2024!
Join us at Villa Bice for a week in the stunning faded glory of this sprawling historical villa where Mark Twain lived for a year before he went bankrupt.
The amazing, chic, uncanny, villa is owned by two lovely, mellow, and gracious brothers who only appear when needed. They spent their summers at the villa and now run it as a rental property.
It’s hard to describe the magic of Villa Bice, but suffice it to say the pictures don’t do it justice.
(***That said, if you are a fussy, high-maintenance person—like if you can’t handle plumbing issues here and there or perhaps a faulty lamp—then this retreat is NOT for you. The villa is HUGE and old and that’s what we like about it. But the plumbing & electricity can be fussy. We had NO unhappy customers—but still, be clear with yourself if you know these caveats are not for you. The sheets are excellent though.)
Where is it?
At the edge of a lovely town in the Tuscan mountains called San Marcello Pistoiese. It’s about north of Florence, about an hour-long drive, depending on the roads maybe an hour and 20 min. There is a bus from Florence to the front gate of the villa, but it takes a tad longer.
When: July 11-18
About the heart of this retreat, Chef Emily:
Emily is from Northern California, went to culinary and pastry school in Vancouver, and has worked in restaurants in Portugal and New York. For the last 15 years, she’s been a private chef for high-profile clients and celebrities in LA, Aspen, the Hamptons, and aboard private yachts and jets. Her style of food is California/Mediterranean with an emphasis on seasonal, organic, local produce and ethically sourced animal products. She will do her best to adapt menus to your dietary needs if you leave her little love notes/poetry, give a great massage, or just ask! She also happens to be my cousin.
—Emily’s IG: @everythingyouwanttoeat
What is this?
This retreat is meant to give you ample time for pure creative self-indulgence and plenty of space to be alone and copious amounts of beauty to inspire your project.
You can outline your next book/screenplay/play, compose, begin your epic poem, sketch/paint for your next “canvass,” birth your one-person show, write some jokes for your next set, finish that last/first chapter, choreograph, write your proposal.
Participants will present their creative goals at the start of the retreat and have the option to present their work at the end of our time together.
we will reserve some afternoon hours to workshop work (optional) together.
meander around the stunning grounds, nap on the porch, take a dip in the various cool pools fed by natural mountain water to revive your fading intellect.
From the side gate of the villa, you can stroll into the charming town of San Marcello Pistoiese for a cappuccino &/or a Campari spritz to lubricate your imagination and incite storytelling. Not more than five minutes from the gate (next to the 16th-century private chapel) are delicious cafes, restaurants, and an incredible wine store.
Daily yoga/movement class in the 16th century chapel.
INCREDIBLY stunning mountain hikes.
FABULOUS swimming holes in gorges and rivers under medieval bridges.
*Remember: No pressure to join any of the group activities! If you want to work on your project all day and night and just grab a plate of food and hide away…we support you!
Lastly: we will provide you with dinner the evening of your arrival and brunch on departure day.
**Take note that we will take one night off of our provided dinners to go out on the town and have dinner out (not included in retreat price).
Included:
Room and board, daily yoga class, workshops, light breakfast (pastries and coffee), big brunch, big dinner, rides to local swimming holes.
Meals are served buffet style, beautifully presented, and we usually eat together outside. You are free to bring food to room and continue to work.
*we are not responsible for lack of creative motivation due to meeting sexy mysterious person at local cafe and hitching to Positano and going bankrupt
Cost: *prices may vary a bit once the group is set, depending on room/location
General cost of Private Room: $2, 800 for the week
General cost of room for two (separate beds or shared bed): $2, 400
General Cost of room for three ppl (three single beds): $2, 200
*If you are a group we have two separate little villa’s on the property—one with it’s own kitchen (inquire if interested).
To reserve a room/bed:
VENMO half to: @Alexandra-Auder
Important:
We currently have more interest than we have beds available--so if this is something you want to do, please write me back soon and answer the following questions:
Your first and last name
A brief description of your work and what project you intend to work on