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Finish o your stay in Italy in style with a side trip to Arlate…
HEALTH IS WEALTH AT 1711 TI SANA DETOX RETREAT What could be more luxurious than the thought of spending four days nestled in the Italian countryside, holed up in a family run 16th century stone farmhouse and a health retreat designed to rebalance your life. There is only one small catch – you will have to cut out the everyday vices responsible for toxing up your system such as sugar, cigarettes and tipple. Although like with anything, it’s actually the thought of detoxing that is worse than the actual reality, especially here at 1711 Ti Sana Detox Retreat & Spa. This charming bolthole is only an hour’s drive from Milan and positioned in the 11th century Hamlet of Arlate. After renovations the owners opened it in 2011 as a retreat from the fast paced world and for those that like a dose of family atomosphere and postcard perfect views on their morning walks. The car rolls to a stop at the double gates, which swing open to reveal the retreat that houses 22 suites that all vary in size with some featuring balconies. The rooms are spacious with timber floorboards, heavy curtains and marble bathrooms and there is an immediate sense of serenity with its fuss free fittings. Guests are given a welcome kit on arrival that is crammed full of helpful information, a bathrobe, slippers and a copper tongue scraper (more on that later!). There is a decadent luxury about knowing that for four days, you can wander around in a crisp white bathrobe without having to choose an outfit each day. Bliss! First stop is lunch in the sunlit courtyard with the
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gentle sound of chirping birds in the background and its time to try Ti Sana’s Healtheatarian programme. Guests can choose to simply consume juices and broths for the four days or enjoy fresh healthy meat free options during their stay. Who can resist trying healthy fare prepared using vegetables from the retreat’s garden? The juices are incredible blends think fennel, cucumber and pear and the raw salads are crunchy and fresh. Expect plenty of chickpea, lentils and quinoa as part of the menu here. To help guests get the most out of their stay – there is a full health consultation featuring Bia&Tomeex tests. Expect lots of electro gadgets and being hooked up to a machine, measuring everything from stress levels to weight. It’s difficult to understand the readings but physical trainer, Mario is on hand to explain the health issues and prescribes exercise advice to help combat any deficiencies. The days can be filled with various fitness activities including yoga, Qi gong and Tai chi. In the late afternoon I opt for yoga to help stretch out the muscles, which
gives a great feeling of Zen in the evening. Dinner is a green soup made with broccoli, zucchini, leeks and fresh basil and scrambled tofu with turmeric and vegetables. Without the boost of caffeine and sugar it’s amazing how tired you become early in the evening. Guests can opt to dine in their rooms, which is always a bonus or at the restaurant, its great getting breakfast delivered to your door and guests can expect delights such as freshly made chia pudding with a hint of cinnamon and figs along with a fresh juice made with apple, carrot, lemon and beetroot – if only every day could start like this! One of the highlights of the stay is the morning hour long walks with trainer, Mario – wandering in the fresh air, picking berries from the trees and soaking up the stunning vista - it’s definately worth getting about of bed for, especially the stroll along the River Adda, where it looks like a scene out of the enchanted forest as boats sail by and cyclists whizz past. The nice part about this concept is that while the retreat recommends different exercise activities throughout the day and there are lectures on health topics so guests can understand more about their body an mind. On the class list there are fascinating subjects that are explored including ‘How Do We Get Ill?’. One valuable lesson that is highly recommended is the How To Prepare Our Own Nutritional Program’ which guides guests on what to eat, when and why certain foods are healthy. Its definately compliments to the chef at this retreat, the food here is simply delicious, so what better way to learn the secrets from the kitchen than attend a cooking class to learn how to live without some of the extra fats. For those that prefer to relax and take advantage of the picturesque environment staff are only to happy to make recommendations on spa treatments or while away the hours tucked away in a little nook reading books from the library on health and beauty. Getting away from it all wouldn’t be complete without a spa experience and Ti Sana offers guests a vast menu of treatments in its relaxing spa. Enjoy body wraps and massages. You can spend a whole afternoon there, with facilities such as the infra-red sauna room, steam room and whirlpools. For the brave sign up for an Angel of Water treatment – a colonic with a difference, that guarantees to boost your health. After four days its impossible not to leave feeling lighter and refreshed thanks to the wonderful menu, helpful staff and memories of the Italian countryside. During checkout guests are rewarded for their efforts with brief summaries and best of all a Certificate of Merit for making it through the program! Now it is just trying to keep up the good habits.
THIS FESTIVE SEASON TREAT YOURSELF TO ONE OF THE RETREATS PACKAGES INCLUDING: THE IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTER. THIS PROGRAM IS OVER 4 OR 7 DAYS AND INCLUDES A HEALTHATARIAN PACKAGE. CHECK OUT: WWW.TISANADETOXRETREAT.COM
WHAT TO WEAR
Channel Italian style with these simple staples...
Jil Sander at The Outnet.com, Dhs896
Chinti & Parker at Net-aporter.com, Dhs1,370
Emporio Armani at Symphony, Dhs3,755 Alexander McQueen, Dhs3,180
Shoshanna at Sivvi.com, Dhs1,405
Valentino, Dhs2,300
Anya Hindmarch at TheOutnet.com, Dhs1,600
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