Each day has one or two anchors, with built-in, unhurried time to wander, taste, shop, and rest. Take as much or as little as your energy wants. I'm less interested in historical facts than in the human stories underneath them, and that's what I'm excited to share.

I've taken care of all the details: all the reservations, booked tickets, and have planned the perfect three days to be immersed in one of the most iconic cities in the world.

When we eat together as a big group, restaurants usually want one card for the whole table, and that card is often mine. Bring a little cash so you can settle up with me on the spot ("I had this and this, here's €40"). If not, I'll send a Venmo request.

10:00. Piazza della Repubblica. Meet here at the carousel. We gather at the center of it all for the story of Florence, told from the spot where it all began.

Free time. Lunch and wander.

• Pegna, the delicatessen behind the Duomo, is a good stop.
• Osteria Del Oco. Love this place! Great local dishes.
• Osteria Nolarium is a nice restaurant very near the Duomo.

1:30. Baptistery. Meet here at the Gates of Paradise for the story of the cathedral.

2:15. Dome climb. Meet at the Lindt Chocolate Shop by 2:00; entry is strict. No backpacks. You can check them for free at the cathedral museum. The climb is 463 narrow steps with no elevator, so wear good shoes. Bring a photo ID that matches the name on your ticket. I'll have your ticket for you. If you'd rather not climb, the same ticket covers the Baptistery, the bell tower, and the cathedral museum.

Late afternoon. A drift through Piazza della Signoria. We'll meet here, at the copy of the David. We'll explore its hidden and not-so-hidden secrets, then cross the Ponte Vecchio at golden hour. Aperitivo wherever it lands.

Evening. On your own for dinner.

8:00. The Uffizi. Meet at the replica of the David in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, then we'll head to the Uffizi. The collection is hung chronologically, so you walk through the history of the Renaissance room by room. Wander on your own, or stay close to me to hear stories about some of the art.

Midday. An easy lunch, a slow coffee, a little shopping.

• Via de' Neri. I call this street panini alley. Tons of sandwich shops and cafes.
• Il Papiro has beautiful paper, leather-bound journals, and wax stamps. Great gifts.

1:30. The Accademia. Meet at Piazza delle Belle Arti. We enter at 2:00 sharp to see Michelangelo's David up close and personal.

Evening. On your own for dinner.

Morning. A slow start. Find a cafe and enjoy your morning.

11:00. Vintage Fiat 500 tour through the Chianti hills, ending with a wine tasting at a 14th-century farmhouse where the family makes its own wine. It's also one of the best places to buy olive oil, straight from the family. Meet at the Fiat 500 Club, Via Franceschi, 23, 50018 Scandicci FI, Italy. You'll need a taxi or Uber to get there; let's coordinate to travel together. Drivers need a valid license and a credit card for security. Riding along is just as fun.

4:00. Santa Maria Novella. Meet here. A personal encounter with Masaccio's Holy Trinity, the most important painting of the Renaissance. Please be on time: last entry is 4:30.

Perfumery of Santa Maria Novella (if there's time)

6:00. Piazzale Michelangelo. Meet here. The perfect bookend to our walking tour. We'll enjoy some prosecco as we see the city from an entirely new perspective.

7:30. Closing Florence dinner at Terrazzo Michelangelo.

Sleep well. We leave for the villa tomorrow.

• Giacosa. The original Negroni; a lively evening.
• Rivoire. Luxe hot chocolate, cocktails, and desserts on Piazza della Signoria.
• Simbiosi. Wonderful organic pizza near the Accademia, and the best gluten-free pizza in the world. Great gelato nearby.
• Pegna. A specialty food shop behind the Duomo: honey, chocolate, teas, spices, and Italian cosmetics. Perfect for small gifts.
• Il Papiro. Paper, pens, and leather-bound journals.
• Cuoieria Fiorentina. Leather purses and handbags.
• Benheart. Beautiful, handcrafted leather shoes.
• Scuola del Cuoio. Leather school and shop. Beautiful!

We gather at Santa Maria Novella and drive into the Tuscan hills together. The villa welcomes us with an aperitivo, and once you've found your room and set down your bags, we ease in with restorative yoga, an opening circle, and your retreat shirt. Florence is behind us. This week we turn toward the Renaissance happening inside each of us.

A full day at the villa. We begin with the oldest love story there is, the story of consciousness and form, which were once one, then separated, and then found each other again. It's the root of everything we'll explore this week, and it gives us the question that will travel with us: What is being born in me that is neither my old self nor an escape from my life, but something new? In the evening circle, we plant the first seed of your sankalpa, the heartfelt intention you'll carry home.

Yasmin will be offering massages today. A sign-up sheet will be available for massages. Sessions are 60 minutes for €110, and a 15–20% tip is customary. She accepts cash and PayPal.

We are not tourists; we are pilgrims. A pilgrim leaves home carrying a question and discovers that arrival happens in every step. Sunrise practice, then an optional day trip to San Gimignano (€65), a medieval stop on the old pilgrim road to Rome, with its towers and frescoes. Or stay at the villa for a slow day of rest, the pool, and the hammocks. Everyone gathers for evening practice at 5:30.

The physical world isn't something to rise above. It's the invitation. Today is a full day at the villa with nowhere to go and nothing to catch. Begin with sunrise practice, then let the day unfold slowly: a long breakfast, a book by the pool, an afternoon in the hammocks. Late morning, join an optional walking meditation on the grounds, a chance to move slowly with nothing to arrive at. There's also an optional cooking class (about €40): we make pasta with the chef, prosecco open and music playing, and eat what we made at lunch the next day. Massages with Yasmin are available today. Everyone gathers for evening practice at 5:30, then dinner together at 7:30.

In the Renaissance, human beings went from lowly to divine, placed at the very center of the sacred. Florence showed it to us in paint and marble. Today we explore what it means for the self being born in you now. A full morning practice, a free early afternoon, then a shorter practice at 4:00 before we gather at 5:30 for a wine tasting with Pietro (about €40). Pietro is the region's answer to a sommelier, with a thick accent, a huge smile, and a deep love of Chianti. He brings prosciutto, melon, balsamic, olive oil, and bruschetta, and we always bring home a few bottles.

Sunrise practice, then a free day in medieval Siena: the Campo, the cathedral, and the city that rivaled Florence. After a week inside the Renaissance, walking the world that came before it lets you feel the leap in your own body. We're back at the villa for evening practice at 5:30.

Our send-off. Florence's great dome was begun before anyone alive knew how to build it, on faith that the how would reveal itself along the way. So it is with every next chapter. A full day of practice, closing with a circle where each of us names aloud the impossible-feeling thing we're saying yes to. Then pizza from the outdoor oven and music into the night.

A last breakfast together, then vans leave in waves according to your flight times, with early vans for those flying out first. Everyone is on the road by 10:00, and we'll confirm your exact time together at the villa.

Yoga, pool, and active wear

• Comfortable yoga pants/leggings
• Breathable tops for yoga sessions
• Slip-on shoes/sandals for villa and pool areas
• Swimwear

Day and evening wear

• Comfortable walking shoes (prioritize good walking shoes and slip-on pool/villa shoes. You don't need any fancy shoes. If you want to dress up a bit for dinners that's fine, but you don't need to wear heels.)
• Layers
  • 1 lightweight sweater or jacket for cooler evenings (may or may not be necessary—watch the temperature closer to departure)
• Casual outfits:
  • Comfortable, breathable trousers or shorts (no shorts or bare shoulders in cathedrals)
  • Loose-fitting, lightweight blouses or shirts
  • Dresses and skirts
• Lightweight scarf (required for cathedral visits if wearing tank tops—no uncovered shoulders or knees allowed)

Sleep and weather

• Pajamas/sleepwear
• Rain jacket (optional but helpful when needed!)

Sun and skin protection

• High SPF sunscreen (UV Index is high in Italy—good sunscreen is a must! You can purchase it there but it may be more expensive than in the US, though they do have some lovely high-quality brands that we love)
• Insect repellent
• Lip balm
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses

Personal essentials

• Personal hygiene items
• Travel-sized shampoo/conditioner/soap (The villa does supply these, but most hotels/BnBs in Europe do not, so pack these or plan to purchase there if you're extending your trip)

Daily essentials

• Reusable water bottle (The villa has great potable water. Most Italian cities have wonderful spring water fountains throughout the city, including Florence)
• Daypack for excursions (optional—no backpacks allowed in the cathedral)
• Travel adapter/s for your devices (something like these)
• Reusable shopping bag (many shops will charge anywhere from €0.10 to €1 for a bag, so we love to bring these—they don't take up any space)

Health and wellness

• Medications and supplements
• Anti-nausea remedy (if you get car sick)
• Travel snacks (if you need them for long hauls)

• Passport (double-check expiration date!)
• Travel insurance documents
• Flight/train tickets (please send to Scott)
• Emergency contact information (please send to Scott)

Financial and communication

• Notify your bank of Italy travel
• Authorize credit/debit cards for international use
• Contact phone provider about international plans
• I do not recommend getting Euros in the US before you depart. You will likely get a far better exchange rate in town after you've arrived just using your debit card at a bank cash machine.
• On that note, when you are using your debit card in Italy, always select "Euros" as the currency and NOT "USD." If you select USD you will be charged extra fees and a horrible exchange rate.

Safety and emergency

• Provide emergency contact with your travel itinerary
• Share Italy contact information (or just Scott's info) with a home-based contact

• Book for leisure reading
• Notebook and pen for journaling
• Sketchbook or art supplies (if you enjoy drawing)

• Excessive clothing—there's a washer and dryer at the villa
• Hair blow dryer—provided at the villa
• Yoga mat/props—available on-site (bring your own only if you prefer it)

• Pack light
• Choose versatile pieces that mix and match
• Layers are key for changing temperatures
• Comfort for walking and activities

Remember: you can do laundry at the villa, so you truly don't need to pack for every single day!