Women’s Wellness Retreat Fall 2026
October 23-31, 2026
The Abruzzo Mountains
With Bea Spadacini, YTT 200 HRS Grace alumni. In partnership with Grace Studio, Silver Spring, MD
“The Way Out is In,” said Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
The goal of this retreat is to bring you back home to yourself, while exploring a beautiful part of Italy. We promote slow, mindful, and sustainable travel. The fall retreat is hosted in a renovated palace that dates back to the year 1600, in one of the most breathtaking medieval towns of Italy, also knows as “borgos.”. The space, which has a rustic feel and a minimalist decor, offers an opportunity to unplug from the frenzy of daily life. This is NOT a luxury resort, rather a simple but comfortable space surrounded by nature to unwind and relax.
This wellness retreat takes you on an inward as well as an outward journey. It is an opportunity to reconnect to yourself, while connecting to others. We will practice being in the body through a variety of nourishing experiences that tap into our senses: mindful walking, saffron harvesting, nature hikes, donkey riding, herbal walks , cooking classes and enjoying freshly made food. Every day will integrate mindful movements (Vinyasa yoga and some pilates exercises). In the evenings, there will be optional guided meditations to ease into a restful and relaxed sleep.
The breath, or Prana, will carry us through all of these experiences. We invite our guests to “be in curiosity” with the landscape and the people of this stunning, magical, and deeply spiritual region of Italy. Please note that the itinerary might change slightly, depending on weather conditions.
TOTAL COST (excluding air fare) is US$ 3,900 for a double room or US$ 4,150 for a single room. Maximum capacity is 7 guests! Scroll below for price details!
Oct. 23: Ease into it … the beach
Guests arrive in Pescara by mid afternoon. We pick you up at the bus station or train station and take you to your hotel. Dinner together in a restaurant by the beach and mindful walk on the Adriatic seaside. Savoring a delicious gelato in “Living Room” square!
Oct. 24: Let’s head up to the mountains
Morning walk on the beach, followed by a healthy brunch. Hotel checkout and 1.5 hour drive up the mountains to one of the most iconic Medieval villages “borgo” in Italy. Check in your historic Palazzo, enjoy some relax time and then explore the serpentine roads of this ancient village.
Oct. 25: Harvesting the golden spice: saffron
Indulge in a morning that brings you closer to nature by immersing yourself in a traditional Abruzzo ritual. Harvesting saffron means picking up the bright indigo flowers of this precious spice, drying it and gently pulling out its golden threads. Learn the history behind this ritual and its culinary magic.
Oct. 26: L’Aquila, the 2026 Italian capital city of culture
Early morning yoga and stretching. Foraging for plant medicine, lunch using herbs, followed by a session with essential oils, journaling and yoga. Dinner at a Trabocco, former fishing platforms turned restaurants above water.
Oct. 27: Trekking and knitting along the sheep trails
Early morning pilates. Horseback riding by the seashore, lunch at a family-owned restaurant, afternoon stroll around the town of Vasto. Relax time and dinner, followed by guided relaxation.
Oct. 28: Spend the day cooking traditional dishes from Abruzzo
Start your day with a Pilates class by Lenore. Feel energized and get ready to knead pasta and learn about the traditional cuisine of Abruzzo: Anellini alla pecorara, ferratelle, and pallotte cacio e ova. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. End the day with a beach walk and journaling.
Oct. 29: Hike to Rocca Calascio castle
Practice yoga on the beach and relax by the water. Enjoy a delicious lunch by the beach. Visit the Abbey of St. John in Venus amidst the olive trees, bask in its Roman architecture and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Adriatic Sea. Sunset aperitivo at the nearby Abbey cafe.
Oct. 30: Donkeys and lentils
The Abruzzo region of Italy is known for its many sacred refuge spaces perched on the sides of mountains where monks and nuns used to retreat to pray and meditate. In the morning we will hike to the Hermitage of Saint Onfrio, built between the 11th and 13th century, and in the afternoon we will visit the coastal town of Ortona.
Oct. 31: Sulmona: poetry and sweets
Breath work and journaling. Hotel check out. Ride the bus back to Pescara. Group lunch and goodbye circle. Immersive travel tour finishes at 2:00PM. From Pescara, you can easily take the train to other destinations in Italy or the bus to downtown Rome or straight to Fiumicino airport.
Pricing
Women’s Wellness Retreat 2026
The cost for this wellness retreat ranges from US$ 3,900 to US$ 4,150 per person, depending on the type of accommodation a guest chooses (double or single room). Prices include accommodations, meals, restorative and immersive experiences, and transport to various locations. This experience is designed for a maximum of 7 guests.
This package does NOT include airfare to/from Italy and round trip bus travel from Rome airport to Pescara. Depending on the bus one takes, that is usually a maximum of US$ 50 round trip. All guests must purchase travel insurance on their own and submit proof of purchase with their final payment.
Reservations are first come, first serve. A US$ 700 deposit is required to reserve your spot by July 20. Deposit is fully refundable before August 15. Fifty percent refundable until March 15, and not refundable after March 15th.
Half payment is due February 15 and full payment is due by March 15th. We look forward to hosting you!
