BodyZen Coach & Tuscan Way Owner, Ian Darrah, will lead participants through this unique blend of professional triathlon coaching and Tuscan culture. Romeo & Federica Innocenti will show you the best kept secrets of the Maremma along Southern Tuscany’s Mediterranean shores. Enjoy the comforts of Stefano & Chiara’s masterfully renovated villa.
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ROMEO & FEDERICA INNOCENTI |
THE BEAUTIFUL WINE ESTATE |
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Villa Poggiarello is owned and operated by the Stefano & Chiara. Originally from Milan, they gave up the busy city life for the peaceful, elegant Maremma country side. Restoring this villa estate back to and even beyond its original beauty and luxury, they have graciously agreed to open their doors to host Tuscan Way culinary and wine programs. Warm, hospitable, and welcoming, Stefano & Chiara personify Italian fine living and traditional Italian hospitality.
Romeo & Federica Innocenti - your hosts (fluent in English), both natives of Tuscany, (Romeo is a sommelier in training of fine Italian wines and master chef specializing in "La Cucina Povera Toscana"), will accompany you on your journey through Tuscany's off-the-beaten-track Maremma region. |
 
MEET YOUR TRIATHLON COACH – IAN DARRAH
Ian Darrah was a former professional triathlete (swimming, cycling and running) and has over 20 years experience in multi-sport fitness. As a youth, he was a ranked tennis player, alpine and cross-country skier. He is an expert at developing elite level training programs but thrives most helping beginners simply improve and enjoy fitness activities. Recently ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified, Ian is helping clients improve their flexibility, cardio-vascular health and muscular strength in order to simply feel better in life! An avid yoga practitioner, Ian incorporates breath awareness, core strength development, relaxation techniques and mental focus skills to fully maximize the exercise benefit of each session. Ian is also part Owner of Tuscan Way and he combines his passion for travel, Tuscany, fitness and well-being in this unique training & cultural experience |
IAN DARRAH
IMAGES OF VILLA POGGIARELLO
 
  
 
 
 
WHERE YOU WILL STAY:
Villa Poggiarello and the village of Roccastrada evoke the quintessential and exquisite spirit of beautiful Tuscany. The vineyards, the rolling hills, the near-bye seaside and the spectacular villa, provide a stunning atmosphere, rich with glorious views and warm feelings. The climate here is very temperate and there is a constant aroma of sagebrush which permeates the air of this region known as La Maremma.
The farmhouse dates back to the 1700’s, and has been carefully renovated, with full consideration of its original characteristics. On the estate, there are spacious heated apartments furnished with traditional Tuscan furniture. Each one has a kitchenette and a bathroom with shower.
There is also a swimming pool, horseback riding and mountain biking. This location is ideal to experience boating out in the Tuscan Mediterranean, since the sea-side resorts of Punta Ala and Castiglione della Pescaia are easy to reach. One can also sample and buy Villa Poggiarello's extra virgin olive oil which has been produced on the farm. |
WHERE YOU WILL SLEEP
Villa Poggiarello has 10 unique apartment suites. Five of these apartments sleep between 2-3 people and the other 5 larger apartments sleep between 4-6 people. Each apartment is spacious and elegantly furnished in classic Tuscan style. Amenities include: TV, bathroom with shower and kitchenette with gas stove and refrigerator.
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“Il Leccio” (2) people, 538 square feet
Second floor, shared stairway entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 kitchen + dining area and 1 bathroom with a shower.
 
“La Scaletta” (2) people, 700 square feet
Ground floor, shared stairway entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 kitchen + dining area and 1 bathroom with a shower
 
“Casa Fonte” (2+1) people, 452 square feet
Ground floor, private garden entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), fold out couch (single bed), 1 kitchen + dining area, private furnished outdoor space and 1 bathroom with a shower.
“Gli Allori” (2+1) people, 516 square feet
Ground floor, shared outdoor stairs entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), fold out couch (single bed) in living area, 1 kitchen + living area and 1 bathroom with a shower.
 
“La Meridiana” (2+1) people, 538 square feet
Ground floor, shared outdoor stair entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), fold out couch (single bed) in living area, 1 kitchen + living area and 1 bathroom with a shower.
 
“Il Girasoli” (4) people, 753 square feet
Ground floor, shared outdoor stair entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 bedroom bunkbeds, 1 kitchen + living area and 1 bathroom with a shower.
 
“Il Pino” (4) people, 807 square feet
Second floor, shared stair entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 bedroom with double bed (2 single beds can be put together), 1 kitchen + living area with fireplace and 1 bathroom with a shower.
“Gli Olivi” (4) people, 980 square feet
Second floor, shared outdoor stair entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 bedroom with double bed (2 single beds can be put together), 1 kitchen + living area with fireplace and 1 bathroom with a shower.
“Il Balchetto” (4+2) people, 1141 square feet
Ground floor, private outdoor stair entrance, private storage room, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 bedroom with double bed (2 single beds can be put together), 1 kitchen + large living area with fold-out couch (double bed), fireplace and 1 bathroom with a shower.
 
“Il Volticine” (5+1) people, 958 square feet
Ground floor, private garden entrance, private storage room, 1 bedroom (Queen bed) with an extra single bed, 1 bedroom with double bed (2 single beds can be put together), 1 kitchen + large living & eating area with fold-out couch (single bed), fireplace, private furnished outdoor space and 1 bathroom with a shower.
COOKING COURSE AND WINE TASTING
Romeo Innocenti, son of Carlo Innocenti who operates the Casa Innocenti program, teaches the cooking class. Romeo is well-known in the area for his cuisine – especially certain Maremma sea-food dishes. He is an experienced cook and very entertaining. The guests can learn genuine Southern Tuscan dishes and the secrets passed down from grandmothers and grandfathers. All classes are hands-on and include local wine. The cooking course teaches the traditional Tuscan “Cucina Povera” (country cooking of the peasants). The course is taught in a large rustic kitchen and dinner is served in the classic Tuscan-styled dining room.
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ABOUT THE CAMP **READ TESTIMONIALS**
The volume of training includes the following ranges in order to accommodate different ability levels: swimming: 3500-7000 meters, biking: 75-150 miles, running: 15-25 miles. The camp is primarily a lot of fun because of the stunningly beautiful locations where the training takes place, the delicious healthy food and the daily visits to different Tuscan areas. That said, the camp can also challenge seasoned triathletes should they choose to do the second loop during many day’s training program. For details, take a look at the day-by-day itinerary.
Ian teaches very valuable principles regarding training including: the importance of the base building period (with the inclusion of skills and drills) in order to build your aerobic physiological engine along with developing proper rhythm and technique, the mental and psychological aspects of training & racing to maximize feelings of fulfillment and compete at your best, proper breathing to help fuel your efforts while relaxing the body and finding your power (mental, spiritual and physical) to deal with the pain of competing and pushing yourself to new levels of performance, and the importance of rest, recovery, balance and proper nutrition to do all this safely and minimize the risk of getting sick or injured. |
   
EXCURSIONS & ITINERARY:
The itinerary includes tours of the surrounding areas of Roccastrada. You will visit Montepescali, known as the balcony of the Maremma, and, because of it enviable position; Montemassi, famous for being depicted in Simone Martini's affresco showing Guidoriccio of Fogliano (shown below); Roccatederughi, a medieval town hidden amongst the rocks and is one of the most interesting in the Maremma, and Sassofortino which is reached by traveling through chestnut forests and has beautiful views overlooking the sea. Every day will commence with your personally styled yoga workshop (2 hours). Some days will include a guided sunrise meditation.
* We would like to emphasize that we are quite flexible with regard to the itinerary and the excursions. Federica & Romeo sometimes switch the days for different excursions and sometimes, based on local events and activities, new excursions (not mentioned above) can be added or even replace the normal schedule. The most important thing is to communicate your specific interests, which will be given priority if possible and in the best interest of the group. |
 
VACATION OPTIONS:
We created an exciting package for you:
1 Week Program |
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