by Geoffrey Ravoire, Travel and Marketing Director

5:30 AM on Wednesday, day three of The Ranch Italy wellness program. My wake-up call rings. I answer, get up, and think: there is no way I am hiking four hours, 20,000 steps, today again. My legs just can't. I put on my hiking gear and socks and make my way down to the Ranch Room at Palazzo Fuiggi for stretching – just stretching. I lay down on my mat; it's still dark outside, and our session starts. I'm still convinced that I am not leaving the hotel today. But, before you know it, the session is over, breakfast is served, and, within minutes, the hiking boots come on, and I am in the van, motivated to hike as if it were day one – better yet, hoping it will be easier than day one.

So, what is The Ranch Italy? How did I feel exhausted one minute and energized the next? The Ranch Italy is a spin-off of The Ranch Malibu, the acclaimed wellness retreat in the hills above California's favorite beach town. The recipe is simple: healthy (vegan) food, portion control, tons of daily exercise, and a sense of community. Guests of every age and every background come to experience a break and a curated program. In my class, we were half from the US, half from Europe and the rest of the world. A diverse group, with ages ranging from early thirties to 85, yes! Couples, solo travelers, parents – and guess what? We all connected and were each other's support system during the program. We shared laughs, tears, long discussions, and beautiful silences. Most people who come to The Ranch are ready to put in the work for themselves, and although we all feel self-conscious at some point, no one is ever truly judging or comparing whose yoga pose was the best or which weights they were using. It's a personal journey shared with new friends, supported by professional instructors and guides.  

Programs at The Ranch Italy are four to seven days. Here is how I would spend my days:

• 5:30 AM – wake-up call

• 6 AM – stretching

• 6:30 AM – (light) breakfast

• 7 AM-12:30 PM – hiking in nature, each at our own pace. Sometimes as a group, sometimes alone, always encouraged to take in the beauty around us. Bonus for those of us from the US: work back home doesn't really pick up till after the hike, so you are not tempted to check emails before getting back to the van.

• 1 PM – lunch (light, again, but very much appreciated after an intense morning)

• 2 PM – spa time! The medical spa at Palazzo Fuiggi, where The Ranch Italy is hosted, is fantastic and has been a staple of Italian wellness for decades. The water itself, heals.

• 3 PM – massage

• 4 PM – fitness class

• 5 PM – restorative yoga

• 7 PM - dinner

Is signing up for a wellness retreat in Italy hard to envision? Yes, maybe. When one thinks of Italy, gelato, wine, and pasta come to mind quicker than low-calorie meals, silence, and the absence of caffeine! But, Italy has so much to offer. The food, although measured, is fresh and tastes better than back home, without requiring all the (unhealthy) accoutrement we are used to. As for the exercise, weren't you going to hike the Path of the Gods on the Amalfi Coast, or bike through Puglia to enjoy the warm air and burn off some of this burrata? Exercise is everywhere in Europe, just more natural than in the US.

I recommend arriving in Italy at least two days before the start of the program so you're not fighting jetlag while shocking your body and mind at The Ranch. An hour and a half away, Rome is the perfect spot to acclimate and offers miles of walking possibilities – we love a good walking tour! It's also easy to add The Ranch Italy after a trip to the Amalfi Coast/Capri, two and a half hours away. If you still can't get past the idea of not indulging on your trip to Italy, maybe The Ranch Malibu is your option. Or, perhaps you should wait until The Ranch Hudson Valley opens later this year and discover a healthy way of life under an hour from New York City.

My point is: Everyone should take the time to invest in themselves – no matter where, no matter how. By placing yourself in an environment so different and challenging, allowing you time to reflect, and guiding yourself to implement small changes to your routine, The Ranch empowers you to accomplish things you didn't think you could do. I hiked more than I thought possible. I went into the cold plunge daily, although I shy away from a pool if the water isn't above 80F, and yes, I became more aware of the food I consume without feeling shorted. Our "Ranch Survivors" community was instrumental in the program's success. This community got me on the hike on day three, my favorite hike of the trip, with friendly dogs following us cheerfully and horses grazing peacefully on the mountaintop as the ultimate reward. Our friend and mascot, the 85-year-old German businessman, goes on a similar retreat every year. He completed every hike that week and would often lead the pack. One more sign that regular, natural motion, the European way, is the key to longevity.