Beyond Expectation: Our Step into the Sun in Tuscany Yoga Retreat

Sometimes an event, a long time in the planning, finally happens and goes beyond our wildest expectations. That’s precisely what happened with the Step into the Sun in Tuscany yoga retreat, which took place June 14 to 21.

Spirit of Italy Tours facilitated the retreat on behalf of our partners, One Down Dog, the leading yoga and fitness studio in Los Angeles.

As the founder of Spirit of Italy Tours, a boutique company that brings small groups to Italy, and a dedicated yoga practitioner and instructor, I approached Jessica Rosen, founder of One Down Dog, as I was a member of the studio and admire her love of yoga and enthusiasm for community-building. I wanted to gauge her interest in a curated, weeklong yoga and wellness experience. The vision: a retreat tailored to her members offering daily yoga classes while allowing guests to explore Tuscany beyond the superficial. She was all in.

Over the course of 18 months, Spirit of Italy Tours facilitated all of the logistics—from accommodations, meals, and extracurricular activities to excursion planning, ground transportation, and on-site staffing—to ensure a meaningful guest experience.

Having scouted properties throughout Italy, and Tuscany in particular, we recommended Le Pianore as home base for the week. This celebrated yoga retreat center is a hidden haven situated on 200 pristine acres on the slopes of Monte Amiata, one of the tallest mountain ranges in the area. The Le Pianore property offers 360-degree panoramic views of wooded hillsides, streams, mountains, and breathtaking foliage, complemented by flowers all throughout the property, walking paths, and in and around the buildings.

We arrived at Le Pianore in the golden afternoon glow of the Italian summer. We were greeted by our incredibly kind and effervescent host, Enrica Micillo. Our guests were not prepared—yet everyone was giddy with delight—at the sight of such a majestic setting.

Each day of the retreat began with invigorating yoga sessions led by Dylan Wallace, one of One Down Dog’s lead yoga and sound bath instructors. The classes explored the seven chakras leading up to the Summer Solstice. The day ended with restorative classes. Yoga practice took place in a spacious, light-filled studio designed specifically for yoga and mindful movement. With its large windows affording mountain views, beautiful hardwood floors, and all the props, accessories, and sound system available, this was an ideal yoga space. We had 24/7 access to the building and the entire property, including outdoor yoga spaces. Nighttime yoga under starlit skies, accompanied by flickering fireflies, was simply magical.

The Le Pianore staff prepared home-cooked, farm-to-table Tuscan meals made with seasonal produce from their vegetable gardens and wine from their vineyards—truly some of the best I’ve ever had. Communal meals served al fresco became the heart of our connection. There was laughter and storytelling. Each day, our bonds deepened over nature hikes, refreshing swims in Le Pianore’s two pools—one of them a natural spring pool with the cleanest and coldest water—along with pasta- and soap-making classes, a conscious dance session, wine tasting, and spontaneous hangouts between simply doing nothing that included Tarot card readings, graciously offered by two of the guests. One afternoon, we even glimpsed a snow-white horse wandering freely along the hillside, a sight so dreamlike several of us questioned whether it had truly happened.

The excursions to Montepulciano and Pienza, two charming Renaissance towns, gave everyone a chance to connect while exploring narrow streets, browsing artisan shops, and sharing coffees, gelato, and pizza, of course. The beach day in Castiglione della Pescaia on Italy’s west coast was a group favorite. I had pre-arranged chaise lounges and umbrellas at Ammare Bagno Sirena, where we spent the afternoon swimming, soaking up the sun, and enjoying a delicious lunch at their seaside restaurant.

Our host, Enrica Micillo, and her family, the gracious proprietors of Le Pianore, along with their friendly staff, brought thoughtful attention to every possible detail.

This was a magical week grounded in shared moments as we approached the longest day of the year. At the close of the retreat, we explored the 7th chakra, known as the Crown chakra, associated with spiritual connection, peace, and trust in life’s flow. I’m reminded that true joy comes not just from inner peace but also from the connections travel fosters with ourselves and others.

Spirit of Italy Tours looks forward to planning bespoke yoga retreat experiences and yoga vacations tailored to your needs. Contact me for details and to begin your journey.