TOSCANA, ITALIA
florence + lucignano
EXPLORE & RESTORE ITALY
AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 6 2024
EXPLORE RICH CULTURE AND ART
savor alfresco cuisine and organic wines
RESTORE IN THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE
indulge with poolside yoga
a retreat of experiences to savor /
in italy, you’ll enjoy four nights at a beautifully renovated tuscan villa set in the hilltop village of lucignano, bookended by three nights in a four-star hotel to explore the vibrant renaissance city of florence.
our pairing of well-known florence with lucignano, a small medieval village awarded for it’s preservation of atmosphere, tradition and heritage, will make for an absolutely unforgettable way to explore and restore in tuscany.
highlights of your italy retreat will include excursions through countryside villages to experience the history, architecture, stories, kitchens, farmlands and wines of the region, therapeutic retreats into nature, a cooking class, and memorable dining experiences featuring a variety of italian dishes + wines to match.
EXPLORE & RESTORE IN ITALY
about florence + lucignano /
florence (firenze), the tuscan capital and it’s most populated city, is a world-class destination for art, architecture, and cultural heritage.
your stay in florence will offer plenty of time to explore the city’s galleries, museums, and monuments. the society verde team, with firsthand knowledge of the city, will help you make the most of your time, and our trip photographer will be there to capture your moments within the stunning cityscapes and rich architecture.
the four-star accommodations in florence will provide easy walking access to all of the city’s hotspots including the piazzale michelangelo, a piazza with a bronze replica of michelangelo's david and a can’t-miss panoramic view of florence, and the ponte vecchio, a boutique hotspot.
in early september, the climate in tuscany is historically pleasant, with daytime temps from low 70s to low 80s and overnight temps from high 50s to mid 60s. though there are always chances of rain, the late summer season tends to be drier, with shorter periods of showers.
lucignano is a small, well-conserved hillside village built in elliptical concentric circles, an important medieval planning style that has remained intact for centuries. the small tuscan village (borgo) offers a depth of history, art, and nature — the ultimate location to explore & restore.
our group will stay in a resort villa just on the outskirts of lucignano. the recently renovated property also dates back to the middle ages, when its bell would ring as a beacon to those wandering in the forests below in search of shelter or a hot meal.
for your own rest & relaxation, the property’s large patio and pool terrace offers rich views of the tuscan countryside. you’ll also have full access to an on-site sauna + spa room. the village center of lucignano, with plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops and galleries, is just a short five minute walk away, and two family run wineries are also in close proximity to the villa.
about your trip /
DAY 1 • FRIDAY (arrival day) / arrive into florence (amerigo vespucci international airport (FLR) is the closest airport) and grab a ride to meet us at our four-star accommodations in florence, where we’ll be waiting to welcome you. no group activities or meals planned for your first evening in florence.
DAY 2 • SATURDAY / breakfast at hotel, green space yoga + group walking tour or free time to explore florence on your own before a group dinner + wine
meals included: breakfast + dinner + wine
DAY 3 • SUNDAY / breakfast, group transfer to lucignano with a stop to visit a tuscan village, check-in to lucignano villa, poolside yoga, al fresco pizza + wine party at villa
meals included: breakfast + dinner + wine
DAY 4 • MONDAY / bakery + coffee/tea for breakfast, yoga, excursion to tuscan villages for farm and food experiences, free evening
meals included: breakfast + lunch + wine tastings
DAY 5 • TUESDAY / bakery + coffee/tea for breakfast, yoga, full day to restore at the villa or explore lucignano
meals included: breakfast
DAY 6 • WEDNESDAY / bakery + coffee/tea for breakfast, yoga, optional add on excursion or full day to restore at the villa or explore lucignano, group dinner in village
meals included: breakfast + dinner
DAY 7 • THURSDAY / bakery + coffee/tea for breakfast, yoga, group transfer to florence, group lunch + farewell celebration, open afternoon + evening to explore florence
meals included: breakfast + lunch + wine
DAY 8 • FRIDAY (departure day) / breakfast, retreat end
meals included: breakfast
*itinerary subject to change
what’s included /
3 nights double-occupancy accommodation at a four-star hotel in florence, italy
4 nights single or double-occupancy accommodation at a premier private resort villa in lucignano, italy
round trip, private group ground transportation between florence and lucignano
private group transportation for all scheduled excursions
a pre-retreat welcome gift from society verde
a welcome wine and customized city guide upon your arrival into florence
daily breakfasts + two lunches, three dinners, and a cooking class (as either a midday or evening meal); lunches and dinners will include wine pours or wine tasting experiences. more meals may be added to itinerary
an inclusive, private group excursion from lucignano to explore villages, farms and vinyards of tuscany
a private group cooking class experience
at least two winery visits/wine tasting experiences
gratuity for all group meals and included excursions or activities
a professional photographer + digital photo album of retreat highlights
yoga and mindfulness practices throughout the retreat
what’s not included /
airfare
airport transfers to/from florence hotel
ground transportation for any elective wandering
optional add-on activities
beverages between meals, alcohol beyond included wine pours and tastings, meals not included in itinerary
souvenirs, extra purchases or services or admission fees, hotel incidentals/breakages
personal, medical, and trip cancellation insurance
accommodation & rates /
for your stay in florence, you’ll spend your nights at a four-star hotel in the heart of central florence, with 360 rooftop terrace views. all rooms are double occupancy with four-star amenities and breakfast.
at our villa in lucignano, you’ll stay in a double or single occupancy room with a private bath. many rooms also have access to kitchenettes. shared areas will include kitchen space, living areas, and terrace and pool + indoor sauna and heated spa. laundry services available for a fee. society verde will gift you with a travel sized all-natural all-purpose soap, but please note that toiletries beyond that are not included at the villa.
tuscany retreat investment begins at $3500 / return traveler begins at $3100
rooms are priced for a blend of double and single occupancy. solo travelers are always welcome, though single occupancy upgrades may not be available, and solo travelers will be paired with another solo traveler. please inquire before booking if you require guaranteed solo occupancy.
a 4% deduction is available for balances made in cash after online deposit is made.
lifestyle considerations for our tuscany itinerary /
language / italian is the predominantly spoken language. english-speaking staff will be available at all accommodations, and all planned excursions and transfers will be provided by english-speaking guides. society verde always recommends learning a few key phrases in the native language of anywhere you plan to visit in the world — its a simple courtesy that can make a big difference in creating strong relations across cultures.
terrain / expect a mix of cobblestone streets in florence. there is not much elevation change in the city center, but if you want to walk to explore outside the center or venture to some of the nearby lookout points, it will require some uphill walking. in lucignano and our tuscan excursions, you may encounter some country roads/dirt and gravel paths and some elevation changes.
transportation / the transfers between florence and lucignano will be a little over an hour each way in private vans with a/c. the transfers for our planned excursion day + a possible add-on option may be up to two hours each way. between our planned excursions, society verde encourages walking as much as possible to add to your travel experience. if you would prefer rides in florence, options will be plenty. please note that in lucignano, rides will not be as readily available, however the walk from our villa to anywhere within the village of lucignano will not take more than ten minutes walking at an average pace.
noise / we’ve chosen highly ranked four-star hotels in florence, though it is still an urban center and light sleepers may choose to pack earplugs. lucignano is a smaller village in a more rural area of tuscany, and the noise level will reflect the environment.
why society verde + why tuscany /
our philosophy is that travel truly makes you richer, and our carefully curated trips offer a depth of unique experiences, a spotlight on rich cultures, and new ways to encourage courageous connection to community and the planet. through our small group travel offerings, we invite you to share our values of sustainability, discovery, and connection.
a group arrangement creates new bonds as you connect on a meaningful level with your house and travel mates over shared experiences, and those experiences themselves suddenly become accessible: premium, unique digs and meaningful excursions become reality when you share them with a group of like-minded fellow travelers. no overly-toured locales, abused resources, or crowded tour busses here.
we do the research and build the relationships to offer truly authentic experiences that promote community and sustainability. in tuscany, we look forward to exploring the region’s farms and vinyards, gathering inspiration from a responsible cultivation of land and enjoying community over slow and savored shared meals.
society verde’s explore and restore itineraries combine just enough cultural engagement and education with time to restore through intentionally-scheduled downtime facilitated by founder mkm, an experienced, educated provider of energy-balacing movement and mindfulness practices. melissa’s retreat philosophy is that restorative mat practices can help ground us, wherever we are in the world, so we can meaningfully explore off the mat, fully connecting to the people and spaces around us.
find out if you would travel well with society verde — check out our traveler guidelines.
tuscany retreat facilitators /
melissa klimo-major
TRIP LEADER
society verde founder mkm is a yoga teacher and travel specialist offering itineraries beyond the basic yoga retreat. she curates unforgettable transformative experiences that embrace nature and community, and is well-known for sourcing compelling retreat locales rich in heritage and forward-thinking lifestyles.
mary rundle
TRIP GUIDE
mary is a world wanderer with first-hand knowledge of the locations we’ll visit in italy. while traveling, she loves to dive into local cuisine…and she knows where to find some of the best dishes & wines in tuscany. 🍝🍷
marybeth esposito
TRIP PHOTOGRAPHER
marybeth is a seasoned retreat photographer, and we’re happy to welcome her back once again to society verde. she gracefully and expertly captures your travel moments, community connections, and the rich experiences and landscapes you’ll want to remember forever.
