Highlights of this trip
Step into the wild heart of Abruzzo, Italy, where rugged mountains, ancient forests, and untamed rivers create a sanctuary for both wildlife and the human spirit. This women-only nature retreat is designed for those who crave connection – with themselves, with nature, and with a circle of inspiring women.
For five transformative days, you’ll get to know this area, and the people you are travelling with, in a profound way. For two nights, we’ll stay in a remote mountain hut, surrounded by the rewilding landscapes of Abruzzo National Park. Here, bears roam freely, eagles soar overhead, and the earth hums with quiet power. Led by passionate female guides and hosts, this retreat blends mindful exploration, wildlife encounters, and heartfelt community experiences – all while enjoying nourishing food, deep conversations, and the magic of the wild.
This is not just a trip, it’s a celebration of nature, sisterhood, and the strength that comes from both.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR RETREAT
A Sanctuary in the Wild – Spend three days in a cozy, remote mountain hut, nestled in the heart of Abruzzo’s rewilding area. Wake up to birdsong, mountain views, and the scent of beech trees.
Wildlife & Wonder – Track bear prints, search for signs of wolves and chamois, and learn how rewilding is bringing life back to these ancient landscapes. Your guides will share stories of the land and its wild inhabitants.
Mindful Moments – Start your days with gentle yoga or meditation in nature, followed by mindful walks that awaken your senses. No experience needed, just an open heart.
Nourishing Food & Soulful Company – Enjoy locally sourced, delicious meals prepared with love, shared around a table with women who inspire and uplift. Think fresh pasta, foraged herbs, and slow-cooked stews.. food that fuels both body and spirit.
Community & Connection – Meet local women who call this land home. Hear their stories, share in their traditions, and learn how people and wildlife thrive together in Abruzzo. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to live in harmony with nature.
Evenings by the Fire – As the sun sets, gather around the fire for stories, laughter, and reflection. These are the moments where connections deepen and memories are made.
This retreat is about slowing down, tuning in, and remembering the wild within you.
Photogallery
what does the week look like?
Day 1 – ARRIVAL AT PESCASSEROLI
Transfer from Rome Fiumicino to Pescasseroli – Welcome Lunch in town – Hike to Mountain Refuge – Introduction to Wildlife Watching – Sunset – Dinner – Campfire – Stargazing – Overnight at Mountain Refuge
Day 2 – WILDERNESS & SILENCE
Morning Movement – Breakfast – Hike & Wildlife Watching – Lunch – Relax & Silent Walks – Sunset – Dinner – Campfire – Stargazing – Overnight at Mountain Refuge
Day 3 – BACK TO THE VALLEY
Sunrise Hike – Breakfast – Hike back to the valley with lunch – Explore Pescasseroli – Dinner in town – Overnight at a local hotel
Day 4 – NATURE CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY
Morning Movement – Breakfast – Scenic Drive – Waterfall Hike – Nature Conservation & Community engagement – Dinner – Overnight in Pettorano
Day 5 – GOODBYE
Morning Movement – Breakfast – Transfer back to Rome Fiumicino for your journey onwards or back home
Practical information
Dates & Availability
- Monday 1 till Friday 5 June 2026
- Minimum 4 , maximum 8 people
This retreat can also be booked as a private or business retreat.
Costs (Included & Excluded)
€1390 per person.
Or join our waitlist for 2027.
Includes:
- Two nights accommodation in a family owned hotel (shared twin room), and two nights at a mountain refuge (shared room)
- All local meals & drinks, and packed lunches for field days, from lunch at Day 1, till breakfast at Day 5
- Local transport and transfers to/from Rome Fiumicino
- A local conservation & community experience
- Female guides and hosts
- A contribution to Rewilding Apennines
Excludes:
- Transport to/from Rome Fiumicino
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Logistics / Transport
You will be picked up at 10.00 at Rome Fiumicino Airport on Monday 1 June 2026, and dropped off again on Friday 5 June at 11.00 at the same spot. TIP: travel by train – take the train to Rome Termini and then the DaVinci express to Rome Fiumicino.
Accommodation
During this Women Only retreat, you will sleep in a mountain hut, in the middle of nature, and in family owned hotels in the town of Pescasseroli and Pettorano. In the mountain hut, you share a room & bathroom with the group. At the hotel, you share a room with one or two other people from the group.
Food
Meals are communal and local. Expect bread still warm from the oven, soups that change with the season, and at least one dish you cannot pronounce but will miss deeply afterward. Special diets are respected, though curiosity is encouraged.
Health & Safety
A trained guide is always nearby, first-aid kits are stocked, and daily check-ins are mandatory. Basic fitness level expected with maximum 5-8 km. hikes per day.
Testimonials
Local team & trainers
Sandrijn van der Voort
Coming from a family of 'conscious' parents, Sandrijn grew up with an early appreciation for the value of nature and its inhabitants. After years of working as a healthcare psychologist in mental health care, she realised she preferred to contribute in the field of prevention. She delved into mindfulness and it's combination with walking, which eventually led to the founding of Soulpower.
Through Soulpower, she offers mindfulness and mindful walking training for both individuals and businesses. Introducing people to the power of nature and helping them discover their inner strength is her true passion.
Valeria Roselli
Since she was a child, Valeria walked along the paths through the forest of the mountains where she was born. Her curiosity led her to explore and get to know the territory. While listening to stories from older people in the area, Valeria learnt the importance of the local traditions and how necessary it was to preserve traditions and value the past.
Her love of nature and for the Abruzzo mountains became her passion, which then became her profession. Valeria is now a nature guide, environmental interpreter and an international mountain leader, and one of the most expert guides in the Italian Apennines.
Aukje van Gerven
Growing up, Aukje enjoyed nature mostly from horseback, which instilled a love for wandering in wild spaces. She holds degrees in Law and History, but when working in these fields ceased to inspire her, she discovered true adventure travel while cycling from Tanzania to the Netherlands. She has more than twenty years of experience in ecotourism, community engagement, hospitality, and wildlife tourism development & training in European rewilding areas. The nature positive impact these trainings had on participants, partners, and herself, has motivated her to co-found MOYO Training Foundation, and delivering nature positive training programs to support wildlife, biodiversity and communities around the globe.