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OCTOBER 11-17, 2020

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Italian Escape Couples Retreat  

ITALY | May 1-6, 2023

With Phylicia & Josh Masonheimer

THE RETREAT

For five days and nights, escape the demands of your regular routine and join bestselling author, Phylicia Masonheimer along with her husband Josh, for a spectacular couples getaway in the hills just outside Rome. We'll have the exclusive use of our own private villa where there's plenty of space to wander the gorgeous grounds, relax or socialize. During the day we'll explore the surrounding area and in the evenings, we'll have meaningful conversations over meals prepared by a chef from locally-sourced ingredients. This is a week designed to be a soul-nourishing getaway, helping you foster a deeper connection to yourself and your spouse while giving you the opportunity to spend time with others on the same journey.

THE ITINERARY

To start each day, Josh and Phylicia will lead morning worship time in Scripture, song and prayer and breakfast will be prepared by the villa's private chef. Afterwards, we will take advantage of all the wonderful offerings in the surrounding area. Experiences include a guided cycle tour of Via Appia, one of Rome's first roads; a day spent in the city of Rome with a guided tour; a gnocchi-making cooking class; a winery tour with an optional tasting as well as a day trip to the nearby hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo.

ACCOMMODATION

We will be staying in a private, family-owned villa which is part of a large vineyard estate known as a 'tenuta' just outside Italy's capital city, Rome. Only a half hour from Rome's Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, the villa has sweeping views of the adjacent golf course and the surrounding area known as Castelli Romani.

 

The estate has three separate houses: the main villa, Casale San Carlo, along with two separate houses; Casale San Giorgio and Casale Sant'Antonio. The entire property can comfortably sleep up to twenty people -- most rooms have en-suite bathrooms while others have shared bathrooms. 

 

The main villa has six bedrooms, a large living, a separate smaller living area and beautifully decorated dining dining room.  

Casale Sant'Antonio has four double bedrooms and three bathrooms, along with a spacious living, dining room and kitchen. 

 

Casale San Giorgio has two double bedrooms and two en suite bathrooms, plus a kitchen, living and dining area.

All the houses are within easy walking distance, just a stone's throw away from one another and share the estates beautiful grounds which includes two pools with lounge chairs and umbrellas as well as plenty of space for walking, lazing or wandering.

The property has wifi and air-conditioning as well as a private chef preparing all our breakfasts and dinners.

A NOTE FROM PHYLICIA

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Phylicia Masonheimer

In our nine years of marriage, Josh and I have experienced autoimmune disease, loss of employment, moving across the country, emotional hurt and hardship. Add to this the daily work of discipling young children, making dinner and trying to find time for each other - like any Christian marriage, it hasn't been easy! We have imperfectly worked to protect our marriage against the odds. Fighting for your covenant is hard work, and this retreat is designed to be a refreshing time for Christian couples who need that breath of fresh air.

 

Josh and I aren't leading this retreat to offer any formal counseling or teaching, but to encourage other couples to "turn to God... that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (Acts 3:19-21)

We hope to see you in Italy!

 

PHYLICIA'S BIO

Phylicia Masonheimer is a bestselling author, Bible teacher, and host of the Verity podcast. Her blog and shop, "Every Woman a Theologian," teach Christians how to know what they believe, why they believe it, and how to share their faith authentically. Phylicia's content touches on discipling kids, navigating core doctrine, Christian marriage and other areas of life in general. She lives in northern Michigan with her husband, Josh, and three children: Adeline, Geneva, and Van.

COST & INCLUSIONS

Prices range from £2550 - £3020 per person

and vary depending on room option.

(Click here for exchange rates)

RETREAT INCLUDES:

  • ROUNDTRIP TRANSFER FROM ROME'S FIUMICINO LEONARDO DA VINCI AIRPORT TO VILLA

  • FIVE NIGHTS' ACCOMMODATION IN ROMAN COUNTRYSIDE VILLA

  • DAILY BREAKFASTS & DINNERS PREPARED BY PRIVATE CHEF

  • SOME LUNCHES 

  • GUIDED BIKE RIDE ALONG APPIAN WAY 

  • GNOCCHI-MAKING COOKING CLASS

  • WINERY TOUR & OPTIONAL TASTING

  • GUIDED DAY-TRIP TO ROME

  • TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM ORGANIZED EXCURSIONS

  • ENGLISH / ITALIAN SPEAKING GUIDE FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP

Activities such as golfing can be added for an additional expense.

 If this retreat resonates with you and you'd like to secure your place, a £1500 nonrefundable deposit is required (per person).

 

Final nonrefundable payment due February 1, 2023.

Please note that if for any reason this retreat does not run or is cancelled you will be refunded in full.

 

For further details, see Terms & Conditions.

FAQs

Is airfare included? 

Airfare is not included but once you arrive nearly everything else is, aside from a few lunches when you have free time. See inclusions here

Where's the best airport to fly into?

Rome's Fiumicino Airport (also known as Leonardo da Vinci International Airport) is best. We will gather flight information and arrange airport pick-up for everyone.

Is it possible to come a day early and still take advantage of the transportation to the villa?

Some people like to come a day or two before the retreat and explore Rome. If you are arriving early, we suggest you make your way back to the airport in order to make use of the transfer to the villa. The Leonardo Express runs from the airport to Rome's main train station, Roma Termini every fifteen minutes. Tickets are €8 each way. Alternatively there are taxis which have a flat €50 airport rate from the city center to the airport and vice versa.

Is this an adult-only retreat?

Yes, we all love our little ones but we intentionally designed this getaway as adult-only so you can fully enjoy rare, uninterrupted time together!

Is there WiFi at the villa?

Yes, but it is the countryside so it can be spotty. 

Why Duende Retreats?

Duende Retreats offers unique experiences to those who want to travel on a deeper level to create lasting connections with themselves, the places they visit and those they meet along the way. Read on to find out more. 

After I deposit, what happens next?

After you deposit, you'll get a confirmation email letting you know we've received your payment and your booking is confirmed. As the retreat date nears, we'll be in touch with helpful tips and further information.

If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to duende@duenderetreats.com

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius

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