Retreat in the ITALIAN ALPS
August 2025

Move freely and powerfully

 Movement • Yoga • Dance • Nature Immersion • Plant-Based Food

8 days / 7 nights

Why?

This part of Italy is one of my homes. The Julian Alps are some of the most vibrant and enlightening places I’ve ever been—I want to show you how to dive into them. Get away from the screens and touch the lush reality of this wondrous planet. Tap into the healing power of the ALPS, conscious activity and nourishing food. Slow down and bring awareness to our shared ecology and interconnectedness.

Where?

We’ll be living in the small village of Tarvisio, in the North-Eastern corner of Italy, right near the Austrian and Slovenian borders. You will experience the character of three European countries in one. The 4-star Hotel Il Cervo is located walking distance from the center of town. We will be immersed in fir-laden Alpine nature and surrounded by the majestic and ancient mountains.

When?

The retreat is scheduled for August 2025. The time comes right after Italy’s national holiday of Ferragosto—so we will feel the tail end of the country’s celebratory vibe. The end of August is the ideal time to be in the Julian Alps. Seven days and six nights of daily morning yoga practice, nature immersions, afternoon workshops, mountain hikes, lake dips, spa treatment and plant-based nourishment.

“In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion.”

-Albert Camus

A retreat is an opportunity to take space to feed yourself exactly what you need. For some it is a rigorous deep dive into self-study. For others, it’s a time to gently unfold, rest and soak up the magic of time. One of the benefits of traveling to a particular location far from your regular routine is that we can better recognize our unconscious habit patterns, and decide whether we want to let them go or hold on to them. From a more conscious place, we return home to our families, work and life, energized and ready for what’s ahead. The idea is to return to the world with more wholeness. 

This video focuses on the Fusine Lakes and Lake Predil, which we will visit. My intention in sharing it here is to give you a vibe of the ESSENCE of this place. Enjoy!

The power of the Julian Alps.

BREATHE: Air quality is decidedly better for you in the mountains. The air is charged with beneficial secondary metabolites called terpenes that are released from a wide variety of local plants. Imagine a week of breathing in some of the best air quality in the world.
SEE: Magnificent views that leave their mark on your soul. Studies have shown the powerful effects of being close to and actually gazing at mountains and their surroundings. Spend some time literally sitting on some of the oldest and most solid parts of our Earth.
FEEL: Throughout history and across cultures, we have been swimming or dipping ourselves in natural bodies of water as a way to cleanse ourselves—physically, psychologically and emotionally. This holistic catharsis can nourish and awaken us on a deeper level.

This is spa country.

Hotel Il Cervo hosts a top-notch Alpine Wellness Spa that is designed to promote cellular healing & deep relaxation.

SAUNA, JACUZZI & TURKISH BATH

From Il Cervo: “The steam spreads around you and a relaxing feeling invades your spirit while your body is purified and the mind is cleared. Your body eliminates toxins accumulated due to stress, pollution, weather and excesses, and toned thanks to the action of the whirlpool.”

WOODLAND SAUNA

This sauna was built in 2021 and is made entirely with Tarvisio spruce wood. It is designed to encourage deep relaxation while laying wrapped in the scent of the forest and mountain herbs. It is held at 80-85 degrees and uses the following local herbs:

Ugovizza hay, mint, thyme, yarrow, fennel, cinnamon, cloves, chamomile, fir and juniper.

POOL

From Il Cervo: “Our indoor pool is a space to give yourself a refreshing moment after a day of skiing or hiking outdoors. Open all year round…will fascinate you with its wonderful views of the Julian Alps and Tarvisio…An area, depth 60 cm, is dedicated to baby guests for their fun.”

FAQs

What does a typical day look like?

8-9.30am - breakfast

9:30-10:30am – morning yoga practice

11am-3pm - nature immersion (lunch included)

5pm – afternoon workshop

7.30pm – dinner

What kind of activities are there?

Included on-site activities include pool & sauna use, city/mountain bike use, hotel lounge, walking into the town of Tarvisio, access to many trailheads right off hotel grounds.

Additional on & off-site activities and excursions include Wellness Spa treatments, water sports, hiking, trekking, adventure park, zip-lining, history & art museums, cave treks, local herbs & botany class in the woods, forest bathing, bike tours, cooking class, & a bunch more stuff! Click here to view more.

What is not included in the price?

  • Transportation to and from the retreat town (we WILL pick you up at the train station)

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Additional food & drink from hotel bar and lounge

  • Additional activities & excursions which are run by the local providers via your +Card Holiday Pass (most are free!)

 

Shared Accommodation

Includes:

  • A bed in a Double Room w/ private bathroom

  • Three organic/locally sourced plant-based meals per day

  • Daily morning yoga practice

  • 3 Afternoon workshops:

    • Partner Yoga

    • Restorative Yoga

    • Thai Massage

    • Movement Medicine

  • 5 Nature Immersions:

    • Cold therapy RIVER plunge at Orrido dello Slizza

    • FOREST bathing, silent walking meditation & local wildlife education tour at Sentiero della Musica

    • Walk around LAKE, seated mediation at Laghi di Fusine

    • Bike trek to a WATERFALL at Cascata Fiorino

    • MOUNTAIN hike at Monte Lussari

  • Day-pass to Hotel Il Cervo’s brand new Alpine Wellness Spa

  • +CARD Holiday Pass (discounts on local activities and excursions)

  • Transportation to/from Tarvisio Train Station via private shuttle

Private Accommodation

Includes:

  • A Single Room w/ private bathroom

  • Three organic/locally sourced plant-based meals per day

  • Daily morning yoga practice

  • 3 Afternoon workshops:

    • Partner Yoga

    • Restorative Yoga

    • Thai Massage

    • Movement Medicine

  • 5 Nature Immersions:

    • Cold therapy RIVER plunge at Orrido dello Slizza

    • FOREST bathing, silent walking meditation & local wildlife education tour at Sentiero della Musica

    • Walk around LAKE, seated mediation at Laghi di Fusine

    • Bike trek to a WATERFALL at Cascata Fiorino

    • MOUNTAIN hike at Monte Lussari

  • Day-pass to Hotel Il Cervo’s brand new Alpine Wellness Spa

  • +CARD Holiday Pass (discounts on local activities and excursions)

  • Transportation to/from Tarvisio Train Station via private shuttle

Location

 

Getting There

Retreat location: Hotel Il Cervo, Via Priesnig, 72, Tarvisio (UD) - Italia

Plane

Nearest airports are:

Klagenfurt (KLU) - 72 km from retreat
Ljubljana (LJU) - 84 km ”
Trieste (TRS) - 115 km ”
Venice Treviso (TSF) - 195 km ”
Venice (VCE) - 208 km ”
Salzburg (SZG) - 219 km ”

From the airport, you can either rent a car or take a train to get to the retreat location.

Train

The trains in this area of Europe are quite reliable and run frequently, especially during the summer months. The Tarvisio train station is called:

TARVISIO BOSCOVERDE

From the train station, there will be a Hotel Il Cervo shuttle to take you directly to the retreat location (included in your retreat package).

Car

If you’re coming from one of the surrounding countries, it might be a short and/or fun road trip to drive to the retreat location!

If you’re flying, and depending on whether you’d like to take extra advantage of your +CARD Holiday Pass while on retreat or if you plan to extend your stay, it might be an economical choice to rent a car. You can do this most easily from the airport that you fly into.

While transportation is not included in the retreat price, I am available to help you coordinate your travels and recommend the best and most economical ways to arrive. Depending on the need, I will also help connect you to other retreat participants for carpooling.

This special week will be led by…

Julia Eda Shemesh, E-RYT 800

more about Julia

Are you feeling the call?

  • Is a retreat like this what you want and need for yourself this summer?

  • Is something holding you back?

  • Do you have more questions?

  • Want to make sure that your guide (me) passes the vibe check?

Let’s talk.

Book a free 30min Zoom sesh and we will discuss whatever is on your heartmind.

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