Maraviglia
tuscany, italy
Recharging nature, cultural and wellness retreats on a Tuscan hillside
Set on a 16th century olive oil farm in the heart of tranquil Tuscan countryside, Maraviglia offers a healing experience that embraces the natural pace of rural living. Named after the small, secluded hill just outside the charming town of Monte San Savino, Maravaglio retreats feature rebalancing yoga, massage treatments, herbalism and local culture, including castles, food tours, tastings and festivals.
our Reviewer rosie walford says:
‘Tashi is a loquacious Australian who radiates pure enthusiasm for the experience of being in her strong physical body and for the nomadic life she has created. Yoga with her was much more than organised poses on a mat – it invited me to truly attend to my own body and notice how I feel in my life’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘Owner-host Francesco Piattelli was born at Maraviglia, ran a company in New York, then returned to grow artisan olive oil. Partner Francesca, a food anthropologist, honours Tuscan culture in every dish. Both intelligent, passionate people, they’re keen to share with others the natural life they have crafted for themselves. Bring a journal - there’s expansive, unstructured time and yoga teacher Tashi Dawa offers some stirring perspectives on contemporary life. Resting under an old oak, your own insights bubble to the fore’
Experiences
Retreats are designed to immerse you in nature, as well as reconnecting you with yourself and others. Themed, set-date breaks include an Olive Harvest Deep Dive with local cultural trips and tastings, and weekend slow living retreats with yoga and treatments.
Open House Retreats offer yoga, meditation, breathwork and chanting and a chance to reconnect with yourself and others. Choose your activities from swimming, countryside walks, healing massages and trips to thermal baths. Private, bespoke retreats for you and your own group mix yoga with pasta-making and excursions.
Morning and evening yoga is rebalancing hatha flow, with Tashi Dawa, a lifelong yogi, or Francesca, the resident yoga teacher.
Treatments include ayurvedic and deep tissue massage, along with reiki and shiatsu – all carried out by experienced local therapists.
The beautiful historic hill town of Monte San Savino is a 25-minute walk away – Wednesday is market day. On your doorstep you’ll find hidden natural thermal springs and vineyards to visit. A taxi ride away is the city of Arezzo, known for its cathedral with painted vaulted ceilings.
Spaces
The retreat is based around an original Tuscan farmhouse, with stone walls, curvy tiles and covered terraces. You’re way up a gravel road on a peaceful hilltop, where forested footpaths and wildflowers abound.
Olive terraces surround the house and the open yoga shala is in the woods, looked over by ancient oaks. Wide lawns lead to a large infinity pool, with just a few loungers dotted around. Expect lavender, rosemary and jasmine scents from the garden. Be sure to find the oak tree swinging chair and the hammock with a panoramic view.
Inside the farmhouse, you’ll find cooling, thick, whitewashed walls, and a comfortable, shady sitting room, with artwork from local artists on the walls. There’s a gorgeous library and reading nook upstairs.
Accommodation includes rustic double and twin rooms with a muted décor and countryside views. PrimaRosa and PrimaBlu are large double ensuite upstairs rooms, while Piccola is a single downstairs room. Studio is a single en-suite downstairs room.
There’s also a double or twin yurt with a charming outdoor bathroom and open valley views from the shower. Casina is a spacious triple apartment next to the main house.
Sustenance
Outside, on two shared tables, you’ll be served delicious, rustic, vegetarian Italian brunches and dinners made from home-grown, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, all seasoned with Francesco’s organic herbs. The focus is on flavour, provenance and clean, healthy eating.
Brunch is after yoga at 10.30am and spreads include granola, yoghurts, prunes, homemade jams and breads. Expect frittata, cheeses, scrambled eggs, spinach quiche, ricotta with herbs, tomato salads and charred asparagus, along with fruit and nuts.
Dinners feature fresh soups such as split pea potage, with salads (think fennel, beetroot, peppers, aubergines and leaves), as well as hot tarts, cheesy potato, and punchy dishes like Tuscan cannellini beans with sage and radicchio salad, followed by delicious desserts, including tiramisu and lemon cake.
Snacks include fresh, organic and seasonal fruits, wholemeal organic biscuits, savoury tarts, pizza slices, bruschettas, tomato salads and olives and mixed vegetables.
Herbal teas are available day and evening, and homemade espresso is served from a giant, olive wood-handled vintage moka pot. Alcohol isn’t served on yoga retreats. On other retreats local wine is offered, as part of the Tuscan cultural heritage.
