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 deepen your Yoga practice, relax, and hike through picture-perfect Alpine landscapes. The Dolomites are an iconic destination for outdoor lovers, and Völs, a small village at the foot of the Schlern massif, is my favorite. I look forward to showing you this magical place in Northern Italy, practicing Yoga, and taking you on my favorite hikes in the region.
The group is small (12 -15 pax max), which ensures ample opportunity to connect and 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 (3,398.95 ft.) above sea level. It is adjacent to Lago di Fiè/Völser Weiher, a small sweet-water lake perfect for an après yoga, sauna, 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, flat-screen TV, balcony or terrace, some with views of 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 homemade pasta, jams, and exceptionally creative dishes of the highest quality. For breakfast, a considerable buffet is served in the dining room, and for dinner, you can choose your own three- or four-course meal, which always includes vegetarian courses, fresh salads from the buffet, and mouthwatering desserts.
Spa: Apart from the stunning sweet water lake Laghetto di Fiè/Völser Weiher, the hotel offers a light-filled 17 x 7 m indoor swimming pool, Finnish and infra-red saunas, and vitality and steam bath. Use of the spa is included in your retreat package.
RETREAT SAMPLE SCHEDULE*
Day 1: Arrival, September 6:
Travel independently to Bolzano, Italy and then to Hotel Waldsee, above Völs am Schlern. Meet for everyone for welcome drinks, orientation and dinner at 6 pm.
Day 2-6:
7:30 - 8 am: Breathing & Silence followed by a short break
8:15 - 9:45 am: Morning Practice (Mysore style)
10 am: Breakfast
11 am - 3 pm: Hike/Adventure/Sightseeing
4:30 - 6 pm: Afternoon Practice (restorative, yin, chanting, philosophy, talks, or Q&A)
7 pm: Dinner
Day 7: Departure, September 13
Depart after breakfast. Participants are welcome self-practice in the morning.
All level practitioners are welcome, but to make your experience more beneficial and fuller, it is recommended that you have some knowledge of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series, especially the standing sequence.
* Schedule is subject to change.
MEET BARBARA
Originally from Austria, Barbara now splits her time between the United States and southern Europe, and has been a practitioner of yoga for over 20 years. Her main teacher is Annie Pace and she also received the official authorization to teach the Ashtanga Yoga method from Saraswathi Jois in Mysore, India.
Barbara loves music and chanting and has the great fortune to study these disciplines with her teachers in India. She is trained in classical Hindustani music, as well as mantra chanting. Furthermore, she continues to explore concepts of Hindu philosophy, Ayurveda and other aspects of Yogic studies with Dr. KLS Jois.
As an avid hike and former guide, Barbara led many tours through the Alps and the Arctic but fell in love with the Dolomites. The proximity to her home in Austria, the region’s unique landscape, exceptional food, and outstanding hospitality is what make her return year after year.
COST per person
SINGLE ROOM WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM: SOLD OUT
DOUBLE ROOM WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM: $2,450 (Comfort)* | $2,570,— (SUPERIOR)**
* DOUBLE ROOM COMFORT: when sharing, you will be sleeping on separate mattresses with separate bedding, but the bed frame can NOT be pulled apart (see photo in gallery above). A true twin bed configuration is not possible in this room category.
** SUPERIOR DOUBLE ROOM: there is an additional pull-out couch in the room where a person can sleep on.
Double rooms for single occupancy are available upon request. Additional charges of EUR 60 per night apply.
RETREAT PRICE INCLUDES:
7 nights / 6 days at Hotel Waldsee***
daily breakfast buffet and 3 or 4-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 cost for 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, this includes tap water!)
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. Upon sign up, you will receive more detailed payment information if required.
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 by bus 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
Arrive by train in Bolzano, and connect by bus or private taxi (cost: EUR 65; shared taxis are available when arrival times match) to your hotel. If taking the bus, note that you will change once in Völs as the hotel is above the village core.
Renting a car is not recommended (expensive, not necessary).
