OCTOBER 11-17, 2020
Writing with Phylicia in Tuscany
VAL D'ORCIA, TUSCANY
April 23-28, 2023
THE RETREAT
For five days and nights, let go of the demands of your days and anchor yourself deep in the Tuscany hills for uninterrupted writing time alongside bestselling author, Phylicia Masonheimer. We'll have the exclusive use of our own private villa where there are plenty of space to write and read. When you're not scribbling, spend time walking the wild countryside, lounging around the grounds of the estate or having meaningful conversations over meals prepared by a chef from locally-sourced ingredients. This is a week designed to be a soul-nourishing, sensory week for the creative self.
THE SCHEDULE
Each day we will begin with a beautifully prepared breakfast buffet by our local cooks where coffee, tea and juice are aplenty. There will be time for a morning walk or for lazing and writing in the comfort and warmth of your bed, or elsewhere on the property. Writing sessions will include a short, half-hour devotional and instructional talk from Phylicia after which we will break for solitary writing time. When the group reconvenes, we will share what we are working on and there will be the opportunity to brainstorm together.
Monday and Wednesday will be fully devoted to writing while Tuesday we will enjoy a guided hike beginning in Montalcino and ending in one of Italy's most beautiful Romanesque abbeys. Our hike will be followed by a lunch of local specialties at one of Tuscany's top wineries. Thursday we will write in the morning and in the afternoon head to a nearby castle for a tour and cooking class with an unforgettable view.
ACCOMMODATION
We will be staying in a private villa which is part of a larger, family-owned estate. An hour and a half from Florence, and fifteen minutes from Montalcino, the villa is nestled amid some of the world's most inspiring landscapes. Surrounded by the family's olive groves and 600 hectares of vineyards, with a pool and several panoramic sitting areas, the grounds are perfect for plenty of peace and quiet...a great place for holing away for a glorious week of writing.
The villa also has wifi, a washing machine, air-conditioning and a private chef.
YOUR FACILITATOR
Phylicia Masonheimer
A NOTE FROM PHYLICIA...
As soon as I could spell I was stapling paper into little folded “books.” I joined poetry competitions as a teen, wrote for the university blog in college, and created e-zines, blogs, and articles by the dozens with my peers. You could say writing was in my blood. But I quickly learned that good writers aren’t born – they are made. They are the product of voracious reading, diligent practice, and consistent study of what makes good writing good.
As a nonfiction writer I believe my best writing is birthed from my understanding of how God designed me. I am His image, made rightly and with goodness, and such knowledge inspires me to excellence in the craft. I am made “right”, good, loved by the Lord, so I write like I was made: to reflect the image of God.
Getting away to write, especially for those of us with busy lives and children, is a rare occasion. I am looking so forward to this retreat, to having uninterrupted time to spend with each other and our pages, surrounded in a such a beautiful place so reflective of God's endless bounty.
BIOGRAPHY
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.
YOUR HOST
Regina Tingle, MFA-W
Hi, I'm Regina. I'm the founder of Duende Retreats, and, I'm a writer. Much like Phylicia, I have always been interested in words. As a kid, I journaled, wrote letters (chain and otherwise) and as an adult, I've learned languages beyond my native tongue. But unlike Phylicia, I didn't always know I wanted to be a writer. In fact, I still don't know if I want to be a writer. And yet, I am. I'm a writer because I write. Regardless of whether anyone ever reads it or not, writing -- for me -- is a practice. Sometimes it feels spiritual and sometimes it feels frivolous.
One of the feelings I love more than when I get the writing right is the feeling I have when I'm around other writers. The shared highs and lows, the knowing of what it takes to plow onward despite the voices in our head telling us otherwise -- it's a special connection of mutual understanding and camaraderie... and what a privilege! To be creating this offering with Phylicia, to get to spend a week with the likes of other writers in a place I love, in a country where I am so firmly rooted. (Italy was my home for thirteen years!) I look forward to sitting with you, hiking with you, writing with you and feeling inspired along side you.
In Italian they say, "Tra dire e fare c'e' mezzo mare," which translates to "between saying and doing lies half a sea." This is so often what I feel when I approach the page. And yet, I've discovered that what lies beyond the hesitation, the doubt, the voices is always, always the gift. I look forward to sharing that with you in Tuscany.
COST & INCLUSIONS
Prices are per person, listed in GBP (click here for exchange rates)
RETREAT INCLUDES:
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ROUNDTRIP PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM FLORENCE TO VILLA
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FIVE NIGHTS' ACCOMMODATION IN VILLA
-
ALL MEALS
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GUIDED HIKE TO ROMANESQUE ABBEY FOLLOWED BY LUNCH IN WINERY & OPTIONAL WINE TASTING
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COOKING CLASS, WINERY TOUR & OPTIONAL BRUNELLO TASTING WITH LUNCH
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TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM ORGANIZED EXCURSIONS
ACCOMMODATION
JASMINE
SINGLE QUEEN WITH EN SUITE BATH & VALLEY VIEW
£3900 - SOLD -
LAVENDER
SINGLE QUEEN WITH SHARED BATH (NOT EN SUITE) & VALLEY VIEW
£3600 - SOLD -
CAPER
VALLEY VIEW DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOM WITH TWO SINGLE BEDS & SHARED BATH (NOT EN SUITE - SHARED WITH ONE OTHER GUEST)
£2600 - SOLD -
ROSE
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOM WITH TWO SINGLE BEDS & PRIVATE BATH (NOT EN SUITE)
£2600 - SOLD -
GERANIUM
SINGLE QUEEN WITH PRIVATE BATH (NOT EN SUITE)
£3700 - SOLD -
BERGAMOT
SINGLE QUEEN WITH EN SUITE SHARED BATH (WITH TWO OTHER GUESTS)
£3600 - SOLD -
WISTERIA
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOM WITH TWO SINGLE BEDS WITH SHARED BATH (SHARED WITH ONE OTHER GUEST)
£2600 - SOLD -
LEMON BLOSSOM
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOM WITH TWO SINGLE BEDS WITH PRIVATE EN SUITE BATH (LOCATED IN SEPARATE, NEIGHBORING COTTAGE)
£2600
ORANGE BLOSSOM
SINGLE QUEEN LOFT BEDROOM WITH PRIVATE EN SUITE BATHROOM (LOCATED IN SEPARATE, NEIGHBORING COTTAGE)
£3700
If this retreat resonates with you and you'd like to secure your place, a £1500 nonrefundable deposit is required.
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. See inclusions here.
Where's the best airport to fly into?
Florence's Peretola Airport is best. We will provide group transfer to the villa from Florence (exact location and time TBD) returning by noon on the last day of the retreat.
What if I fly into Rome or Milan?
No problem. You can easily hop on a train to Florence where we will make sure you know where the meeting point is. Trains run frequently - check the schedule here.
Is it possible to come a day early?
Some people like to explore Florence before heading to the retreat and in fact we advise giving yourself a day or two on either end of the retreat. We can recommend hotels/restaurants and even help with bookings.
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 you're 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