A Taste of Italy Yoga Retreat

Any drinks of your choice (non-alcoholic and alcoholic).

All meals during the retreat (breakfast, lunch, & dinner).

Daily game drives.

Local guide for our group only.

All transportation during the retreat.

Gratuities for tour guides, restaurant staff, and drivers.

Visit to a local Maasai village.

Transfer by Nyikani to Kogatende Airstrip Coastal Schedule Flight Kogatende to Kilimanjaro ETD 0925/ ETA 1300.

International Airfare Kilimanjaro (JRO).

Souvenirs, drinks, snacks, additional excursions, or other personal items.

Gratuities of a personal nature (hotel staff, spa services, etc.).

Travel insurance and medical insurance (required).

Any travel-related fees (visas, passports, baggage, etc.).

Visa to enter Tanzania.

Hot air balloon ride & any excursions before or after the retreat.

Vaccines for Tanzania ( consult your local travel clinic).

Food

All meals during the retreat (breakfast, lunch, & dinner)

Accommodation

About the Retreat Home

On the first floor there are five bedrooms: 3 with double beds and 2 with single beds.
Two of the doubles communicate with the twin bedrooms and have ensuite bathrooms.
The third double bedroom, with exposed beams, is served by the bathroom with tub and shower.
On the ground floor there are two bright living rooms with fireplaces, one of which overlooks a large paved area ideal for children to play outdoors and keep an eye on them.
From the same area you have access to the well-equipped kitchen.

Villa Mary is a recently renovated and elegantly furnished medieval farmhouse near Florence (20 minutes). The house can accommodate up to 10 people in the comfortable rooms.

Television

Washing machine

private pool

Kitchen

Coffee maker

WIFI

Hair dryer

Fireplace

Airconditioner

Villa Mary also offers a private swimming pool with an enchanting view of the garden and the Tuscan hills that can give you a fairytale atmosphere over a good glass of wine.

Location type

Rural

Nearby activities

Museums

Horseback riding

Winery tours

Ecotourism

About this area

Impruneta

Located in Impruneta, this villa is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Arno River and Cascine Park, while Uffizi Gallery and Boboli Gardens are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Nelson Mandela Forum or Coverciano. Relax and indulge in the area's winery tours, or seek out an adventure with horse riding and ecotours nearby.

Important Documentation:

Travel insurance details (including emergency contact information)

Passport

Copy of passport (both in physical and digital form)

COVID-19 vaccination records

Trip itinerary (including accommodation and transportation details)

Helpful Tip: Make two copies of your passport, travel insurance papers, and other essential travel documents. Diversify your copies by storing them electronically on your computer/smartphone and separating them in your money belt, carry-on bag, and checked luggage. Keep your vaccination records with your passport.

Money:

Debit card (with a four-digit PIN)

Credit card

Petty cash (in euros, ~100)

Cross-body bag or travel purse (to avoid theft when out walking around)

Helpful Tip: You can withdraw euros from ATMs, and it's usually the most convenient way to get local currency. However, it's always a good idea to bring some petty cash just in case of an emergency. Be mindful of the denomination you carry as some shops and vendors may not accept large bills.

Clothing:

Comfortable walking shoes (closed toe preferred)

Slip-on shoes (such as sandals or flip-flops)

Lightweight rain jacket or umbrella

Scarf (for covering shoulders when entering religious sites or dressing up an outfit)

Warm sweater or jacket (depending on the season)

Swimwear (if traveling in the summer or visiting a beach destination)

Hat and sunglasses

Undergarments and socks

Casual clothing (shorts, skirts, dresses, t-shirts, etc.)

Athletic wear (yoga pants, sports bras, etc.)

Laundry bag

Helpful Tip: Pack for the season and be mindful of local customs and dress codes. Plan to do laundry or purchase clothes locally if you run out of outfits.

Toiletries:

Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss

Shampoo and conditioner (travel-sized)

Body wash or soap (travel-sized)

Deodorant

Razor and shaving cream

Personal medications (in their original containers)

Pain reliever (such as aspirin or ibuprofen)

Anti-diarrhea medicine (such as Imodium or Pepto-Bismol)

Motion sickness medicine (if prone to motion sickness)

Sunblock (SPF 30 or higher)

Insect repellent

First aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic wipes, etc.)

Towel (microfiber or quick-dry)

Hand sanitizer

Earplugs

Electronics:

Smartphone and/or camera

Charger and adapter (for European outlets)

Portable charger (if planning to use devices extensively throughout the day)

Headphones

Waterproof phone case

Power strip (if traveling with multiple devices)

VPN software (if needed for internet security and accessing geo-restricted content)

Additional Personal Items:

Refillable water bottle

Day pack or backpack (for carrying essentials during the day)

Beach bag or tote (if visiting a beach destination)

Dry bag (for storing wet clothes or electronics)

Beach blanket (if visiting a beach destination)

Book or e-reader

Journal or notepad

Always keep an eye on your belongings and be mindful of pickpockets and scams. Leave valuable items at home if possible or store them in a secure location such as a hotel safe. And don't forget to leave room in your luggage for souvenirs and gifts!

"Our trip to Tuscany was fantastic. Amy and Brian had set us up with our own group villa. The home was among beautiful rolling hills and totally private. Our group of just 8 people was the perfect amount for dining and traveling together. We had meals prepared for us by private chefs and one dinner was a hands-on preparation from scratch of ravioli and pasta. It was delicious. The private van driver was very knowledgeable and friendly. The towns we visited were mostly from the mid-evil era and so interesting. We went to Florence one day to visit the museum that housed the statue of David. It is amazing to see it in person. We had a private tour of a family-run winery which included wine tasting and meal which was one of the best during our 10 days in Italy. They have traveled the world and know the best sites. Thanks for our memories."

- Sharon Q

"Amy and Brian plan some very fun experiences that give their clients some great memories to take home. We had a cooking class, a walk in a wilderness area, knowledgeable tour guides and a beautiful stay in a Tuscan villa. Also, the island of Capri was breathtaking. We had amble time to shop or explore on our own. Amy and Brian serve their clients well. I also like the small group arrangement. I enjoyed getting to know the other travelers. I will be traveling with them again soon."

- Charlotte B

Cancellation Policy

In the event of trip cancellation before the 90-day or 30-day payment deadline, the deposited amount is non-refundable. However, any payments made before these final payment deadlines are fully refundable minus the non-refundable deposit. Trip cancellations requested after the final payment deadlines listed above are non-refundable, and guests are encouraged to file a claim with their travel insurance for reimbursement.

In the unlikely event Activ Retreats cancels the retreat, guests will be provided a full 100% refund of their booking. Lastly, we partner with several third-party booking platforms with separate deposit and cancellation policies. Please refer to their specific cancellation policies if booking through a third-party partner.

Payment Policy

All Activ Retreats retreat require a deposit at the time of booking.

European Travel Tips

Money:

Take out Euros from an ATM. Conversion rates are about equal to the dollar.

Be mindful that some ATMs charge a crazy conversion rate, like 11-15%. Do not use these ATMs. Avoid taking money out of EuroNet ATMs as they charge many conversion fees.

Use the XE currency conversion app to show you the conversion rate when you buy something.

Don't pay in USD. They probably won't take it, and you won't get a good conversion if they do.

Always use the local currency, Euro, if a merchant asks if you want to process your card in USD or Euro.

Cash is widely used, especially for small things like drinks. Keep small bills and coins for the bathroom.

If you leave a tip anywhere, round it up—no need to tip out the standard 20%.

Make sure you use up all your coins before leaving Europe, as you cannot exchange them back.

Financial Safety:

Be aware of your surroundings and avoid displaying large amounts of cash publicly.

Split up your cash, cards, and important documents into different places (e.g., some in a wallet, some in a money belt, and some in your luggage).

Keep your wallet or purse close to your body, and never leave it unattended.

Use ATMs in secure, well-lit areas and avoid those with suspicious-looking devices attached to them.

Check your credit card and bank statements regularly for unauthorized charges or transactions.

Use credit cards for larger purchases as they offer better protection than debit cards.

Use a travel credit card that offers benefits such as no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance.

Notify your bank and credit card company of your travel plans to prevent them from flagging your purchases as suspicious and freezing your account.

Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi to avoid identity theft and fraud. Use a virtual private network (VPN) and avoid accessing sensitive information (e.g., bank accounts) on public Wi-Fi networks.

Personal Safety:

Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert.

Avoid carrying valuables or expensive jewelry.

Use a money belt or cross-body purse to keep essential items secure.

Avoid walking alone at night, especially in unlit areas.

Keep your wallet in a front pocket or money belt.

Use a cross-body purse with a secure zipper or buckle.

Be wary of strangers who approach.

Stay alert in crowded places, such as train stations and tourist attractions.

Register with the embassy or consulate in case of emergency.

Always keep emergency contact information with you.

Learn basic phrases in the local language, including how to ask for help.

Transportation:

Make sure to validate your ticket before boarding.

Use trusted ride-sharing apps or licensed taxis when taking a taxi.

Official transportation services should be used at airports and train stations.