Retreat in Tuscany

September 19th-25th 2027

This retreat is an immersive journey into nourishment, rest, and discovery set in the gorgeous Tuscan hills during the third week of September as the countryside enters the heart of its harvest season.

This is a time of divine abundance. Figs ripen on the trees, grapes hang heavy on the vine, olives begin their slow journey toward oil, and the hills take on the rich colors of late summer moving into autumnal hues. We will gather as the season approaches the Fall Equinox, a moment of balance and harmony celestially.

Our home for the week is Il Forte, a remarkable 14th-century villa nestled among ancient olive groves and vineyards in the hills of San Donato in Collina, about 14km from Florence. The villa offers a rare combination of history, beauty, and ease: lime-plastered walls, ancient tile floors, restored interiors, expansive countryside views, an infinity pool and a large sauna for daily use.

I first experienced Il Forte two years ago on a trip with my family and it was so beautiful I knew I had to return and share this place with others.

There is a particular kind of magic here. The quiet of the hills, the curious resident fox and the ever changing light across the the landscape of old winding roads hugged by grapes and olive trees. There is a visceral sense that this pastoral life has been unfolding in this landscape for centuries, and that for a little while, we get to become part of its rhythm.

Our week together will be a balance of exploration and spaciousness. We will visit Firenze twice (Florence), where the extraordinary legacy of the Renaissance lives on in its masterpieces, architecture, historic apothecaries, and remarkable artisan traditions. We will also visit Lucca, a beautiful medieval city surrounded by magnificent tree-lined Renaissance walls and a unique historic botanical garden that offers a fascinating connection to centuries of plant knowledge.

We will also spend time in Bosco di Fonte Santa, the Forest of the Holy Spring, right near our villa. Its chestnut tree line paths, and ancient holy spring are also the site of Etruscan remains which gives this landscape a special significance during the Equinox. We will gather here at equinox for reflection and connection with the land, honoring the changing season and the balance of light and dark.

Throughout our journey, we will also encounter the deep Marian traditions of Italy, visiting historic churches devoted to the Madonna and discovering the extraordinary beauty of her presence in Renaissance art, sacred architecture, and centuries of devotion. From the tender imagery of the Madonna seen everywhere in Tuscany to the fecundate abundance of the natural world, we will celebrate the many expressions of the Divine Feminine woven through Italian culture and history.

We will close our journey by immersing ourselves in a one of a kind experience visiting the ancient artisanal market in Grieve at peak harvest. A time where Chianti’s vineyards overflows in beauty with the traditions of La Vendemmia on full display. That last night we will feast together at the villa and share in the bounty with a local Tuscan chef joining us to make us pizzas in our outdoor oven.

The entire week, we will aim to make time for the pleasures of the land with quality time for long seasonally prepared meals made by our wonderful chef, herbal beauty rituals, gentle walks through the olive trees , and evenings to celebrate and enjoy the splendor of Tuscany together.