Activities | Prices | Includes/Not included

The accommodation here is exquisite, as is the location.

Each room shares a balcony or terrace with one other room, is en-suite and has tea making facilities.

The views in every direction are incredible.

Our villa is situated in Liguria in north west Italy, one hour from Nice airport across the border in France.
The house looks out onto a verdant, ravishing landscape; here you can be reminded that nature really does have the most exquisite taste!

Your hosts: Roger is English and Marina is a native Ligurian, they have designed and built their dream villa in this stunning location after raising their family in England.

Roger was originally a solicitor in London and Marina is a trained horticulturalist, experienced and eager yoga student and also an excellent cook!

The area:  The villa nestles in the wooded slopes above the valley, with stunning views down to the river below and up to the hills and mountains around. It is newly built, luxurious and the experience is very much like being at an exclusive house party.

There is a swimming pool, a shaded outside yoga deck and an indoor yoga space.

Your day: there will be daily yoga classes either on the purpose built outdoor yoga deck, or indoors in the yoga studio.

This will consist of two classes one before breakfast and one before dinner. If we have plans to go further afield to explore or perhaps go to the beach, then we may, very occasionally, do one very long morning class instead of the two classes.

At the end of each day we'll enjoy a delicious candlelit dinner, either al fresco on our terrace overlooking the valley below, or in the dining room

For those of you staying on a 7 night retreat  there will be one day during the week with no yoga or dinner provided. On this day there will be the option to venture further afield as a group - either to the coast or into the mountains. In the evening we will eat out together at a typical Italian restaurant of our choice.

Cookery 'add-on' :  this is available as an additional day on our long yoga weekends.

Monday morning after breakfast we go to the covered fruit and vegetable market in Ventimiglia on the morning of the lesson, in order to buy the ingredients.

The tuition is done both by Marina and her lovely friend Angela, who is an extremely experienced cook who lives locally (in Apricale).  Between them they will teach most of the Ligurian specialities like torta verde, sardenaira, pesto pasta or gnocchi, some of the main courses like rabbit Ligurian style, and also various desserts, as well as Mediterranean dishes in general. 

As Angela doesn't speak English, Marina is always there to interpret on those occasions when Angela is teaching. 

Left: photo of Angela, the "Queen of Tiramisu" as Marina calls her, giving her cookery class here this summer.

To See and Do:

There is masses to do and see in the area should you desire to move from the pool.

Horse riding and tennis are close by and if you like to walk then the famous Alta Via dei Monti Liguri walking trail is very close to the house.

Just six kilometres down the mountain is Dolceacqua, a beautiful medieval town which you can walk to in sixty minutes should you wish.

Optional days out can be organized for the group, visits to the beaches of the Italian Riviera, local markets, nearby towns and villages are just some of the outings offered.

Ventimiglia

Dolceacqua
 

2012 Programme

(click on teachers name for their individual details or here for all)

Rooms and prices

The accommodation here is exquisite - each room shares a balcony or terrace with one other room.

All rooms have beautifully tiled, en-suite facilities complete with hairdryers and tea making facilities.

Downstairs is a large, comfortable, lounge and, should you wish to eat indoors, a dining area.

Marina's cooking is amazing!

Getting there easily by plane or train:

Although in Italy the nearest airport is actually Nice in France (a little over an hour’s drive away) where from Britain there are frequent cheap flights available from BA, BMI and Easyjet (booking well in advance can be helpful).

We usually arrange two group collections at set times from Nice airport to the venue, there is a fee for this service and it is dependent on the number of people in the transfer. An individual airport transfer is 90 euros however we will do our best to link you with other participants and a shared transfers is usually around 30 euros.

You may also travel to this venue very easily by train - the train arrives 20 minutes from the venue and the owners will come and collect you , or send a taxi. Cost for this service is normally 30 euros.

Car hire is easily arranged, if hiring a car from Nice airport we suggest you follow the transfer bus to the venue when it collects the other participants.

For more information please contact us at:   Free Spirit Travel   or call on:   01273-564230

Updated 26/10/2011