Grow, Unwind & Connect in Italy
The GUC Wellness Retreat was created from a desire to bring people beyond the noise of everyday life and into a space where true reset, reflection, and connection can happen naturally. After 12 years of living and experiencing the transformative power of Italy, Founder Yoga Bob designed this retreat to combine wellness, culture, and meaningful human connection in one of the most beautiful settings in the world, the rolling hills of Tuscany.
This retreat offers a carefully balanced experience that is not too spiritual and not too touristy. Just the right blend of intentional wellness practices, authentic cultural experiences, and moments of joy, rest, and exploration. Guests can expect daily yoga and movement, nourishing meals, immersive local activities, guided excursions, and space to slow down while reconnecting with themselves and others.
Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, family, or as part of a corporate team, the GUC Wellness Retreat is designed to meet you where you are. It’s an opportunity to step away from the American “rat race,” recharge your energy, and return home feeling grounded, inspired, and renewed ready to grow, unwind, and connect in deeper ways.
Testimonials
Florence & Tuscany, Italy
The GUC Wellness Retreat is a five-night experience designed to help participants step away from their everyday routines and reconnect with themselves through movement, mindfulness, culture, community, and intentional rest.
The retreat begins in the heart of Florence, Italy, before transitioning to the peaceful Tuscan countryside for four nights at the historic Casa Vecchia Villa. The experience intentionally combines structured wellness programming with cultural exploration, group connection, and personal downtime.
The GUC Wellness Retreat is hosted by Grow Unwind Connect (GUC) and led by its Founder & Executive Director, Bobby Ray Jones Jr., also known as “Yoga Bob.”
A Compton native, former NBA and 12 year professional career in Italy. Yoga Bob discovered a deeper connection to mindfulness, breathwork, meditation, and yoga during the later years of his professional basketball career. Now a certified yoga instructor, children’s author, filmmaker, and community wellness advocate, he has transformed those experiences into a mission of making wellness more accessible, relatable, and culturally relevant for youth, families, athletes, and communities.
Through GUC, Yoga Bob creates experiences that encourage people to grow through self-discovery, unwind through intentional wellness, and connect through authentic community.
Day 1 | Welcome to Florence
Participants begin the retreat with one night at The Social Hub Florence, providing an opportunity to settle in, meet the group, and experience the energy of Florence before traveling into the Tuscan countryside.
The opening experience includes:
- Breakfast, lunch or dinner
- Retreat orientation and introductions
- Welcome gathering
- Group intention-setting
- Guided breathwork and mindfulness
- Florence exploration
- Group dinner
- Journaling and reflection
- Free time to explore the city
Day 2–6 | Casa Vecchia Villa, Tuscany
Following Florence, the group transitions to Casa Vecchia Villa, a historic property located in the Tuscan countryside. The villa becomes our home for the remainder of the retreat and provides an intimate setting for wellness, community, relaxation, and cultural experiences.
Throughout the four-night villa stay, participants can expect a curated combination of:
Movement & Mindfulness
- 4 all levels yoga workshops
- Pool activities
- KIckboxing workshop
- 2 morning guided walks
- Tuscany hot air balloon ride (extra cost)
- Massages (extra cost)
- Journaling, goal setting and personal reflection
- Group wellness conversations
Food & Italian Culture
- Three vegetarian means a day
- Casa Vecchia olive oil tour & tasting
- Retreat Interview
- Casa Vecchia pasta making workshop
- Florence academia museum tickets (Statue of David)
- Siena Duomo tickets
- Day trip to explore, Siena, and/or surrounding Tuscan communities
Rest & Connection
Equally important to scheduled activities is having space to simply be. The retreat includes intentional downtime for participants to relax by the villa, read, journal, enjoy the countryside, connect with other participants, or spend time independently.
Group discussions and activities explore themes including identity, purpose, relationships, gratitude, forgiveness, personal growth, wellness, and navigating the next chapter of life.
The GUC Retreat Philosophy
The GUC Wellness Retreat is not designed around completing the maximum number of activities possible. It is intentionally structured to balance movement, mindfulness, cultural experiences, community, and rest.
A detailed final itinerary will be provided to registered participants before the retreat during the final Zoom meeting. Activities listed on the website represent the types of experiences that may be incorporated into the retreat and should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every listed activity will occur.
Because the retreat includes third-party vendors, outdoor activities, transportation, and experiences in the Tuscan countryside, the final schedule may be adjusted because of weather, safety considerations, vendor availability, transportation, group needs, or other circumstances outside GUC’s reasonable control. When appropriate and reasonably possible, GUC may modify an activity or provide an alternative experience.
Our intention is simple: create a thoughtful environment where participants have permission to grow personally, unwind intentionally, connect authentically, and return home with wellness practices and memories that extend beyond Italy.
Pricing & What’s Included
Investment
Shared Room — €3,250 per person
Perfect for friends, couples, or guests open to sharing a beautiful space while building community.
Private Room — €3,750 per person
Enjoy added privacy and personal space while still being fully immersed in the retreat experience.
*Everything is included except your flight to Italy.
*A €500 deposit is required to reserve your space for the retreat.
What’s Included
Your retreat experience is intentionally designed so you can arrive, relax, and fully immerse yourself without worrying about logistics.
✔️ Luxury accommodations at Casa Vecchia Villas in Tuscany
✔️ Three vegetarian meals daily prepared by a private chef
✔️ Daily yoga and mindful movement sessions
✔️ Breathwork and wellness experiences
✔️ Pasta-making workshop
✔️ Olive oil tour and tasting
✔️ Kickboxing workshop
✔️ Day trips to Florence and Siena
✔️ Transportation during scheduled retreat activities
✔️ Community gatherings and connection experiences
✔️ Dedicated downtime to rest, reflect, and explore
This retreat offers a balanced experience not too spiritual and not too touristy — allowing you to grow, unwind, and connect while enjoying the beauty, culture, and rhythm of Tuscany.
GUC Wellness Retreat Cancellation & Refund Policy
Grow Unwind Connect (GUC) understands that unexpected circumstances may affect a participant’s ability to attend a scheduled wellness retreat. The following cancellation and refund policy applies to all GUC Wellness Retreat registrations.
Reservation Deposit
A €500 deposit is required to reserve your space for the retreat.
All deposits are non-refundable. The €500 deposit will be applied toward the participant’s total retreat cost.
Cancellations Before the Retreat
Participants who are unable to attend the retreat must submit their cancellation request to GUC in writing.
Depending on how far in advance the cancellation is received, participants may be eligible for a partial refund of payments made beyond the non-refundable €500 deposit.
Any approved refund may be reduced by non-refundable expenses or financial commitments already made by GUC on the participant’s behalf, including accommodations, transportation, meals, activities, instructors, vendors, excursions, administrative costs, or other retreat-related reservations.
Refund eligibility and the amount available will be determined based on the timing of the cancellation and costs already committed by GUC.
Cancellations During the Retreat
Participants who voluntarily leave the retreat early, arrive late, or choose not to participate in scheduled activities are not entitled to a full or partial refund for unused accommodations, meals, activities, transportation, programming, or other retreat services.
Refunds After Completion of the Retreat
Once a participant has attended and completed the retreat, retreat payments are non-refundable.
GUC does not provide refunds after the retreat based on a participant’s decision not to participate in particular activities or services that were made available during the retreat.
Program & Schedule Adjustments
Retreat itineraries are subject to reasonable changes due to weather, safety considerations, transportation, vendor availability, local conditions, or circumstances outside GUC’s reasonable control. When feasible, GUC will make reasonable efforts to provide an alternative activity or experience.
Participant Acknowledgment
By submitting a deposit or payment for a GUC Wellness Retreat, participants acknowledge that they have reviewed and accepted this Cancellation & Refund Policy.
Questions regarding cancellations should be submitted to GUC in writing before the retreat begins.