Forest RetreatS in Tuscany

“Presence through the Stillness of Nature” Retreat

All-inclusive packages
Eckhart Tolle inspired program
Cultural Excursions
Tuscan cuisine cooking class

Why Pick Us?

Open. Honest. Transformative.

We guarantee you’ll leave transformed—or we’ll refund our program fee.

Over the past seven years, Emma and I have had the joy of hosting more than 300 guests—practically from every continent except Antarctica. Folks have come from Belgium, Italy, Germany, Russia, India, Canada, Australia, Finland, Oman, Singapore… and we’ve guided them into the heart of selected forests across Scotland, Germany, Italy, and Greece. Every single person has come away transformed, rewarding us with 100% 5 star reviews. Catherine from Hawaii told us the week went “WAY beyond anything I could have imagined,” and Laila from Oman said she now sees the world through fresh eyes. Monique from Canada still laughs at our dad jokes and goofy family like fun, and Alessio from Italy calls the woodland experience “a true, welcoming paradise.”

Many have called our experience “life-changing.” This is a huge responsibility for us, the fact that what we offer makes such an impact on a person. That’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly, so we have continued perfecting our retreats.

We created daily themes, and stitch them together so that they gently build on one another—helping you evolve at your own pace but still ensuring that you will leave our time together with a refreshed mind, warm new friendships, and stories you’ll tell for years.

We’re so confident you will too, we back our core program with a simple guarantee: if you don’t feel renewed by the end, we’ll refund our program fee—just cover retreat costs.

retreat information:

“Presence through the Stillness of Nature”

Held in the untouched beauty of the Garfagnana region of Tuscany. Immerse yourself in the natural landscapes and medieval charm that have inspired artists and poets for centuries.

Experience nature’s gentle embrace through Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing), guided by our experienced practitioners. Building on our already strong program, we’ve added inspiration from Eckhart Tolle’s teachings on nature and presence for 2025.

Benefits You’ll Take Home

Not only will you return home with incredible memories from the experiences during the week, but you’ll also gain practical skills to:

Reduce stress and anxiety for the long term
Connect deeply with nature for lasting well-being

You’ll depart with practical tools to enrich your daily life, fostering personal growth and transforming your relationship with the natural world—making it a lifelong source of peace and resilience.

All-inclusive Pricing:

Includes airport transfers, daily farm-to-table meals, excursions, accommodations & all guided sessions.

Enjoy a 10% early booking discount for the first 3 sign-ups with code MINDFUL-FOREST.

Upcoming Retreats:

8-day Retreat

Sept. 12 – 19, 2025

NEW DATE: 5-day Retreat

Oct 1 - 6, 2025

Reasons to Join us:

Experience the peace of being fully present in nature with Shinrin-yoku, a Japanese practice guiding you to immerse in the forest environment with all your senses and connect deeply with it.

Following Eckhart Tolle’s teachings, our retreat helps you cultivate Presence—a state of awareness and profound peace. Through expert Shinrin-yoku guidance, we offer a unique opportunity to harmonize with nature.

Join us to deepen your connection with the natural world, transform your relationship with nature, and reconnect with the present moment.

And finally, it’s not just about enjoying a week in a stunning exotic place. During the retreat, we plant seeds… of mindfulness, of wisdom, of nature-based insight—and you’ll watch them sprout long after you’ve returned home. These practices take root in your everyday life, nourishing calm, clarity, and connection for months (and even years) to come.

Cultural Outings

Explore Lucca*: Take a trip to the walled city of Lucca for sightseeing, shopping, and experiencing the cultural richness. Stroll through its charming streets, visit historic sites, and savor the local cuisine.

Walking Tour of Barga: (Main photo above) Join a half-day walking tour to the nearby town of Barga, known for its cultural and historic marvels. Discover its medieval architecture, visit the famous cathedral, and learn about the town’s rich history.

With this diverse range of activities, you’ll enjoy both the serene beauty of nature and the vibrant culture of Tuscany, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

* This tour available on the 8 day retreat only.

Venue

Agriturismo Ze del Pino, Barga

What to Expect

Our forest immersion retreat, inspired by the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, offers a holistic experience of stillness and presence, with an additional component of cultural immersion in this beautiful Italian region. Here’s a glimpse of your days with us:

Morning Mindfulness: Begin your day with guided meditation and immersive forest bathing sessions, connecting deeply with nature and cultivating a sense of “Presence,” as Eckhart Tolle teaches.
Tuscan Delights: Savour delicious, locally sourced meals, experiencing the authentic flavours of Tuscany. And yes, we’ll have a hands on cooking class!
Afternoon Workshops: Participate in mindfulness workshops, exploring practices to quiet the mind and connect with your inner being, as inspired by Eckhart Tolle’s teachings on the Power of Now.
Evening Serenity: Unwind with gentle walk before dinner, reflective journaling, or simply enjoy the tranquillity of this beautiful area. Experience the stunning view of the valley from our venue at an altitude of 1,000 m.
Free time: There will be plenty of time to yourself during each day, allowing for a very relaxed pace.

Real Stories

Review by Cathy M. – Hawaii - 5 Stars

Carlos and Emma and my retreat experience went WAY beyond anything I could have imagined! I can’t even begin to describe the amazing experience I had with Carlos and Emma of Universe Mindfulness. The retreat was so well thought out, and they paid attention to every single detail to make the experience even better for every single participant. Even though each participant was from a different part of the world, Carlos and Emma created an atmosphere where we all became a family. Our accommodation was absolutely spectacular, high on a mountaintop with an incredible view and soon a brand new pool. The owners of the hotel took great care of us and prepared exquisite local cuisine using fresh local ingredients and perfectly prepared homemade pastries, homemade jams, etc. Everything was so fresh and delicious! Honestly, this is one of The Best retreats I have been on and I can’t recommend Carlos and Emma enough. Sign up for one of their programs, you will be will be happy you did! Grazie mille, Carlos and Emma!

Review by Sandra A. – Scotland (8 Days Mindfulness and Shinrin Yoku Retreat in Scotland, UK)

“Reconnecting with Life. I liked everything about this course – the instructors, the participants, the location, the activities. There was learning and contemplation, but also much fun and laughter. I have made friends for life. This course is an experience not to be missed.” - Overall impression 10 out of 10

Review by Monique M. – Canada (8 Days Mindfulness and Shinrin Yoku Retreat in Scotland, UK)

“Emma was such a calming presence for meditations. I really enjoyed the sharing and laughter within the group, the beautiful surroundings, both within the accommodation and the surrounding landscape. The walks and mindfulness activities in nature combined with the morning mindfulness meditations really was profound and relaxing.” - Overall impression 10 out of 10

Review by Linda - UK (7 Days Mindfulness in nature retreat, Liguria, Italy)

“The week’s forest bathing retreat in Italy was a unique and a memorable experience, one not to be missed. The programme was very well thought out with a variety of forests bathing trips to different forests, visits to local places of interest and mindfulness meditation. I feel refreshed, renewed, relaxed and empowered to return to life after only one week away! I wish you the best for the future and many more successful retreats.”

Link to all our testimonials

pricing includes:

Pisa Airport shuttle, with stop at Lucca train station (arrival and departure)
Accommodation at Agriturismo Ze del Pino. Choice of 3 room types, all with ensuite.
All meals, breakfast, lunch and dinners + snacks. Home made Tuscan cuisine onsite.
20 or 30 hours of guided sessions, depending on retreat option. Shinrin-yoku forest walks, mindfulness workshops.
Cultural fun outings to the cities of Lucca* and Barga with private transportation.
A cooking class at Agriturismo Ze del Pino’s professional kitchen. Including handpicking fresh produce and other ingredients made locally.
Enjoy a discount of up to 5% for early booking (only 5 discounted spots available per retreat)

* This tour available on the 7 day retreat only.

We are excited to offer our “Presence through the Stillness of Nature” Retreat in Tuscany during the beautiful seasons of spring and fall 2025