This retreat is an invitation to experience Tuscany through creativity, craftsmanship, and the richness of Italian life, while also reconnecting with something within yourself. Moving from the artistic heart of Florence to the rolling landscapes of the Val d’Orcia, the journey creates space to slow down, become more present, and reflect on your own story and the way you express it. Here, beauty is not simply admired, but shaped by hand, cultivated through tradition, and woven into everyday life.
The experience begins in Florence, a city defined by imagination and human expression. Beyond its celebrated architecture and Renaissance masterpieces lies a quieter, more intimate world of artisans, workshops, markets, and family traditions. Guests explore the city through its flavors and stories, step behind the doors of working studios, and discover the skill, patience, and passion that continue to sustain Florentine craftsmanship.
Creativity becomes something tangible and personal. A practical leather workshop offers the opportunity to learn from master artisans and create an individual piece using techniques passed down through generations. A guided watercolor experience, inspired by the colors, textures, and beauty of Tuscany, invites guests to observe their surroundings in a new way and translate what they see and feel into something of their own. In the kitchen, seasonal ingredients become a way to understand Tuscan culture, as guests prepare traditional dishes together before gathering around the table to share what they have made.
From Florence, the journey moves into the countryside, pausing in Chianti for an intimate wine experience and farmhouse lunch before continuing toward the landscapes of the Val d’Orcia, recognized by UNESCO. Here, vineyards, olive groves, roads lined with cypress trees, and medieval villages create a natural rhythm that encourages guests to slow down, look inward, and become fully present.
The days unfold through meaningful encounters with the land and the people who care for it. Guests cycle through the countryside, visit biodynamic vineyards, taste Brunello di Montalcino where it is produced, and discover how wine, olive oil, cheese, and ancient grains carry the identity of this remarkable region. A simple picnic overlooking the hills becomes as memorable as the most refined meal, reminding us that true luxury often lives in authenticity, beauty, and time shared well.
Woven throughout the retreat are opportunities to explore the three pillars of Story, Style and Presence. Through thoughtful guidance, creative experiences, meaningful conversation, and personal reflection, guests are invited to consider the stories that have shaped them, the ways they express who they are, and what it means to move through the world with greater intention and presence.
Each day is carefully balanced with time to wander, rest, and absorb the atmosphere, whether exploring the streets of Pienza, relaxing beside the vineyards, or watching the Tuscan light soften over the hills. These quieter moments offer space not only to experience Tuscany, but also to listen more closely to yourself.
Evenings bring the group together around generous tables, where seasonal food, local wine, and unhurried conversation create a warm and meaningful sense of community. As the journey progresses, the distinction between experience and reflection begins to fade. Creating, tasting, walking, and gathering all become part of the same deeper journey.
This retreat is designed for travelers who are drawn to the soul behind beautiful things and who are curious about what can emerge when they step away from the pace of everyday life. It is not simply about seeing Tuscany, but about engaging with its living traditions, understanding the human stories behind its art, food, and landscapes, and discovering how those encounters might illuminate something within themselves.
The result is a journey that feels both enriching and restorative, rooted in creativity, guided by intention, and shaped by Story, Style and Presence. Guests leave not only with a deeper connection to Tuscany, but with renewed inspiration, greater clarity, and a more authentic connection to the person they are becoming.
The Art of Becoming: A Story, Style & Presence Workshop with Jennifer Young
As a special part of the retreat, Jennifer Young will lead an intimate two hour workshop centered on the three pillars of her work: Story, Style and Presence.
Through guided reflection, meaningful conversation, and creative exercises, you will explore your Story by considering the experiences that have shaped you and what you may be ready to release. You will reflect on Style as an authentic expression of who you are, and explore Presence as the way you choose to step into what comes next.
You will then bring these discoveries together in a visual expression of your Emerging Self, creating a personal collection of words, colors, images, and intentions that represents the person you are becoming.
