESCO World Heritage wine landscapes of Piedmont in Northern Italy where we’ll explore the local history, culture and sights, immerse ourselves in the beauty of the region.
We offer an intimate, tailor-made tour of Piedmont out of our home base in Calamandrana, where you will enjoy the scenic country roads, visit local wineries and explore local cuisine. You’ll have a chance to visit ancient hill-top villages and historic towns, and learn about the special gems and secrets the region has to offer from our hosts, who are local residents and live here year-round (fluent in both Italian and English).
Just bring your open mind and sense of adventure – we take care of the rest!
Join us in the UNESCO World Heritage wine landscapes of Piedmont in Northern Italy where we’ll explore the local history, culture and sights, immerse ourselves in the beauty of the region.
We offer an intimate, tailor-made tour of Piedmont out of our home base in Calamandrana, where you will enjoy the scenic country roads, visit local wineries and explore local cuisine. You’ll have a chance to visit ancient hill-top villages and historic towns, and learn about the special gems and secrets the region has to offer from our hosts, who are local residents and live here year-round (fluent in both Italian and English).
Just bring your open mind and sense of adventure – we take care of the rest!
Your tour includes:
Accommodations: 8 days & 7 nights Vigna Rocchetta
All Meals: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner, including wine*; each day we will have a chance to taste Piedmontese cuisine at rustic farmhouses and fine restaurants, including a Michelin starred restaurant.
*A limited amount of wine included with lunch and dinner, if desired.
Wine Tastings: Wine tastings at local wineries – including Barbera, Barbaresco, Barolo wines, delicious local sparkling wines and more…
Excursions: Visits to historic towns of Acqui Terme, Asti, Alba, Barbaresco, Canelli, Costiglio D’Asti, Nizza Monferrato, Neive, La Morra, Roccaverano
Special Sparkling Wine Tasting: Visits to 2 UNESCO World Heritage Site listed underground wine cellars of Canelli, of course followed by a taste of their fine wines.
Museum: Mazzetti Museum in Asti
Shopping: Free-time for shopping and relaxation
Pearl of the Region: Visit to a truffle house or join a truffle hunt!
Yoga: Allow yourself the space and time to fully be present. Take this journey to Italy and escape the busy day-to-day routines we so often get held back by. The most powerful component of yoga is the connection of mind and body. The ability to control the breath to root you in the here and now. Moving through the week you will spend time each day in a variety of flowing movement and seated meditations connecting to the present moment. This retreat offers the unique exploration of presence as we take our practice to a few of our excursions to wineries and terraces.
On the days we practice on site our yoga sessions will be faster flowing. Each day we’ll aim to have a 30 minute quite time to reflect and journal.
Transportation: Private transport from Turin Caselle or Milano Malpensa Airport (all participants must fly in and out of the same airport - flights will be arranged by Unwined); and for all of your tours included in your 8 day stay.
Guides and Hosts: Our hosts, Canan and Umberto, live locally in Calamandrana and are native English and Italian speakers.
Costs: Nonrefundable deposit of 1,750 Euros is needed to reserve your spot by 1/15/21 and the final payment of 1,750 Euros is due 6/15/21; cost does not cover flights, travel/health insurance, or in-between meal snacks. Early bird locks in both at 1,700 for both payments.
Sample Itinerary
Depending on weather and other unforeseen challenges and/or in mutual agreement with our guests, we may alter the itinerary.
Day 1:
You’ve just arrived, so we’ll take it easy, but we won’t let you go to sleep right away. You have to fight that jet-lag! We’ll do an Airplane Detox - A gentle flowing practice to rid the body of the after effects of a long flight. Followed by a short meditation designed to center our time together.
We’ll spend a relaxing afternoon in Canelli including a visit to the historical underground wine cellars of Bosca – a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is “part of the network of Underground Cathedrals, a temple of wine dedicated to its history and the hard work of man” followed by a delicious dinner at MaVin, a mighty little restaurant.
Day 2:
We’ll start our morning with a yoga session.
After breakfast, we’ll visit the ancient Roman city of Acqui Terme and its hot thermal waters will be our first visit today. During a walking tour of Acqui Terme we’ll get a chance to see the fountain with boiling water, visit the Cathedral of Acqui, and take a look at the remains of the Roman aqueduct.
Lunch will be in Acqui Terme.
This afternoon you may visit the thermal baths** (to be arranged ahead of time/additional cost) or have free time in Acqui Terme
Freshen up before dinner.
Dinner will be at the La Viranda, an agriturismo with a rustic setting with family style foods.
Day 3:
We’ll start our morning with a yoga session.
After breakfast we’ll head towards the southern part of the Langhe to visit the production area of the Barolo wines along with the historic towns, La Morra and Grinzane Cavour. Did you know that the world renowned White Truffle Auction is held at the Castle of Grinzane Cavour and some of the proceeds go to charity? One of the last auction masters was Gerard Depardieu.
We’ll have a wine tasting at the Ceretto Winery and return to Nizza Monferrato for a typical farinata dinner at Tanti restaurant.
Day 4:
We’ll start our morning with a yoga session.
In the morning we’ll head out to the hills of the Roccaverano area, home of the famous Robbiola di Roccaverrano cheese. We’ll walk around this hilltop town, view the ancient castle and the tower. Lunch will be at the Osteria del Bramante.
We’ll have a wine tasting in the afternoon
What is a visit to Italy without eating a pizza? This evening we’ll have a delicious pizza at the L’Ambaradan in Nizza, including an opportunity to taste locally- brewed beers.
Day 5:
Our morning will start with a meditation session.
After breakfast, we’ll take a ride towards Langhe Hills, the region where the Barbaresco wines are produced. We’ll visit the historic centers of Neive and Barbaresco. Barbaresco has a wonderful medieval tower, with a newly renovated viewing terrace - they’ve recently installed an elevator so we’ll go up in style. Also, in Barbaresco we’ll have a wine tasting at the local cooperative of wine producers.
Lunch will be at Ciau del Tornaventoa wonderful Michelin starred restaurant with captivating views of the surrounding wine producing hills. In the afternoon we’ll visit Alba, the capital of the Langhe, whose history goes back to Roman times.
Today we’ll have a chance for a gentle yoga session on the terraces of the ancient Moasca Castle followed by a delicious light dinner at experiencing the traditional Italian “aperitivo” at Tra la Terra e il Cielo
Day 6
We’ll start our morning with a yoga session.
We’ll visit the medieval town of Asti, with its towers, ancient stone roads, palaces and the Mazzetti Palace. You’ll have the opportunity buy a famous Borsalino(est. 1857) hat as actors Humphrey Bogart and Marcello Mastroianni and more recently Victoria Beckham and many more celebrities have done.
In the afternoon, we will discover the secrets of truffle hunting as told by a trifulau (Piedmontese truffle-hunter).
We’ll be in Calamandrana for dinner where we will eat at La Violetta, a traditional local restaurant.
Day 7
We’ll start our day with a gentle Walking Meditation. Afterwards we’ll have a chance to do a special project with a local NGO working with Downs people.
Time permitting we will visit the Cascina Castlet winery. Along with seeing their wine making operations and having a wine tasting, we’ll also have a chance to see the Big Red Bench, which was designed by Chris Bangle and installed at the winery.
Lunch will be at the La Barbera restaurant inside the Castle of Costigliole d’Asti.
In the afternoon we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed underground cathedrals (wine cellars) of Canelli, tasting sparkling wines at Contratto winery.
After a break, for our final dinner together we will enjoy a delicious meal at the Ristorante Enoteca di Canelli
Day 8
Departure day: Depending on the time of your flight we’ll provide you with breakfast and/or lunch and transport you back to the airport.
You’ve just arrived, so we’ll take it easy, but we won’t let you go to sleep right away. You have to fight that jet-lag! We’ll do an Airplane Detox - A gentle flowing practice to rid the body of the after effects of a long flight. Followed by a short meditation designed to center our time together.
We’ll spend a relaxing afternoon in Canelli including a visit to the historical underground wine cellars of Bosca – a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is “part of the network of Underground Cathedrals, a temple of wine dedicated to its history and the hard work of man” followed by a delicious dinner at MaVin, a mighty little restaurant.
Day 2:
We’ll start our morning with a yoga session.
After breakfast, we’ll visit the ancient Roman city of Acqui Terme and its hot thermal waters will be our first visit today. During a walking tour of Acqui Terme we’ll get a chance to see the fountain with boiling water, visit the Cathedral of Acqui, and take a look at the remains of the Roman aqueduct.
Lunch will be in Acqui Terme.
This afternoon you may visit the thermal baths** (to be arranged ahead of time/additional cost) or have free time in Acqui Terme
Freshen up before dinner.
Dinner will be at the La Viranda, an agriturismo with a rustic setting with family style foods.
Day 3:
We’ll start our morning with a yoga session.
After breakfast we’ll head towards the southern part of the Langhe to visit the production area of the Barolo wines along with the historic towns, La Morra and Grinzane Cavour. Did you know that the world renowned White Truffle Auction is held at the Castle of Grinzane Cavour and some of the proceeds go to charity? One of the last auction masters was Gerard Depardieu.
We’ll have a wine tasting at the Ceretto Winery and return to Nizza Monferrato for a typical farinata dinner at Tanti restaurant.
Day 4:
We’ll start our morning with a yoga session.
In the morning we’ll head out to the hills of the Roccaverano area, home of the famous Robbiola di Roccaverrano cheese. We’ll walk around this hilltop town, view the ancient castle and the tower. Lunch will be at the Osteria del Bramante.
We’ll have a wine tasting in the afternoon
What is a visit to Italy without eating a pizza? This evening we’ll have a delicious pizza at the L’Ambaradan in Nizza, including an opportunity to taste locally- brewed beers.
Day 5:
Our morning will start with a meditation session.
After breakfast, we’ll take a ride towards Langhe Hills, the region where the Barbaresco wines are produced. We’ll visit the historic centers of Neive and Barbaresco. Barbaresco has a wonderful medieval tower, with a newly renovated viewing terrace - they’ve recently installed an elevator so we’ll go up in style. Also, in Barbaresco we’ll have a wine tasting at the local cooperative of wine producers.
Lunch will be at Ciau del Tornaventoa wonderful Michelin starred restaurant with captivating views of the surrounding wine producing hills. In the afternoon we’ll visit Alba, the capital of the Langhe, whose history goes back to Roman times.
Today we’ll have a chance for a gentle yoga session on the terraces of the ancient Moasca Castle followed by a delicious light dinner at experiencing the traditional Italian “aperitivo” at Tra la Terra e il Cielo
Day 6
We’ll start our morning with a yoga session.
We’ll visit the medieval town of Asti, with its towers, ancient stone roads, palaces and the Mazzetti Palace. You’ll have the opportunity buy a famous Borsalino(est. 1857) hat as actors Humphrey Bogart and Marcello Mastroianni and more recently Victoria Beckham and many more celebrities have done.
In the afternoon, we will discover the secrets of truffle hunting as told by a trifulau (Piedmontese truffle-hunter).
We’ll be in Calamandrana for dinner where we will eat at La Violetta, a traditional local restaurant.
Day 7
We’ll start our day with a gentle Walking Meditation. Afterwards we’ll have a chance to do a special project with a local NGO working with Downs people.
Time permitting we will visit the Cascina Castlet winery. Along with seeing their wine making operations and having a wine tasting, we’ll also have a chance to see the Big Red Bench, which was designed by Chris Bangle and installed at the winery.
Lunch will be at the La Barbera restaurant inside the Castle of Costigliole d’Asti.
In the afternoon we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed underground cathedrals (wine cellars) of Canelli, tasting sparkling wines at Contratto winery.
After a break, for our final dinner together we will enjoy a delicious meal at the Ristorante Enoteca di Canelli
Day 8
Departure day: Depending on the time of your flight we’ll provide you with breakfast and/or lunch and transport you back to the airport.