AYes. Actually, most of our guests come on their own and enjoy sharing rooms. Of course, some people come with their partners… some people come on small groups… but most people come on their own (sometimes leaving partners and families at home as they get a bit of me-time).
The Hill is perfect for those coming on their own, as the groups are small enough to enjoy making new friends, but The Hill is big enough to find your own space when you need it.

AMost of our guests fly to Ancona, from London Stansted, with Ryanair (and we organise a shuttle to meet that flight… as the one flight arrives at the same time every Thursday).
Some guests find that the Ryanair Rimini flights (also from Stansted) can work very well too (and see below for transfer options).
So that you know the full choice of airports, here's how far away (by road) we are from major airports:
Ancona - 90 mins
Rimini - 80 mins
Bologna Forli - 90 mins
Bologna - 120 mins
Milan airports - 4-5 hours
Rome airports - 4-5 hours

ASummer usually kicks off some time in April. Up 'til that point it can still be very cold. The summer is usually warm and dry - though it's rarely scorchingly hot (especially at night) as we're close to the mountains. It usually begins to get colder at some point in October. The hottest time is July.
Clearly, though, when it comes to the weather, we can't guarantee anything. But, whatever the weather, you're likely to have a wonderful time at The Hill.

AWe usually have the following year's programme ready by the end of October. If you're on our mailing list, you'll be the first to know when it is ready. If you're not, then do subscribe (just click on the link at the bottom of every page of this website).

AThe numbers vary, but usually between 20 and 26.

AIt varies from week-to-week - we get some in their 20s… and some in their 60s, but the average age is somewhere in-between.

AIt varies from week-to-week, but, as is common (sadly) on holistic holidays, there are usually more women than men. Which is good news if you're a man (depending, clearly).

AMost of our guests come on their own and enjoy sharing rooms.

AMany of our guests have never been on a holiday like this… and they almost always absolutely love it. We do, after all, combine the finest teaching various holistic disciplines, with a light-hearted approach, in the fabulous setting of The Hill That Breathes.

AAll our weeks are open to all levels so you don't need to have any previous experience. Just have a read through the whole programme and see what takes your fancy.

AAll our weeks are open to all levels of both experience and spiritual practice, so you'll be fine… in fact, you'll probably be in good company. That said, we attract such good teachers at The Hill that there are also likely to be some very good yogis on the week too.

AMost of our guests fly to Ancona, from London Stansted, with Ryanair (and we organise a shuttle to meet that flight… as the one flight arrives at the same time every Thursday).
Some guests find that the Ryanair Rimini flights (also from Stansted) can work very well too (and see below for transfer options).
So that you know the full choice of airports, here's how far away (by road) we are from major airports:
Ancona - 90 mins
Rimini - 80 mins
Bologna Forli - 90 mins
Bologna - 120 mins
Milan airports - 4-5 hours
Rome airports - 4-5 hours

AYes, we do a weekly transfer from (and to) Ancona. We meet the flight from Stansted which arrives at 13:10, with a transfer shuttle, and take you back at the end of your stay to meet the flight leaving at 13:35.
It costs €70 for the return 90 minute journey.
If three or more guests are on Ryanair's Thursday flight to Rimini we'll arrange another shuttle.

AIf you look at the course dates (which are, in the vast majority of cases, Thursday to Thursday) you arrive and leave on those dates. So Thursday is our change-over day… we wave goodbye to guests at 10am and hug new guests at 3pm.

APlease aim to arrive between 3pm and 6pm on the Thursday.

APlease aim to leave The Hill by 10am.
Between this time and 3pm, The Hill is a hive of activity, and we please ask that you don't either remain or venture into this hive during those times.

AIt's actually pretty easy. You just get on a train and head for Pesaro. Rimini, Bologna Forli and Bologna are all close to the rail routes… so you just come out of the airport and follow the directions to the train (Rimini, for example, is a shuttle bus to the train station).
Pesaro is the closest train station to The Hill… a city on the coast. It's then a 50 minutes taxi trip up to The Hill. If you simply climb into a cab at Pesaro they'll charge you at least an arm, if not a leg. So it's worth arranging it with one our taxi friends. They'll charge you €50.

Here's how to do it:
1. When booking, say that you're making your own way to Pesaro, and what airport (and the time) you're arriving at. We will then make a provisional booking with our lead taxi driver for you.
2. Call our lead taxi driver, Roberto, when you get on the train and know your precise time of arrival at Pesaro (do remember to check what time it arrives before you get on the train!). Roberto's phone number is +39 349 051 8579.
3. If there are other guests arriving around the same time, Roberto will also endeavour to collect you all in one car, so you can split the €50 fee.

N.B. Please do contact Roberto, the lead taxi driver directly, rather than contacting The Hill office, as this is, in the end, more convenient for both you and Roberto.

APlease aim to arrive between 3pm and 6pm on the Thursday. And please aim to leave by 10am on the following Thursday. In-between these times, The Hill is a hive of activity, and we please ask that you don't either remain or venture into this hive during those times.

AWe take payments through PayPal, which is a secure and easy system (and you don't need to have a PayPal account to pay). If you do not have a credit card, our office can provide alternative payment options.

AFood (three meals a day, except on Monday, the Day Out, when you'll have lunch out, and probably dinner too), accommodation and participation in the sessions.

AYes. We ask you about any such requirements when you book. We're very used to working with dietary requirements. We are, of course, vegetarian. But we are used to working with those who are diary or gluten-free, and with those who have specific allergies or intolerances.

AYes.
And based on Italian recipes.
And delicious.
If you're a carnivore and worried, don't be… there's enough of a range of dishes that you won't miss meat (or fish). And if you do, there's always Monday's Day Out, when you could eat a cow or fish.

AYes we do. Just tell us when you book that you're a vegan.

AYes, they are. Though we don't provide towels for using by the pool. So please bring a beach towel. Please don't rush down at dawn and place it on a sun bed: there are plenty to go round and you're not German (unless you are, in which case, sorry for the stereotype, but we've all seen it, so do try to avoid your national habit).

AYes, we do.

AYes, we do.

AFirst, we'd like to remind you about Ryanair (if you're flying with them): they have a baggage allowance of 15kg, which means they find it easy to supplement their income by charging you for excess baggage… and it really catches a lot of people out… so beware as you pack.

Okay, bring everything you'd normally bring on holiday.

Plus bring some long trousers and some shoes that you can walk in (walking boots if you manage it, or sturdy trainers or shoes) so that you can go for walks around the woods; for the day-off we offer the possibility of going on a fantastic day-long walk with a local guide, so if you think you may fancy that, bring a small rucksack to carry the packed lunch and definitely bring your walking boots as it is a longer walk.

We provide sheets and towels, obviously, but do bring a beach towel for by the pool.

We may well sit round a camp-fire late into the evening, so bring a jumper in case it's chilly, a torch, and some marshmallows (you can if you want, really).

Bring a kagool or equivalent just in case.

If you're coming in mid-season, do bring gear for if it gets chilly - and bring plenty of thick socks (or slippers if that's your thing) for in the house.

We have lots of books on holistic subjects… but do bring reading material to keep yourself happy.

AIt depends on your week, but many of the sessions involve light physical exercise, so do wear loose, comfortable clothing.

AThe courses at The Hill That Breathes run from Thursday to Thursday.

The first day of your holiday is your travel and arrival day and there are no sessions. Guests are asked to arrive between 3pm and 6pm.

We will welcome you with a cup of tea and slice of cake ('torta'). Please have ready your passport (we need to register you) and the transfer fee (if you took it). We will then show you your room. You then have time to unpack, have a nap, go to the pool or enjoy a wander around the woods, before we all get-together at 6.30pm for a welcome meeting.

Then, from the Friday morning, the sessions are from 10am to 12 noon and from 5pm to 7pm in the afternoon. Monday is the Day Out, when there are no sessions. Meals are: breakfast, 8.30 to 9.30am; lunch at 12.15pm and dinner at 7.15pm.

There is, therefore, plenty of free-time for you to enjoy a snooze by the pool, a walk in the woods, or a cookery lesson, or a tea ceremony with Gaia (or anything else you fancy).

ANo, there is no yoga. However, we do teach 'qigong', which is the Chinese healing art… and which involves gentle physical exercises.

ANo, it's not necessary, as the weeks are open to all levels. However, it might be a good idea… just to give some of your muscles a little early warm-up.