THE HALF WEEK TRIP INCLUDES:

• 3 nights at Villa Poggiarello, near Siena, in a picturesque 18th Century Villa. The villa is beautifully furnished with traditional Tuscan furniture.
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
• Small groups: 4 to 12 people.
• 2 yoga courses (10 hours of instruction)
• 2 guided excursions to local food festivals (depending on season), Siena, the enchanting towns of Vetulonia (Etruscan); and Castiglione della Pescaia (a fishing village on the seacoast).
• All transportation (to and from Rome).

• DAY 1 – Transfer from Rome and arrival at Villa Poggiarello
  Fly to Italy.  Upon arrival at the airport of Rome, you will be accompanied by car or van to Roccastrada and then welcomed at your vacation residence – Villa Poggiarello.  After settling in, your tour hosts Federica & Romeo will show you around the estate!  Then you can either relax in the garden or take a walk around the enchanting outdoor ambiance amidst warm vineyards and olive groves. For dinner you will enjoy a Tuscan meal prepared by Romeo.
• DAY 2 – Siena and local food festivals
  And so our daily ritual begins with the two hour yoga program which will finish approximately at 10:30AM. Afterwards, you’ll set off for Siena. You will visit the famous Piazza del Campo, the main square where the people from Siena (“i Senesi”) organize, twice a year, a medieval horse race known as Il Palio. Facing the square there is the beautiful tour Torre del Mangia, where if you wish, you can climb up to the top to admire a marvelous view of the city. You can also visit the Duomo which is a gothic style cathedral. At the end of the morning, you will have lunch in a quaint restaurant in Piazza del Campo. Once home, and after having rested, you can prepare with Carlo a healthy Tuscan dinner (cooking lesson). During different times of the year, there are many celebrated local food festivals which take place to honor different types of harvest (Porcini mushroom, Olive oil, wine etc). These will be experienced whenever they are taking place! Dinner in at a trattoria.
• DAY 3 – Vetulonia (Etruscan) & Castiglione della Pescaia
  After yoga, you will be going to Vetulonia.  This fascinating Etruscan hill-top town is isolated, mysterious and beautiful. There is a medieval castle and views out over the Mediterranean sea. The Etruscan city of “Vetluna” (Roman Vetulonia) is located on the Maremma hills, above a lagoon and with access to the sea. The nearest modern city is Grosseto, approximately 30km to the South East. Vetulonia is the Etruscan city where the Lictors rods and Fasces originated. In 1898, a necropolis was discovered with a bundle of Iron rods with a double axe in the centre. Later that year, the burial stele of Avele Feluske was discovered. This became a symbol of power by the Roman Magistrates in later years. The Lictor was the name given to the Magistrates assistant. You will also enjoy a trip to the seacoast to the pretty seaside village of Castiglione della Pescaia.   This old fishing village stands up high on a hill with its castle looking over the turquoise bay. You will enjoy a tasty lunch at a local restaurant. Once home, you can prepare a healthy Tuscan dinner with Romeo (cooking lesson).
• DAY 4 – Departure
  Enjoy your final breakfast at Villa Poggiarello before heading back to Rome.
  *During the spring and fall, you may participate to local “Sagre” – food festivals which take place in medieval villages and towns of southern Tuscany.