Who will we be traveling with?
Your host, Chelsea Ward, has been traveling back and forth to Italy for over a decade.
She speaks Italian, is friends with locals in both of our retreat destinations and is a watercoloring addict! She LOVES sharing her favorite towns, restaurants and sketching knowledge with travelers on the retreats when she's not running her other businesses in Southern California.
Click here to learn more about how Chelsea came to be addicted to Italy and watercolors.
The rest of the group will be filled with lovely, like-minded, travel loving folks who want a week under the Tuscan sun just as much as you! We've had some really great groups over the years and are lucky to still call many of these guests friends, and repeat retreat attendees!
She speaks Italian, is friends with locals in both of our retreat destinations and is a watercoloring addict! She LOVES sharing her favorite towns, restaurants and sketching knowledge with travelers on the retreats when she's not running her other businesses in Southern California.
Click here to learn more about how Chelsea came to be addicted to Italy and watercolors.
The rest of the group will be filled with lovely, like-minded, travel loving folks who want a week under the Tuscan sun just as much as you! We've had some really great groups over the years and are lucky to still call many of these guests friends, and repeat retreat attendees!
What to expect?
We're planning an incredible week filled with adventure, creating and, of course, eating!
Which will include: guided instruction in watercoloring and sketching, cooking classes, wine tasting excursions, day trips, group dinners and more wonderful surprises! There will be a fair amount of walking, and up stairs and hills at times, so please take that into consideration. But we promise the view will be worth it ;)
Which will include: guided instruction in watercoloring and sketching, cooking classes, wine tasting excursions, day trips, group dinners and more wonderful surprises! There will be a fair amount of walking, and up stairs and hills at times, so please take that into consideration. But we promise the view will be worth it ;)
Where will we be staying?
Week 1: We'll be staying in a gorgeous renovated villa located just on the outskirts of Castiglion Fiorentino. This quaint little town is about an hour south of Florence and tucked between Arezzo and Cortona. Take a peek at this famous movie to get an idea of just how pretty this area is...
Our private villa has been in our friend's family for generations and it's completely charming...and has a pool!
Ready for that glass of prosecco by the pool? We are!
Week 2: We're also headed to Lucca, one of our favorite hidden gem towns of Italy! A friend of ours has some wonderful, renovated (read: AIR CONDITIONING) apartments right in the historic center of Lucca! Seriously, when you walk out of the building you're in the historic center of town and just 2 blocks from our favorite gelato! We'll be walking distance from shopping, art supplies, cafes, restaurants and some lovely sites and landmarks for sketching.
Our private villa has been in our friend's family for generations and it's completely charming...and has a pool!
Ready for that glass of prosecco by the pool? We are!
Week 2: We're also headed to Lucca, one of our favorite hidden gem towns of Italy! A friend of ours has some wonderful, renovated (read: AIR CONDITIONING) apartments right in the historic center of Lucca! Seriously, when you walk out of the building you're in the historic center of town and just 2 blocks from our favorite gelato! We'll be walking distance from shopping, art supplies, cafes, restaurants and some lovely sites and landmarks for sketching.
When will we be leaving?
Early through mid June of 2021! Fall dates are in the works ;)
Our Villa Retreat in Castiglion Fiorentino is June 5-12, 2021, and our Lovely Lucca Retreat is June 15-22, 2021.
Plan to have a full week in Southern Tuscany (Castiglion Fiorentino) or West Tuscany (Lucca) but feel free to add a couple days to the beginning or end of your time with us to explore on your own...we definitely recommend a few extra days (1-2 on each end of the retreat) so you don't feel rushed, as well to adjust for the time change and jet lag!
It's no fun having only a week in Italy and feeling like you need a nap for the first few days. We have a blog post detailing how we personally fight jet lag but the best remedy is giving yourself a couple extra days on the front end to adjust before the retreat begins.
We are more than happy to send you recommendations of towns to visits and places to stay and we have many city guides posted over on the Wanderful Journal ready for you to check out.
Our Villa Retreat in Castiglion Fiorentino is June 5-12, 2021, and our Lovely Lucca Retreat is June 15-22, 2021.
Plan to have a full week in Southern Tuscany (Castiglion Fiorentino) or West Tuscany (Lucca) but feel free to add a couple days to the beginning or end of your time with us to explore on your own...we definitely recommend a few extra days (1-2 on each end of the retreat) so you don't feel rushed, as well to adjust for the time change and jet lag!
It's no fun having only a week in Italy and feeling like you need a nap for the first few days. We have a blog post detailing how we personally fight jet lag but the best remedy is giving yourself a couple extra days on the front end to adjust before the retreat begins.
We are more than happy to send you recommendations of towns to visits and places to stay and we have many city guides posted over on the Wanderful Journal ready for you to check out.
What will we be doing?
We're planning a week filled with adventures through our favorite small towns, Castiglion Fiorentino and Lucca, as well as day trips through some of our favorite nearby towns (Cortona, Pienza, Florence, and Garfagnana for example). There will be scheduled days but also lots of open time for you to explore solo through the city, relax by our pool (at the villa), rent a bike to ride around the walls of Lucca or create on your own at your own pace.
Speaking of creating...we will be teaching you how to travel sketch using journaling, collage, drawing and watercolor in your very own travel sketchbook.
And we can't forget the food...there will be wine and olive oil tastings, cooking lessons and plenty of time for relaxing, lengthy meals together.
Speaking of creating...we will be teaching you how to travel sketch using journaling, collage, drawing and watercolor in your very own travel sketchbook.
And we can't forget the food...there will be wine and olive oil tastings, cooking lessons and plenty of time for relaxing, lengthy meals together.
Do I have to paint? What if I've never painted before?
No, you don't have to paint! We'd love it if you tried but we won't force you to either.
We will be the first to admit that watercolors aren't for everyone, but what better place to try them than in Italy? It's where Chelsea learned to love them!
We will also be more than happy to teach you all the basics if you've never tried watercoloring before!
Want an idea on what to buy? Check out our recommended supplies here.
We will be giving instruction for watercoloring, journaling and sketching. You are more than welcome to bring any of your own favorite art making supplies (chalk pastels, colored pencils, acrylics, etc) and we will be happy to advise you on technique, color selection and use as best we can.
If you prefer to only journal or collage in your sketchbook, or just make lists of all the flavors of gelato you eat, that's fine too!
We will be the first to admit that watercolors aren't for everyone, but what better place to try them than in Italy? It's where Chelsea learned to love them!
We will also be more than happy to teach you all the basics if you've never tried watercoloring before!
Want an idea on what to buy? Check out our recommended supplies here.
We will be giving instruction for watercoloring, journaling and sketching. You are more than welcome to bring any of your own favorite art making supplies (chalk pastels, colored pencils, acrylics, etc) and we will be happy to advise you on technique, color selection and use as best we can.
If you prefer to only journal or collage in your sketchbook, or just make lists of all the flavors of gelato you eat, that's fine too!
What about the free day during the week? How does that work?
The "free day" during the retreat week is the day YOU get to decide everything! We are more than happy to offer ideas for places to visit (a train ride to Pisa or Orvieto, a shopping or museum day in Florence, or wine tasting in Chianti have been popular destinations in past retreats) but you're also more than welcome to just lounge by the pool at the Villa, or around the apartment in Lucca if you need a day to just relax and reflect...or catch up on sleep!
We are fully at your disposal that day and will accompany you if you like! While there is only one of us (sorry!) and we can't be in 3 places at once (how cool would that be?), we can help arrange private transportation for you in the event we can't accompany you ourself! Please note that transportation fees (train tickets or private drivers) on the "free day" are not included in the overall retreat cost. If Chelsea's driving the group somewhere though, she will happily drive in exchange for a gelato ;)
We are fully at your disposal that day and will accompany you if you like! While there is only one of us (sorry!) and we can't be in 3 places at once (how cool would that be?), we can help arrange private transportation for you in the event we can't accompany you ourself! Please note that transportation fees (train tickets or private drivers) on the "free day" are not included in the overall retreat cost. If Chelsea's driving the group somewhere though, she will happily drive in exchange for a gelato ;)
What if I don't speak any Italian?
È va bene! It's okay!
Your host Chelsea lived in Italy for 2 years after college and has been going back to Italy every year for a decade. She's picked up the language and will be more than happy to translate and help navigate you through Tuscany.
Worried about traveling solo without a translator? Don't be! Many signs in the airports and train stations have English translations and LOTS of Italians know at least a little English. Plus, they're very friendly. We compiled a journal post about how we leaned Italian and apps we still use to this day to keep it fresh in our minds. And, when in doubt...there's always the Google Translate App!
Your host Chelsea lived in Italy for 2 years after college and has been going back to Italy every year for a decade. She's picked up the language and will be more than happy to translate and help navigate you through Tuscany.
Worried about traveling solo without a translator? Don't be! Many signs in the airports and train stations have English translations and LOTS of Italians know at least a little English. Plus, they're very friendly. We compiled a journal post about how we leaned Italian and apps we still use to this day to keep it fresh in our minds. And, when in doubt...there's always the Google Translate App!
Am I "too old/young"? Will it be weird if I'm by myself? Can my husband come?
No one is ever too old/young/solo for one of our retreats!
We've had all sorts of ages join; young ladies fresh out of high school traveling with their mom, mid-thirties on summer break from teaching and even some ladies with grandchildren back home. Everyone is more than welcome on a Wanderful Retreat! Even your husbands! While our general audience is usually lovely ladies, if your husband or partner wants to join he is more than welcome!
If you plan on bringing young children though, please email us in advance to fully discuss the logistics (car sets, drinking age in Italy, participation expectations, etc). If you wish to come as a family and stay elsewhere for more privacy, we can help you arrange that too.
Still nervous about no knowing anyone? Don't be! Our groups end up being filled with lovely, traveling loving folks that are open to making friends and sharing some delicious meals and memories! We are still good friends with MANY of our past guests that we didn't know before they attended a retreat. One has come back on multiple retreats and another meets up with Chelsea somewhere in Italy every summer for a Spritz!
We've had all sorts of ages join; young ladies fresh out of high school traveling with their mom, mid-thirties on summer break from teaching and even some ladies with grandchildren back home. Everyone is more than welcome on a Wanderful Retreat! Even your husbands! While our general audience is usually lovely ladies, if your husband or partner wants to join he is more than welcome!
If you plan on bringing young children though, please email us in advance to fully discuss the logistics (car sets, drinking age in Italy, participation expectations, etc). If you wish to come as a family and stay elsewhere for more privacy, we can help you arrange that too.
Still nervous about no knowing anyone? Don't be! Our groups end up being filled with lovely, traveling loving folks that are open to making friends and sharing some delicious meals and memories! We are still good friends with MANY of our past guests that we didn't know before they attended a retreat. One has come back on multiple retreats and another meets up with Chelsea somewhere in Italy every summer for a Spritz!
Which airport should I fly into?
Since Italy is well connected by their train system, most airports are a viable option to fly into (especially if you find a good deal) but some are definitely more convenient than others! Keep in mind too, you could also fly into an airport that's further away with the intent of staying there a couple days to explore before or after your retreat!
For our Tuscan Villa Retreat in Castiglion Fiorentino, Florence is the closest airport but Rome is also a good option. Castiglion Fiorentino is right along the main train route between Rome and Florence so it's easy to hop on a train from the Leonardo DaVinci Airport (Fiumicino) in Rome and get to our villa. Bologna is also another option but you have a slightly longer train ride south to the villa.
For our Historic Lucca Retreat, Pisa and Florence are the closest airports with Pisa only being a quick train ride from Lucca! You could also fly into Milan and take the train south through Cinque Terre. Chelsea has even flown into Rome and taken the train up to Lucca.
For our Tuscan Villa Retreat in Castiglion Fiorentino, Florence is the closest airport but Rome is also a good option. Castiglion Fiorentino is right along the main train route between Rome and Florence so it's easy to hop on a train from the Leonardo DaVinci Airport (Fiumicino) in Rome and get to our villa. Bologna is also another option but you have a slightly longer train ride south to the villa.
For our Historic Lucca Retreat, Pisa and Florence are the closest airports with Pisa only being a quick train ride from Lucca! You could also fly into Milan and take the train south through Cinque Terre. Chelsea has even flown into Rome and taken the train up to Lucca.
Do you offer any discounts?
We have a few discounts and early bird registration incentives! Please note that the 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.
You also have the option of coming on BOTH retreats! Bookings for both consecutive weeks will receive a $800 discount, pending availability
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.
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.
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.
You also have the option of coming on BOTH retreats! Bookings for both consecutive weeks will receive a $800 discount, pending availability
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.
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.
Do you offer payment plans?
Absolutely!
We fully understand that our retreats are an investment and we don't want anyone to miss out on the fun, or be late on their car payments!
Message Chelsea to discuss the best payment plan for you so you can enjoy Tuscany, guilt free, and still keep your landlord happy!
We fully understand that our retreats are an investment and we don't want anyone to miss out on the fun, or be late on their car payments!
Message Chelsea to discuss the best payment plan for you so you can enjoy Tuscany, guilt free, and still keep your landlord happy!
Is my deposit refundable?
No, unfortunately we will not be able to refund deposits. After the cancellation of our 2020 summer retreats in light of Covid-19, we didn't request refunds from our vendors in Italy in order to not leave them in a total lurch. Your deposit ensures that Italian businesses are able to cover things on their end (rent, van payments, etc), and also ensures we can secure their services for the rest of the group...both with current and future retreats!
However we be happy to transfer your initial deposit towards a future retreat! If you do end up cancelling your retreat, we will be sad to see you go but we will do our hardest to refund you the largest amount of what you've paid possible!
However we be happy to transfer your initial deposit towards a future retreat! If you do end up cancelling your retreat, we will be sad to see you go but we will do our hardest to refund you the largest amount of what you've paid possible!
What's NOT included in the price?
Airfare is not included. 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 airport to the destination city is also not included but we can help arrange for a private transfer if needed. Private transfers to/from airports are not included.
Many of the meals are included but not all! We provide breakfast at the villa or apartment everyday during the retreat. We are happy to give you many recommendations of places to eat on the solo meals (or split a pizza with you too!) but also feel free to use the kitchens at our homes! The produce in Italy is amazing so it's easy to whip up some tasty (and affordable) meals in our adorable kitchens. Have you seen the recipes on our Wanderful Journal?
We provide a mixed paper sketchbook, hand-bound by Chelsea. All other art materials (brushes, watercolors, additional 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. Or shop from our recommended list of traveling supplies, as well as recommended travel art making supplies! Chelsea brings LOTS of her favorite supplies if you'd like to test them out in Italy first before shopping at one of the AMAZING art stores in Florence and Lucca.
Many of the meals are included but not all! We provide breakfast at the villa or apartment everyday during the retreat. We are happy to give you many recommendations of places to eat on the solo meals (or split a pizza with you too!) but also feel free to use the kitchens at our homes! The produce in Italy is amazing so it's easy to whip up some tasty (and affordable) meals in our adorable kitchens. Have you seen the recipes on our Wanderful Journal?
We provide a mixed paper sketchbook, hand-bound by Chelsea. All other art materials (brushes, watercolors, additional 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. Or shop from our recommended list of traveling supplies, as well as recommended travel art making supplies! Chelsea brings LOTS of her favorite supplies if you'd like to test them out in Italy first before shopping at one of the AMAZING art stores in Florence and Lucca.
Well...what are you waiting for?
Give yourself a week under the Tuscan sun that you'll never forget!
Click here to stay up to date on upcoming retreats and reserve your spot today!
Click here to stay up to date on upcoming retreats and reserve your spot today!
Still not quite sure? Send us an email so we can answer any questions you might have!
"Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true."
