Conscious Escapes
June 16 - June 22, 2023
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Tuscany, Italy
Amanda Cey DeMonaco // beLeaf Retreat
Lisa Rueff // Collective Hearts
7 days, 6 nights in Italy’s gorgeous Tuscany region
A conscious escape for re-connection, culture, & exploration
An all inclusive Italian adventure taking you through Tuscany’s medieval hill-towns and gorgeous vistas. We’ll explore the countryside via hikes, and pop into the vibrant cities. Together we’ll visit a thermal spa, do daily intention setting, journaling and meditation, practice yoga & breathwork, indulge in fresh plant-based Italian cuisine, wine, and much, much more!
Tuscany instantly brings to mind images of medieval walled towns perched atop rolling hills, surrounded by vineyards and winding roads flanked by Cypress trees, delicious food, and, of course, the wine!
We’re taking over a 100% vegan Tuscan Agrivilla and making it our home for 7 days and 6 nights. Nestled among the rolling hills of the historic town of San Gimignano, and created with an environmental emphasis on zero-waste, no plastic and sustainable sources of energy, it’s the perfect springboard to dive into this gorgeous Italian region.
We’ll begin our journey by meeting in Florence, and will spend the next week visiting the historical towns of Siena and San Gimignano, and exploring the smaller hill-towns of Montelpuciano and Volterra. We’ll make sure to stop by a vineyard for some wine tasting along the way!
For every meal, you can expect gourmet plant-based Italian cuisine, including local specialties and many of your favorites including a make-your-own pizza party. And of course, gelato!
We’ll hike a leg of the Via Francegina, do some morning meditation and yoga, do lots of walking and exploring, and will be sure to include lots of free time for you to wander in the gorgeous countryside right outside our villa’s doors. We even have a day trip planned to a spectacular Tuscan thermal spa!
Throughout, we’ll take care of everything, whisking you from activity to activity, and catering to every meal. There’s no better place to welcome the 2023 summer than by exploring Tuscany along with beLeaf Retreat’s founder Amanda Cey DeMonaco, and many new friends!
Accommodations
The I Pini Vegan Agrivilla is a 100% plant-based accommodation nestled among the rolling hills of the historic town of San Gimignano, surrounded by pines, vineyards, olive groves and permacultural gardens.
With breezy and chic, rustic rooms, a gorgeous saltwater pool, a plant-based chef & kitchen and plenty of wine to go around, it’s the perfect place to come home to after a long day of sightseeing. We’ll be having all our of dinners here, as well as a few lunches and snacks.
Book This Trip
Trip Price Includes
All meals, from breakfast to dinner, all 100% plant-based.
On the last day, transfer to Florence airport or train station (before noon only)
All non-premium drinks (water, juice, coffee, tea, wine, beer) during included meals
Live Q&A before the trip to ask your questions to the tour leaders and Amanda
Accommodation in our own private 100% vegan villa in Tuscany
Welcome gift curated by Amanda from beLeaf Retreat
Wine tasting at a Tuscan winery
Plant-based cooking class + pizza party w/ our villa's chef
One complimentary laundry day
Entrance at the Thermal Hot Springs
Morning yoga, meditation and breathwork sessions
Workshops w/ Amanda & Lisa
Local guides in Siena, Montepulciano & Volterra
All ground transportation for included activities
All tips for local guides and drivers during our included activities
Trip Price Excludes
Transportation (ie flights, train) to/from our departure/finish point: Florence, Italy
Optional activities outside of what we've planned (see itinerary for more detail)
Medical travel insurance (mandatory)
Premium brand alcoholic drinks
Extra snacks, drinks, alcoholic beverages and meals outside of what's included (see itinerary)
Tips for guides/drivers on non-included activities, or to hotel staff (completely optional)
$1,500 Deposit Total
Your first payment will be due January 16th, 2023, and final payment due March 16th, 2023.
Please make sure to read the “Agreement” (ie booking terms and conditions) carefully prior to purchase for information on payments, cancellations, insurance, etc.
Email us at amanda@beleafretreat.com if you have any questions about the trip, how to sign up or anything else that comes up!
Location, Travel & FAQ’s
Travel & Transportation
FLIGHTS
You are in charge of your own transportation — whether it be flights, train, bus, car, etc. — to our starting city, and your return transportation from our departure city.
For your arrival, please arrive early on the first day, as our first meeting tends to be just after lunch. This exact time and place will be confirmed at a later date, but do plan ahead adequately to leave you enough time to get to our meeting place by that time. Even better is arriving one or more days before, as this would provide you with a chance to take care of jet-lag and visit the town.
Please note that your transportation to our first meeting point is not included.
VISAS
For citizens of western countries (ie USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc), no visas are necessary for a stay of 90 days or less in the Schengen Area, of which Italy is a member. Other European citizens do not need a visa to enter Italy.
TRAVEL/MEDICAL INSURANCE
Medical travel insurance is mandatory on our trip. We need to have assurances that you are fully covered in the event of a medical emergency, including repatriation. You will need to send us your policy detail and emergency contact number before the trip’s start date.
Trip Insurance (trip cancellation, lost baggage, etc.), on the other hand, is entirely up to you, though we highly recommend purchasing it. It often comes packaged along with medical travel insurance, or you may get coverage simply by paying for the trip using a credit card (inquire with your card supplier).
Location
We’ll start our journey by meeting in Florence, but the retreat accommodations are located in San Gimignano, a quaint walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy.
Trip FAQs
Everything you need to know before you go! Wondering about payments, cancellation policies, or what to bring? Check out our FAQ’s to learn everything you need to know before booking your retreat.
Why You’ll Love This Trip
Soak in a Tuscan Thermal Hot Spring
Walking tours of historical towns Siena, Volterra & Montepulciano
Explore the medieval alleyways and towers of San Gimignano
Hike a leg of the Via Francegina
2 Workshops with Amanda & Lisa
Yoga + Meditation Practices
100% Plant-based gourmet meals, including local Italian fave's + cooking class
Breathwork & Sound Healing ceremonies
Curated gift from beLeaf Retreat
Tuscan winery visit and Italian wine!
Daily Intention Setting & Journaling
June 16 - June 22, 2023
Trip Schedule
2:00 PM: Meet & Greet @ Florence Roofdeck Hotel
3:30 PM: Drive to i pini Agrivilla
4:30 PM: Check-in, pool & free time
7:30 PM: Welcome Drinks & Dinner
8:30 PM: Opening Circle / Intentions
DAY 1: Friday, June 16
7:00 AM : Yoga on the Terrace
8:30 AM: Breakfast / Morning Affirmations +Journaling Exercise
9:30 AM: Drive to Volterra (Half-day trip)
10:30 AM: Explore Volterra
12:30 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Return to i pini
4:30 PM: Cooking Class & Agrivilla Tour
7:30 PM: Dinner
DAY 2: Saturday, June 17
8:00 AM: Breakfast & Journaling Exercise
9:30 AM: Hike Via Francegina (approx 3-4 hrs)
1:30 PM: Lunch in San Gimignano
2:30 PM: Free time (walk around town)
4:30 PM: Sound Healing/ Transformational Breathwork
7:30 PM: Dinner
8:30 PM: Workshop 1 w/ Amanda
DAY 3: Sunday, June 18
8:00 AM: Breakfast & Journaling Exercise
9:30 AM: Drive to Montepulciano
11:00 AM: Explore Montepulciano
12:30 PM: Lunch in Montepulciano
2:00 PM: Winery Visit
4:00 PM: San Fillipo Thermal Spa visit
5:30 PM: Return to i pini
7:30 PM: Dinner
8:30 PM: Evening Meditation + Free Time
DAY 4: Monday, June 19
8:00 AM: Breakfast & Journaling Exercise
9:30 AM: Free Morning / Swim
12:30 PM: Lunch
3:00 PM: Afternoon Yoga
5:30 PM: Workshop 2 w/ Amanda
7:30 PM: Dinner
8:30 PM: Evening Meditation + Free Time
DAY 5: Tuesday, June 20
8:00 AM: Breakfast & Journaling Exercise
9:30 AM: Drive to Siena
11:00 AM: Explore Siena
12:30 PM: Lunch in Siena
2:00 PM: Explore Siena
4:00 PM: Return to i pini
5:30 PM: Swim & Free Time
7:30 PM: Dinner
8:30 PM: Farewell Circle
DAY 6: Wednesday, June 21
8:00 AM: Breakfast & Journaling Exercise
9:00 AM: Morning Meditation / Walk around property
11:00 AM: Depart for Florence
DAY 7: Thursday, June 22
Host
Amanda Cey DeMonaco / Founder beLeaf Retreat
San Francisco's premier event planner Amanda Cey DeMonaco was concerned and distraught when the pandemic hit. Like other families, Amanda grappled with new childcare challenges, while seeking ways to help her business survive as the demand for private and corporate events vanished overnight. Being vegetarian for most of her life and now vegan, Amanda has cultivated a deep understanding of conscious consumption and the links between the food we eat and the impact of these choices on our health, animals, and planet.
Amanda’s latest venture, beLeaf Retreat stems from Amanda's love of all things plant-based and combines her two greatest passions of event planning and her desire to help others transition to a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle. Follow @beleafretreat on Instagram for tips on conscious living and upcoming retreats!
Lisa Rueff / Collective Hearts
Lisa Rueff is a vibrant and enthusiastic Bay Area community leader, known for orchestrating and facilitating transformational experiences worldwide. Lisa has been in the Wellness Industry for over 30 years - supporting people with many modalities – from Therapeutic Massage, Meditation and Yoga to Breathwork, Sound Healing, Self Care Rituals and Self Love Practices.
Weaving ancient wisdom with modern day self care practices, she teaches easy-to-implement effective strategies to live your most enriched, nourished and fulfilled life. Lisa has been featured and published in Yoga Journal, Mantra Magazine, Yoga International, Origin Magazine, The Examiner, Marin Magazine, Ode and more. Lisa’s teaches a joyful, inspiring and uplifting approach and invites her students to celebrate their health and wellbeing.
She loves connecting and empowering people to achieve their highest potential, purpose, and passions.
Join This Trip
June 16-22, 2023
HOW TO SAY YES TO A WELL DESERVED ADVENTURE…
STEP 1: Learn all about the trip; the theme, the host, the accommodations, the location, our policies, etc.
STEP 2: Choose a room and reserve your spot as soon as you’re ready for the best options.
STEP 3: You’ll get a confirmation + (3) emails leading up to your trip preparing you for an amazing adventure.
STEP 4: Book your travel to one of the most beautiful destinations in Italy!