Namaste in Rome & Casperia Vacation: An Active Yoga Retreat

In the morning, Rome fills with the bustle associated with its position as the capital metropolis of Italy. Boutique shops open up along the opulent street of Via dei Condotti. Cafes set out tables and chairs bordering the baroque artistry of Piazza Navona. The farmers market in Camp de’ Fiori fills with artisan olive oils and bright, fresh produce. You have the option of touring the ancient splendor of Rome before venturing to the medieval city of Casperia. Your guide meets you at the hotel and leads you on a remarkable tour of the iconic monuments of Rome, beginning with the Colosseum.

The exterior wall reaches more than 155 feet tall and creates the dramatic impression of a goliath, once holding upwards of 50,000 spectators. Pillars of ancient temples continue to stand amidst the ruins of the Roman Forum, the civic, political, and religious heart of Rome. You can see the rounded tops of the Rome’s seven hills. The cobblestone streets once filled with the aroma of olive oil and wine. The ruins now offer the aromas of rich soil and antique stones. The Temple of Antonius Pius located on the main street of Via Sacra in the Roman Forum has steps leading to the pillared entrance.

The structure was erected in the 2nd century AD to honor the deified Empress Faustina. The six Corinthian columns have persevered through time, the elements, and building projects. After discovering the continuing wonders of Ancient Rome, you meet your private transfer for your scenic journey to Casperia, located in the province of Rieti. The medieval charm of the town rises out of the verdant trees on a hillside overlooking olive groves and vineyards. Cobblestone streets wind beneath supportive arches and wrought iron balconies decorated with begonias. Sunflowers glow bright yellow against the aged stone.

In the morning, you wake to the sound of the serene countryside. Locals of Casperia stroll along the streets in the newly restored sunlight. A veil of moisture settles over the valley beneath the town. Cafes set up tables and chairs in the main square offering patrons a place to sit and enjoy the refreshingly cool air. Your day begins with what will become a relaxing ritual morning yoga class. The aroma of olive leaves drifts through the studio. The window opens to views of the lush countryside, adding to the tranquil environment set in the restored historic studio paved with wood floors.

An ancient water spring trickles into a pool inside the studio. You stretch your limbs and your spirit, enjoying the refreshing program of Kundalini or Sivananda yoga. The scent of fresh oranges and lemons overtakes breakfast. Traditional cheeses from Lazio, including hard caciotta dei monti della laga and crumbly cacioricotta di bufala, adorn the tables. After your meal, you set out on a guided horseback riding tour of the Sabine Hills. Vineyards grow along the steep slopes beneath thriving olive grove outside the medieval walls framing Casperia. The hills surround you, rolling against the horizon in every direction. Your guide points out the natural elements and preserved historic character.

The lush countryside and medieval villages sprouting out of the canopy offers a different view than that of Rome. The heart of the Sabine Hills opens into undulating plains with a view to the Tiber Valley. The horses keep a steady, easy pace on the trail. You enjoy the authenticity of the countryside and the sporadic villages, which contain a youthful ambiance in the more than 1,000 years of history filling their streets. You reach the town of Montasola, with the brownstone walls and circular watchtower crowning the hilltop at nearly 2,000 feet above sea level.

In the morning, you participate in another yoga session, this time taking advantage of your loosened muscles. Your instructor offers a Vinyasa Flow class to challenge you and the other participants inside the pristine studio. You press back into downward dog, move forwards into Kumbhakasana, balancing on your arms in the plank position, before jumping forward to touch your feet with your hands. At breakfast, you indulge in fresh grapes on the patio overlooking the hillside. The beauty of the landscape continues to captivate you, accompanied by the storybook atmosphere of the historic village.

After breakfast, you venture to the rejuvenating thermal baths at Viterbo to rest your muscles and your spirit. Viterbo is the largest town in northern Lazio and, compared to Casperia, feels like a bustling metropolis. The gorgeous medieval center offers insight into the history of the region first settled by the Etruscans before the Romans came to power. The prestigious structures at the heart of town boast the wealth of Viterbo during the 13th century, as it became the seat of the papacy.

The indigo water of Vico Lake shimmers beneath the breadth of sunlight with a basin heated by Vico Volcano. The water feeds into the thermal baths of Bullicame once described by famous Italian poet Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy. The alkaline springs extend over seven miles with waters reaching temperatures as high as 150 degrees. You dip into the pool and let the hot water encompass your skin. The mud at the bottom of the natural pools contains rich minerals imbued by the volcanic activity, soothing skin ailments and relaxing your entire body.

In the morning, you walk along the cobblestone streets before your yoga class and enjoy the view of the valley below. The moisture in the air creates a thin layer of mist sweeping across the greenery before dissipating in the sunlight. In class, you practice Ashtanga Yoga, synchronizing your breath with various positions to purify your body through sweat. The mixture of yoga styles takes your body on a unique journey, as well as keeping your mind focused on the present, focusing on the movement and the beauty of your location. You meet your private art instructor after breakfast to venture to a particular spot in Casperia blending the wonderment of the medieval village with the magnificence of the natural landscape surrounding the city walls.

The class provides the perfect balance of instruction whether you are a beginner or experienced artist. You squeeze a selection of colors onto a palette before dipping your brush in a small water bowl. The soft tip of the brush absorbs the water. The tin holder at the rim of the brush taps against the edge of the bowl. Lightly dab the brush on a towel to soak the extra water before dipping the brush into the paint, just enough to turn the firm watercolor liquid. The colors begin to take shape on your canvas, turning the empty space into a marvelous interpretation of the Lazio landscape, capturing the olive groves, vineyards, rolling hills, and antique stones.

In the morning, the sunlight washes over the emerald trees and casts a golden light along the medieval walls of the town. You take on a morning and evening yoga class today, pushing your body to new bounds through a possible Sivananda or Iyengar instruction. The non-competitive atmosphere allows you to concentrate on your poses, flowing elegantly into each movement without fear of being watched. Take in the morning class on the deck to enjoy the village greenery and serene, sporadic view of the walls. Spend the day in Casperia wandering the cobblestone streets rising and falling with the hillside.

The picturesque stone homes and stairways provide a fairytale quality to your time in Italy. The Romanesque architecture of the medieval church in the heart of town contains a large bell tower casting a shadow over the town square. After your second yoga class, you venture to a cooking school near the village. What was originally a farmhouse continues to grow organic produce used in the prepared food. The school is located atop Roman ruins noticeable in the corner wall at the southern edge of the property.

Your instructor leads you through the garden to pick basil, artichoke, and cucumber. Your instructor teaches you the traditional method of making pasta by forming a mound of flour. You dig a hole out of the center with your fingers, feeling the powdery consistency of the flower before cracking eggs into the miniature crater you made. You whisk the eggs slowly, adding the flour to create the dough, then rolling the soft creation. At the end of the process, you have made delectable spaghetti, the most common pasta shape of Rome.

In the morning, you indulge in your final yoga class, stretching your body and mind inside the studio. The trickling water from the natural spring creates an enchanting ambiance in which you can get lost. After breakfast, you have a private transfer back to Rome, settling in the comforts of your luxurious hotel in the heart of the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the splendors of the historic and artistic city.

Traverse the collections of master artists in the Farnese Villa or the Villa Borghese. Indulge in the sweet flavors of gelato with a tasting tour around the most celebrated gelateria in Rome. To explore the beauty and spiritual history of the city, you make your way to the Vatican City for a guided tour of the splendor collected over half a millennia and displayed inside the Vatican Museums. Vatican City holds the title of the largest palace in the world, with nearly two million square feet of space.

The museum consists of 54 galleries spread across the grounds of the 16th-century palace, consisting of ancient Greek sculptures, Roman artistry, mosaics, busts, masks, Egyptian artifacts, and the works of Italian masters. The elegant halls open to marvelous paintings decorating the walls. Your tour ends in the Sistine Chapel beneath the famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo in the 16th century. The stunning colors encompass more than 8,600 square feet and depict biblical characters centered on the nine panels of Creation. You find a sense of harmony in the figures above, emanating from the bearded figure reaching out His finger to Adam, thus creating life.

In the morning, active Romans make their way to the park connected to Villa Borghese to jog, run, or walk on the trails traversing what locals affectionately refer to as “Rome’s Central Park.” Cyclists ride alongside the cobblestone walkways bordering the Tiber River. The stunning statues of angels designed by Bernini and crafted by his students adorn the Sant’Angelo Bridge, connecting the former papal castle to the historic center of Rome. You sip your espresso at breakfast and enjoy the traditional flavors of your rich beverage accompanied by a sweet brioche, providing the perfect balance of morning flavor. The splendor of Rome and the authenticity of Casperia have offered you a safe space during your time in Italy, allowing you to center yourself in the historic centers. Your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby after your meal and escorts you to Fiumicino Airport for your flight home.