Retreats in 2023
Gardens & Wildflowers
Dates: 22nd April to 29th April 2023
Spend a week in May enjoying this delightful flowers themed retreat. Hosted by garden experts Rosie Yeomans and David Hurrion, together with garden photographer Sarah Cuttle, there’ll be wildflower walks, local cultural visits, garden and planting design tuition, as well as photography workshops – all in the most inspiring surroundings. To find out more and to book your spot on this retreat, visit the Gardens & Wildflowers page.
Guitar Breaks
Dates: 23rd to 29th April 2023 & 8th to 15th October 2023
Running in April and October this year, the popular Guitar Breaks is a bespoke guitar holiday adventure for guitar players and enthusiasts. Indulge your six-string passion in the beautiful surroundings of Villa Pia in Umbria, with a roster of special guest instructors. This year we are featuring workshops with the award-winning blues guitarist, Matt Schofield and YouTube mega-star Andy ‘Guitar’ Crowley. In past years, Guitar Breaks has welcomed guitarists including: Joey Landreth, Josh Smith, Ariel Posen, Chris Buck, Charlotte Hatherley, ‘Danish’ Pete Honoré and many more. Find out about Guitar Breaks retreats by visiting http://www.guitar-breaks.com/.
Drawing Breath: Drawing and Mindfulness
Dates: 2nd September 2022 to 9th September 2023
Professor of Drawing Tania Kovats and Jane Sassienie are running another week-long retreat combining these two life-enhancing practices to generate focus, wellbeing and creativity. Come and explore drawing and breathing in the company of like-minded others, in a non-judgemental atmosphere. This restorative and stimulating week builds creative practices for life, making precious time for yourself. Find out more at http://www.drawingbreath.me/.
Choir Course & Finding your Solo Voice: Singing Courses in Tuscany
Dates: 9th September to 16th September 2023
Do you sing in choirs? Have you ever wanted to explore your solo voice or would like to combine a relaxing holiday in Italy with group of other singers? Join classically trained singer Jane Haughton (Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne) and professional pianist Howard Beach in the beautiful Tuscan countryside for a week of group choral workshops, solo classes and individual coaching in a relaxed and nurturing environment. This year we will be running a combined week of Finding Your Solo Voice with a Choir Course exploring a mixture of Italian and English repertoire. Max number: 8 places for the solo course and 18 for the choral. For more information contact: janehaughton27@gmail.com.
A Haven For Stories
Dates: 14th October to 21 October 2023
What are the stories you wish to tell? Do you dream of starting a writing project, unblocking your creativity, or giving your work-in-progress some much-needed time and care? This is your chance to spend a week in the Italian countryside with three (yes, three) acclaimed writer-teachers: Elise Valmorbida, Tobias Jones and Alice Vincent. Your three writing guides have worked in various genres and media—non-fiction, novels, screenwriting, documentaries, journalism—and they’re big-hearted teachers of creative writing. To find out more, visit the Haven For Stories page.
Winter Breaks
The villa is available throughout the year, and as the weather changes our surroundings can be even more stunning during the winter months. Take advantage of our off-season prices during the period mid-November to mid-March and enjoy this gorgeous setting without the usual summer bustle and heat. Please refer to our Pricing page for winter break prices.
Retreats in 2022
Escape Painting Holidays
Dates: 23rd April 2022 to 30th April 2022
Acclaimed contemporary artists Rachael Reeves and Gareth Edwards lead this charming holiday retreat, dedicated to helping artists uncover their potential. Suitable for couples and solo travellers, each student will be gently encouraged to express themselves with the materials and environment provided and to develop their own painting language. Enjoy daily talks and tutoring, along with free time to swim, siesta, or just be inspired by the beautiful landscape. Find out more and book your spot at escapepaintingholidays.com.
Drawing Breath: Drawing and Mindfulness
Dates: 7th May 2022 to 14th May 2022
Professor of Drawing Tania Kovats and Jane Sassienie are running another week-long retreat combining these two life-enhancing practices to generate focus, wellbeing and creativity. Come and explore drawing and breathing in the company of like-minded others, in a non-judgemental atmosphere. This restorative and stimulating week builds creative practices for life, making precious time for yourself. Find out more at http://www.drawingbreath.me/.
Little Forest Folk Holiday
Dates: 11th June 2022 to 18th June 2022
Award-winning outdoor nursery group, Little Forest Folk hosts a June holiday retreat at Villa Pia. This holiday is exclusively for Little Forest Folk families and educators from their nurseries. Come for one week of delicious food, diverse activities, and a relaxing experience in the medieval town of Lippiano. More details can be found at http://www.littleforestfolk.com/little-forest-folk-holidays/
Choir Course & Finding your Solo Voice: Singing Courses in Tuscany
Dates: 4th September 2022 to 18th September 2022
Do you sing in choirs? Have you ever wanted to explore your solo voice? Join classically trained singer Jane Haughton (Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne) and professional pianist Howard Beach in the beautiful Tuscan countryside for a week of group workshops or solo classes and individual coaching in a relaxed and nurturing environment. Let us bring out your hidden talent. Finding Your Solo Voice runs the first week from 4th to 11th September, and The Choir Course runs for the second week from 11th to 18th September 2022. Max number: 12 places. For more information contact: janehaughton27@gmail.com.
The Idler Philosophy Retreat at Villa Pia
Dates: 18th September 2022 to 25th September 2022
Spend a week immersing yourself in philosophy, while idling in the gorgeous Umbrian countryside. We’ll also be taking in Umbria’s famed Renaissance art, visiting its ancient churches and feasting on local produce, all in the company of fellow idlers. Idler Academy director Victoria Hull will be your host. Tutors will be author, broadcaster and philosopher Mark Vernon, Idler editor and author Tom Hodgkinson plus daily yoga with Kamin Mohammadi. There will be a foraging walk in the Umbrian hills, yoga sessions, as well as a trip to the medieval hill town Cortona. For more details and to make a booking, please visit https://www.idler.co.uk/product/the-idler-philosophy-retreat/
BLAND Badger Creative Retreat
Dates: 24th September 2022 to 1st October 2022 and 1st October to 8th October 2022
Join Charlotte Bland and Ros Badger and very special guests in our gorgeous Tuscan setting for a creative retreat to refresh and recharge. A relaxed programme of workshops and trips in a beautiful setting familiar to creatives and art lovers as the backdrop to some of the finest Renaissance art works. Visit their favourite local places, experience plentiful food and drink on these creative house parties. For bookings and further information, visit blandbadger.com.
