I frequently get invited to retreats with a view for a collaboration with Wellbeing Escapes. It's certainly the nice part of my job but it doesn't always go as well as you would imagine, and I am very discerning as to where I agree to visit because of the time element required.
With this in mind, I had extensive conversations with Constantin, the founder of Datu Wellness before I agreed to attend its inaugural retreat, and went through the concept with him in detail. I was most convinced by his complete honesty and dedication to his mission of bringing a slice of authentic Indian wellness to Europe. The alluring part of the concept is that he has gathered some of India's best therapists, instructors and doctors and brought them over to Europe to recreate the experience you'd have at a first-class wellness retreat in India. So, off I went to Tuscany to see whether it was good enough to add to our portfolio.
Location and design
The Borgo where the retreat takes place is quintessentially Tuscan. Charming, rustic and surrounded by rolling hills and the beauty of the countryside. The Borgo itself is traditional and historic. Do not expect contemporary design and ultra-luxe rooms. Do expect high levels of care and little touches that override the slightly dated bathrooms. My first impression was that it was perhaps a little shabby, but by day two I realised I was not here for the amenities of the rooms but the overall experience delivered by the team.
The team
This is the real highlight of this retreat. Constantin has gathered a very high calibre of experts that all play their part in creating a complete wellness experience. From the Ayurvedic Doctors to the highly talented therapists and teachers. All wise and humble souls, who have dedicated their lives to healing others — and you can certainly feel that. They are all highly skilled and intuitive, honing in very quickly on what you need personally and really wanting to make a difference to your health and wellbeing.
The treatments were not all Ayurvedic, and I experienced Shiatsu, deep tissue massage and a sound healing treatment, which I absolutely loved. Feeling the vibrations of the sound reverberate throughout my body brought me to a state of bliss! You can read more about the team at Datu here.
The food
The food is largely vegan to provide a gentle detox and give your digestive system a bit of a break. Ingredients are local, seasonal and combined with therapeutic herbs and spices to provide wholesome nourishment.
The chef, an American from London, creates interesting and very tasty meals and shares some of her wisdom with you along the way. Expect a larger lunch and a lighter dinner in line with Ayurvedic principles, and a healthier way of eating. There is no coffee or alcohol on-site.
There are kettles in the rooms with herbal teas. I must admit, on the last day I had one of my portable nootropics coffee sachets in the morning — I am not advocating this of course! On a more serious note, if you feel this retreat is right for you, then I strongly advise cutting out coffee a few days before you arrive to minimise the caffeine detox effects.
Wellness and activities
There are many activities available throughout the day. None are compulsory, but I highly recommend you attend as many as possible — they've all been carefully designed to complement your overall experience and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.
I particularly enjoyed yoga by the pool and the different daily meditations. There were a couple of art therapy sessions, too, that were great fun and also very insightful.
My highlight was the sound therapy that took place on mattresses in the beautiful garden of the Borgo, plus the pre-sleep ritual that took place every evening before bedtime to ensure a peaceful night's sleep. Every day before dinner there is a Satsang (which literally means, a gathering for truth), where one of the experts would share information and you could ask questions and interact in conversation. These were particularly interesting and covered different topics — from nutrition to yoga philosophy.
My personal highlights
- The little details and levels of care the team go to in order to make you feel comfortable and enhance your experience. I won't share them and spoil the surprise but they really are very thoughtful touches.
- The interesting people I met from different countries. The retreat is social but also gives you time and space to be alone. There are sharing tables for the meals but you can also sit alone. I did this a couple of times when I didn't feel like talking and was in a more reflective mood.
- The Indian Kurta pyjamas — provided so I didn't have to think about what to wear on a daily basis and could take little luggage.
- The Satsang with Suyash on how to quieten your mind in a Western world and take the pressure off yourself. His wisdom and humility made me remember what's really important in life.
Areas for improvement
- There are two yoga classes a day. A gentle class at sunrise and another more challenging class mid-morning. I think the yoga teacher maybe challenged some of the guests a little too much in the mid-morning class. I provided this feedback suggesting a more beginners-style class at this time.
- There were latecomers to some of the classes and talks that caused disruption. I provided this feedback to the team at Datu, who assured me they would not allow for latecomers in future classes.
Who's it for?
- People who want to follow a fairly structured week to enhance their wellbeing.
- Those who want to try authentic Ayurveda without having to go to India.
- Those who are interested in mindfulness, meditation and yoga philosophy and how the mind affects our physical wellbeing.
Inside info
- The transfers provided are from Florence but I flew into Pisa and arrived at the local train station in Siena easily by taking the train. It was a pleasant and surprisingly easy and cost-effective option.
- You don't need to take shampoo and body wash as there are very good products provided in the bathrooms.
- If you haven't tried Ayurveda before, be aware that a lot of medicated herbal oils are used that are quite pungent. It's an ancient medical health system which is multifaceted, so the treatments aren't just about relieving tension in your body with massage. Read more about Ayurveda here.
Stella visited in November 2023.
If you want to experience the expertise and tranquillity of Datu Wellness for yourself, get in touch with our friendly team to plan your escape.
