NEW 2012 Retreat Dates

Have you heard? We've announced several new 2012 retreat dates on the site! Now you have more opportunities to join us on an EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreat holiday this next year.

2011 was an amazing year in Italy and Morocco with some of the best groups ever. I'm so excited to see who we get to meet next year. There have already been some sign-ups and even some repeat guests coming again.

Here is the line-up! Don't miss out.

UPCOMING 2012 RETREATS: 

MARRAKESH, MOROCCO :: March 4-10 & September 23-29, 2012 • Click HERE for more info!

TUSCANY, ITALY :: May 20-26, 2012 • Click HERE for more info!

VENICE, ITALY :: May 27-June 2, 2012 • Click HERE for more info!

ISCHIA, ITALY :: September 16-22, 2012 • Click HERE for more info!

Food in Marrakesh :: part 3

Part 3 of my posts on the past yoga retreat in Marrakesh. This one will probably be my last one about Marrakesh for a while, as I have several other things to update you on...but this one is last, and not least, about the amazing FOOD we had.

The week was an ongoing parade of tastes - all completely vegetarian and completely delicious. Most of the meals were served at Peacock Pavilions, from breakfast and lunches on the outdoor poolside terrace to extravagant dinners in the Moroccan dining tent.

Flavors and spices from sweet to savory were in every bite...

(and sip...as we had a few lovely cocktails throughout the week too! Here were some cucumber mint Pimms sipped poolside during the henna party)

All fresh, local ingredients were served with a mix of traditional and more international flair of recipes.

All meals were multi-courses and served in beautiful displays before each of us.

Dessert was a daily indulgence as well. (shhh.... ;)) and I don't think there were any complaints about that.

What a GREAT group it was - so many laughs were shared each day, smiles/hugs/encouragement given, and life-long friends made. Can't wait to see everyone again sometime.

Here's a video recap of our amazing week:

There's a few spots left for the next Marrakesh adventure in March 2012. 

JOIN US!

Yoga in Marrakesh :: part 2

I hope to have whet your appetite for more about the Marrakesh yoga retreat from the last post. Oh but how much there is to say about our lovely time there.

So what did we do during the week (well besides a couple yoga classes and some meditation each day)?

PLENTY!

 The first day was a magical guide through the exotic Marrakesh Medina. Through palaces, rihads, and souks.

We explored the streets, bargained at the stalls, found just the right rugs and slippers, and of course enjoyed a few mint tea breaks throughout the day.

The main square in the old part of the city is indescribable in words or photos...you just have to be there to experience it first-hand!

One day we enjoyed a pool-side cocktail party at Peacock Pavilions while getting painted up with beautiful henna designs! (Even the guys joined in on the party!)

Then we all took a trip to the seaside town of Essoauria with its lovely laid-back vibe. After a yoga session on the beach we explored the markets and the quaint streets, (ate a gelato...shhh don't tell!), and then geared up for one of the highlights...

...Camel rides on the beach! Passing old fortress ruins, watching the sunset as we lazily rode through the sand, "fantasizing being like Lawrence of Arabia" as one guest put it!

But wait...there's more! Stay tuned for thoughts on the food, flavors, and spices of Morocco!

and we're baaaacckk!!!

Wow. Has it really been six weeks already? Finally just a few days ago I arrived back to NYC and am finally getting over the jet lag!

The last time we spoke I was just about to board a transatlantic flight - and boy has the time flown! Well now I'm back after some unforgettable weeks in both Marrakesh and Ischia. For now I thought I'd just give you a nice recap of the Marrakesh retreat and the amazingly fun time we had at Peacock Pavilions in September. ...Of course, stay tuned for even more updates about the Ischia retreat - and news on the upcoming 2012 calendar announcements.

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OUR EXPERIENCE AT PEACOCK PAVILIONS

I thought I'd break up the posts on the Marrakesh retreat into several categories. The first being about the amazing location and hosts of Peacock Pavilions. Words won't do it justice so I'm only going to give some snippets of how beautiful it really was.

As soon as we arrived we were given a tour of the grounds and just oooh'd and aaaahh'd at all the details that had gone into every single space. The rooms are magnificent and each piece of paint, artwork, or fabric seems to have some story behind it.

Many an afternoon was spend lounging by the beautiful pool area while mint teas were sipped continuously. We even had a henna & cocktail party as well as a wine-tasting event around the pool throughout the week...but more to come on that in another post!

Morning and evening yoga classes were held in the lovely yoga tent in the olive grove. Spacious and always nice views, the tent has most recently been painted even more awaiting our next retreat in March! Meditation class, including a walking meditation around the grounds, was always a nice wake-up routine with just the warm breezes and occasional bird caw filtering in through the tent.

Meals here are another story that will require its own post - as there's just too much to say about it. I think that between all of the guests, the plates were the spotlight of the most photos all week! Each meal, including breakfast, was served in courses, each one more beautiful than the next. And don't get me started on the mouth-watering tastes. Plus, we enjoyed dinner in the dining tent which made us all feel like kings and queens each evening!

Maryam with me and some of our lovely guests

Then there are the hosts Chris and Maryam (plus their adorable kids, interns, and staff) who all welcomed us with open arms. Their hospitality makes you feel at home - ok, well maybe a bit more pampered than at home - but a beautiful home nonetheless!

...More to come on the rest of the Marrakesh experience!

A Week in Florence

Well if you keep up with EAT.PRAY.MOVE you may have noticed a little bit of a drop in online chatter this week as my time on the computer (twitter, facebook, blogs) has been more sporatic... but only because I'm in ITALY preparing for the Tuscany retreat which starts this Sunday.

I took off last Friday and luckily got some sleep on the plane (as the seat next to me was empty!), and woke up just as we were flying over France and then into Italy over the Mediterranean coast.

It's been a lovely time in Florence this week - seeing friends, running errands, going to the yoga studio, and just being back on the old cobblestone streets that I consider a second home. It always takes me a few days to get over the jet-lag but the rich espresso here definitely helps me out!

Besides all the regular sites, there tends to be festivals and special events going on all the time here. This week happened to be fashion week, so the shop windows are in full regalia and the people watching is at its finest. 

All the plans are in place for the upcoming retreats, and being in Florence has made me even more excited for them as well as the day-trip during the week back to the city. It's such a lovely place close to my heart that I can't wait to share it with guests.

Besides getting ready with logistics, I've also been getting ready just to meet everyone. Plus we had 2 MORE LAST MINUTE SIGN-UPS! So now both Tuscany retreats are full, and the groups are going to be great!

If you've been thinking of joining us on a retreat - don't miss out. There's 1 more spot in Marrakesh in Septempber as well as spots in ISCHIA in October. Stay tuned on our Facebook page for pics-of-the-day during my month in Italy (including preparations in Ischia in two weeks)

Travel Thursday :: Bella Italia

As you can guess, with the summer yoga retreats in Italy coming up soon, my mind is filled with images of "il bel paese". Tickets were booked this past week, and the details have been coming together.

I'll be in the boot for a month, and will be able to spend some time in the city I like to consider my second home, the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence, Italy. I love the familiarity that immediately hits me when I set foot on the cobblestone streets. Then they'll be plenty of exploring in the countryside of Tuscany and Umbria. Hiking, admiring the fields of wildflowers, eating, drinking, enjoying.

Lately I've been watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservation episodes from Venice, Rome, and Tuscany, as well as rewatching some of my favorite films (The Talented Mr. Ripley, La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2). Last week I even checked out an older film which I'd never seen, Summertime, starring Katherine Hepburn in Venice!

Besides getting to experience all the places we'll take guests during the retreats, I'll also have a bit of time between the yoga weeks to scout out some new locations for future  retreats! I have my eye on a few places...want to guess where they are?

Or better yet - let me know some of the places you'd love to visit for a week of yoga!

Italian day-trip :: market in Arezzo

Today I thought I'd take you on an Italian day-trip...won't you join me? One of the side trips we'll be taking on the EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats in June and July this year in Italy is to the lovely Tuscany town of Arezzo. This once Etruscan city is home to the famous Fiera Antiquaria (antique fair) which is spread up and down all the streets, alleys, and squares of the city center.

There are over 500 antique vendors with everything from jewelry, books, oil paintings, original edition comic books, tapestries, linens, furniture, frames, tin toys, carved wooden doors, stamps, postcards and almost anything you could think to collect.

A few years ago, while my husband and I were living in Florence, we visited Arezzo with the lovely Julian and Amanda (owners of the villa where the yoga retreat will take place). It was a beautiful spring Sunday, and such a great way to experience this Tuscan town.

We meandered up the street past many frames of silver, pine, and iron leaning against the stone walls and tables of bric-a-brac being picked through by tourists and Italians from all regions. As soon as we got to the first intersection, I looked to the right and left down the crossway and each strada (street) was just as full of antique vendors as was the current one on which we stood. 

We quickly came upon a small piazza with the Basilica di San Francesco, which we were able to step in for a little bit to see the Legends of the True Cross by Piero della Francesca. Since it was Sunday mass, we had to view it from afar...luckily Julian (owner of the villa where the retreat will be held, and who will be also leading this day-trip) teaches art history and was able to explain much of this massive fresco to us from the prints in the back of the church. As soon as we exited the silent hall, the hum of shoppers filled the air once again and we continued the trek through town. 

Soon we were at the Vasari Loggia, a hall of old shops with a covered sidewalk and archways leading to Piazza Grande, the culmination of the fair. Here is where Frances Mayes, author of Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany, writes about buying things for her villa in Cortona. I searched through some stalls of bed linens and found a couple white embroidered pillow cases. Notice, I didn't say a "pair" of cases, as the two I chose don't match...but it's nice to find mismatched linens with different stories behind them (not that I know the stories, but at least I can imagine two stories now instead of one).

After a small lunch at a cafe under the shade of the Loggia, we inspected several more streets and even found the cathedral, near where a scene of La Vita e' Bella (Life is Beautiful) was filmed. This town was the main backdrop of the first part of this internationally famous movie, and there are even plaques around the city at certain sites, marking scenes from the film. 

Arezzo is a beautiful town with or without happening upon it on the market day. If you're in Tuscany I highly recommend a visit...or you can always join us in June ! 

Weekly Italy Fix

I've been enjoying the Eye on Italy podcast since its very beginning in the spring of last year. This weekly podcast is always on my iPod when I travel, especially on longer drives. Of course, I'm a bit partial because of my extreme interest in Italy - the country I love to consider my second home - but even for those with just a general interest in "il bel paese", travel, world knowledge, or just different cultural facts, will find it very interesting.

"Eye on Italy is an Italy podcast that focuses on news, culture and travel in English. Each episode includes expert interviews and guests, Picks of the Week for new Italy applications, websites, and tips in every episode, plus a different Italian word featured in our Angolo d’Italiano (Italian corner)."

Our friend, Sara, is one of the hosts along with Michelle and Jessica. All of these lovely American ladies have amazing credentials. Sara, lives in Milan and is a techy-guru, find out more about all of her projects on her hub site, sararosso.com. Michelle, is a freelance writer and attorney living in Calabria where she blogs at BleedingEspresso.com. And Jessica is a writer for BootsnAll Travel Network and also runs the WhyGoItaly travel guide.

Each week they get together with various guests to talk about current news in Italy, special interest subjects, and plenty of travel talk. The most recent episode is about a subject close to my heart: "Being Vegetarian (and Dealing with Other Special Diets) in Italy" - and includes a mention of the EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats. Read about and download the episode HERE.

So if you can't get to Italy as soon as you'd like, but would like a way to transport your mind...check out more of Eye on Italy through the ways below:

Subscribe to FREE podcast on iTUNES
Look through PAST EPISODES
Follow on TWITTER
Like on FACEBOOK

Announcing Extended Travel Planning Services

Pantheon in Rome
Happy Friday! I'm so excited about all the interest we've been getting for the upcoming yoga retreat in Italy. Almost everyday I hear from someone else who wants to join us this summer. Plus, as of earlier this week there are ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT! Want to be one of them? SIGN UP today!

Several people who've contacted us have wanted to make more of a full vacation out of their trip to Italy, adding several days before or after the retreat to experience more of the country's amazing treasures.

gondolas in Venice
This is where we can help!
CUSTOMIZED TRAVEL ITINERARY PLANNING AND PERSONALIZED TOUR GUIDING SERVICES ARE NOW AVILABLE!
Would you like assistance in finding a list of suggested routes, cities, sites, accommodations, and dining options? Or would you prefer a very specific list of an exact itinerary to follow? Maybe you want an onsite personalized "concierge"/tour guide to accompany you, allowing you to just sit back and enjoy the ride?!

Vernazza, Cinque Terre
Whatever your preference, we can help! Don't worry if the 7-day yoga retreat isn't long enough for you to travel to "il bel paese" - you're free to extend your trip as long as you'd like.

Visit Rome and see the Eternal City with the ancient ruins, go to Venice and experience a city unlike any other on earth, or even head to the beautiful Cinque Terre and hike along the seaside cliffs and picturesque villages. Whatever your ♥ desires...

EMAIL US for more information and pricing details!
Plus, don't forget to "Like" us on FACEBOOK!

Hanging Upside-Down in the Big Apple

photo by Om Factory NYC

A couple weeks ago I visited the Big Apple and was so happy to have been able to participate in an AntiGravity Yoga class at the Om Factory NYC yoga studio. I'd been looking forward to experiencing this class since I first heard of it, and made sure to sign up early online for a space during my long-weekend stay in the city.

AntiGravity Yoga was founded in 1990 by broadway dancer and aerial acrobat, Christopher Harrison. Now an emerging trend in the yoga and fitness world, his "suspension trainings" are spreading wildly.



photo by Om Factory NYC

Located near the fashion district, Om Factory is on the 17th floor with a lovely space complete with dressing rooms, several yoga rooms, and a spacious lounge. I arrived in time to get dressed (complete with a long-sleeve shirt as they recommend to lessen irritation under the arms), sip on a coconut water, and chat with a couple other people waiting for the start of class.

When the time came to get set up, I walked through the grid of hanging orange hammocks and picked a spot in the front corner with a great view out of the windows overlooking the city. An assistant came around with a ladder to adjust everyone's apparatus to the correct height just at the hip-bone level. After we were all situated, the lovely instructor, Shelley, walked in, welcomed us, and began the class.



I'm not sure what else I can really say in words about the experience, other than it felt like a 75-min massage. It was amazing really. Perfect for (re)alignment, spine lengthening, decompression, and relaxation. For my normal, quite rigorous practice, this would be a class I would love to add to my routine as a fun, challenging, very unique, and benefit-rich experience.

If you're in New York City, I'd definitely recommend checking this out and experiencing AntiGravity Yoga for yourself!

FIND OUT MORE:
OM FACTORY NYC
ANTI GRAVITY YOGA
Upcoming Weekend Emersion Master Class