So, you want to take your team on a team retreat in nature? Kudos to you; that is a great idea. Nature allows a team to reconnect, align, relax, and find new inspiration together.
Now comes the time to start planning; the big question is where to go. Where is and what is nature? Is it the park around the corner or the lush jungle of Bali?
When the world is your oyster, it can sometimes be overwhelming. Of course, you’ll want a “nature” that is accessible, safe, and not too far away. You'll also want enough comfort, Wi-Fi connectivity, good food, and fun things to do.
Look no further; we’ve got it. Or rather, Italy’s got it all.
In this article, we’ll dive into the gem that the country of Da Vinci, Pisa, and pizzas is for nature retreats. World-renowned cuisine, breathtaking views, a fascinating history, and myriad activities await. Team building retreats in Italy, here we go.
After all, why should anyone choose Italy as their team-building retreat destination? There are so many fabulous places. We should know, we have locations in many other countries.
Italy, though, remains our first love. This is where it all started for us, with The Workation Village.
We are not the only ones who love Italy as a destination. In 2023, 57 million people agreed with us. Beyond tourism, business and incentive travel, meetings, and conferences in Italy are going strong after the dip of the COVID period, with 15 million business travellers in 2023.
Do not worry, though; we know the places that remain off the beaten path.
What is it about Italy that draws so many of us there?
A company is a microcosm with diverse opinions, backgrounds, skills, and preferences. That is usually the strength of a well-put-together team. However, with such different people, selecting a place to go on a team offsite may well become a head-scratcher.
Some people swear by the seaside, others prefer the countryside, and some are eager to see mountains. Italy’s unmatched nature somehow manages to reconcile everyone with the Alps and Apennines, crossing the whole country and coasts on all sides of the boot with the Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Adriatic seas.
Another attractive trait is the Italian weather. When in northern Europe, some of us just about see the end of winter in April/May or put on hats and gloves in October, Italy still offers an average of 20 degrees Celsius (70-80 F) in spring and in the fall, extending its warm season to almost half the year. Not only that, but the diversity of its landscapes creates several microclimates that offer a wide range of diversity when it comes to seasonal activities (skiing in the Alps, sunbathing at the beach).
Italy has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites, 58, in the world. Its rich history makes it a place we can and want to visit again and again.
Everything from the architecture (the coliseum) to the music (Verdi, Vivaldi…, etc.), the paintings (Michelangelo, Botticelli), and the craftsmanship (Verano glass) is known for its quality, beauty and influence on today’s artists around the world.
In addition, the country’s regions and villages retain strong identities that offer a vast range of traditional festivals, fests, and particularities.
The Italians are also famous for their warmth and welcoming traditions, positive attitude and wits, and ease in fostering personal human connections.
Finally, for many of us, Italy has long been romanticised in the collective consciousness as the country of La Dolce Vita (Fellini, 1960 ), a Roman holiday ( William Wyler, 1953), or, more recently, Eat, Pray, Love (Ryan Murphy, 2010).
Of course, it will always depend on how far you are travelling from, but Italy is generally recognised as a very accessible country. Being such a tourist destination both for business and pleasure (don’t make us use the word bleisure), the country has strong infrastructures and networks of modern airports and train stations. Cities such as Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, and Turin are easily accessible by flights from anywhere in the world, and from there, most of the country is just another flight or train ride away. Used to welcome international guests, the retreat locations offer English-speaking staff and well-equipped modern rooms and conference halls.
“You can do irrefutably impossible things with the right amount of planning and support from intelligent and hardworking people and pizza.” Scott M. Gimple
Last but not least, the food. Italian cuisine has been among the top three best in the world for decades. It is not just pizza and pasta but a strong tradition of using fresh ingredients, most of which are found in the famous Mediterranean diet, known for its health benefits (everything in moderation, of course).
Italian food is earthy, familiar, comforting, and festive. Its preparations encourage meals that become moments of sharing and connection. Almost 40 years ago, Italy introduced the Slow Food movement, which promotes local and traditional ingredients to the rest of the world.
Food in Italy is serious business. It can become a key team-building element when it is well done. (pun intended).
Another important point to note is that despite being the land of pasta and pizza, Italy is also one of the leading countries when it comes to gluten-free options!
Incorporating a nature walk or hike into a work retreat program is the easiest way to get your people moving and connected to nature, each other, and themselves.
A good hike usually offers scenic views, wildlife encounters, moderate challenges and well-maintained paths. These are abundant all over Italy.
19 of the 20 Italian regions have one or more national parks. These parks offer incredible opportunities for individuals and groups to experience untouched nature and unique encounters with one of Italy’s 4777 endemic animal species. Hopefully, those will not be with the Italian wolf or the Marsican brown bear.
Italy offers more than 13,000 hiking trails for all levels. The Dolomites and the Amalfi coasts need no introduction. New projects like the Sentiero Dei Parchi are being developed, which aims to connect all national parks through a 7,000-kilometer trail!
Italy is famous for its gorgeous lakes, such as Como, Garda, and Majore, perfect locations for popular activities like stand-up paddles, kayaking, or sailing. These are fun outdoor activities that can accommodate different levels of fitness, ideal for a diverse team.
Looking for unique experiences that will remain in your teammates’ memories for years to come? The wild Tuscany’s Maremma coast offers spectacular paddling routes, while the Abruzzo’s Tirino Valley is Italy’s cleanest kayaking river. If that is not enough, did you know you could kayak through the canals of Venice?
If your team is looking for a thrill, try rock climbing. The country offers a diverse and high-quality experience in several regions, such as Arco in the Lake Garda region, Finale Ligure, or Rocca Sbarua in Piedmont.
Via Ferrata is also an excellent option for those looking for a climb with a touch of History. Indeed, the Dolomites are particularly famous for the “Iron Paths” established during WWI, during the conflicts against the Austro-Hungarian army.
These are great for nurturing your team’s communication skills, improving trust, and working on skill transfer, where more experienced team members can support and teach their colleagues.
Taking your team on a nature retreat also shows a desire to slow down. We have much to learn in that area from the country that brought the “dolce far niente”, the sweetness of doing nothing. All venues offer wellness activities which give attention to both the body and mind, such as:
Since 2003, the region of Emilia-Romagna is known as the Wellness Valley
It is not all about exercise.
Italy offers numerous activities that do not require getting wet, from water or sweat.
There are plenty of opportunities for creative, hands-on DIY workshops. These are wonderful teachable moments that often result in a little something to bring back home and proudly show our family and friends. From cooking classes to photography tours and art workshops, the retreat venues always collaborate with local professionals to enrich your team’s stay.
With such a rich cuisine and a bountiful supply of fresh ingredients, Italy is the perfect place for training your taste buds.
Here are three we personally love:
Culture is everywhere you go and in everything you do in Italy. Take advantage of it. Cultural activities are not just engaging for their history; they can help enhance your very own team culture and team collaboration by deepening employees' understanding of each other's backgrounds, opinions and values better or by celebrating diversity. In 2018, a JP Morgan study showed that improving cultural understanding within a team could increase productivity by up to 35%!
Here are a few ideas for cultural activities to do with your team while on a work retreat:
Italy offers so many opportunities for fun, exciting, one-of-a-kind adventures with your team it can become a challenge when building your schedule!
Italy it is!
Now let’s dive into what should be top of mind when planning your Italian retreat.
Because of its diversity of landscape and terrain, it is essential to know what you want and don't want when planning your retreat in Italy.
Think about how long you want (and can) take your team away. This will definitely impact your agenda and location.
If you are planning 2-3 days offsite, we recommend that you focus on one primary objective and look for a venue that is easily accessible.
If you can go away for at least 5 days, consider adding more to the agenda and allow for more time to go deeper both in work and connections. Look at activities and outing opportunities while selecting your venue, and you can even allow for a place further if it fits the bill. The longer you stay, the more you need to put thought into the comfort you are offering your team (glamping is fun for a couple of nights, but the novelty of crawling out at night to pee quickly gets old).
Obviously, these considerations also have a lot to do with budget.
When budgeting for a team retreat in Italy, consider the following tips:
Of the 60+ retreats we hosted in Italy in 2024, beyond the support we offer the teams with logistics and strategy, the comments that come back most often during our feedback sessions praise the weather, allowing for extended periods of time outdoors, the quality of the food (obviously), but also the overall vibe and attitude of the Italian people, the way they have to make everyone feel welcome and like they belong.
Make sure to check out our client's stories section for more details.
When it comes to Team-building retreats in Europe, Italy is hard to beat. It offers an exceptional smörgåsbord of beauty, culture, food and activities for all levels and tastes. It is the ideal backdrop for your organisation whether your goal is to bond, strategise, solve a challenge or all of the above.
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