Forest Bathing and Hiking Retreat – Calabria, Italy

Alessandra Colace

Alessandra is a certified Mindfulness teacher since 2020 and certified Yoga teacher since 2023; she is also a reiki master since 2019. She combines ancient yogic wisdom with modern scientific developments to help individuals learn more about their minds and bodies, and live in a healthier and more fulfilling way both on and off the mat.

Alessandra combines her love for nature with deep inner exploration to facilitate transformative experiences.
Alessandra’s holistic approach reconnects participants to their inner selves and the natural world; what drives her it is an authentic sense of compassion and will to accompany others in their own journey of self-awareness and growth.
She is Italian and a Naturalised British Citizien. She was born and grew up mainly in Calabria, however she spent 17 years in London, where she discovered Yoga in 2019 and throughout her practice and teaching she believes that a great yoga teacher should have both technical skill and a depth of personal experience.

She strives to match the needs, abilities and interests of her students while also introducing new and experienced yogis to Hatha and Vinyasa Flow of the Raja Dhiraja Yoga tradition. She seeks to create a space in class that is welcoming, nurturing, exhilarating and transformative. Alessandra’s classes are designed to address the needs of each person as a whole: mind, body and spirit.
Since 2023 she lives in Zambrone, in Calabria where she is re-connecting to her Calabrian’s Roots, deepening her connection to nature and helping others to reconnect to their inner selves and therefore to Mother Nature.

Spoken Lunguages: Italian, English
Alessandra will be translating from Italian to English all the information that instructors Natalino Aloi and Rosa Marino will be sharing.

Natalino Aloi

Natalino worked as a social educator for 25 years and over the last 10 years he has been working as certified environmental hiking guide.
Natalino loves walking up the mountains particularly in Calabria, his passion is to guide people to experience unique and indissoluble emotions in the Aspromonte’s National Park, Sila Mountains, Pollino and the Regional Park of Serre (Calabria). One of many things that he loves about those areas is that each hike can create a unique experience and a profound insight into Calabria’s authenticity. It is Natalino’ s mission to help and guide people to experience authenticity of Calabria, through the wild and largely uncontaminated nature, but also discover its history, traditions and culture.
In fact, often while hiking, it might be possible to encounter local men and women along the way, he believes that each wrinkle on their faces has an interesting story.

Natalino truly believes that “time” has an important value if seen it as “quality of life” and “well-being”.
“I have had my best thoughts while walking and I do not know of a thought so burdensome that it cannot be left behind with a walk.” S. Kierkegaard.

Spoken Lunguage: Italian.

Meet the Collaborator

Rosa Marino

Rosa is an agronomist, graduated in agricultural and forestry sciences. Rosa is also a passionate hiker that loves nature and photography. She will be happy to share insights of some plants that we will encounter while hiking.

Spoken Lunguage: Italian.

Calabria is a region rich in natural beauty, history, culture, and culinary delights, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking a more authentic and less touristy experience. Unlike other parts of Italy, Calabria hasn’t been overrun by mass tourism. This provides a unique opportunity to introduce travelers to charming, off-the-beaten-path villages, quiet beaches, and intimate, family-run establishments. Visitors could enjoy the slower pace and true local culture. Calabria is the perfect place that helps individuals to find peace, clarity, and a sense of balance in their lives. We are passionate guides to bridge that gap between your inner peace and the healing power that this region has to offer.

THURSDAY 08th May
16:00 Pick-up from Lamezia Airport, destination Agriturismo.
17:30 Check-in and relax
19:00 Welcoming Circle
20:00 Dinner

FRIDAY 09th May
08:00 Breakfast
09:30 departure by mini-bus from the venue to start of trail.
10:00 beginning hike and forest bathing activities.
13:00 Lunch time (packed lunch)
16:00 departure by mini-bus back to the venue.
19:00 Circle time- Sharing
20:30 Dinner

SATURDAY 10th May
08:00 Breakfast
09:30 departure by mini-bus from the venue to Archiforo Woods.
10:00 beginning hike and forest bathing activities.
13:00 Lunch time (packed lunch)
16:00 departure by mini-bus back to the venue.
19:00 Circle time- Sharing
20:30 Dinner
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Archiforo’s trail info:
Distance: 4 Km
Slope: 224 m
Highest level: 1.094 m above sea level.
Lowest level: 870 mabove sea level.
Difficulty: moderate/medium. (may have some climbs and may have an uneven surface where the going is rough underfoot with some obstacles such as protruding roots, rocks, etc. The routes are appropriate for people with a moderate level of fitness and some walking experience).

SUNDAY 11th May
08:00 Breakfast
09:30 departure by mini-bus from the venue to “Frassati Path”.
12:30 Yoga class
13:30 packed lunch by the “Sambuco lake”.
14:30 carrying on hiking and forest bathing activities.
17:30 departure by mini-bus back to the venue.
19:00 Circle time- Sharing
20:30 Dinner.
————————
Frassati’s trail info:
Distance: xxx Km
Slope: 254 m
Highest level: 1.114 m above sea level.
Lowest level: 860 mabove sea level.
Difficulty: moderate/medium. (may have some climbs and may have an uneven surface where the going is rough underfoot with some obstacles such as protruding roots, rocks, etc. The routes are appropriate for people with a moderate level of fitness and some walking experience).

MONDAY 12th May
08:30 Breakfast
10:00 Check-out
11:00 Departure from Venue to Lamezia Airport

What fitness level it is?
We suggest to be fit enough to walk up a moderate slope. All activities will be beginner-friendly and suitable for all levels.

To ensure you have the best experience, it’s important to pack with the weather in mind, here’s a helpful checklist to guide you:

–Reusable water bottle, to help you stay hydrated.
–Sun protection: A hat, sunscreen, and a shawl or light cover for your shoulders.
-Any medication you may need.
–Tissues and hand sanitizer for your comfort.
–Insect repellent, if you have it.

We suggest to dress comfortably for all activities and for any random changing weather, but it’s always wise to bring some warmer clothing for morning and late afternoon activities! Here’s what we recommend:

–Comfortable, sturdy shoes with good grip for walking on uneven terrain (Please, no Converse or similar!)
-A beanie or hat to protect you from both wind and or cooler mornings.
–A warm jumper to keep cozy when it cools down.
–Waterproof pack-away: A lightweight rain jacket, rain trousers, and waterproof shoes, just in case of rain.
-Breathable, flexible clothing that allows for easy movements during the hikes and forest bathing activities.

What if it rains
From experience, rain just adds a touch of adventure to the day. In case of heavy rain we might simply move/swapping some activities in order to avoid walking under heavy rain.

What’s included

-Travel from Lamezia Airport to the venue Thu 8th at 16:00 and travel from the Venue back to Lamezia Airport Monday morning 12th at 10:00.
-3 days of guided Hikes and Forest Bathing activities through some of stunning woods of Serre Regional Park.
-4 nights accommodation.
-4 Southern-Italian dinners with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.
-3 packed lunches.

What’s not included

-Flights.
-Travel insurance.
-Additional treatments.
-Laudry service.
-Further drinks other than those described in the food section above.
-Visa fee.
-Additional activities not included in the program.

The reccomended Airport is Lamezia Terme.

If you prefer getting to the venue with your own car and don’t need the pick-up and drop-off from and to Lamezia Airport please let us know and we will remove the fee from the price.

-A reservation requires a non-refundable deposit of 100 euros. Deposit will not be refunded if the participant will not be able to attend the retreat. However, your payments are transferable to another person for the same date and room requirements (upgrades from a shared to a single room might be available — please email for details).
-The rest of the payment to be made 30 days before arrival. No refund if canceled less than 30 days before arrival.
-Minimum Traveller Requirement: If we need to cancel the event due to not meeting the minimum number of travelers, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Delicious “continental” break-fast and a 2-course evening meal. Each meal will be balanced to keep you energized all day.
Packed lunches will be also included to be enjoyed in nature and keep you refueled.

We are working to offer organic, local food where possible, composting all leftovers and reducing single-use plastic.

The following meals are included:
Break-fast
Packed lunch
Dinner
Drinks (water and a glass of wine included with meals)

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free

If you have special dietary requirements it’s a good idea to communicate it to the organizer when making a reservation.

Four nights Agriturismo. A few single rooms available, shared room (up to 3 people sharing a room).

Facilities

Wi-Fi

Parching
Facilities of the agriturismo

Dining area

Lounge

Smoke-free property

Outdoor area

Calabria is a vast and diverse region, and we have taken care of all transportation logistics for you during this retreat. Below are the approximate travel times and distances between key locations, so you can get a sense of the time needed to travel between the hotel, attractions, and other destinations.

Rest assured, all transport will be provided to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey throughout your stay.

• 59 km from Lamezia Terme’s Airport to the Agriturismo, 57 minutes by car. (08th of May).
• 29 km from the Agriturismo to the  about 34 minutes by car. (09th of May)
• 8 km from the Agriturismo to Bosco Archiforo, about 15 minutes by car. (10th of May)