Frequently Asked Questions

Vere Vitae means “Spring of Life.” Our tagline — Awake. Heal. Become. — reflects the sacred arc of transformation that guides all we do: awakening to truth, healing what has been carried, and becoming who you were always meant to be. We believe three fundamental life changing steps to this, sequentially, and at a very personal pace through life, are: Acceptance, Gratitude, and finding Purpose. You can read more about this  here.

Vere Vitae is for anyone seeking more than just a temporary escape. Our retreats and programs are designed for individuals at a crossroads, those navigating stress, transition, or a desire for deeper meaning. Whether you are experienced in yoga or just beginning, whether you come for physical renewal, emotional clarity, or spiritual growth, you will find guidance here. Because the foundation of our work rests on the three keys — Acceptance, Gratitude, and Purpose — every guest is supported to find their own path back to balance and strength.

Traveling to Vere Vitae is straightforward.

• ✈️ By      Air: Lamezia Terme International Airport is just over an hour away,      with direct flights from Rome, Milan, and other major European cities      (including easy connections for North American travelers).
• 🚆 By Train: High-speed express trains stop only 20 minutes from the      property, offering a scenic route through Italy’s landscapes.
• 🚗 By Car: Driving down from Rome takes you along Italy’s stunning      coastline, with opportunities to stop in iconic places like Pompeii,      Naples, or Positano on the Amalfi Coast before continuing to Calabria.

The goal of Vere Vitae is to be a living sanctuary for transformation — a place where people can awaken, heal, and become their fullest selves. Through retreats, the Academy, and our writings, we aim to reconnect and harmonize body, heart, and spirit with nature and the universe. Our mission is to promote human potential, bridging the physical and non-physical, and serving as a catalyst for change and growth — here on Earth, and possibly beyond.

At Vere Vitae, our retreats go far beyond yoga on a mat. They are sacred journeys of transformation, rooted in three unique pillars that set us apart:

1. A rare energetic location.
Nestled where the sea, forest, sun, and mountains converge in Calabria, our land is not just beautiful — it is alive. Many who arrive describe a visceral sense of grounding and uplift, as if something ancient is remembered and reawakened. The energy here is both soothing and catalytic, ideal for deep healing and transformation.

2. A truly holistic experience.
We don't separate mind, body, and spirit — we work with all of you. Each retreat activates the full spectrum of your being by harmonizing the elements (earth, water, fire, air), awakening the senses (touch, sound, sight, scent, taste, inner vision), and honoring the layers of existence — physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, energetic, and causal. This integrative approach raises your frequency from the inside out.

3. A lived path of transformation.
Our founder walked this path first — a journey through rupture, reflection, and ultimately rebirth. From that lived experience emerged a simple but powerful roadmap: Acceptance. Gratitude. Purpose. This is the heartbeat of every retreat. Through yoga, meditation, nature immersion, and stillness, we gently guide you back to yourself — to Awaken. Heal. Become.

Calabria is one of Italy’s hidden treasures — a land where mountains, olive groves, and the Mediterranean Sea meet. It is raw, authentic, and deeply nourishing, offering an energy unlike anywhere else.

At Vere Vitae, the four elements converge: the grounding of ancient earth, the cleansing of the deep blue Sea, the warmth of southern skies, and the breath of mountain air. This elemental harmony makes this location a powerful setting for healing and renewal.

Beyond the retreat itself, Calabria offers extraordinary natural and cultural gems. Guests can explore sea grottos, underwater caves, and natural rock formations both above and below water. The region is renowned for its breathtaking hiking trails and rock-climbing sites, as well as its layers of history — from ancient ruins to medieval towns.

And from our doorstep, the Mediterranean opens wide: Sicily, Capri, and Ischia are within a short drive, along with the thousands of islands of Greece and even Turkey, making Vere Vitae a true gateway to some of the world’s most remarkable destinations.

Here, the experience extends far beyond stillness and yoga — it is a return to wonder, adventure, and the elemental beauty of life.

At Vere Vitae, healing is not something we "give" — it’s something we help you remember. 

Every journey here is grounded in a living path: Acceptance, Gratitude, and Purpose. These three keys form the foundation of transformation, and we gently guide each guest through them using time-tested practices: yoga, sacred breath, meditation, and conscious movement — all within the profound natural energy of our land.

What makes our approach truly unique is that it’s both deeply intuitive and grounded in wisdom traditions from around the world — from yogic science and somatic work, to vibrational healing and elemental alignment. We weave these threads together to offer a comprehensive, holistic foundation that honors the fullness of the human experience: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, energetic, and causal (karmic).

Rather than prescribing a rigid method, we act as guides and stewards of a powerful space — holding, supporting, and activating each individual’s innate capacity to heal. The energy of Vere Vitae itself plays a vital role, offering a rare and fertile ground for deep release, clarity, and reconnection.

Ultimately, the journey is yours. We simply help you walk it — toward awakening, healing, and becoming who you are meant to be.

Vere Vitae was born from the lived experience of its founder, Giadha A. DeCarcer. After decades of navigating intense challenges, personal loss, and professional reinvention, she chose not only to rebuild her own life but to create a sanctuary where others could do the same.

This work is not theory — it is practice, tested by fire. The journey she titles Awake. Heal. Become. is the very path she walked herself, guided by acceptance, gratitude, and purpose, which she is also capturing in her manuscript "The Mirror & The Threshold, The  Alchemy of Becoming". Out of rupture came a vision: to offer what she wished she had found sooner — a safe place to step out of old stories and step into clarity and strength.

You should not trust because of titles or promises, but because of presence. At Vere Vitae, you are not given a formula; you are offered a field — one shaped by lived truth, grounded practice, and the support of teachers and healers from around the world  who carry and share  decades of wisdom.

This is not about following someone else. It is about discovering your own path back to balance, with guidance from those who have walked through their own thresholds and now hold the lantern for others.

In addition to daily practices, guests may explore Calabria’s treasures:

• Hidden sea grottos and underwater caves.
• Natural rock formations and world-class hiking or rock climbing trails.
• Historical sites and charming  medieval villages.
• Excursions to Mediterranean gems such as Sicily, Capri, and Ischia.

Or simply rest — in private bungalows with terraces overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Guests enjoy daily yoga and meditation sessions overlooking the sea, balanced with free afternoons to rest, swim, journal, or explore. Calabria offers nearby destinations such as Tropea, Diamante, Orsomarso, and even Capri for day trips. On the property, guests stay in private sea-view bungalows with terraces, kitchens, and full amenities, surrounded by gardens and olive trees. The pace is yours to choose: tranquility within the sanctuary, or exploration beyond it. 

The Academy was born from a vision: to give young girls the tools to awaken their potential, heal their wounds, and step into their purpose. It is an offering to the next generation, inspired by the founder’s own journey of overcoming limitation and rediscovering sovereignty. The Academy is still in development, but its aim is to create a nurturing, empowering space where girls can learn to embody strength, self-knowledge, and freedom — planting seeds of transformation for years to come. 

The Vere Vitae Academy is our educational pillar, offering programs in holistic wellness, sacred movement, and personal transformation. There will be opportunities to participate as a student, collaborate as a teacher, or support as a donor and partner. Updates about upcoming workshops, courses, and community initiatives will be shared on our website and newsletters. 

Not yet. As the Academy is still being established, we cannot currently offer tax exemptions. However, we express gratitude to our donors in a more personal way — through complimentary stays at our retreat as a thank-you for supporting the vision.