The Midsummer Magic Retreat
Are you ready to dust off your spell jar, light up your sparkle and rekindle your magic?
Woman I see you! And whilst I know you’re not five years old any more, don’t we all still long for that little girl within us, the one who was always unapologetically herself, believed that anything and everything was possible and thought that if she just wished hard enough upon the brightest star her dreams really would come true?
You may think that she’s gone forever, left behind with teddy bears and padlocked secret diaries but her magic still lives deep within you. All you need to do is remember.
My Midsummer Magic Retreat is the reminder we all seek, the permission slip we all yearn for, to embrace the magic of the little girl within and reignite the stardust that still shimmers through our veins.
Step into the magical portal of this 6 day, 5 night luxury Tuscan solstice experience and watch yourself reclaim your radiance.
Lost a little of your glimmer but still believe in the power of fairies, shooting stars and four leaf clovers?
Consider my Midsummer Magic Retreat as your very own alchemy to transform life’s grayness into your personal technicolour extravaganza. Your magic still lies within sister. All you need is the space, time and wand to uncover it so that it can light up you and your life all over again, just as it did back in your little girl era.
Join me at Podere Trafonti in the picturesque hills of southern Tuscany for a magical summer solstice week, full of laughter, creativity, dancing, music, yoga, ritual and more. This is YOUR time to glow.
I know from personal experience that when we enter into the sacred space of a retreat, we are able to slow time and breathe deeper. This profound reconnection between body, mind and spirit allows us to remember the essence of who we are and reveal the enchantress within.
My intention for all women and most especially for you, is to help you rediscover your own personal brand of magic so that you can sprinkle your unique radiance and fairy dust all over the world.
Spend the magical summer solstice with me in magnificent Tuscany at the divine Podere Trafonti, a private domain, built with loving hands just 90 minutes outside of historic Florence. At Podere Trafonti you’ll experience sustainable hospitality and agriculture, in harmony with our natural environment, the territory, its inhabitants and their culture. It’s the perfect place to make magic.
Pay your CHF 500 deposit today and grab yourself a payment plan at no extra cost. Pay in full today and receive 10 full days of The Glow Up (think yoga, meditation, nourishment and encouragement), absolutely free - the best way to reclaim your radiance before you even arrive in Italy.
Email Donna directly if you have any questions at all about your booking at donna@emergencyoga.org.
All set to wave your wand and transform your life?
I’ve intentionally curated this time together to be a completely magical experience and recreate that child like sense of wonder and awe for life. I’ll guide you through daily yoga, movement, meditation and breath practices, designed to invoke more magic into your life. And I’ll be sharing enchanted rituals to help you reconnect with your stardust and glow.
This retreat is designed to…
Remind you what fun and laughter and living in the present moment is all about. Because when we let go of the past and stop worrying about the future all we have is right now, this moment, over and over again. And if we can stay just for a millisecond in the now, we find the magic and awe of life in the every day and our lives become transformed into a miraculous experience.
You’ll also learn how to…
Make your own spell jar
Dance like no one’s watching, falling in love with your body over and over again
Wield you magic wand with benevolence and grace
Laugh until your face hurts
Call in sparkle and awe at will
And you’ll take home with you…
A glow like no one’s ever seen
Deep confidence in and knowledge of your own special magic
Inner knowing on how to share your magic with the world
Connections and stories to last a life time
A wealth of ancient enchantress wisdom to help you sprinkle stardust around you
Room availability
Prices are in Swiss Francs (CHF) but use the currency converter to check out prices in your own currency. Prices in USD and Euros are similar to CHF.
‘Max’ Cottage
On top of the hill, “Max” reigns with its glorious view onto Montepulciano, the Monte Amiata and the surrounding hills, forests and fields.
The cottage has two bedrooms each with an ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower. The spacious kitchen-dining-living area has a panoramic glass front which opens up to a glorious view onto the Tuscan scenery.
In front of “Max”, there is a splashing fountain and a lovely terrace with a table and seats for outdoor dining.
Shared room @ CHF 2,100
‘Mel’ Pavilion
The pool pavilion “Mel” hosts two ample double (or twin) bedrooms, “Lido” and “Bosco”, and each with their ensuite bathrooms. The space “Mel” has a private terrace with table and chairs and is equipped with a bar and a fridge.
Lido is a bright and cheerful room with a direct access to the pool.
Bosco is a quiet double room with a big window looking onto the forest.
Each room has its own ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower.
Shared room @ CHF 1,950
Single room @ CHF 2,300
Tramonto
The room “Tramonto” is adjacent to the library on the second floor of the main house. This part of the house is independently accessible from the outside.
Tramonto is on the Western side of the main house, to the sunset. It has ample wardrobe space with a desk area. It shares a well appointed bathroom with walk in shower with one other single room.
This is a comfortable, bright and spacious bedroom.
Shared room @ CHF 1,750
Single room @ CHF 2,100
What’s included in all room types
5 nights luxury accommodation in your room of choice at the divine domain of Podere Trafonti
Daily delicious brunch and dinner, prepared fresh with local and organic vegetarian and gluten free options (note only 1 meal on arrival and departure days)
Daily morning yoga, movement, meditation and breath practices to enhance your sense of awe and wonder in life
Magical rituals each evening including sound healing, spell making and an outrageously fun solstice party
A very special enchantress gift bag to help you weave your own kind of magic
A pre and post retreat connection call with Donna and the other retreat enchantresses
Full access to Podere Trafonti including its luscious pool
All yoga props including mats, blocks, eye pillows, straps and more
Free Wifi
Donna Williams / Retreat Doula / Ayurveda Yoga Goddess / Sound Healer / Transformational Mentor
Donna has been leading and hosting retreats for over a decade, born out of a deep commitment to create a more peaceful world, knowing that peace always starts within ourselves as individuals. Originally trained as a Sports Scientist and having spent decades working as a humanitarian in some of the toughest places on earth, Donna is passionate about holding safe spaces for women to re-become the truest most connected version of themselves so that they can go out and share their unique magic with the world.
As a child of the earth, having grown up running bare foot through the bush in Australia, Donna’s retreats are deeply inspired by Mother Nature and intentionally weave together the ancient sciences of Ayurveda and yoga to help you return to your most natural, blissful state of being.
What do I need to organize myself?
Travel to Italy and to the retreat centre
Health and travel insurance
Massages and treatments if you that’s your gig
Day trips and excursions which can be organized
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest airport?
By air, the closest airports are Rome and Pisa (ca. 2 hours), Florence (ca. 1,5 hours), Perugia (ca. 45 minutes). There are car rentals in all these airports, or else train and bus connections to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, Montepulciano or Torrita di Siena.
Is there public transport to the retreat centre?
By train, the nearest train stations are Torrita di Siena and Montepulciano (with local train connections) and Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, Arezzo and Florence (with regional and national train connections). From these train stations, pick-ups by car can be arranged (at a reasonable additional cost) or else guests can rent cars to drive to Trafonti.
What kind of yoga is there?
This is an all levels retreat so everyone is welcome whether you are completely new to the practice of yoga or you’ve been on your mat for years. The yoga classes are inspired by Ayurveda and ebb and flow with the weather, the group energy and the natural world. There will be specific solstice practices and the yoga always includes pranayama (breathing techniques), asana (postures) and meditation to enjoy the full spectrum of yoga. Donna also teaches from a trauma informed place so you are assured that you are safe and secure and have plenty of choice in your practice to honour your own individual needs.
What is there to see and do around Podere Trafonti?
For many people on retreat, the luxury is to do not much more than sun yourself by the pool and read a good book. If you are feeling adventurous then Podere Trafonti is situated in the countryside of the province of Siena, in the midst of beautiful rolling hills, fields, forests and olive groves, at a short drive from Montefollonico, the local village of reference, and 15 minutes from Montepulciano and Pienza. From the Trafonti property, you have a breathtaking view onto Montepulciano and the Monte Amiata.
Montalcino, Siena, Perugia and Arezzo – to name but a few Tuscan and Umbrian jewels – are at about 45 minutes’ driving distance. Florence, Rome and Pisa are at about 1,5 – 2 hours. The nearest seaside beaches are at less than two hours from Trafonti.
If you plan to enjoy the region whilst on retreat it can be interesting to think about hiring a car but certainly not essential to have a divine retreat experience.
What will the weather be like at this time of year in Tuscany?
It's no coincidence that June is one of Tuscany's best travel months, in part because of its favorable weather. Average temperatures over the summer solstice are likely to be in the range of 25-28°C (77-83°F) during the day and drop 10°C (20°F) by the evening, with the highest temperatures day time reaching up to around 30°C + (mid-90s F). Pack light cotton clothing with your sunscreen and swimsuit, as well as bring your umbrella for those short afternoon thunderstorms.
Is there WiFi and internet?
There is free WiFi available throughout most of the retreat centre.