ITALY
Lucca & Liguria with 4Blondes Mahjong
April 18th - 23rd, 2027 | Additional Villa
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Lucca & Liguria, Italy
We’ve added a villa! Just twenty minutes away from the first, fully-booked villa, we’ll enjoy five nights in the rolling Tuscan countryside just outside the enchanting walled city of Lucca.
Join us, along with Alizabeth and Audrey Maw of 4Blondes Mahjong, for five nights in the rolling Tuscan countryside just outside the enchanting walled city of Lucca. Our home for the week is the perfect base for discovering two of Italy's most captivating regions: Tuscany and Liguria.
We'll wander Lucca's charming cobblestone streets on a guided tour, stroll atop its famous tree-lined Renaissance walls, linger in sun-drenched piazzas, and savor the region's exceptional food and wine at an unhurried pace.
We'll also spend a day in Liguria exploring the breathtaking Cinque Terre, where vibrant fishing villages tumble down dramatic cliffs into the sparkling Mediterranean. By evening, we’ll enjoy mahjong back at the villa before and after dinner prepared by our very own private chef.
✦ Enjoy a cooking class at the villa
✦ Enjoy delicious food at Dario Cecchini’s Officina della Bistecca
Highlights
✦ Savor Tuscan wines at beautiful, award-winning winery
✦ Discover Lucca and Le Cinque Terre on guided tours
The Experience
Exploring the Best of Two Regions: Tuscany & Liguria
Using the villa as a base during the week, we'll take day trips to nearby Lucca, Greve in Chianti and Le Cinque Terre (which is in the region of Liguria). We'll enjoy a wine tasting at a top winery, lunch at world-famous butcher, Dario Cecchini's Officina della Bistecca, a cooking class at the villa, and of course, dinners prepared by a private, locally-based chef followed by relaxed evenings of mahjong.
Le Cinque Terre
Spend the day enjoying the 'five lands' or as they're better known: Le Cinque Terre. These stunning villages, perched on steep craggy cliffs, are some of the most picturesque, panoramic views in all of Italy.
Greve in Chianti
We'll experience the best Chianti has to offer at a top, award-winning winery where we'll have a tour and tasting. Afterwards we'll head to lunch at eighth-generation family butcher and Chef Table's Dario Cecchini's Antica Macelleria - Officina della Bistecca. Don't worry if you're a vegetarian, a vegetarian menu is available.
Cooking Class
A cooking class will be held at the in the villa’s gorgeous kitchen by a local English-speaking chef well-versed in teaching Italian recipes to those who want to take them home and integrate them into their weekly repertoire.
The Accommodation
We’ll stay in an exclusive 15th-century de Medici villa
Just outside Lucca, steeped in history and surrounded by the beauty of the Tuscan countryside, this elegant 15th-century villa was originally built as a hunting retreat for the De Medici family. Today, it combines the character and charm of a bygone era with the comforts of modern life. From its beautiful historic details and generous spaces to its peaceful setting, the villa offers an exceptional backdrop for retreat, connection and relaxation. Air-conditioned bedrooms, a lift, satellite television and Wi-Fi throughout the villa and its outdoor spaces ensure that every modern convenience is close at hand.
The family-owned 15th-century villa can accommodate up to twenty people. Bathrooms are both private and shared. The rooms look out to the surrounding countryside and overlook the property’s beautiful pool.
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Shared room with bathroom (beds separate to twins)
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Shared room with private bathrom (shared between the two people sharing the room only)
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Superior single room with double bed and private bathroom
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King size bed with private bathroom
Alizabeth Maw
The journey of
Alizabeth is a lead team member for 4 Blondes Mahjong in Boston, helping grow the Mahjong community throughout Boston and the surrounding area through lessons, leagues, tournaments, corporate events, and private experiences.
As Audrey’s daughter, the two share a natural passion for bringing people together, creating fun experiences, and making sure no one ever feels intimidated walking up to a Mahjong table. Alizabeth loves introducing new players to American Mahjong and helping them go from learning the basics to feeling comfortable and confident in the game.
Known for her patient, approachable teaching style, Alizabeth believes Mahjong is about far more than the game itself. It’s about connection, friendship, and creating a community where everyone feels like they belong.
At 4 Blondes Mahjong, we believe there’s always a seat for you at our Mahjong table, and Alizabeth brings that belief to every table she teaches.
Inclusions
Prices are per person and include:
Shared rooms starting at
£3350 per person
Arrive early, stay late.
Let us help create the perfect add-on experience to enhance your trip. Both Rome and Florence are great places to spend a few nights in on either end of your retreat.
Rome
Florence
FAQs
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We recommend you fly into Pisa or Florence as both are in close proximity to Lucca. Alternatively, you can fly into Rome’s Fiumicino Airport and take a train to Lucca. We can help you determine the best route from where you’re traveling from. Write to us: duende@duenderetreats.com
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Yes, absolutely. We offer custom, add-on itineraries for those who'd like to spend a few days in Rome, Florence, or even the Amalfi Coast on either end of the trip. Write to us at duende@duenderetreats.com and we'll help with a bespoke itinerary suited to exactly what you're looking for or simply recommend or book your hotel if that’s what you need.
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This is an itinerary designed for anyone who likes to eat, laugh, walk, cook, wine taste and play mahjong. (Children and anyone under the age of 21 not permitted.)
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While there won’t be anything super strenuous, there is a considerable amount of walking involved. You do need to be physically fit and well to attend.
Private transportation will be provided for all scheduled day trips outside of Lucca. However, participants should expect several hours of walking throughout the week, often on uneven cobblestones and hilly terrain. For this reason, we recommend that guests are in good health, comfortable walking daily, and able to navigate inclines with ease.
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Yes. We require a nonrefundable deposit to confirm your booking. Once the trip is confirmed, we’ll send an email with more details as well as set everyone up on an automatic payment plan. If you prefer not to be on the payment plan, there’s also the option to pay in full 100 days prior to the start date of the retreat.
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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 £250 admin 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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If you’re interested in booking, don’t wait! We full expect to sell out well in advance of our registration closing date, October 28th, 2026.
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While all levels are welcome, if you’re a true novice, we recommend having a few lessons to familiarize yourself with the game before arriving in Italy.
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Yes! We’ll be with the other group during the whole week so rest assured if you have a friend coming and staying at the other villa, you’ll see her daily! We’ll even do some combined evenings — aperitivo, mahjong and dinner — at the other villa so to enjoy both glorious villas!
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.
