Adventure Retreats

A Body Built to Last
Adventure Retreats

From the tops of the mountains to the depths of your soul.

Take your body to the max.  
Challenge your mind. Connect emotionally and 
authentically with yourself and others.

Within us. Between us. Around us.

Massage and Movement Retreat
Lake Como, Italy, 31 August - 5 September, 2022

In the foothills of the Italian Alps, on the Swiss-Italian border, lies a high green valley that connects Lake Como and Lake Lugano.  Come to this secret hideaway for a five-day mix of massage, movement and fun in the sun. Exchange and develop your skills with other practitioners. Explore the soaring mountains, deep dark forests and brightly sparkling waters. Practice vulnerability and authenticity in the space between yourself and others. 

Connect with mind, body and soul

If you work as a massage therapist or any kind of movement practitioner, or simply if you're mad about moving, you probably ask a lot of yourself and also give a lot of yourself to others.  This retreat is an invitation to reconnect and recharge. This is a chance to:


  • Reawaken and energize your body through hiking, swimming, yoga, dance and massage exchange
  • Swap tips and tricks with other massage and movement practitioners
  • Practise physical and emotional vulnerability and authenticity
  • Recharge your batteries so that you are able to continue to take good care of yourself and others


I want this retreat to be a co-creation of all its participants. A catalyst for our continuing professional development.  So please come with a collaborative mindset and a willingness to share your talents with others.


A high green valley between two lakes

The retreat is based in Alta Val d'Intelvi, a high, green valley that links Lake Como with Lake Lugano.  Situated at a height of 900 metres and close to the Swiss-Italian border, the village of Lanzo is an hour’s drive from Milan's Malpensa Airport and half an hour from Lugano (Switzerland) where there is main line railway station.

Villa Alba is your home

Your home base for the retreat is Villa Alba, a garden villa with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Rooms are shared, and each room has two to three single beds.  Villa Alba is located in the village of Lanzo d"Intelvi. Just a short walk away, you can find a selection of local shops, cafes and restaurants.

Italian food, home-made together

Because this is an informal, small-group retreat, we will shop and cook together. We will eat traditional Italian food, bought locally.

How to get there

You should plan to arrive on Wednesday August 31 and leave on Monday September 5.  Some flexibility is possible, so please get in touch if your travel schedule requires you to arrive earlier or depart later.

By air, Lanzo d"Intelvi can best be reached from Milan's Malpensa Airport. By road, Lanzo can be reached on a single, long day’s drive from Amsterdam. By rail, you can reach Lanzo from Lugano, Switzerland, which is half an hour away.  Because public transport is limited, it is really helpful to have a car to get around.

What's included?

What's included:


  • Own bed, shared room
  • Daily movement and massage exchange
  • Hiking, swimming
  • Sitting circle connection exercises


What's not included?

  • Bedding. Please bring your own sheet, pillowcase and quilt cover
  • Food. We will use the Splitwise app to keep track of food costs and settle up at the end
  • Travel to Lanzo and transport while you're there. It's advisable to hire a car.
  • Boat hire

Sample daily schedule

08:30 Breakfast

10:00 Swimming; or hiking in the mountains. Massage and movement in the garden.

18:00 Dinner

20:00 Connection, sharing and reflection

Who's hosting? 

Neal Woodcock: leadership coach and professional masseur

Neal Woodcock has built a career as a leadership trainer and coach for international corporations. 

  

More recently, he qualified as a personal trainer and massage therapist, and has a keen interest in the positive impact of exercise, sleep and diet on happy and healthy living. 


Neal’s other interests include authentic relating, fitness training, contact improvisation, ecstatic dance, non-violent communication and ritual play fight 


Originally from the UK, Neal divides his time between Amsterdam and Italy.

Ready to book?

This particular retreat is not a profit-making venture, but a co-creative exchange between friends.
The prices below are intended as a contribution to  the costs of maintaining and cleaning the house.
We will share the costs of shopping and cook together
If you are ready to book, or simply if you have any questions, please email us by clicking the buttons below

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