RETREATS
ASHTANGA YOGA + HIKE RETREAT
September 6-13, 2025
DOLOMITES, ITALY
WE are headed back to Völs Am Schlern (Fie a Sciliar) and I would like to invite you to this magical place for a weeklong retreat filled with Yoga, breathing, hiking, Incredible food, and fun.
OVERVIEW
This week-long retreat to the heart of the Italian Dolomites offers an opportunity to dive deep into your Yoga practice, relax, and hike through picture-perfect Alpine landscapes. The Dolomites are such an iconic destination for outdoor lovers and Völs, a small village at the foothill of the Schlern massif, my personal favorite. I am looking forward to showing you this magical place in Northern Italy, practice Yoga, and take you on my favorite hikes in the region.
The group is small (12 pax. max) which ensures ample opportunity to connect with each other and the retreat leader. A small group futhermore ensures enough time and space for personal attention during yoga classes.
ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL WALDSEE ***
The small, family run Hotel Waldsee, is located just outside the picturesque village of Völs am Schlern at 1036 m (3398.95 ft.) above sea level. It is adjacent to Lago di Fiè/Völser Weiher, a small sweet-water lake that is perfect for an après yoga, saune, or hike dip in the summer. Hotel Waldsee is close to Mt. Sciliar/Schlern, one of South Tyrol’s trademarks, as well as the outdoor paradise Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm, right in the heart of the Sciliar-Catinaccio/Schlern-Rosengarten nature park. Mt. Sciliar/Schlern and Catinaccio/Rosengarten are part of the famous Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Rooms: the hotel offers stylish single and double rooms with high-quality spruce wood furniture, shower or bathtub / WC, desk and / or comfortable seating area, telephone, safe, flatscreen TV, balcony or terrace, mostly with a view on the Schlern, and the Weiher. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms.
Food: Hosts Hans Peter and Daniel Kritzinger are personally responsible for the culinary pleasure of their guests and their creations are mouthwatering! They are passionate chefs who serve home-made pasta, home-made jams and exceptionally creative dishes of the highest quality. For breakfast a huge buffet is served in the dining room and for dinner, choose your own 3 or 4-course-meal which always includes vegetarian options, fresh salads from the buffet, and mouth-watering desserts.
Spa: Apart from the stunning sweet water lake Laghetto di Fiè/Völser Weiher the hotel furthermore offers a light-filled 17 x 7 m indoor swimming pool, Finnish and infra-red saunas, and vitality and steam bath. Use of spa is included in your retreat package.
RETREAT SAMPLE SCHEDULE*
Arrival, September 6:
Travel independently to Bolzano, Italy and then to Völs and Hotel Waldsee. Meet for welcome drinks, orientation and dinner at 6 pm.
Day 2-6:
8:00-8:30 am: Breathing & Silence
8:45 - 9:45 am: Practice (Mysore style)
10 am: Breakfast
11 am - 3 pm: Hike/Adventure/Swim
4 - 6 pm: Practice: restorative, yin, chanting, philosophy, talks, or Q&A
7 pm: Dinner
Departure: September 13
Depart after breakfast. Participants are welcome self-practice.
All level practitioners are welcome but to make your experience fuller and more beneficial, it is recommended to have some experience of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series, especially the standing sequence.
* Schedule is subject to change.
MEET BARBARA
Originally from Austria, Barbara lives in Telluride, Colorado, where she runs Ashtanga Yoga Telluride. She is an authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher, and has been practicing the Ashtanga Yoga method with her main teacher Annie Pace since 2015 and has travelled to Mysore, India annually since 2016.
Barbara loves music and chanting and has had the great fortune to study these with her teachers in India.
Furthermore, she has been able to explore concepts of Hindu philosophy, Ayurveda and other aspects of Yogic studies with Dr. KLS Jois. As an avid hiker and former hiking guide, Barbara has led many guided tours through the Dolomites and Alps.
COST per person
SINGLE ROOM WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM: $2,570,— (superior ONLY, Limited Availability)
DOUBLE ROOM WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM: $2,570,— (SUPERIOR) | $2,480,— (COMFORT)
If you’d like to share a double room, please note that you will be sleeping on two separate mattresses with separate bedding but the bed frames can NOT be pulled apart (see photo in gallery above). This means that a true twin configuration is not possible.
RETREAT PRICE INCLUDES:
7 nights / 6 days at Hotel Waldsee*** in your room of choice with private bathroom
daily breakfast buffet and 3-course-dinners (lunch is not included; approx. cost between EUR 15-20 per meal)
tourist tax for the entire week
use of all hotel amenities including spa, tennis courts, private access to lake
twice daily yoga (one free afternoon)
daily guided hikes
transfers and other activities during the retreat
gratuity for hotel staff
NOT INCLUDED:
airfare and transportation cost to retreat location
lunch (approx. cost between EUR 15-20 per meal)
alcohol and water at dinner (the hotel charges for water bottles at dinner, no matter if tap water, or sparkling
Travel insurance is recommended.
Please read our terms and conditions.
Registration & SIGN Up
Registration form + paid deposit are required to secure your spot.
Deposit: $650 (non-transferable and non-refundable)
Remaining balance is due 6/1/25. Payments via Venmo, PayPal, Check, or bank transfer are welcome.
Click here for registration form.
SCHOLARSHIPS
I would like to offer one scholarship for anyone who’d like to join this retreat but can’t afford to pay full price. Scholarships are offered at cost of lodging (hotel room including half board) and transportation during the retreat. I am donating my time, yoga classes, and guided hikes. Please contact me directly for more details.
Arrival / Departure Info
Flying into Munich (MUC) Airport, Germany is easiest. Upon arrival, connect directly from the airport to Bolzano by train (1 change at Munich HB main station, 4 hrs total).
More info: DEUTSCHE BAHN
Alternatively, fly into Venice (VCE), Italy and connect to Venezia Mestre train station. From there take a train to Bolzano and then transfer to Völs. (3-3.5 hrs, 1-2 changes depending on connection).
More info: TRENITALIA
From Bolzano, either connect by private taxi (cost: EUR65; shared taxis are available when arrival times match up), or take the bus to Völs. Renting a car for this journey is not recommended (too expensive, not necessary).
