Spannocchia, Italy- click on the castle for more info

A Taste of Tuscany Creatives Retreat

Join award winning artist, Angela Powers for an unforgettable adventure at Tenuta di Spannocchia for a magical week at an enchanting farm.  Spannocchia is an eleven hundred acre organic, sustainable working farm with something to excite everyone:  hiking paths, a vineyard, olive groves, farm animals, verdant gardens, cooking classes, beautiful vistas, eight centuries of rural history with great wine, food and lots of inspiration.  Spannocchia is one of the most beautiful and tranquil places on earth.

 

Tenuta di Spannocchia -The estate belonged to the Spannocchia family from the early 1200's until 1925 when it was purchased by Delfino Cinelli, whose descendants live on and oversee the estate.  Spannocchia is a rural historic working farm, a nature preserve and an educational center.  Along with produce, they produce olive oil, wine and honey.  The farm has also dedicated a large part of the forests with its acorns, chestnuts, and roots to feed the semi- free range Cinta Senese pigs. Their production of excellence is the prosciutto, and sausage, etc.  The animals at Spannocchia are part of  the "Noah's Ark" project to preserve local heritage breeds threatened with extinction including the Monterufoli horses, Monte Amiata donkeys, and Calvin cows.  There is lots to see and explore at Spannocchia.  Spannocchia is the perfect venue for groups: artists, writers, foodies,  gardeners, and nature/farm lovers. 

2025 Anniversary-  Spannocchia celebrated 100 years and 800 years!  It was 1925 that Spannocchia was purchased by Delfino Cinelli and is now owned by his granddaughter Franchesca.  It was 1225 that the iconic tower was built and around that time that the Spannocchia family acquired the estate.  

 

 The Villa: Our accommodations are in the family home or villa with seven well appointed double bedrooms with private baths and beautiful views overlooking the gardens and valley below.  We will have access to a beautiful family room with french doors that open to the villa garden and terrace.  Wine on the terrace is a favorite evening activity.  There is also a library with extensive information about Etruscan Archeology, Art and Architecture.  There is plenty of space to relax, read a book, journal, or enjoy a glass of wine.

   

Farm Tour:  Included in this retreat is a tour of the gardens,  with an overview of the sustainable farm production and the connection to international Slow Food movement and their quality products.  We will also tour the Castello and its grounds including the chapel, the library, the cantina, the secret green, and climb Spannocchia's medieval tower for breath-taking views. makes their own wine, olive oil, pork products, honey, as well as providing most of the vegetables used for our meals.  

 

Included:

Cooking Class: We will prepare a three course Tuscan meal utilizing food products from the estate.  Typically it will be homemade pasta, a meat dish with a vegetable, and a traditional dessert.  Class will end with lunch, accompanied with wine.  

Yoga:  optional yoga/stretching will be offered three days during the week in the former Limonaia (where they wintered the lemon trees of course).  It's now set up with a foam floor so no yoga mats needed.

Journaling/painting:  Included is a watercolor set and journal for you to either journal your day, write recipes, etc. or paint little sketches of the farm.  Paint instruction and supplies provided.  You may also bring whatever art supplies you like.  Inspiration everywhere. 

 

Excursions- These may change for 2026 but these are my favorite. 

Siena- Only 14 miles from Spannocchia, Siena is a UNESCO listed historic center surrounded with a 1,000 year old medieval wall, famous for its twice yearly Palio horse race that takes place from the fan shaped central square. You are on your own to take a city walking tour, explore on your own.  There is great shopping, great food and a lot of history in Sienna, home of the Palio horse races. 

 

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San Gimignano- 24 miles from  Spannocchia, another UNESCO world heritage site, San Gimignano is an Italian hill town encircled by 13th century walls and filled with medieval houses.  It is famous for its skyline of medieval towers and the Duoma de San Gimignano, a 12th century church. Only 15 of the original 72 towers remain and you can still climb them for an impressive view of the surrounding countryside.  The medieval city flourished until 1348 when it was struck by the Black Death, killing half its people and the town eventually submitted to the rule of Florence.  There was little development since so San Gimignano remains preserved in its medieval state.  It is stunningly beautiful.

 

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A Taste of Tuscany Retreat:  $3200

Includes:

accommodations: double room (all twins)

all meals with dinner wine

local transfers at set time to/from Florence

excursions:  Probably Siena, San Gimignano and Pienza.  

cooking class

garden tour

yoga classes

painting/journaling supplies and instruction.  Feel free to bring art supplies of your choice.

 

Does not include flights. 

Send your $600 deposit today. Request an application to be submitted with deposit. Limited to 14 participants.

Angela Powers  Venmo:  angela-powers-13 or check:  9321 Ansley Lane.  Brentwood, TN.  37027

Please feel free to text or call with any questions. 614-271-9306

[email protected] 

 

Angela Powers- I am a professional artist, yoga teacher and my passion is traveling.  I have been leading creative groups to Europe, specifically Italy and France since 2015.  I especially love the beautiful Spannocchia farm and all that it has to offer.  This will be my sixth  group to paint in Europe, fourth at Spannocchia.  I hope you will join us for this unforgettable adventure in Tuscany. 2025! 

2016                                                                           2018                                                                          2024

 

 Spannocchia Favs

 

 

Spannocchia is one of the most beautiful and tranquil places on earth