A TUSCAN RETREAT FOR THE SENSES
Himalayan Children’s Charities and LDW Luxury Wellness & Culture Retreats are honored to partner on this invite only, exclusively curated Tuscany retreat, with gratitude for HCC’s closest supporters and top donors.
Guests will settle into elegant five-star countryside accommodations and enjoy a series of bespoke experiences at an unhurried pace — from private Chianti wine tastings and a hands-on Italian cooking experience to a guided eBike ride through vineyard-lined roads, a curated day in Florence with rooftop aperitivo, and candlelit dinners under the stars.
Between excursions, there is space to relax by the pool, walk the surrounding hills, enjoy the spa, and linger over long meals and meaningful conversation.
This retreat is an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and share memorable time together in one of Tuscany’s most beautiful settings.
YOUR 5-STAR RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX HOME
Set in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti region, this five-star Relais & Châteaux estate is a beautifully restored historic property that blends timeless Tuscan architecture with refined, understated luxury. Surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and rolling hills, the setting feels peaceful, intimate, and deeply rooted in its landscape.
The hotel features elegant accommodations, thoughtfully designed interiors, serene gardens, a beautiful pool, and inviting wellness spaces. With scenic walking paths and nearby hilltop villages just beyond the grounds, it offers a rare sense of seclusion while remaining perfectly positioned for exploring the region.
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DAILY ITINERARY
A Tuscany Dreamscape
A sample itinerary—subject to slight changes as the magic unfolds.
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DAY 1
Arrival & Welcome Under the Tuscan Sky
Arrive in Tuscany and settle into our beautiful countryside home. This first afternoon is intentionally unhurried — unpack, wander the grounds, or simply exhale after your travels.
As the sun begins to set, we’ll gather on the green lawn for a welcome aperitif, followed by a Tuscan-style welcome dinner with thoughtfully paired wines. A relaxed and joyful first night together.
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DAY 2
Chianti Wines & Slow Evenings
Wake at your leisure and join us for optional morning yoga overlooking the olive groves. After a gourmet breakfast, we’ll head into the heart of Chianti for private tastings at two fabulous wineries, followed by lunch on a winemaker’s veranda.
This evening is easy and fun — a casual pizza night on property, ending with a movie under the stars.
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Day 3
Italian Cooking, Wine & Time to Linger
Sleep in, take a gentle morning hike, or linger over coffee.
In the afternoon, we’ll gather on property for a hands-on pasta-making class paired with a sommelier-led wine tasting. We’ll enjoy the lunch we prepared together under the trees.
The afternoon is yours — nap, pool, spa — before regrouping for a beautiful dinner with sweeping views.
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DAY 4
Florence: Art, Gardens & Rooftop Aperitivo
We’ll begin the day with grounding yoga and breakfast before heading into Florence, where we’ll enjoy a mix of guided experiences and free time — including a visit to one of the city’s ancient private gardens and time to wander, explore iconic museums and historic palaces, or simply get lost in the streets.
We’ll regroup for a quintessential pizza lunch, gather for Happy Hour cocktails on a stunning rooftop with sweeping city views, and later return to the property for a relaxed Tuscan BBQ.
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DAY 5
A Day Entirely Your Own
Begin with optional morning yoga, then enjoy a completely free day — hike the surrounding hills, relax at the spa or pool, or head into a nearby village.
This evening, we’ll dine off property at a beautiful winery restaurant, celebrating Tuscany’s seasonal cuisine.
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DAY 6
eBikes, Volpaia & Farewell Celebration
We’ll begin our final full day at a slower pace before heading out on a scenic 18km e-bike ride through the countryside to the village of Volpaia. If you prefer to skip the bike, there’s also a beautiful, scenic hiking trail that leads you to lunch at Bar Ucci—a beloved, Nonna-approved local favorite.
Tonight, we’ll celebrate our final evening together with cocktails, appetizers, and a gourmet four-course farewell dinner on property.
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DAY 7
Farewell, With Tuscany in Your Heart
After breakfast, we’ll offer a group transfer to Florence Airport.
We depart with full hearts, unforgettable memories, and friendships that extend far beyond this beautiful week in Tuscany.
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⟡ Six nights at a 5-star Relais & Châteaux estate in the heart of the Tuscan countryside
⟡ Daily gourmet breakfast with coffee, tea, and fresh juices
⟡ Morning yoga overlooking olive groves and rolling hills
⟡ All dinners with thoughtfully curated wine pairings
⟡ Welcome and farewell gatherings, designed to bring the group together with ease
⟡ Authentic Italian cooking class with lunch and wine pairings led by our in-house sommelier
⟡ Private Chianti wine experience, including vineyard visits and a leisurely four-course lunch
⟡ Scenic eBike ride through the countryside, ending with lunch in a storybook hilltop village
⟡ Day in Florence, complete with rooftop aperitivo at a beautiful 5-star hotel
⟡ Hiking trails directly from the property for morning or afternoon wanderings
⟡ Outdoor movie night under the stars
One group airport transfer from Florence Airport on arrival and one group transfer on departure are included at a pre-arranged, agreed-upon time. Private transfers outside of these times can be arranged at an additional cost.
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⟡ Airfare
⟡ Private airport transfers outside of the scheduled group transfer to / from Florence Airport (driver details will be provided if needed)
⟡ A small number of lunches during free exploration days
⟡ Additional alcoholic beverages outside of included meals and hosted events
RETREAT INVESTMENT & PAYMENT TERMS
As our most valued clients and friends, we are pleased to share this five-star Tuscany retreat experience with you at the price of $9,850 USD per guest.
This is a thoughtfully curated, nearly all-inclusive retreat designed so you can think of nothing — simply arrive and be pampered with exclusive experiences, gourmet food and wine, daily wellness offerings, and luxurious five-star accommodations.
For a full overview of everything included in your retreat experience, please visit the “What’s Included” section.
Full payment is due by February 1, 2026 and 50% is refundable before February 15, 2026.
If this sounds like a trip you’d love to be part of, please email Bruce Keenan at bkeenan@hccnepal.org, and he’ll be happy to send you the registration link.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Bruce and Susan Keenan are honored and excited to host this special Tuscany retreat for their closest supporters and top donors. After decades of leadership, entrepreneurship, and service, they deeply value time spent together in meaningful places — sharing long meals, thoughtful conversation, and memorable experiences in one of the world’s most beautiful regions.
Together, Bruce and Susan co-founded Himalayan Children’s Charities (HCC), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting at-risk children in Nepal through education, scholarships, mentoring, and life-skills programs that create long-term opportunity and stability.
For Bruce and Susan, this week is about gratitude, connection, and celebrating the community that makes this important work possible.
MEET YOUR CO-HOST & TRIP LEADER
Meet your co-host, Lindsay Wheeler — Founder of LDW Coaching & Luxury Wellness Culture Retreats, and the creative force behind these thoughtfully designed experiences.
After years in corporate leadership alongside teaching yoga and building community-focused initiatives, Lindsay creates retreats designed as more than a beautiful escape — they are an invitation to slow down, connect, and return home feeling grounded, inspired, and fully yourself.
“TRAVEL IS NOT REWARD FOR WORKING, IT IS EDUCATION FOR LIVING.”
- ANTHONY BOURDAIN
BOOK NOW
If this sounds like a trip you’d love to be part of, please email Bruce Keenan at bkeenan@hccnepal.org, and he’ll be happy to send you the registration link.
THE FAQS
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We will be offering one group pickup at Florence Airport on arrival and one group drop-off on departure, both at a set, pre-arranged time. These details will be communicated in advance by Susan and Bruce, so guests can plan travel accordingly.
If you prefer to arrive earlier, depart later, or travel independently, additional private transfer options are available.
As you plan your journey, we recommend arriving at the hotel between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, allowing time to settle in before our welcome reception later that evening.
For guests arranging private transfers, we are happy to connect you with a trusted local logistics company offering competitive rates. They can coordinate directly with you for both arrival and departure.
Nearest Airports
Florence Peretola Airport — approx. 60 km / 60 minutes
Pisa International Airport — approx. 116 km / 1 hour 45 minutes
Rome Fiumicino Airport — approx. 3 hours 15 minutes
Nearest Train Stations
Castellina in Chianti–Monteriggioni — approx. 27 km
Santa Maria Novella Station — approx. 35 km
Siena Station — approx. 28 km
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Mid-May in Chianti, Tuscany typically brings mild, pleasant weather—a beautiful time to visit. Here's what you can expect:
Daytime highs: 68–75°F (20–24°C)
Evening lows: 50–55°F (10–13°C)
Sunshine: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, with longer daylight hours
Rain: Occasional spring showers (on average, 5–7 days of light rain in May)
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Active outdoor clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a light jacket in case it gets chilly at night or during the day, casual clothes for dinners out, and leave a little space in your suitcase in case you want to buy things at one of the amazing Tuscan open air markets. We will have yoga mats, so no need to bring one!
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Full payment is due by February 1, 2026.
Payments are 50% refundable if canceled on or before February 15, 2026.
Due to limited availability and the all-inclusive nature of the retreat—including hotel privatization and pre-arranged excursions—any cancellations after February 15, 2026 will be non-refundable.
Thank you for your understanding, as all arrangements and payments are secured well in advance.
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All dietary preferences and allergies can be thoughtfully accommodated on this trip. Prior to arrival, guests will receive a travel form where you’ll be invited to share any dietary needs or special requests so we can ensure everything is handled in advance.
We’ll be working closely with the chef at Pieve Aldina to curate menus tailored specifically for our group, and all outings where meals are provided are equally able to accommodate special dietary requests. Once your form is submitted, our team will coordinate directly with each venue—so you can simply arrive, relax, and enjoy every delicious detail.
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Europe as a whole is not a huge tipping culture, but our guides work closely with Americans and have become accustomed to receiving tips. If you feel so inclined, please plan for tipping your drivers, bellman, and wait staff while off property.
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We encourage you to book your spa treatments in advance by emailing: dir.rooms@pievealdina.com
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WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT OUR RETREATS
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"I began practicing yoga in 2012 to dedicate time to myself and to find balance with a demanding career and family obligations. "
“Lindsay has been instrumental to my yoga journey from the day I met her 10 years ago to the teacher training course I completed recently. Her positivity, encouragement, and empathy is present in every class, which I leave better grounded each time. But what I value most is the community she has built and the true friendships she facilitated among her students. She has enriched my life in countless ways.”
- OLGA GREENBURG
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"If I had to sum up this experience in one word, it would be gift. "
“At the start of the retreat, Lindsay encouraged us to treat each day like a gift—and that truly set the tone for everything that followed. This retreat gave me space to reflect, reset, and really embrace that mindset. I’m going home with a deep appreciation for each new day.”
- MOLLIE WINSTON
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"What makes the LDW retreats so remarkable are the people"
“– your fellow travelers who choose to spend quality time with like-minded people and treasure unique experiences together. Lindsay has a special skill of not only curating the best in travel experiences – yoga, food, wine, accommodations, and adventures – but with interesting, kind and thoughtful travelers. These retreats are a rare time to pause, reset and appreciate life surrounded by new and old friends. I am so excited for two weeks of LDW travel in 2026!”
- MEREDITH LAMBERTON
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“Every detail was thoughtfully planned, and the effort behind it all was clear."
“One of the best trips ever—an opportunity to pause, reset, and savor yoga, scenery, food, wine, and a warm, welcoming community.”
- JULIE FRAMER
BOOK NOW
If this sounds like a trip you’d love to be part of, please email Bruce Keenan at bkeenan@hccnepal.org, and he’ll be happy to send you the registration link.
NEED MORE INFO?
Fill out the form and we will send more details your way.