On day 1 of every retreat, the bus departs at 2 pm from Rome Fiumicino airport (also called Leonardo Da Vinci airport) so when booking flights please plan to ARRIVE in Rome before noon.

Pick-up is ONLY at the airport on day 1 and cannot be arranged at other locations.

On the final day of every retreat the bus departs the retreat location at 7:30 am and will arrive at the Rome airport between 10:30-11:30am. Please book flights to DEPART Rome after 1 pm. This is the safest way to be sure you don’t miss your flight on the final day.

We arrange transportation on the first day of the retreat from the Rome Fiumicino airport to the retreat location in Tuscany as well as the final day from the retreat location to the Rome Fiumicino airport. The bus cannot make alternate stops.

If you would like to arrange alternate transportation we recommend using rome2rio.com to schedule drivers, rent cars, or purchase train tickets.

Finding the Train at Rome Fiumicino Airport

When you arrive at Rome Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) Airport, the train station is right at the airport.

• Follow the “Treni / Trains” signs inside the terminal.

• A covered walkway (about 5–10 minutes) takes you directly to the Fiumicino Aeroporto train station.

• Buy a ticket for the Leonardo Express, the nonstop train to Rome Termini (the main station). It runs every 15–30 minutes and takes about 30 minutes.

• If you have a paper ticket, remember to validate it at the small machines before boarding.

Vita Bella Retreats reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any retreat, if the cancellation is due to Force Majeure (terrorism, political unrest, an Act of God, earthquakes, endemics, pandemics, teacher illnesses, or other cause beyond the reasonable control of Vita Bella Retreats), Vita Bella Retreats will not issue refunds or credits. Vita Bella Retreats is not responsible for any incidental expenses or consequential losses that you may incur as a result of a canceled retreat, including visas, vaccinations, non-refundable or non-transferable flight or other transportation tickets, non-refundable car parking or other fees, loss of earnings and loss of employment. It is uncommon for a Force Majeure event to occur, but we regretfully cannot refund or credit where Force Majeure is activated, even after your retreat has begun. We are not obligated to seek refunds from suppliers or services already paid. This is why require you to purchase travel insurance so you can claim loss expenses as a result of a retreat cancellation that is beyond our control.

Payment

You may confirm space in the retreat by making a $1,500 deposit.

Full payment for the retreat is due 90 days before the start of the retreat.

We will invoice you directly and you may pay with a credit card or bank transfer.

If you need to cancel:

• 90 days or more prior to the start of the retreat: Deposits are non-refundable and may not be transferred to another retreat

• Less than 90 days prior to the retreat: Deposits and payments in full are non-refundable and non-transferable
  

Please note Vita Bella Retreats is not able to offer refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, family emergencies, endemics, pandemics, earthquakes, travel delays or illness by you or any of our guest teachers, managers or staff.

If you cancel your participation in a retreat for any reason, our cancellation policy will apply. We wish we could compensate people for unforeseen circumstances (injury, pandemics, illness, family emergency, etc), but we have costs already incurred when reserving retreat locations, booking bus transportation and hiring staff.

**To protect yourself further, we require you to purchase travel insurance. Please click here for more information about travel insurance.

TO CANCEL

• You must send an email stating that you wish to cancel to Business Director, Sarah Minor at info@vitabellaretreats.com.

• Policies are subject to change without notice.

The best way to protect yourself from any unforeseen circumstance is to purchase trip insurance. We are requiring proof of travel insurance from all our guests.

Travel Insurance can protect you in case:

• you have to cancel your participation in the retreat

• The retreat is postponed due to teacher illness, emergencies, Acts of God, weather, pandemics, natural disaster, or not enough participants

• lost baggage

• medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become ill or injured

Vita Bella Retreats — Illness & Wellness Policy

Effective April 2026

Our Philosophy

At Vita Bella Retreats, we believe in the power of shared experience, mutual respect, and personal responsibility.

Over the years, we’ve learned that every group has its own rhythm and every teacher brings a unique philosophy about wellness. Rather than one blanket rule, we’ve chosen an approach that balances personal accountability with teacher autonomy, creating a calm, respectful environment for everyone.

1. Personal Responsibility as Our Baseline

All participants, staff, and teachers are trusted to take care of themselves and one another in a spirit of awareness and kindness.

This means:

• Staying home if you feel unwell or have symptoms of a contagious illness (cold, flu, Covid, etc.).

• Practicing good hygiene (hand-washing, covering coughs/sneezes, etc.).

• Making your own decisions about testing, masking, or distancing based on your comfort level.

• Notifying your teacher or onsite manager if you become sick during the retreat so we can assist with local resources and ensure you rest comfortably.

Vita Bella does not require vaccination, masking, or testing as a condition of attendance, unless required by local law or venue policy at the time of your retreat.

2. Teacher Autonomy and Group Guidelines

Each guest teacher has the freedom to establish any additional wellness or illness guidelines they feel support their group’s harmony—such as pre-arrival testing, mask preferences, or indoor protocols.

• Teachers who choose to set extra guidelines will communicate them directly with their participants.

• Teachers are responsible for the implementation and tone of their own policy within their retreat.

• Vita Bella will not monitor, enforce, or mediate teacher-specific health rules; our role remains logistical and supportive only.

3. Our Role and Support

Our onsite managers and partners in Italy provide practical support (access to local pharmacies, medical clinics, or testing if requested). We will always assist participants in arranging care or private rest if illness arises, but we will not impose directives or penalties.

We’ve learned that when we try to enforce health policies ourselves, it can create unnecessary tension or fear—so instead, we trust adults to navigate wellness choices with mutual respect.

4. Travel Insurance Requirement

All participants are required to carry comprehensive travel insurance that includes:

• Coverage for medical care and related expenses incurred during the retreat (including doctor visits, medications, or hospitalization).

• Coverage for trip interruption or cancellation due to illness, including Covid or other health issues that may disrupt your retreat or require early departure.

Each guest is responsible for any costs associated with illness, quarantine, or medical care abroad. Vita Bella is not responsible for expenses related to health issues, missed activities, or early departures.

5. Refunds and Trip Interruptions

Our standard refund and cancellation terms apply regardless of illness.

We strongly encourage guests to review their travel insurance policy carefully to ensure it provides adequate protection.

6. Our Shared Commitment

This policy reflects the heart of Vita Bella Retreats—living beautifully, responsibly, and with compassion for ourselves and one another.

We trust every participant and teacher to bring common sense, care, and kindness to their retreat experience.

By attending a Vita Bella Retreat, you acknowledge that you are personally responsible for your own wellness decisions and agree to honor the guidelines set by your retreat leader, if any.

Grazie mille for being part of this thoughtful and evolving community.

Together we continue to create restorative, joyful retreats rooted in autonomy, respect, and the art of la dolce vita.

● YES. Travel insurance is a requirement to attend a Vita Bella Retreat. We recommend these possibilities: Seven Corners / Trawick International / World Nomads (with some coverage exclusions) OR researching more ideas in this article:

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/best-cancel-for-any-reason-travel-insurance/

● Most companies require you to purchase the policy within 2 weeks of your trip deposit.

For more information on travel insurance please click here.

Even with the best planning, unexpected travel disruptions can happen — sometimes even a few days before departure. If your flight is delayed, cancelled, or rescheduled (whether in advance or on the day of travel), please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at info@vitabellaretreats.com. We’d love the chance to connect with you, talk things through, and offer a little reassurance as you navigate any changes.

If you arrive at Rome Fiumicino after the shuttle has departed, we can help you arrange a private transfer or you can book a train ticket to a nearby station located near the retreat*. We’ll share the contact information of a trusted driver and help make the transition as smooth as possible.

To minimize risk and arrive feeling rested, we strongly recommend planning to be in Rome one to two days before the retreat begins. This extra time helps with jet lag, cushions against last-minute airline changes, and ensures you’ll be ready to join the group transfer with ease and peace of mind.

*Additional costs are not covered by Vita Bella Retreats and are the responsibility of the guest.

• Fattoria Del Colle https://www.cinellicolombini.it/en/tourism/stays/

• Address: Località Il Colle, 53020 Trequanda SI, Italy

• Phone: +39 0577 662108

The restaurant Osteria Della Fattoria is located on our retreat site and its owner Donatella Cinelli Colombini created it to serve her Brunello, Orcia and Chianti wines together with classic Tuscan dishes, known throughout the region. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on retreat is served here each day. Every dish is prepared with care and with excellent ingredients: fresh vegetables from the estate gardens, Chianina meats and Cinta Senese pork, white truffles from the Crete Senesi. All of their cuisine aims to bring to the table what is genuine and authentic in the Tuscan countryside.

Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian can be served but may be limited.

Since our retreats explore local food traditions, much of what we are discovering, learning and eating will be very challenging for vegans.

Unfortunately we cannot provide substitutes.

• Of course! Please be mindful of our group schedule and make every effort to attend classes, and enjoy meals with the group. You should experience all that Tuscany has to offer while you are here, but please take time to relax and do nothing too!

• The office staff at Fattoria also serves as concierge for booking private drivers for hill town excursions.

There is a spa at Fattoria. The cost is $25/hour and is private for each person while it is being used. You can book appointments once you are onsite at the retreat. We do typically have a massage therapist joining the retreat and will send out the schedule to book about a month before the retreat. The pricing for the massage therapist varies and is set by the therapist.

• Contact your cell phone provider ahead of time and set this up in advance!

• You need to make sure your cell phone provider has your data turned on.

You are required to join the WhatsApp group before your retreat. This is our main method of contact once in Italy. It is used to not only meet up with group members, but also to make sure everyone meets the shuttle, notifies of airline delays, etc.

• You will need a power adaptor for your cell phone charger and other plug ins:

  • In Italy the power plugs and sockets are of type F and L.

  • The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

• You cannot use your electric appliances in Italy without a voltage converter, because the standard voltage in Italy (230 V) is higher than in the United States of America (120 V).

• Try this one

• Or this one

Yes! There is free WIFI at the retreat location. (It can be spotty at times but mostly great!)

You undertake to behave professionally, courteously, and respectfully in all dealings with Vita Bella Retreats or any person(s) acting on behalf of Vita Bella Retreats including on-site managers, guest teachers and their assistants, and any other clients or other third parties to whom you may be introduced in connection with the Services. Rude behavior is not tolerated.

If there is any behavior such as harassment, disparagement, or bullying Vita Bella Retreats reserves the right to require you to exit the retreat at your own expense. Vita Bella Retreats does not tolerate rude or disrespectful behavior by any of its guests or staff members. We will enforce this if need be.