A Tuscan Summer’s Dream
ITALY
with Stella Katherine Cole
Cortona, Tuscany
July 26 - 31, 2025
Cortona
ITALY
Join us, along with American jazz superstar, Stella Katherine Cole, for five days in the Tuscan sun. With the picturesque nearby Cortona as our backdrop, together we'll experience the long Italian summer days with all the region has to offer: charming villages steeped in fascinating history, world-class wines and exquisite cuisine.
Immersed in the intimate, fragrant gardens of the villa, each evening by starlight we'll be wooed by the inimitable voice of the lovely Stella. By the week's end we're certain that neither we nor Tuscany will ever be the same.
✦ Enjoy private jazz soirees by Stella
✦ Explore Tuscany’s landscape on an e-bike ride
Highlights
✦ Stay in the gorgeous villa of the famed, "Under the Tuscan Sun"
✦ Wander quaint Cortona with its lovely cafes and shops
A Tuscan gem of a town just a hop, skip and jump away from Umbria, we'll explore, taste and immerse ourselves in the best both regions have to offer. July is a particularly spectacular time to visit as the surrounding valleys are illuminated by endless vibrant fields of sunflowers in full bloom.
Villa Bramasole
Just outside the charming town of Cortona, we'll have the exclusive use of the gorgeous villa, Bramasole, of the famed, "Under the Tuscan Sun," book and movie. When you arrive at Bramasole, it's clear you're crossing the threshold of a magical place.
Relaxing Spaces
A well-kept garden welcomes you with a fragrant concentration of roses, lavender and rosemary, an evocative and intimate setting for our evening jazz soirees under the stars with a swim afterwards.
The Villa
Italian Luxury
Recently named by Conde' Naste Traveller as one of Italy's top villas, we'll have exclusive use of this villa and its grounds, a stone's throw from Cortona.
Plush Rooms
Each of Bramasole's rooms is plush and cozy, all with ensuite bathrooms and views of the surrounding countryside and grounds
Glorious Grounds
The villa has a swimming pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi hot tub. The 17th century well in the garden adds a beautiful presence in the garden. A brick-paved pergola is beautifully furnished for eating al fresco.
With the villa as our base for the week, we'll enjoy Cortona and its surroundings, take a day trip to nearby Perugia to explore its Etruscan, Roman and Medieval architecture with a local guide. One afternoon we'll enjoy a cooking class at the villa and on another we'll immerse ourselves in the beautiful picturesque hills out on a group guided e-bike ride through hills surrounding Lago Trasimeno.
Along the way we'll (of course!) have time for sipping, tasting and snacking on some of the region's local delicacies. Each evening we'll have dinner at the villa, catered by the villa's incredibly talented chef, Francesco.
The
Experience
Perugia
We'll visit the cosmopolitan city of Perugia, a gorgeous medieval gem full of fascinating history. As the capital of Umbria and also home to one of the oldest universities in the world as well as the university for foreigners, it boasts a large student population -- both Italian and international, keeping it young (despite its pre-Roman roots!).
Cortona
We'll visit Cortona with a guide who'll show us the old town's art and history. We'll also have the chance to see a beautiful sacred monastery founded by Saint Francis in the early 13th century.
Cooking & e-Biking
We'll have a cooking class at the villa one afternoon, a great excuse to make use of the villa's gorgeous kitchen. We'll also get the chance to go on a group guided electric bike tour through the glorious countryside. Along the way, we'll stop, hydrate and snack on some of the region's sumptuous delicacies and wines.
“Life offers you a thousand chances... all you have to do is take one.”
— Frances Mayes, "Under the Tuscan Sun"
Inclusions
Prices are per person and include:
£6000 per person
Shared rooms starting at
Arrive early, stay late.
Coming on a retreat with us and want to arrive a bit beforehand? We can help create the perfect experience to enhance your trip. Choose from one of our packages below and add your preferred experiences.
The 4* Bellissimo, Rome
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Stay in a centrally-located, 4-star boutique hotel for your chosen number of days
Breakfast each day
Vespa Tour of Rome
Airport / train station pick up (arrival only)
from £500 per night
The 4* Botticelli, Florence
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Centrally-located, 4-star boutique hotel for your chosen number of days
Breakfast each day
Guided Walking Artisan Tour of Florence
from £500 per night
The 5* Meraviglioso, Rome
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Centrally-located, 5-star boutique hotel for your chosen number of days
Breakfast each day
Guided Walking Tour
Vespa Tour of Rome
Airport / train station pick up (arrival only)
from £1000 per night
The 5* Michelangelo, Florence
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Centrally-located, 5-star boutique hotel for your chosen number of days
Breakfast each day
Guided Walking Artisan Tour of Florence
from £1000 per night
FAQs
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We recommend you fly into Florence as it's a small, easy airport to navigate and well connected to the city center. It's also where we're all going to meet in Piazza Santa Maria Novella on the first day of the retreat for private transfer to the villa.
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Yes, absolutely. We offer 'bijou' small, add-on itineraries for those who'd like to spend a few days in Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast or Milan on either end of the trip. Just click here, choose your dates and package and voila. Sorted! Don't see what you're looking for among one of our pre-package tours? Write to us at duende@duenderetreats.comand we'll help with a bespoke itinerary suited to exactly what you're looking for.
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All are welcome! It's an itinerary that would be enjoyable for anyone who likes to eat, laugh, walk, cook, cycle, wine taste and explore. (Children not permitted.)
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Yes. When you register and pay your 30% nonrefundable deposit, you can opt into setting up a payment plan.
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Deposits are nonrefundable unless there's a waiting list and someone would like to take your spot. In the case we are able to sell your spot, you will be refunded your deposit, less £150 admin / transaction fees.
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The full itinerary will be sent to you about a month prior to departure. If you have specific questions regarding the excursions, please do reach out to us.
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Our trips, tailored to you.
Any of our trips can be tailored to suit your needs. Click on the button below and fill out our simple easy form and we’ll send you a quote.
