What is Il Chiostro - from the Directors

"You opened your door so that doors within us could open."

 Welcome to Il Chiostro. Whether you are new or returning alumni we hope you have fun looking through our current season, browsing our Community page photos or checking out our featured programs and events. For 16 years Il Chiostro has been bringing Italy to people. Our mission is to immerse our guests in the Italian culture while they focus on a workshop in the arts, culture or personal development. We design our programs to be unique and intimate. Whether you are painting, cooking, or exploring your creative soul we want you to feel like you are coming to our home for a week and seeing Italy through our eyes.

If you read the “About Us” section you will see that we have a personal connection to Italy. We feel that the food, art, wine, history, language, crafts, and the glorious scenery all work together to make Italy unforgettable. The authentic accommodations we select, our passionate staff, and our connections with the local population combine to create the Il Chiostro Experience.

"Words cannot express how much my time with all of you meant to me. I do still have the halo around me...and I know it will remain with me because it is radiating from my heart! Hopefully, the wonderful healing energies from Il Chiostro will now flow through me to others (especially through my paint brush). I will be seeing all of you again because I will be back...in fact, you will have to put up with me at least once a year." - SS, Florida 
[For more comments from participants, see Testimonials under About Us.]

Join us this year in Venice or the Dievole winery in Tuscany, or help us officially inaugurate the Tuscan Renaissance Center, a collaboration between Il Chiostro and the restored 12th century monastery of San Fedele. If you are passionate about travelling deeper rather than broader, then Il Chiostro, your family in Italy, is calling.

Linda Mironti and Michael Mele, Directors

Featured Programs

La Dolce Vita, Soho Exhibit
Our 5th annual juried exhibition took place at the Broome St. Gallery in Soho March 23-April 4, 2010. 80 works in the visual arts (painting, collage, photography, sculpture) were selected from submissions by Il Chiostro alumni. To visit our online gallery click the photo above.

Inside Tuscany-an adventure for everyone!
Have a different adventure every day as we experience Tuscany from the inside out. Hiking, wine tours, guided city walks, selected museum tours, unusual hill towns, cooking class, and even a visit to a sulfur spa. We will stay at the San Fedele monastery and set out every day from there. Something for everyone - even those non-artists out there!

Blogissimo!
Follow our blog as we travel to Tuscany, Venice, Lake Garda and beyond. Also, follow us on FaceBook. Join the Il Chiostro Fan page.