"I’ve watched too many people suffer from health issues that could be avoided through better education. My method is to make it as fun as possible. I want to show others that’s it’s not only sustainable, but the process is approachable, necessary and FUN!"
When we're not baking, we'll explore the UNESCO World Heritage Val d'Orcia, an off-the-beaten-path part of Tuscany that's featured in movies like "Gladiator," "The English Patient," and Franco Zefferelli's "Romeo and Juliet," and the recent Netflix series, "Medici." We'll visit hidden gems like a nearby Romanesque abbey, tour a prestigious Montalcino winery, and enjoy the most charming, medieval and Renaissance-era towns of Tuscany like Siena and Pienza.
We'll have the exclusive use of a gorgeous old country house villa located on a 900 hectare family-owned estate. An hour and a half from Florence, and fifteen minutes from Montalcino (renowned for its rich Brunello wine) the villa is nestled amid some of the world's most inspiring landscapes. Surrounded by the family's olive groves and vineyards, the villa has a pool and several panoramic sitting areas, the grounds are perfect for plenty of peace and quiet...a great place to dance like nobody's watching.
The villa also has wifi, a washing machine, air-conditioning and we'll have our own private chef.
Authentically Tuscan, the villa has been beautifully refurbished but still maintains its original character. With both single and double rooms, private and shared bathrooms, the villa can sleep up to twenty guests.
The villa has a swimming pool and plenty of places to lounge and play. A converted barn is now an extra living area and also houses a ping pong table.
Each of the villa's rooms is spacious and comfortable. Some boast views across the valley while others face the thick trees in the back. Crickets and frogs can be heard in the evenings.
For five days and nights, we'll embrace slow travel, engaging in authentic ways with the region's art, history, cuisine, landscapes and people. Throughout the week we'll be treated to some sourdough workshops, both at the villa as well as at the estate's converted mill, now a modern, sustainable sourdough bakery. Designed to be a soul-nourishing, sensory week, on this retreat you will let go of the demands of your days and be taken care of while enjoying the company of other like-minded individuals.
Learn the secrets of sourdough with Ret during workshops at the villa. We'll also have the chance to tour and have a workshop at 'Mulinum,' the estate's recently converted mill, now a state of the art, sustainable biological bakery which uses grains grown on the estate to make its delicious products.
We'll visit hidden gems like a nearby Romanesque abbey, tour a prestigious Montalcino winery, and enjoy the most charming, medieval and Renaissance-era towns of Tuscany like Montepulciano, Siena and Pienza.
We'll have a cooking class at a nearby, top-rated historical castle winery. Afterwards, we'll eat what we've made and enjoy tasting the wineries perfectly paired wines.
Starting from £2950 per person
RETREAT INCLUDES:
ROUNDTRIP PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM FLORENCE TO VILLA
FIVE NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
ALL MEALS EXCEPT ONE LUNCH
PRIVATE WINE TASTING OF BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
PRIVATE ORGANIC FARM TOUR WITH PECORINO CHEESE TASTING
GUIDED HIKE
GUIDED TOUR OF SIENA
LUNCH & TASTING AT PRESTIGIOUS WINERY
COOKING CLASS, WINERY TOUR & BRUNELLO TASTING
BREAD BAKING DEMO BY RET
TOUR & BREAD BAKING WORKSHOP AT LOCAL MILL/BAKERY FOLLOWED BY LUNCH
TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM ORGANIZED EXCURSIONS