Retreats

Rise & Shine

Start your day with the sun sweeping over a stunning green valley surrounded by fruit orchards & vegetable gardens. Welcome to Essentia, one of our partners in Molise — a family business run by Salvatore and Marina, who have converted their family’s old farmhouse into a modern Agriturismo B&B, each room uniquely inspired by an element of the gastronomic culture and tradition of Molise.

Before breakfast, you’ll meet Ewa downstairs for a gentle morning yoga class — the perfect way to kick start your body for the day’s adventure ahead. Classes take place outside, letting you take in all the natural beauty surrounding you. Breakfast follows, made with ingredients from the encircling farmland; you won’t get much fresher than this.

A Morning In Molise

After breakfast and a warm shower you’re ready to start the day. For a more active morning, join Salvatore on a bike ride through the beautiful countryside (electric bikes available for those who want to take it a bit easier). Salvatore is an expert in local agriculture with a passion for making whole foods from the produce grown on the surrounding land — your route will take you along the Tratturi, ancient paths used by shepherds moving their herds.

Those looking for a more relaxed morning will be picked up by Scott and driven across the lake highway to Civitacampomarano — a beautiful hillside town home to a stunning Centro Storico (old town) juxtaposed with modern street art. At a height of 520m, the town has beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, best taken in with a coffee at the local bar.

Afternoon of Culture

Before lunch, we meet up in Larino for a guided stroll around the Roman amphitheatre before heading to the old town for a traditional Italian lunch. Afterwards, you’ll have a short rest before deciding how to spend the afternoon — either a tour of local wineries and vineyards with Scott to meet the owners, learn about their production methods, and sample your favourite Vine & Soul wines, or a private Italian cooking class with Lori, our partner from Molise Cuisine.

Evening Aperitivo Time

There is something about watching the sun dip behind the sea, so the evening is spent in Termoli — its stunning old town perched on an outcrop overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the perfect spot for an aperitif before dinner at one of the town’s fantastic seafood restaurants. Fish caught fresh that morning is hard to beat, especially prepared by local chefs. After dinner, there’s time for a stroll through Termoli and a quick nightcap before returning to the farmhouse for a well-deserved night’s rest.