FAQs
What’s included?
Luxe accommodations, 3 meals per day plus beverages and snacks, and all activities listed in the retreat description.
What’s not included?
Airfare, transportation to and from the retreat, private massage/tips.
What is the average age of retreat participants?
Each retreat will vary, depending on the activity levels and theme. That said, we will host women in their 30’s all the way up to their 60’s and 70’s.
Can I arrive early to the retreat and stay late?
We have specific check-in and check-out times with the villa, so unfortunately we must abide by those guidelines. We will always ask for early check-in and late departure, but it can not be guaranteed until likely a few days prior to the retreat. You are welcome to explore the surrounding areas on your own or with a partner! If there is significant interest, we may add another day on to the retreat so that people can relax, decompress, and explore more of the surrounding areas on their own.
What should I pack?
Please do not bring more than one suitcase per person. You will need to carry your bags only from the bus to the hotel twice (plus the trip to our meeting place), so make sure you can lift it by yourself (ie it’s not too heavy).
We do have one free laundry included on the trip, so hopefully this can help in not over-packing. Laundry will also be available on other days at a fee.
Dinner clothes: you’ll probably want a fresh change of clothes for almost every evening. Feel free to get dressed up, especially Saturday night for our special closing dinner! We will announce a theme for our Saturday night dinner closer to the retreat start date.
Yoga clothes/ loungewear: please bring enough for 2 practices. Amount you bring depends on how much you typically sweat and your tolerance for re-wearing. Bring layers so that you don’t get cold during meditation, warm-up, savasana and restorative practice.
Hiking boots and socks, pair of casual shoes, flip flops for yoga/hot tub. We recommend the most lightweight, waterproof hiking boots you can find that have ankle support. Our preferred brands are Goretex, Montrail, Oboz and Merrell.
Hiking clothes: Waterproof jacket, 1-2 fleece/sweaters/sweatshirts, short-sleeve tees, shorts, pair of non-jean outdoor pants, lots of layers. Consider warm base layers: we recommend Patagonia and REI, Lululemon, Alo Yoga, and Athleta also have some good options.
Bathing suit for pool/ thermal bath.
Pair of lightweight gloves and a hat for warmth (just in case)
Water bottle and lightweight, small backpack to carry lunch, camera, personal items while hiking. We suggest a camelback for water for the hike. These items are super important, so please don’t forget them!
Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm & moisturizer for the dry weather.
NOTE: No need to bring your own yoga mat unless you want to. We will have mats for usage. We will be sending an info packet several weeks before the trip that will include a packing list.
Temperature
It's no coincidence that June is one of Tuscany's best travel months in part because of its favorable weather. Average temperatures this month range between 77-83°F (25-28°C) during the day and drop 20 degrees Fahrenheit (10°C) by the evening with extremes reaching the mid-90s (30°C).
Where does the yoga take place and how often?
The yoga will take place at the villa, and there will be 2 sessions offered.
If I sign up alone, how do you organize roommates?
The majority of retreaters typically come alone, and you can either pick a single room or share a double room with someone else. We can pair you with another guest that we think is a good fit based on your answers from the participant form. If you are booking with a friend or partner, please make sure that they book the same room and note on the Participant Form.
What drinks are included?
We will provide water, juice, coffee, tea, some cocktails and wine/beer during lunches and all dinners and some activities. We will make it clear what’s included and what’s not. Premium alcoholic drinks (ie expensive cognac, whiskey, champagne, etc) are not included. You can pay for those on the spot or sign it to the room and pay when checking out.
How many people will be on this retreat?
Our retreats are relatively intimate, ranging from 10-20 people max.
How much money should I bring?
We provide all accommodation, transportation and meals. All expenses during our included activities are taken care of, including tips for guides and drivers.
You will then only need cash for extra purchases such as souvenirs, extra drinks outside of what’s included, extra snacks, etc. There are ATMs in every town and credit cards are accepted in most places. This mostly means Visa and MasterCard, with American Express having quite a lower acceptance rate outside of hotels and higher-end restaurants.
The tour leader will be carrying extra cash. If you decide to go on an optional activity at the last minute but don’t have enough money, we will be able to help you out and you can simply pay us back when we find an ATM.
For drinks during meals: we have a limited amount of alcoholic beverages (beer and wine) per meal. Any extra drinks on top of what’s provided will require you to pay the suppliers (ie hotel, restaurant) directly. We will make it very clear how much is included before each meal.
Tipping hotel and restaurant staff is not necessary and entirely up to you.
How much free time do we have?
There will be built in free time each day where you can do whatever you choose, and if there’s an activity you would like to skip you can.
Should I purchase travel insurance?
A retreat is an investment in your well-being—but it’s also a financial investment. Unexpected life events do occur, so it is recommended that you purchase your own travel/trip cancellation insurance so your trip fees will be covered in case you have to cancel your retreat. Trip insurance should also be purchased to cover medical expenses, in the event you have an accident while on the retreat. You can usually add insurance to your airfare when booking flights, or ask your credit card company about trip insurance.
What if my Trip Gets Cancelled?
We reserve the right to cancel retreats with inadequate participant interest, in which case all money paid to beLeaf Retreat will be refunded.
Notification of cancellation will occur at least 30 days prior to your retreat start date. beLeaf Retreat cannot be held responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in itineraries or retreat cancellations.
For the full cancellation clause, and to find out what happens if YOU need to cancel your trip after booking, please refer to our agreement.
Can I join a waitlist if the retreat I want is sold out?
Absolutely! If the retreat or accommodation type you want is sold out, please click here to sign up for the waitlist. If a spot opens up, we’ll notify you ASAP.
Where Can I Get Directions for My Retreat?
The specific travel and venue information and directions will be included in your orientation emails. You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to and from the retreat. You should be flying in and out of Florence, Italy.
Do I have to participate in everything in the schedule?
You do not need to participate in everything, although we’ve designed this to be a holistic experience and want you to get the most out of it. We support whatever is best for you. The schedule gives you a sense of the flow of each day. It’s always subject to change, depending upon the needs of the group, weather, etc.
I am not getting confirmation emails, how do I fix this?
Please contact amanda@beleafretreat.com for support.