October 1 - 8, 2026
Val D’Orcia Region of Southern Italy
An Italian Immersion of Food, Fun and Adventure!
Interested? Send us a note at info@forthesoulretreat.com
We’re putting together another small, boutique retreat for 10-12 women in one of Italy’s most beautiful regions!
Nestled in the heart of Tuscany and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Val d’Orcia enchants visitors with its rolling hills, orderly vineyards, medieval hill towns, and the classic cypress-lined roads that capture the essence of the Italian countryside.
We are immersing ourselves in the Tuscan culinary experience, including nearby winery visits, olive oil tastings and a truffle hunt with lunch. The area’s thermal baths add a wellness dimension rooted in ancient Roman tradition and an afternoon at the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore where we will experience a Gregorian chant service encourages us to slow down and appreciate the peaceful beauty of the surroundings.
While this retreat is experience focused, it is also designed to allow you to connect with yourself with intentional “downtimes”. This isn't a trip where we rush from one place to another and tick off a list of landmarks. It’s soulful. Slower. Giving us time to breathe and reflect.
We hope you leave this retreat not only with an unforgettable experience, but also with a renewed sense of purpose, peace and clarity in your life. Of course it’s the company of interesting, curious women in their “third act” give our retreats their unique magic. The conversations shared around the table- exchanging stories, wisdom and challenges-often spark friendships that continue long after the retreat ends.
Highlights of the Week Include:
7 nights and 8 days at adjoining historic family villas, complete with 11 bedrooms and dedicated bathrooms. (A shared room may be available for a reduced fee. Please ask). Located in front of a medieval castle, in the small town of San Giovanni d’Asso, the villas have elegant gathering spaces, large communal dining tables on the terrace or indoors, two pools, large gardens and sweeping views of the Tuscan hills. Daily housekeeping is included.
Daily breakfast and delicious meals created by a private chef at our villa, or authentic local restaurants for lunch and dinner. Regional wines from Brunello and neighboring areas are included.
An ancient ritual that doesn’t just relax, it renews. A spa day devoted to rejuvenation in mineral-rich thermal waters, long prized for their healing properties. Book an optional personal treatment, or simply unwind in the resort’s private thermal pools and indoor facilities.
A day in Arezzo browsing the charming stalls of Italy’s famous monthly antique fair and relaxing with a coffee or glass of wine in the vibrant Piazza Vasari.
A lively cooking class with our local chef, where we then enjoy the fruits of our labor!
A morning and lunch in the ideal Renaissance city of Pienza, offering elegant piazzas, panoramic terraces, and artisanal cheese shops specializing in Pecorino di Pienza.
A guided tour of the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, featuring its winery, pharmacy, library, and a moving Gregorian chant service.
Truffle hunting followed by a truffle and oil tasting lunch in the woods. We are in prime truffle territory, in the season for white truffles. The truffle museum in our little village is fun and educational.
A wine tasting meal and tour at a famous Brunello winery in the medieval village of Montalcino.
Daily opportunity for riposo and reflection.
A fabulous Italian travel guide is with us the entire week to share her knowledge of the area.
Private, licensed transportation each day to our destination.
Additional details: We ask that all participants arrive in Florence, Italy by September 30, and plan for a departure from Florence on or after October 9 since most international flights depart by noon. We will be having dinner together as a group on Wednesday (30th) evening, and also on our return to the hotel at the end of the week on Thursday evening. These two dinners in Florence are NOT included in the retreat fee.
An optional extension in Florence may be available if several women are interested. In 2025, we had some wonderful guides and visited the Uffizi and Accademia (the David), a local market, and enjoyed several restaurants. We recommend the https://ilguelfobianco.it from our stay in 2025. Everyone liked their room, the hotel was well situated and was about $300 a night depending on your room choice.
Interested? Send an email to info@forthesoulretreat.com for more details.
This retreat has very limited availability! We are honored that four of our previous Italy participants have asked to explore this region with us, and most are bringing a friend. If you are interested, please reach out immediately to secure one of the few spots or join the wait list.
We also have plans for another retreat in the Le Marche region of Italy in May, 2027. This retreat also has significant early interest so please let us know if you’d like to be on an early invite list.