Northern Italy Retreat
Forlì, Emilia-Romagna | 9-13 October 2024
An aromatherapy, yoga & hydro-spa experience in Emilia-Romagna
Relax and reset in the restful and fragrant countryside setting of Corte San Ruffillo, a family-owned boutique hotel, organic farm and hydro spa. Delight the senses over 4 nights with aromatherapy workshops led by botanical brand owner, Rasa Gundersen, and acclaimed senior yoga instructor, Eilin Ma Dalby. This retreat is a delightful dance between movement, natural science, scent art, relaxation, community, Italian food, and luxe spa time. You are invited to journey back in time to a historic villa and ancient forest, to slow down and retreat from the pressures of everyday life, and explore the ways in which plant medicine and our intuitive connection with nature can heal and reawaken us.
Anticipate a journey with…
Aromatherapy workshops
Delight in exclusive aromatherapy workshops facilitated by Rasa Gundersen, owner of NATURALES, a renowned Norwegian botanicals brand. Rasa will lead you on a sensory journey, sharing insights on the science and magic of aromatherapy, revealing her methods and approaches to scent art, and guiding you to create your own healing aromatherapy products.
An historic villa
Our retreat venue is a listed 17th century villa that has been tastefully restored to blend the original stone walls and pressed ceilings with the clean lines, light and luxe functionality of modern architecture. All the suites have unique decor and character, with large windows revealing lush countryside. There are several calming lounges and chill spots for you to share time with others, or to curl up with a book and let the hours drift by.
A hydro-spa
Delight in the luxury of an on-site hydro spa with jacuzzis, steam and sauna rooms, emotional showers and cold plunges. There is an enticing spa menu, with an array of massages and delicious treatments bookable upon request. Enjoy the tranquility of a forested countryside environment to let the healing benefits of a hydro-spa percolate in the body and mind.
An organic farm & vineyard
The family-owned villa boasts an organic orto (‘garden’) with fruit trees and vegetables, as well as vineyards and olive groves. The chefs integrate seasonal, organic produce from the orto, as well as from other regional producers, into the menu. Everything from cheeses, pastries, cured meats, preserves and delicacies are locally sourced. Corte San Ruffillo takes great pride in their high quality winery and olive products.
Soothing yoga
Eilin Ma Dalby is a master yoga instructor and teacher trainer from Oslo, with an accessible and playful approach to her innovative yoga sessions. Eilin will guide you through exclusive Vinyasa, yin and aroma yoga classes morning and evening that welcome all bodies and experience levels. All the sessions will be held in a peaceful and inspiring environment, with views over the forest.
Relax & reset
Thrive over 5 days of a carefully curated experience. All aspects of this retreat have been planned to best facilitate relaxation and realignment in your body, mind and spirit. You are invited by Eilin & Rasa to rest, chillout, charge up, renew, rejuvenate, nurture, explore through body and senses. Be reminded of the child-like curiosity and wonder for the world, delight in the now and connecting to nature and the community!
Location
Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy
Emilia-Romagna is an administrative region in northern Italy that is famed for its quality stoned fruits, cheese production and cured meats, as well as its picturesque countryside, proud history and contemporary luxury automobile industry (the home of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati). There are no less than eleven UNESCO heritage sites in the region which contains the Romanesque and Renaissance cities of Moderna, Parma and Ferrara, as well as the capital Bologna, home to the oldest university in the world. Emilia-Romagna remains unspoiled by tourism in comparison to other regions in Italy, and yet is one of the wealthiest and culturally rich regions in Europe. Expect average temperatures in October: maximum 25℃/ 77℉ - minimum 10℃/ 50℉.
Accomodation
Corte San Ruffillo
Corte San Ruffillo is a family-owned and run boutique hotel, function venue, hydro spa and organic farm. Owners Sara and Luca are a charismatic and multi-talented team, blending their expertise in architecture and landscaping with their passion for the history and heritage of the region to create an inviting and unique experience. The fine buildings whisper of history in a music perfectly in tune with that of the surrounding forests. You will wander through 200-year old cypresses, lime and chestnut trees, oaks, hedgerows and shrubs. It is roughly an hour from Bologna airport and yet feels worlds away; the perfect location for an aromatherapy and yoga retreat! There are just 14 suites onsite, with large, airy function rooms and quiet, cozy nooks.
Retreat theme
Aromatherapy & yoga
This retreat is facilitated by Rasa and Eilin - two exceptional specialists in naturopathy and yoga who have been working together on workshops, special events and weekly classes in Oslo. Over this retreat we will learn how to use natural remedies and scents for relaxation, wellbeing and inner radiance. You will be introduced to exclusive palette of botanical ingredients (essential oils, absolutes, hydrolates, and concretes). Rasa will assist you in composing aromatherapy products that reflect the needs of your personality. Together we will learn how scents and plant remedies can benefit to better lifestyle, psychology and all bodily systems, with a focus on:
Nervous system. Relaxing, calming and sedative functions of natural scent.
Immunity. How to boost your bodily defence system lifestyle by adding bee products, herbal remedies and scents that protect your health.
Hormonal system. How to balance levels by using scent, herbal remedies and smart daily choices that helps you to reduce stress.
Beauty and self care. Uplifting and restoring effects of aromatheraphy. How to use natural remedies for rejuvenation of your spiritual wellbeing, mind and body.
These participatory workshops will last 2 hrs. every day on retreat. No previous education is required. All ingredients we use are included into total price of the retreat. Workshop themes will be explored in unison with the yoga and meditation sessions led by Eilin.
This retreat is for you if you:
Love being in tranquil, natural surroundings
Enjoy and are interested in yoga and meditation
Are intrigued by aromatherapy and botanicals
Are craving a luxe getaway that feeds mind, body and soul
Thrive on a mix of healthy social and alone time
Delight in Italian cuisine and organic, seasonal produce
What you can expect:
A secluded retreat location, set amongst forested hills
Daily yoga and creative movement with an expert instructor
Exclusive aromatherapy workshops and activities
A fully curated experience and multi-faceted sensory journey
A group of like-minded humans to connect with and alone time
Italian chefs preparing a delicious organic, regional menu for you
Your InRetreat hosts
Rasa Gundersen is a Lithuanian perfumer, gardener and health specialist based in Oslo. Rasa is the founder of Norwegian aromatherapy brand, NATURALES.
Eilin Ma Dalby is a registered yoga teacher (E-RYT 500, YACEP) through the globally renowned Yoga Alliance, and currently works as Product Coordinator at SATS, the biggest fitness chain in the Nordics.
This Retreat in Review
All the retreat details
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4 nights luxury en-suite accommodation
Breakfast, lunch and 3 course dinner
Aromatherapy workshops over 3 days with Rasa
Yoga & meditation sessions daily with Eilin
Half-day hydro spa access
Transfers to/from Bologna airport
Gift bag
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Travel to/from Bologna airport
Visas
Beverages other than water, tea and coffee
Spa treatments
Tips and Gratuities
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ARRIVAL
Fly into Guglielmo Marconi Bologna Airport (BLQ) on 9 October by 13:00. There is a private van transfer from the airport to the retreat venue departing at 13:30. If you choose to fly or train into Bologna later in the day, you will have to make your way to the venue via taxi, which we can help you arrange. Check in over the afternoon. The retreat begins by 5pm with an opening circle and first aroma experience before a welcome dinner.
If flights to Bologna are not available to you, consider Florence (FLR) or Milan (MXP) airport as an alternative. You can catch regional trains from there to Bologna airport and if you arrive prior to 13:30 please join the included private van transfer to the venue.
If you are flying in from Oslo, join Eilin and Rasa on a recommend flight: Lufthansa LH2457 & LH9482 - Departing OSL at 07:25, routing through Munich, and arriving at BLQ at 12:40 on 9 October.
DEPARTURE
The retreat ends on 13 October after a rise & shine yoga session and breakfast. Check out from your room by 11:00. If you would like to stay on at the venue over the day, you can leave your bag at reception and make use of the pool, restaurant, spa and grounds. The private van transfer to Bologna airport will depart at 14:45.
The recommended flight Eilin and Rasa will be on from Bologna back to Oslo is as follows:
Lufthansa LH289 & LH864 - Departing BLQ at 18:25, routing through Frankfurt, and arriving at OSL at 23:50 on 13 October.
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9-13 October 2024
All inclusive Rates
Sharing Suite all inclusive
Double occupancy of a suite p/p - €1,899
Deposit - €600
Single Suite all inclusive
Single occupancy of a suite p/p - €2,299
Deposit - €700
Terms:
The deposit is non-refundable and required to secure your spot
The balance payment is due by 1 September 2024
If there is an unforeseen circumstance that causes us to postpone the retreat, all payments will be paid forward to new dates, or refunded in a voucher.
It is advised you take out travel insurance.
Contact us with questions about this InRetreat
