In collaboration with The Greate Escape and  Palazzo Donati we have designed this creative immersion in Italy for you. We begin the journey in Florence,  staying in a convent for 4 days workshopping/sight seeing, then spend 7 nights, 8 days in the charming medieval village of Mercatello sul Metauro. Here all the conditions are designed to faciliate and support a deep dive into your writing or creative project.  Immerse yourself in an extraordinary Italian village experience. An ideal environment to bring the senses into your writing and art making.

View pics from our 2023 trip here.

MORE INFO AND BOOKINGS HERE

• Stay in the historic and grand old family home of the Donati family, Palazzo Donati with our host Luisa Donati
• Take part in daily creativity workshops and readings with Jan (Florence and Mercatello) that will guide you on how to turn your delicious indulgence into fine art.
• Get to know the locals and explore this beautiful medieval village at your doorstep.
• 2 x optional cooking workshops.
• Visit local artists in and around our village.
• Explore the Unesco protected town of Urbino and the extraordinary Palazzo Ducale.
• Experience an outstanding banquet dinner or two cooked exclusively for us by local cooks who are passionate about local food, wine, music and good laughter.
• Visit local artists in and around our village.
• Explore the Unesco protected town of Urbino and the extraordinary Palazzo Ducale.
• Experience an outstanding banquet dinner or two cooked exclusively for us by local cooks who are passionate about local food, wine, music and good laughter
• Eat truly delicious local food. *This area is a paradise of porcini mushrooms, tarfufi (nero and bianco), strozzapreti pasta (strangle the priest!), cheeses and local wines.

The Retreat

• You have the option to start a new project, revitalise an old one or simply capture the experience in your chosen art form.
• There will be daily creativity workshops and readings with Jan.
• Time to work on your chosen project and time to explore the local surroundings and visit some artists and artisans who live in the village.

The Workshops

Immerse yourself in an extraordinary Italian village experience as you learn how to employ the senses for your writing and art making.

Morning workshops and cocktail hour readings/sharings will include meditative writing exercises and supportive feedback sessions.