Last November, we travelled to Tuscany for an Ayurvedic retreat with Datu Wellness — arriving, if we're honest, slightly overextended after a very full year. What we didn’t expect was to encounter such true authenticity in the heart of Italy, without having to travel all the way to India. What set Datu Wellness apart for us was, without a doubt, their team and practitioners. The depth of knowledge, and attentiveness with which they looked after us reminded us that real luxury often lies in being deeply cared for. We left completely rejuvenated and even shed some tears on the last day, moved by the genuine care of the team. So we wanted to share a little glimpse into our day on an Ayurveda retreat.

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7am — Wake up and yoga asana practice

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We wake to birds singing — no alarm needed, the Tuscan morning takes care of that. Mornings are spent observing silence and there is a peaceful simplicity to the start of the day. We get dressed in our kurta, a matching set of loose cotton trousers and shirt provided by the retreat. Not having to think about what to wear feels extremely freeing.

By 7:30am we're on the mat with Radhika, our asana yoga teacher visiting from Rishikesh for the duration of the retreat. The practice comprises of slow held postures and deep breathing, rooted in eight-limbed traditional yoga. We both have a regular practice, usually more dynamic, but we are surprised by the effects of the slower movement. When we sit in the meditation, we are able to go even deeper.

9am — Ayurvedic breakfast enjoyed in silence

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Chef Asia Kostka's cooking is rooted in ancient Ayurvedic principles — food as medicine, digestion as the foundation of everything. This morning it was buckwheat pancakes with hemp heart cream, stewed apples, and a Cumin–Coriander–Fennel tea, a personal favourite digestive tonic that gently wakes the gut after the night. Chef Asia has worked alongside some of the world's top chefs and her vast experience and deep passion shine through in every bite. We leave feeling genuinely nourished rather than just fed.

10:30am — Personalised bodywork treatments

Every treatment is assigned based on one-on-one consultations with the doctors and nothing here is generic. The team are each deeply rooted in traditional Eastern lineages, trained over decades in esteemed institutions. These are not massage therapists — they are healers in the truest sense, carrying with them a depth of knowledge and a reverence for their craft.

This morning, Kristina is in with the TCM practitioner for acupuncture and cupping, while Margarita is having foot reflexology — and the level of detail he is able to read and interpret just from the feet is mind-blowing. Things you wouldn't expect anyone to know. We both leave our sessions feeling lighter, but also with a much clearer picture of what our bodies need.

1pm — Nourishing lunch followed by light walk in nature

Lunch is the main meal of the day here. A full three courses, with ingredients handpicked by Asia from local farmers. We can taste the quality and freshness in everything. We leave the table completely satiated, the kind of full that feels wholesome rather than heavy. Afterwards we take a slow walk around the grounds, soaking up the Tuscan sun and fresh air.

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2:45pm — Yoga nidra to calm and recalibrate the nervous system

The perfect post-lunch practice. Yoga nidra is a deeply restorative guided meditation that brings the body into a state of complete rest and relaxation — said to be so restoring that one hour is the equivalent of four hours of sleep. We lie down, follow our guide's voice, and within minutes the nervous system begins to genuinely unwind.

As the sun begins to set over the Tuscan hills, we gather outside for agnihotra, an ancient Vedic fire ritual performed at sunrise and sunset. Led by Dr. Kiran, it's a moment to reflect and offer gratitude for the day. Afterwards, we stay together for a warming shared moment over tea and freshly prepared snacks.

4:45pm – Sunset Agnihotra

7pm — Light dinner followed by sound healing sleep ritual

The lightest meal of the day, as per Ayurvedic principles for optimal digestion. We eat slowly, winding down naturally into the evening. Shayana's sound healing sleep ritual follows, incorporating tibetan bowls and instruments, preparing us for the most blissful sleep. We keep silence until the morning and drift off to our rooms in a state of unparalleled relaxation.

We find our bedroom lovingly prepared by the team with a hot water bottle in bed and thermos of tea waiting for us. It's the kind of detail that makes you feel completely taken care of. For us, this is what true luxury actually means — not opulence, but genuine care and human connection.

Interested in joining the next one? The Datu Wellness team are back in Italy this spring and fall, taking on the beautiful Cilento coast in Campania.

Your Reset Awaits

CAMPANIA, ITALY

Spring's’s Return to Balance | March 25 – April 29, 2026

This four-week retreat series offers a reset for body and mind through Ayurveda and ancient healing traditions, guided by practitioners visiting from India.

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