Introducing Our  2021 Summer Retreats 

We believe travel should be wanderful and filled with exploration, creating, and indulging in the local culinary treasures.

Imagine a week of guided visits to picturesque local towns with our own private driver to whisk us through the countryside; one-on-one art instruction to help you capture the beauty of the scenery and the memories of your journey...or space to explore on your own; lengthy and sumptuous meals paired with delicious wine that will leave you satisfied and loving life. And all this in the company of a small group of lovely, like-minded people looking for an adventure and friendship. With over a decade of experience traveling through Italy, we have curated a week-long adventure that will leave you feeling relaxed, inspired and simply wanderful. By partnering with some of our favorite Italians (and American ex-pats!) and curating an itinerary through some of our beloved spots, you'll leave our retreats feeling like a local. Are you ready to discover what’s so wanderful about Italy?

Pick your flavor…  

Week 1: June 5 - June 12, 7 nights in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy A quiet week in a countryside villa in Southern Tuscany 

OR Week 2: June 15 - June 22, 7 nights in the center of Lucca, Italy 

The bustling Historic city center in two luxurious apartments  

 

Charming Castiglion Fiorentino Villa June 5 - 12, 2021 

7 nights in a private villa in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy  

Spend a quiet week in one of the charming hillside towns of Southern Tuscany! Known for its olive oil and close proximity to Chianti, Castiglion Fiorentino is one of the undiscovered towns of Italy, often overlooked for its busier neighbors Cortona (location for Under the Tuscan Sun) and Arezzo (featured in Life is Beautiful). But we assure you, while it may not be full of tourists (hooray!), it's full of charm, delicious food, friendly locals and lots of inspiration! It’s also the perfect

backdrop for a peaceful week of creating back home at our private villa, Villa la Guardata. From our hillside home, we’ll have the perfect view of the sunset and the idyllic countryside right by our pool. We will visit the famed town of Cortona (featured in Under the Tuscan Sun) and spend another day driving through the countryside to visit Pienza! We’ll also have cooking classes, relaxed art instruction, and sample wines and olive oils made fresh by the locals.

Villa la Guardata: Relax poolside under the Tuscan sun while surrounded by olive trees and

vineyards. Villa la Guardata will be our home for the week, tucked up on the hillside overlooking the Val di Chio with the charming town, Castiglion Fiorentino, just over a mile away. The stone farmhouse was rebuilt in the mid 1700s on the ruins of an old military outpost at the foot of Castel d’Ernia, an ancient castle of a noble Tuscan family dating back to 1100. Renovated in 1996, our private villa will be filled with old world charm (wood beam ceilings) and modern comforts (hello air-conditioning!).

Castiglion Fiorentino: This charming little town has more to it than the eye can see. With

Etruscan-Roman origins, there’s evidence of Etruscans living in this town dating back to the 4th century BC! Underneath the tower at the top of the hill, the Cassero, and throughout the region there are continuing excavations of Etruscan ruins that predate the Romans. In the main piazza you’ll find historic arches from the famed Giorgio Vassari, as well as quiet churches, small shops and tasty restaurants along the calm city streets. The city hosts many cultural events and festivals throughout the year, including the Palio dei Rioni, an ancient horse race and smaller version of the famous Palio of Siena. Most people will recognize this city from the opening scene of Life is Beautiful. It’s a quiet town with lots of charm that’s easy to fall in love with!

Itinerary*

Day 1: Transfer from Train Station | Check in at Villa la Guardata after 4 pm | Evening group aperitivo feast and welcome drinks by the pool

Day 2: Orientation and breakfast at Villa before transfer to Castiglion Fiorentino | Walking tour of town | Lunch and afternoon sketching | Group dinner in town

Day 3: Breakfast and guided painting at the Villa in the morning | Catered lunch at the villa | Afternoon trip to Cortona for visit to DelBrenna Jewelry before dinner

Day 4: Day trip to Pienza | Dinner provided at Villa upon our return

Day 5: Free Day (activity suggestions & transportation to Train Station provided, if needed) or optional day trip via train to Florence, Arezzo or Orvieto

Day 6: Morning at villa or in town for painting | Afternoon wine tasting at Buccelletti winery with time to sketch the garden or vineyard | Cook dinner together at villa with fresh harvests from the garden

Day 7: Transfer into town for breakfast and to see the Local Market | Lunch in town | Afternoon cooking class at the Villa with a private local chef

Day 8: Check out of Villa by 10 | Transfer provided to Train Station

*Itinerary is subject to change -- this is Italy after all 

Retreat Cost:  $2750 - Double Occupancy (cost per guest in a shared room)

$3150 - Single Occupancy Included: • Lodging for 7 nights in Villa La Guardata • All Breakfasts at the Villa • 1 Group Dinner Out, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners at Villa (includes 1 cooking class dinner) • Welcome Cocktails and Aperitivo Dinner Feast • 1 Cooking Class at the Villa (see above) • Private transportation for all transfers to and from Villa • 2 Day Trips: Pienza and Cortona • 1 Wine and Olive Oil Tasting • All Art Instruction • A Handmade Art Journal, Tote Bag and Additional Surprises!

Early Bird Discounts and payment plans are available

Lovely Lucca Historic City Center  June 15 - 22, 2021 

7 nights in Luxurious apartments in the historic center of Lucca, Italy  

Are you ready to discover the hidden gem of Tuscany? Lucca is often a day trip destination of folks staying in Florence but we get to call this charming town home for a whole week! Right along the train route between the coast and Florence, Lucca is easy to get to even though it may seem off the beaten path. These bustling cobblestone streets are filled with bikes, food, shopping and more! Being able to walk right out

of our apartment building and be in the center of lively Lucca is hard to resist. With antique shops, tree lined walls, picturesque streets and idyllic Tuscan charm, Lucca is the perfect inspiration for a week of exploring and creating.

Corte del Gallo: Our two private apartments are located right in the historic center of Lucca right

next to the centrally located courtyard, Corte del Gallo. Our two apartments are housed in a lovely historic building that dates back 7 centuries. While it has the old world charms you expect of Tuscany, it has plenty of bright natural light and modern conveniences (an elevator, for one). You’ll be close to everything while being protected from the city noise. Just how close to everything? Exit our building and you’ll be a 1-5 minute walk from small grocers, bakeries and cafes, the main Cathedral San Michele, over a dozen restaurants, excellent shopping, bike rentals and more! Locals commute across town on bikes as most of the streets are closed to outside car traffic. You’ll have the convenience of a larger city to explore with a quiet apartment to escape to at the end of the day for a glass of wine with your new friends.

Lucca: There’s so much hiding inside these city walls. Lucca has a rich history that dates back to

180 BC when it was a Roman colony but there’s evidence of Etruscans even before that. The main feature of Lucca is its intact surrounding walls. This rampart wall encircles the main historic center and is now a popular spot for bike riding, picnics or an evening passeggiata. Inside the walls you’ll find 8 prominent churches, museums, the Anfiteatro (built atop an ancient Roman amphitheater), the birthplace of Puccini and even a tower with oak trees on top. During the summer, Piazza Napoleone gets converted into a concert center for the Lucca Summer Music Festival. There is SO much happening inside these city walls just waiting to be explored!

Itinerary* Day 1: Transfer from Train Station | Check in at apartments | Evening aperitivo feast and group stroll around the city...gelato, anyone?

Day 2: Orientation and breakfast at apartments | Walking tour of town | Lunch and afternoon sketching around town | Group dinner in town

Day 3: Day trip north of Lucca to Ponte della Maddalena and Garfagnana hill towns with wine tasting | Return to Lucca for dinner, pasta making in the apartment

Day 4: Free day (activity suggestions can be provided) or optional day trip to Pisa by train

Day 5: Quiet morning in apartments before exploring the Antique Festival in town | Time for shopping and sketching | Private cooking class in Lucca in the afternoon

Day 6: Florence day trip via trains with guided tour around the city | Lunch and unscheduled afternoon for shopping, site-seeing and flexible return home to Lucca by train

Day 7: Morning sketching and painting around town | Afternoon transfer to private wine tasting at Colle di Bordecheo | Group dinner in town down the street from our apartment

Day 8: Check out of apartment | Transfer provided to train station if needed

*Itinerary is subject to change -- this is Italy after all 

Retreat Cost:  $2750 - Double Occupancy (cost per guest in a shared room)

$3150 - Single Occupancy  Included: • Lodging for 7 Nights in Lucca Historic Center in One of Our Two Apartments • All Breakfasts • 2 Group Dinners in Lucca, 1 Lunch (Cooking Class) and Fresh Pasta Making Dinner • Welcome Cocktails and Aperitivo Dinner • 1 Breadmaking Class and 1 Pasta Making Dinner (see above) • Transportation for Day Trip to Garfagnana, Wine Tastings and Florence • 2 Day Trips: Garfagnana and Florence • 2 Wine Tastings • All Art Instruction • A Handmade Art Journal, Tote Bag and Additional Surprises!

Early Bird Discounts and payments plans are available 

Not included in either retreat:  Airfare is not included. You may use miles for free flights. We are happy to provide assistance recommending travel itineraries and will provide detailed train travel instructions to arrive at the retreats, as well. Travel from the airport to the destination city is also not included but we can help arrange for a private transfer if needed.

All art materials (brushes, watercolors, paper, etc) are not provided but we are happy to ship you our recommended travel sketching and watercolor supply kit along with your included sketchbook for a fee.

Other details:  Early Bird Discounts: Discount will apply to the remaining retreat fee after a $350 deposit is received. Deposit must be paid before the end of the timeframe to receive that discount and bonuses.

● Reservations made between June 5 - June 22, 2020 will receive a $300 discount, and original 8x10 sunflower watercolor painting

● Reservations made between June 23 - July 31, 2020 will receive a $250 discount, and original 8x10 sunflower watercolor painting

● Reservations made between Aug. 1 - Sept. 30, 2020 will receive a $175 discount. ● Reservations made between Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2020 will receive a $100 discount. ● Bookings for both consecutive weeks will receive a $800 discount, pending availability

Returning Guest Discounts: All returning guests that have attended a retreat hosted by Chelsea from 2016 onward will receive a $300 discount until May 31, 2021. This is not in addition to an Early Bird Discount.

Shared Bed Discount: In the event we are out of double rooms but you and a friend, spouse, partner or family member wish to attend a retreat and are willing to share a Queen bed, both participants will receive an additional $100 discount.

Deposit: To hold your spot in the trip, a non-refundable deposit of $350 must be paid. If you need to cancel your retreat, your deposit can be transferred towards a future retreat. Please make checks payable to Wanderful Retreats. If you would like to use a credit card there is a 3.5% processing fee. PayPal and Venmo are also accepted.

Payment Plans: The payment for the remainder of the trip can be scheduled in as many increments as needed, but is due in total by no later than May 15, 2021. For example, Single Rooms reserved between June 5-22, 2020, after the $300 discount and $350 deposit will be 11 payments of $230 per month. Arrangements to suit your needs can be discussed.

Limited Space: 4-7 guests during our Villa Retreat and 4-7 guests during our Lucca Retreat.

Art Instruction: We will be instructing sketching and watercolor. Please inform us on the mediums you intend to participate in and we will provide you with a suggested supply list if you wish to shop on your own. You are more than welcome to bring any of your preferred art supplies (acrylics, pastels, etc) or not participate at all! All skill levels are welcome and can be accommodated. Participation is encouraged but completely optional.

Travel Insurance: It is highly advised that you obtain private travel insurance if you have any concerns about canceling, as all fees and deposits are nonrefundable.  

Reserve your spot today! Have questions? 

Send us an email: wanderfulretreats@gmail.com 

Give us a call: (805) 403-1633 

Snail Mail: PO Box 853, Los Olivos, CA 93441