By Isabel Sheldon
The moment between seasons
As summer released its final sigh and autumn unfurled her golden cloak, the hills of Como transformed into a landscape of quiet revelation. Mornings shimmered with mist; evenings were perfumed by woodsmoke and memory.
High above the lake, Tenuta de l’Annunziata — a Natural Relais nestled among chestnut groves — welcomed the changing season with poise and purpose.
It was more than a retreat; it was a ritual of returning.
Just twenty minutes from the heart of Como and its glittering waters, the estate felt worlds away — an intimate refuge where body, mind, and spirit rediscovered equilibrium.
A dialogue between earth and elegance
Each of the 21 refined rooms and suites at Tenuta de l’Annunziata is a study in stillness. Light dances across linen and oak; terraces open toward rolling hills and infinite green.
Design here remains understated yet intentional — modern comfort softened by the textures of nature.
But beyond its walls lies the estate’s living heart: a 13-hectare bioenergetic forest, the largest in Europe.
A sanctuary of trees and air, silence and resonance — designed to restore and renew.
“The forest doesn’t ask you to do anything. It only asks that you arrive.”
Guests wander its pathways for Forest Bathing, meditation, and mindful walks. Energy shifts, breath deepens, and time seems to dissolve. It’s not merely a forest — it’s an awakening, a dialogue with the unseen rhythms of the natural world.
Riflessi di luna — reflections of the moon
On the night of September 21, Tenuta de l’Annunziata hosted Riflessi di Luna — a luminous gathering beneath the energy of the New Moon.
As twilight descended, guests came together on the terrace for a sunset aperitif and a culinary journey by Chef Domenico Ruberto, whose dishes bridged the elegance of Italian tradition with contemporary expression.
A curated DJ set drifted through the olive trees; the evening pulsed softly with anticipation.
Then, as darkness enveloped the hills, Leila Cremona, meditation guide, led an introspective lunar ritual — a moment of collective stillness and renewal.
“Each phase of the moon invites us to begin again.”
It was more than an event — it was a communion of sound, silence, and intention.
Water, sound, and stillness
Throughout September, Tenuta de l’Annunziata celebrated wellness through experiences that brought movement and mindfulness into balance.
September 19 — Acqua Yoga
Guests floated in the warmth of the estate’s heated pool, where gravity gave way to grace. The practice encouraged release — a surrender to water and to presence. The evening concluded with private spa access and an intimate aperitif at the Tree Cocktail Bar & Bistrot.
September 28 — Yoga & Sound Bath
A symphony of body and vibration unfolded as participants immersed in 90 minutes of Hatha and Yin yoga accompanied by the reverberations of Tibetan singing bowls.
The session flowed into quiet time in the 1,500 m² wellness area — hammam, saunas, infinity pool, and a final walk through the whispering forest.
“To move in rhythm with sound is to remember what balance feels like.”
Where nature and wellness whisper in unison, and the seasons themselves seem to slow their breath.
The taste of balance
At Ristorante Quercus, Chef Ruberto’s cuisine continues to translate the forest’s quiet strength into flavor — dishes that speak of season and soul.
Every plate feels rooted in the surrounding land, carrying the unmistakable essence of northern Italy’s autumn bounty.
Downstairs, the Tree Cocktail Bar & Bistrot offers a more casual rhythm — refined yet relaxed, where aperitivi linger into evening and conversation becomes part of the experience.
“Autumn here isn’t just a season — it’s a state of being.”
The art of slowing down
To spend time at Tenuta de l’Annunziata is to rediscover the subtle luxury of slowing down.
Days unfold at a gentler pace: a walk through the forest, a meal that feels like meditation, a quiet hour by the pool as the light fades to amber.
It is a place that reminds us that true well-being begins not with indulgence, but with alignment — the simple, exquisite harmony between nature and self. – VV
Photography provided by Isabel Sheldon
