About The Retreat

“First, Erin and Julian …..you two are just a delight. Getting to know you was truly enjoyable. You will absolutely see me again. I so truly admire you for the life you’ve created. Both of you are so talented and knowledgeable. So TRULY inspiring!

I felt like I was living in a dream… I’ve become a devotee of yoga and I really can’t imagine anything better than doing yoga everywhere in the world, but adding the art was an incredible bonus. And Venice! I thought one week might be too long, but I can barely wait to return learning about the layers of wonder that exist there. And, then Italy! OMG! Amazing:) Thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating such a wonderful excursion and more than that, living in a truly beautiful way, where you are able to manifest your happiest lives while giving sooooo much to others.”

We’re returning to our annual retreat in Venice, Italy – and we’ve added some fun new surprises. This enchanting city is the backdrop of a magical retreat – with daily yoga, creativity workshops, day trips, spas, masks, sites, gondolas, and gourmet meals.

Come away with us for a week in the magical part of Italy known as Venezia! Venice is a place unlike any other in the world, and to see it is to transport yourself back to the days of Casanova, masked balls, and Carnevale.

Oh, but there is so much more to Venice than what the usual tourist visit can offer. Our yoga retreat will allow for a deeper knowledge of Venice, its canals, and neighboring islands. We’re so excited to offer this retreat during a unique time to visit this amazing city – as it’s out of the main tourist season so you can get a deeper view into the local life.

This is one of our continued collaborations with Julian Hyzler from EASEL&LENS to combine a look at creative focus with art projects in sketching and “ifonography” (smartphone photography) throughout the week.

Yoga and meditation classes will be held daily to prepare our bodies and minds to find the calm in the magic that is Venice – and then these art projects will help us find news ways of seeing – both yoga and art working together to find focus in the many layers of history, water, and beauty of the Venetian landscape.

You will get to experience all the major forms of water transportation that the city offers, and there’s also plenty of time to explore on your own as well.

All levels are welcome, and participation is voluntary. Projects and classes will be offered as a completely exploratory, non-intimidating and personal experience.

Accommodation

The retreat will be hosted at the beautiful luxury boutique hotel, Palazzo Vitturi, a Byzantine / Gothic Venetian Palazzo built during late 1200’s and adorned by fine neo-classical original frescoes.

Feel a timeless atmosphere where you’re transported to the old days of glorious Venice, with the original beams, the Murano chandeliers, the typical venetian flooring, the capitals and decors: every detail will give you a flavour of romance and exclusivity to your time in Venice. Read reviews.

Yoga

A daily meditation and yoga class will be offered at the start of the day in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle, restorative, and more vigorous vinyasa flow and ashtanga styles.

Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students’ needs, and with a small intimate retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice.

Retreat schedule

Guests will not only enjoy the hotel property with its traditional decor, but will also have plenty of time to explore the city, the lagoons, canals, and other nearby islands – all with their own personality.

An overview visit to Venice will allow guests to get their bearings in the maze of canals, to see the major sites, and even ride the famous gondolas. Another day will be spent seeing Burano, the island of colorful picturesque houses and lace-making, as well as a stop for a tour of one of Venice’s only wineries, complete with wine-pairing and chef tasting lunch at their award-winning restaurant, followed by a private boat trip return.

We’ll enjoy a visit to a historical mask-making workshop where we’ll be able to create original masks of our own, a special tour of the most famous site in the city, St. Mark’s Basilica, and other noteworthy sites. During our stay, guests will get to experience all the major forms of water transportation that the city offers, and there’s also plenty of time to explore on your own as well.

Day Trips

• Walking overview of Venice – (St. Mark’s Square, Bascilica/Doge Palace, Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge, Grande Canal, Frari, etc)
• Island boat tour – Burano + winery island
• Venetian Market
• Special tour of St Mark’s Basilica + adjoining sites
• Gondola ride
• Mask-making workshop visit and on-site class
• Luxury spa day with treatment

Teacher

Certified yoga instructor Erin Lewis, will facilitate the classes, helping each student focus on improving their practice and gaining new insights into their bodies and movements. She’s studied various types of yoga disciplines since 1998, concentrating on the Ashtanga discipline since 2008.

She received her teacher certification in Florence, Italy and has continued her education with various specialty certifications throughout the years. She now combines powerful movements with more anatomical-based core vinyasa flow and restorative movement in her personal practice and teaching style.

Cuisine

Healthful, vegetarian food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfast and dinner daily, and select lunches, either hosted at the villa or out and about in town. Ingredients are local and seasonal, and our meals will be inspired by the Venetian traditions.

We will be visiting some of Venice’s most historical cafes and restaurants, like Florian, during our visit, as well as smaller local in-the-know osterias and trattorias for more traditional experiences. We’ll visit gourmet restaurants around the city and enjoy chef tasting menus – one on a special island where Venice’s only winery is housed.

Retreat Price

Prices are in US dollars

6 days / 5 nights (Nov 1-6, 2021)

Regular Inclusive Retreat Price = $2,895 (shared room*) +$450 (single room supplement)

Get $200 off the above prices – last minute SALE!

Deposit to hold space = $950

Max # Guests = 12

Includes

• Hotel accommodation (spacious bedrooms, luxury bathrooms, linens)
• Daily Breakfast and Dinner, selected lunches
• Aperitivo at famous Venetian cafe
• Transportation to/from day trips
• Daily yoga and art classes
• Venice sites + walking tour
• Evening gondola tour
• Boat tour to Burano
• Visit to private island with winery + restaurant with wine pairing and chef’s tasting menu
• Special tour of St Mark’s Basilica and surrounding sites
• Mask-making workshop
• Private group water taxi arrival and departure
• Spa day with treatments at Luxury Venetian Spa
• Taxes

Does not include

* airfare not included

What past guests have said

“I can’t begin to express my thanks for the week in Venice. I am still in disbelief that it ever happened! I still can’t decide what part of it was my favorite – the mask making was so unique and informative, the walking tours laid out the city—but I think if all I had done was the boat ride to Murano and dinner at Ai Barbicani, I could have gone home happy. Honestly, even just the hotel was great – I’m already recommending it to friends. The yoga space was gorgeous – and the staff were incredible.

I also really loved the art classes. I usually have to beg to stop to take photos, so to be in a space where someone encouraged it was so refreshing! Our group stayed together most of the time (even in our off time), and all of the buzz was fantastic and so positive. Cornelia talked in our off time about how the retreat was so much more than what she expected, and Laura was really taken by the art projects, and Alicia just loved the tiramisu! We all talked about how the yoga and art were shaping our view of the city, how much we loved all the details and how we were so glad we didn’t have to organize it ourselves! By the third night, everyone was saying they already felt like they could go home happy. Thank you for presenting me with this incredible opportunity.” Sarah – New York, USA

”What a treat it was to spend time in Italy with you two last week. I had an amazing time and have come home refreshed and energized. Thank you for posting the pictures and information. The retreat was truly a reflection of you. Everything was well thought out and realized. Loved the hotel and all the lovely places we visited. Thank you so much and I hope to see at some point in the future.” Rina – Tennessee, USA

What to pack

• Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.
• Bathing suit (on-site pool, beaches)
• Yoga clothes
• Personal yoga props (blocks, straps, etc.)
• Plug adaptors / converters
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Smart phone with camera and/or digital camera

How to get here

Nearest major airport: Venice Airport “Marco Polo” (VCE)

Other major airports easily reachable by train: Bologna Aeroporto G. Marconi di Bologna (BLQ), Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)

Venice Train Station: Santa Lucia.

Booking

To book this Luxury Venice Yoga, Culture & Creativity Retreat, send your enquiry to the team who will get back to you within 24 hours or email us directly on retreats@soulseedmedia.com.

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