Donna Williams I Host + Wellbeing Entrepreneur

Born to parents with wanderlust and distant gypsy blood, Donna grew up running barefoot in the Australian bush, dog by her side, thriving on a life of adventure. She originally trained to become a prima ballerina but her sense of curiosity and independent spirit won out and she set off on a 20 year humanitarian career which took her to some pretty wild places, where meditation and yoga became her saviours.

Donna’s love of movement, dance and music and her profound affinity with the planet all morphed into her creating a wellbeing business, (Donnaprana Global), that prioritizes women re-becoming their wildest, most connected selves in some of the most beautiful places on earth. Add an obsession with all things Ayurveda and food and it becomes obvious why Wild Soul was born – all things ‘prana’ all in one place. Today, Donna lives deep in the Swiss alps and is passionate about sharing all the lusciousness of her adopted country with like-minded soul sisters. 

Irene Petraglio I The Milleress

While Swiss and Italian traditions are often perceived as very patriarchal, the magical Valle di Muggio is teeming with feminine power and women creating their own kind of wild magic.

Irene Petraglio who lives in the village of Monte, just a few minutes drive from our Wild Soul retreat in Casima, is one such woman. Almost 30 years ago Irene breathed new life back into what was then a defunct mill in Bruzella, at the bottom of the valley floor carved out by the Breggia river. The mill, which is around 720 years old, is today famous for creating Ticino’s delicious red polenta, thanks to Irene and her creativity and dedication to ancient traditions.

“How did I start here? Well, I taught myself,” explains Irene, who has been responsible for the historic water mill in Ticino’s southernmost valley since it reopened in 1996. People were sceptical at first about Irene taking on the mill after it had been out of use for so long, but today she is known throughout the region at ‘The Milleress’.

Our Wild Soul retreat has the luxury of Irene’s support and her inspirational feminine power. On one of our retreat evenings we’ll make the short hike down from Villa Oleandro to the Breggia river and meet Irene in person at the Bruzella mill. We’ll meditate by the water in this wild and magical place, then enjoy dinner - Ticino red polenta of course - while getting to know Irene and her work with the mill and the Ethnographic Museum of the Muggio Valley. Her energy and joy for life is contagious so be prepared to meet one of Ticino’s Grand Dames!

Sandra Tettamanti I Host + Owner of Villa Oleandro

Standing on the wide, sunny terrace of Villa Oleandro, Sandra directs the gaze of her guests to the valley just beyond Valle di Muggio and to the place where her grandfather was born. She may be Zürichoise by birth but her heart belongs to this region. And it feels somehow more than serendipity that landed Sandra and her partner André on the doorstep of Villa Oleandro just as its previous owner was preparing to sell up. 

We could tell you all about Sandra’s long humanitarian career and all the wild places she’s lived and worked, but in fact it is her deep love, knowledge and appreciation of all things beautiful – from art, to food, to design, dance and nature – that make her the perfect host for Wild Soul. 

Sandra has taken what was an average bed and breakfast space and turned it into a stunning and unique design journey. From the intentionally curated spaces within Villa Oleandro to her home made sour dough obsession, (yes yes you will get to try it of course!), to her ability to mobilize the female forces of the valley for our retreat, Sandra is why Wild Soul – or Animal Selvaggia as she says in Italian – is a truly beautiful retreat experience.

Anna BIFFI I restauranteur + Mistress of Slow Food

If you have never met Anna or been in the same room with her while she’s cooking up a luxurious, slow food storm, then you are missing out on one of life’s greatest pleasures. Because Anna Biffi is Ticino’s mistress of slow food and a main character in our Wild Soul retreat story.

Founder of the renowned restaurant and community initiative Osteria Ul Furmighin in Sagno, Anna is the energy bringing tradition and hospitality together for an unparalleled food experience. Although officially ‘retired’ since her son Andrea took over the restaurant, Anna still runs the cooperative shop that sells local produce and groceries where she blends her generosity and conviviality, preserving the village’s roots and a sense of belonging. 

And with that same sense of generosity, Anna offers her outstanding knowledge of slow, local traditions and food to our Wild Soul retreat. Think experiential cooking at its finest as we gather around Villa Oleandro’s sturdy, kitchen island to learn first hand how to make Anna’s favourite dishes. And the best part? When we gather around the table under the setting sun afterwards to experience what food made with love really tastes like.