- This workshop has passed.
Living La Dolce Vita in Tuscany-2024! – SOLD OUT (See SECTION II on Sept. 28 below)
Marie Fratoni
September 21, 2024 - September 28, 2024
$3895Unfortunately the workshop is full so we have added a second week September 28-October 5, 2024. Click here to register for that instead.
Refresh your life with the spirit of “la dolce vita”!
Imagine the experience of living a life full of joy, beauty, pleasures, and simple events, celebrated amongst a community of adventurous, heart-centered professionals for one glorious week in Tuscany. What if you could embody this experience year-round, wherever you are? This is the promise of “living la dolce vita”, the sweet life.
There is a good reason that Conde Nast Magazine calls Italy “the #1 travel destination in the world.” So we celebrate this retreat nestled in the lush Chianti Region of Tuscany. Our home for the week is a private, beautifully restored 1000+ year old monastery, surrounded by bursting vineyards and silver-green olive groves.
You’ve been longing for a memorable vacation, eager to get away from it all, to unplug, and slow down. You’ve realized the need to recalibrate and come back to your center. And you are clear that a unique, adventurous, and fun-filled getaway to Tuscany would “do you good”. You don’t want to travel alone, and you are looking to join a compatible group of like-minded people, who want to travel together, share the majestic beauty of Italy, are willing to grow and expand, and have all details of the trip handled. You’ve been busy giving, giving, and giving. Now it’s time to receive, replenish and reward yourself. You deserve it!
If this sounds like you, then you must join me for my 14th annual “Living La Dolce Vita in Tuscany!”, September 21-28, 2024.
Arrive in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, and embark on a week of purposeful travels. Allow your inner Michelangelo to emerge as you commune with the incredible sights, aromas, and tastes of bella Toscana, as we celebrate life with friends, and are inspired by the true spirit of “la dolce vita”.
Together we will explore meaningful conversations, enjoy daily excursions to area hill towns designed to help you relax and savor the abundant harvest time in Tuscany. Visiting the beautiful villages and towns of the Tuscan countryside will provide the perfect ambiance to create your own personal retreat for restoration and renewal. A fun cooking class with an authentic Tuscan Chef is always part of the fun! Each evening we have special activities to cap a full day with gratitude and appreciation. A massage or spa treatment is optional and available. We will learn how to keep the spirit of “la dolce vita” alive in our everyday life.
Participate in a journey not only to Tuscany, but to a journey into yourself, where you will rediscover passion, be inspired, and celebrate a new spirit of the possibility of a life fulfilled. You will leave this trip renewed, refreshed, restored and incredibly grateful.
General Activities: in addition to the activities of the workshop, we will also see and explore this area of Tuscany with various excursions:
- Chianti winery tour and tasting
- Casual Tuscan cooking class
- Escorted visits to hill towns
- A day in medieval Siena
- Visit to open air market
- Massages available in the spa upon request, priced accordingly
We’ll return each evening to relax in our monastery. Then we will move to the dining room (the authentic refectory where the monks used to assemble) to enjoy the authentic, home-made Tuscan meals prepared for us by our local chef.
Price: $3,895 p/p
Supplements:
- $575 for single room
- $275 p/p for a suite with jacuzzi (minimum 2 people)
Includes:
- Shared double room in restored monastery (single room available for supplement, see above)
- Daily traditional breakfast and dinner, including wine
- Daily workshop exercises and group processes
- Excursion to Siena
- All local transportation
- Fully escorted excursions
½ day excursion to nearby hilltown (Radda, San Gimignano, Castellina-in-Chianti…)- Pick up from Florence train station at 3:30pm on arrival Saturday
- Transfer to Florence on final day
Does Not Include:
- Airfare
- Lunch (lite lunch will be available for purchase on days we are not out on excursion)
- Gratuities
- Independent meals and sight-seeing
To Register: just click on the Sign Up Now button. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your spot in the workshop. Payment can be made on line with a credit card, or you can follow the instructions to send in your registration and payment by mail. Once we receive your deposit we will send you a formal Registration Confirmation with further information about the program. You will receive 2-3 other correspondences by email prior to the workshop with information about Italy, a supplies list and an electronic invoice for the balance. Final Balance is due by August 15th. Any time prior to your arrival, if you have questions about anything regarding the trip or the program, you can contact us by email or phone and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Cancellation policy:
$500 deposit is non-refundable. For cancellation:
- 60 days prior to workshop, full refund due less non-refundable deposit.
- 30-60 days prior to workshop, 50% refund of balance paid allowed, less non-refundable deposit.
Less than 30 days prior to workshop, no refund due.
Il Chiostro recommends personal travel insurance to cover the possibility of unexpected or last-minute cancellation.
Contact us for more information: info@ilchiostro.com or speak to us live at 800-990-3506.
Borgo San Fedele
-- San Fedele is a restored 12th century monastery floating in the Chianti hills --
Il Chiostro at San Fedele is the combined skills of Linda and Michael of Il Chiostro joining together with Nicolo and Renata of San Fedele to produce a unique and inspiring environment rooted in the traditional Tuscan values of beauty, great food, an appreciation for nature and the value of community. The monastery, dating back to the 12th century, was meticulously restored using traditional building methods and all original materials. Today, the monastery remains true to its original spirit, rich architectural detail. The 16 rooms and suites where participants are housed have lovely modern bathrooms, screened windows, air conditioning, period furniture, wi-fi internet service, satellite television and minibar, all designed to perfectly compliment the medieval surroundings.
The original soaring chapel is now used as a large art studio or workshop space. The monks' refectory, where a lost 16th century fresco was uncovered during renovation, is now the dining room connected to a state-of-the-art kitchen and the old stone cantinas where they stored their wine have been transformed into studio and classroom space.
For information about the history of this monastery, Click here to go to San Fedele's web site...
Rather than hotel, San Fedele is classified as a historic residence in Italy. That means that it is an intimate setting, preserved along strict historical guidelines to preserve the spirit of the setting. The owners are on site to oversee this unique combination of historic landmark and modern day comfort.
Accommodations are spacious shared double rooms or junior suites. Each room, because it was converted from the original structure of the monastery without altering the building, is unique in shape. Furnishings and decor were selected to coordinate with the historic, subdued feeling of the monastery, but in a comfortable, modern style. All rooms have two beds that can be separated into twins or combined into one large matrimonial. There is a sitting area, refrigerator, DSL wi-fi, television, air-conditioning, heating, modern private bathroom with shower and hair dryers.
There are a limited number of single rooms available at a supplement of $575.
2 Jr. Suites for a minimum of 2 people are available for a supplement of $275 per person.
Archway from rose garden and breakfast buffet in the refectory (photos by Lester Lefkowitz)
The back of San Fedele is surrounded by a large al fresco dining terrace with the original terra cotta tile designs reproduced down to the smallest details. The terrace overlooks the same organic vegetable and flower garden tended by the monks for centuries. Beyond are the rolling Chianti vineyards that make this part of Tuscany so breathtaking.
Other common spaces include a large classroom carved into the rock of the ancient wine cellar, an expansive private piazza, a 16 x 7 meter swimming pool and sprawling landscaped grounds on a rolling hillside.
Florence will be our meeting point on the first day of the workshop. A van will pick up the group at the train station at about 3:30 pm on Saturday.
We recommend that you fly into either Florence, Pisa, or Rome (Milan is a bit too far away). Florence is closer, but it doesn`t have an intercontinental airport, so there are no direct flights from the US. You would have to change planes in a larger European city. From the Florence airport, you must take a shuttle bus (Volainbus) to the center (20 minutes).
There are more scheduled flights from the US to Rome, many of them direct. From Rome, you will need to take a train to Florence (about 2 1/2 hours).
Important! In making your return flight arrangements, if you are flying home on Saturday after the workshop, try not to book a flight too early. From our location, allow 1 ½ hours to get to the Florence airport or 3 ½ hours to get to the Rome airport.
For suggestions about getting to Rome or Florence, accommodations, or other logistics, please consult our Traveling to Italy link. Renting a car from all the major rental agencies is possible if you prefer to be more independent during the week.
Travel Agents & Insurance: Over the last few years, the way we travel has undergone significant changes. For that reason, we now encourage everyone to use a professional travel agent when arranging their trips. Travel agents save you time and stress by handling all the details and tailoring your itinerary to your needs. One of the most important services they offer today is helping you choose and enroll in the right travel insurance program. With COVID and the continued possibility of schedule changes or postponements, travel insurance has become essential, and selecting the right plan on your own can be overwhelming.
If you encounter any issues during your travels, your agent can provide quick support and solutions, taking the pressure off your shoulders. While booking through online sites like Expedia or Hotels.com may seem more convenient or less expensive, they offer little help if you need to modify your plans. A travel professional, on the other hand, is there to assist you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and worry-free travel experience.
If you choose to Go It Alone, we highly recommend taking out travel insurance for the trip in the event of any unforeseen obstacles to your travel. We recommend Travelex (800) 504-7883 or Travel Guard International (877) 901-7599.
About Your Il Chiostro Hosts
Linda and Michael, and their program managers will host your program in Tuscany. They have been organizing workshops in Italy since 1995 and each person brings a special talent to the program. You can read more about them by following the About Il Chiostro link. At the Tuscan Renaissance Center, the owners of San Fedele, Nicolo and Renata, live on site. They will be available throughout the program to talk about the history of the monastery, the renovation and this area of Tuscany they call home.
In addition to your workshop
Optional activities offered with this program will focus on the cultural, gastronomic, historical and artistic heritage of Tuscany. This area has been an inspiration to countless people for centuries. What Tuscany offers its visitors is truly astounding:
Art - San Fedele is located conveniently between the cities of Medieval Siena and Renaissance Florence packed with some of the most famous masterpieces in the world.
Wine -You are in the heart of the Chianti region, synonomous with the most famous wine that Italy produces. But the innovative Tuscan vintners are also producing Super Tuscans, red varietals that are quickly ascending the ranks of world-class wine.
History - this area was settled by the Etruscans centuries before the Romans were a civilized society. Their necropoli dot the fields throughout the area. Nearby towns like Radda, Vagliagli and Castellina date from the early Middle Ages. Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. San Fedele witnessed most of this from its panoramic perch atop the hillside.
Food - cucina povera is the typical Tuscan cuisine that has become popular around the world. The recipes are simple, emphasizing local and seasonal products: porcini mushrooms, salumi, legumes, vegetables, pasta, bread and game meats. Visiting an outdoor food market, you will understand the wisdom of this very healthy cuisine.
Crafts - perhaps the harmony of the landscape has been the inspiration for many local craftsmen. Exquisite hand-painted ceramics are the prime example, closely followed by mosaics, leather, woodworking, and textiles.
Marie Fratoni is the CEO of Get Clients Everywhere working globally to help professionals build solid, long-term, successful businesses.
She coaches business owners and professionals to become savvy, social, and successful through cultivating professional relationships that are both fulfilling and profitable. She provides sound business-building strategies, coaching, and growth-filled seminars that are fun, dynamic and valuable.
As a community leader, Marie makes a difference! She is a staunch support for women in business, founding and leading several professional organizations throughout the years, designed to up-level the careers of women. She is the Founder of the Women’s Professional Development Network (WPDN) in Atlanta, a division of Get Clients Everywhere.
Her strong community involvement in charitable causes and organizations has placed her into the Who’s Who of Women in Business and the Who’s Who of International Business. Marie is a Registered Corporate Coach, RCC, popular Speaker, and she absolutely loves helping business owners double or triple their income.
Website: www.getclientseverywhere.com
