Italy by the Sea

Day 1 - Wednesday, September 16th: Welcome to Italy – Settle Into Seaside Life

Arrive in Italy and travel by train to Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the five villages of Cinque Terre and our home for the week. As you step off the train, you’ll be greeted by colorful buildings, fresh sea air and the relaxed rhythm of coastal life. From the station, it’s just a short walk to Hotel La Colonnina, where we’ll be waiting to welcome you.

After settling into your room, take time to unwind from travel. Stroll along the waterfront promenade, explore Monterosso’s charming old town, or simply pause and take in your first view of the Ligurian Sea.

In the evening, we’ll gather for a festive welcome dinner featuring regional Ligurian cuisine. You’ll meet your fellow therapists, review the week ahead and set the tone for a retreat that blends focused learning with meaningful exploration.

Then it’s off to rest — tomorrow we begin our work together, with the sea just steps away.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 - Thursday, September 17th: Coastal Villages & Hands-On Healing

After breakfast, we’ll hop on the train and head out to explore a couple of the iconic Cinque Terre villages. Think colorful harbors, winding lanes, little shops tucked into stone buildings and those postcard-worthy views you’ve seen a hundred times but still can’t believe are real. We’ll wander, take photos, grab a coffee if we feel like it and simply enjoy being here.

We’ll make our way back to Monterosso for lunch together, soaking up the coastal vibe and fueling up for the afternoon.

After lunch, we’ll gather for our first Orthopedic Massage training session with James. This is where we roll up our sleeves and get to work. You’ll begin learning practical, hands-on techniques you can immediately integrate into your practice. It’s focused, it’s engaging and it sets the tone for the depth of learning ahead.

The evening is yours. Maybe you’ll find a little trattoria by the water, enjoy fresh pasta with pesto and a glass of wine, or take a sunset walk along the promenade with the sound of the sea in the background. However you spend it, this is your time to savor Monterosso.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch at a local gem

Day 3 - Friday, September 18th: Vineyards & Sunset on the Sea

Ease into the day however you like. Maybe that means a swim before breakfast, a walk along the shoreline or a slow espresso in the piazza while Monterosso wakes up around you. This is your chance to enjoy the village at your own pace before we head out together.

Late morning, we’ll visit a local vineyard perched above the sea for an authentic Cinque Terre wine experience. These steep, terraced hillsides are part of what make this region so extraordinary. We’ll tour the vines, learn about the unique winemaking traditions here and enjoy a guided tasting paired with a relaxed lunch overlooking the coastline. It’s personal, it’s local and it’s one of those “only in Italy” moments.

After returning to Monterosso, you’ll have time to rest or explore before we gather again in the late afternoon.

At 4:30 pm, we’ll set out for a sunset cruise along the Cinque Terre coastline. Seeing the villages from the water as the light begins to soften is truly special. It’s calm, it’s beautiful and it offers a completely different perspective on this iconic stretch of coast.

We’ll return in the early evening, and the rest of the night is yours.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch at the winery

Day 4 - Saturday, September 19th: Learning by Day, Pesto by Night

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll gather for our second massage class with James, continuing to build your skills through guided, hands-on learning. Each session is thoughtfully layered, giving you practical techniques and clinical insights you can confidently bring back to your practice.

The morning is yours to enjoy Monterosso at your own pace. You might take a swim, wander the old town, relax with a cappuccino in the piazza or simply enjoy a quiet moment by the sea.

As the day winds down, we’ll head to a local beach club for a hands-on pesto class in a truly unforgettable setting. With the sound of the waves nearby, you’ll learn to prepare authentic Ligurian pesto the traditional way, paired with dinner and local wine. As the sky shifts into golden hues over the water, we’ll gather around the table, sharing stories, laughter and the simple joy of being in Italy together.

We’ll return to town in the evening, content and inspired after another full and memorable day.

Meals included: Breakfast,  Light dinner at pesto class

Day 5 - Sunday, September 20th: Camogli & the Hidden Abbey

Today we venture beyond Cinque Terre to experience another stunning stretch of the Italian Riviera. Traveling by train, we’ll arrive in the colorful seaside village of Camogli, where tall pastel buildings line the harbor and fishing boats bob gently in the bay.

We’ll begin with time to wander the waterfront and explore the narrow lanes before sitting down for a relaxed lunch overlooking the sea. With fresh seafood, local specialties and sweeping coastal views, this is one of those simple yet unforgettable Italian moments — good food, good company and the Mediterranean sparkling just below.

In the afternoon, we’ll board a ferry to the secluded Abbey of San Fruttuoso, tucked into a tiny cove between forested hills and the sea. Accessible only by boat or hiking trail, this historic abbey feels wonderfully removed from the modern world. You’ll have time to explore the abbey, stroll along the small beach or simply sit and take in the peaceful beauty of the setting.

We’ll return by ferry to Camogli and make our way back to Monterosso in the late afternoon, filled with sea air, sunshine and the kind of memories that linger long after the journey ends.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch by the sea

Day 6 - Sunday, April 19th: Vernazza & A Meaningful Finale

After breakfast, we’ll take a short train ride to Vernazza, often considered the jewel of Cinque Terre. With its natural harbor, colorful buildings and sweeping coastal views, it’s a village that never disappoints. We’ll wander through the narrow lanes, pause along the waterfront and, for those who wish, climb to Doria Castle for a panoramic view that captures the beauty of this remarkable coastline.

We’ll return to Monterosso in time for lunch and a little breathing room before gathering for our final massage class with James. In this closing session, you’ll continue refining your techniques, integrating what you’ve learned throughout the week and solidifying practical skills you can bring confidently back to your practice. It’s a focused, hands-on conclusion to a powerful learning experience.

In the evening, we’ll come together for our farewell dinner. Over delicious Ligurian cuisine and local wine, we’ll reflect on the week — the growth, the laughter, the sea air and the friendships formed along the way. It’s a celebration of how far you’ve come in just a few days, both professionally and personally.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 - Monday, April 20th: Until We Meet Again

This morning we’ll gather one last time over breakfast before departing Monterosso and making our way onward. There will be hugs, promises to stay in touch and perhaps one more lingering look at the sea that has been our backdrop all week.

As you travel home or continue your Italian adventure, you’ll carry more than just photos and souvenirs. You’re leaving with new skills, fresh inspiration and meaningful connections formed through shared learning and shared experience.

If you’re extending your stay, we’re happy to offer suggestions for where to go next. And once you’re home, our private WhatsApp group will keep the connection going. It’s a place to share memories, photos and the occasional “I miss Italy” message.

It’s never easy to say goodbye, but this week doesn’t end here. It continues in the way you practice, travel and stay connected.

Arrivederci, amici! 👋

Meals included: Breakfast