Open Hearts, Ancient Walls, and Gelato at Midnight
We just returned from an unbelievable retreat in Tuscany, visiting our friends and hosts who have over time become like family. It was truly a magical experience, the kind where you have to keep pinching yourself to see if you’re actually dreaming. When I returned, I was having a conversation with a client who asked me the simple question: “what is the best destination that On Point goes to?” This question has inspired me to write. Molly and I show up with open hearts, ready to lean in, to see people, and to listen to their stories. What we have learned is that we are all more similar than we are different. We want to know not only all our participants, we want to know the people we are working with, the staff on the ground, the people we interact with; we want to know their stories and meet their families, we want to know how they came to be exactly where they are today. There is a real and raw humanness to this type of interaction, care and connection. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
We want to know not only all our participants, we want to know the people we are working with, the staff on the ground, the people we interact with; we want to know their stories and meet their families, we want to know how they came to be exactly where they are today.
So the answer to the question of the “best destination”—that one we can’t really answer. Each destination is truly unique and special in its own way. Having unique experiences that touch your soul is at the heart of what we do. I want to share an example from our most recent adventure in Italy. We have worked with our hosts for a few years and a few visits. There was an immediate connection when we first met them. They opened their homes, hearts, and entire village to our group on this most recent visit. They invited and welcomed us into their homes for a progressive dinner of sorts. Our first destination was to the home of our photographer, Massimo, and his daughter, Alissia—an ancient castle built over 200 years ago. Massimo dug a beautiful and large wine cellar…by hand. He generously shared his family’s history and the stories of multiple generations before. To top it off, he made a polenta cake (from scratch!) in the shape of the United States, complete with flags from all the states where our participants were from. We were so honored as Massimo led us in a toast to newfound friends and to building connections across cultures. In amazement and gratitude, we shared laughter, ear-to-ear smiles, prosecco, and polenta.
After our first course, we were led through the vine-covered cobblestone alleyway to the home of Renato, our host and the general manager of Il Roccone (our farmhouse home away from home). We entered through rustic oaken double doors, which led into his cellar, where he set a beautiful table for 15 of us. We had an incredible candlelit meal with all of our host,s including the fantastic chef extraordinaire, Elana. I remember thinking this is the true meaning of the phrase “breaking bread.” The homemade offerings kept coming, and the laughter and stories seemed never to end.
With full bellies, we prepared to say goodbye and return to Il Roccone for the evening. Surprise! Our hosts had one final surprise: treating us to their village’s gelateria, where we savored delicious gelato and made new local friends. The night was pure magic. So much love was shared, and we can’t wait to go back.
Through leading adventure yoga retreats around the globe, we have been blessed with making wonderful friends from different cultures and countries who have welcomed us into their communities. We have found that this contributes to our own self-exploration and self-awareness. We’d love to share these adventures, these discoveries, with you. Check out our offerings, AND if you have a great connection in an off-the-beaten-path location, we’d love to hear your own story.
Ciao!
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