Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have experience hiking to join this retreat?

Not necessarily, no.  However, some hiking experience is encouraged, even if it’s getting out for a few day hikes before the retreat.  We want you to be comfortable in your gear - especially your shoes - and able to walk confidently on rocky terrain for this adventure.  Also, as the days on expedition are long and at altitude, a certain level of fitness will be required to ensure we can make it between huts safely.  If you have any questions or concerns about your fitness levels and preparation for the hike, please contact us so we can chat about your individual situation further.

What will we be eating?

During your stay at Villa Leonetti, we will provide a fresh breakfast bar including whole grain breads, yogurt, nuts, dried and fresh fruit and of course authentic Italian cappuccino or espresso, and dinners will be homemade using local ingredients. At the mountain huts, dinners are a set, 3-course meal of starter (often pasta), main (meat and vegetables), and desert with some table wine and water. 

Breakfasts are basic, including bread and spreads with coffee and tea.  Mountain huts will provide packed lunches, which will usually include a sandwich, biscuits and a sweet treat.  We will provide packed lunches from Villa Leonetti on Day 3 and Day 7, which will include everything you need to create a nutritious and satisfying sandwich for the trail. The villa and huts will happily provide plant-based options and dietary restrictions if notified in advance. Please contact us to discuss any specific dietary requirements. 

Note that snacks for hiking are not provided.  You may not be able to find what you’re looking for upon arrival in Italy, so please bring your favourite treat for snacking on the trail. Great snacks include trail mix, flapjacks, protein bars, dried fruit, etc.

What is it like staying in Villa Leonetti?

Villa Leonetti has been intentionally designed to be a place to gather and enjoy company but also quiet spaces for doing yoga, reading, gardening, puttering and solitude. We have renovated it with love and the intention to bring out the original natural and simplistic beauty. The villa includes four thoughtfully designed guest rooms, each with en suite bathrooms, private balconies and wood stoves. The house includes a spacious state of the art kitchen/cantina perfect for gatherings and a cozy living room with a Pandero woodstove. The bedrooms are accessible via two staircases at either end of the villa.

Please note that accommodation at Villa Leonetti is shared, with beds in most rooms. A single supplement is available at an additional cost: please contact us for details and pricing.

What is it like staying in the mountain huts?

In our opinion, Italian mountain huts are the best in Europe!  That said, they are quite different from a standard hotel.  We will sleep as a group in one room or in smaller rooms in bunk beds.  A wool blanket and pillow are provided, but guests are expected to bring a sleeping bag liner or sleeping bag.  Washroom facilities are basic: toilets and sinks are available, but often run off of rainwater catchment (not potable) and septic tanks / compostable.  Hot showers are available at some huts, for additional cost.  Mountain huts often run off generators for power, so guests have limited power outlets.   For this reason, hair dryers, towels and other basics you would expect at a hotel are not provided.

What gear do I need to bring?

Part of this retreat is helping you to get better prepared for mountain adventures.  We will provide you with a full gear list upon booking, and you will be invited to join an optional gear packing and preparation session via Zoom a few months before the trip.  If you have any specific questions, we are happy to help guide you.

One important thing is that you test your gear before bringing it.  It’s essential to ‘break in’ your hiking boots before you get to the retreat, meaning you should be walking in them regularly in the weeks before our adventure starts.  We also recommend testing out your planned clothing and backpack on your hike to make sure it’s comfortable and fits well.  If you have older gear, check for rips and tears, and re-waterproof any Gore-tex jacket and trousers you will be bringing along.

How will leadership and coaching be integrated into the retreat?

As certified coaches and with extensive experience working in leadership development, we wanted to bring some of this expertise into our retreats.  Participants will receive some guidance materials to reflect what they want to get from their retreat experience, and help them discover their own leadership qualities on the trail. Our daily program will include time for reflection and / or sharing, and we will do our best to provide coaching and support throughout the retreat.  However, it’s important to note this is not formal training, but rather ‘light touch’ coaching and leadership reflections to bring intentionality and the potential for personal growth for retreat participants.

How do I get there?

We will provide transport from Alessandria train station, which is an an hour drive from the Villa. A direct train can be taken from Alessandria from Milano Centrale and private transfers are available if pre-arranged. We are happy to provide you with more information to book transport once you arrived in Italy.

How much does the retreat cost?

The cost of the retreat is €2,495, inclusive of 6 night’s accommodation (3 nights’ at Villa Leonetti and 3 nights’ at mountain huts). meals, local transfers and guided coaching, journaling and yoga / meditation as per the retreat schedule.