Wishes, Stars and New Beginnings: From San Lorenzo to Gioyous Retreats

There is a kind of quiet magic that settles over Italy each summer on the night of August 10. Families, lovers and friends spread blankets on hillsides, head down to beaches or climb mountain lookouts to watch the sky, hoping to catch a streak of light and make a wish. Italians call it La Notte di San Lorenzo, the Night of Saint Lawrence — a simple, communal ritual of wonder that turns ordinary people into amateur astronomers and poets for an evening.

A breathtaking view of the San Lorenzo night sky, showcasing a stunning array of stars and the glowing Milky Way above the silhouetted mountains.

Why August 10? The night is linked in Italian tradition to the martyr Saint Lawrence, and it conveniently coincides with the annual Perseids meteor shower, the most popular of the summer showers. The Perseids are active through much of July and August and typically reach their strongest display around mid-August. In other words, the falling “stars” people see around San Lorenzo are part of a long, meteor shower cycle that gives us those bright, wish-inspiring streaks.

The rituals are as varied as Italy itself. In some cities there are free community lunches or local festivals, in others families gather for simple picnics and watermelon. Above all there is the act of looking up together, making a wish, and sharing a moment of hope. In Florence, for example, San Lorenzo is observed with a combination of religious services and communal festivities that continue the sense of local belonging and seasonal celebration.

A small astronomy note for clarity: while the Perseids give San Lorenzo its shooting stars each August, those meteors are not visible in April. The Perseids’ peak is a mid-August phenomenon, so if you’re thinking of stargazing as a literal retreat activity in April, plan for seasonal constellations and spring skies instead. That said, the symbolism of stars, wishes and renewal translates beautifully across seasons.

A group of stargazers delights in the stunning celestial show on Saint Lawrence Night, as the Milky Way and a shooting star light up the night sky.

How the spirit of San Lorenzo lives on at our retreats

While the stars of San Lorenzo shine brightest in August, the feeling they inspire — slowing down, looking up, and savouring the moment — is timeless. That same spirit will be at the heart of our Gioyous retreat in Italy, 9–13 April 2026.

Each morning begins with gentle yoga in the fresh spring air, helping you tune into the present moment just as stargazers pause to watch the night sky. In the afternoons, we’ll gather in the villa’s kitchen for hands-on cooking classes, turning local, seasonal ingredients into delicious meals to share — a nod to the communal feasts that are part of San Lorenzo traditions.

There will be time to savour the wines, each glass telling a story of the land and the season, much like each shooting star tells its own fleeting story in the August sky. And of course, there’s plenty of unhurried space to wander the grounds, chat with fellow guests, or simply sit back and soak in the villa’s breath taking scenery.

Just as Italians gather on San Lorenzo night to connect with the cosmos and each other, our retreat invites you to connect — with your body, your senses, the people around you, and the beauty that surrounds us.