Secluded Tuscan Art Retreat
Price: £750
Minimum numbers required
Join us on a 5-night all-inclusive secret escape in the Tuscan countryside for daily art, yoga and mindfulness practice. Connect with nature on this simple, back-to-basics art retreat. This refreshing detox from modern life, set in an ancient Tuscan hideaway, with its beautiful gardens and distant views, will delight your mind, body and soul. As a group activity, we will be spending half a day volunteering in the local community: gardening or craft skills.
Representative photo by Nikolett Emmert
Representative photo by Alejandro Henriquez
Representative photo by Santiago Manuel De la Colina
Representative photo by Gary Barnes
What Is and Isn’t Included
7 half-day art projects, with an experienced tutor.
All art materials provided.
High-quality printed handouts.
Optional ‘mind, body and soul’ practice twice a day: breathing exercises, grounding and body awareness, gentle stretches, fun coordination exercises, visualisation, journaling, guided meditation and fire reflection.
Optional beginners yoga sessions Tuesday-Friday mornings.
All meals from Monday dinner to Saturday breakfast are included. Meals are cooked by the monastery’s chef and served in the main dining hall, the Old Chapel. (Courtesy of the monastery hosts)
Simple, shared accommodation. (Courtesy of the monastery hosts)
Access to the monastery’s large private garden 24/7, which includes olive trees, lavender fields, a private pool and a small lake.
Optional self-guided trekking into the local countryside.
Access to the outdoor, private swimming pool from 9am - 7pm.
Small group guaranteed -maximum 16 participants.
Group volunteering session for the local community.
Tourist taxes and fees covered. (Courtesy of the monastery hosts)
Transport to and from the monastery to Pisa Airport is provided (set collection times apply). (Courtesy of the monastery hosts)
Private bathroom with hairdryer, hair & body soap and towels -per room.
Kitchenette with coffee machine, electric boiler, microwave oven, and dishwasher -per apartment.
Common study area as part of accommodation.
Free wi-fi is available both indoors and outdoors.
What Is Included:
Flights.
Travel, medical or cancellation insurance.
Cancellation insurance for pre-booked transport.
Day trips.
Other expenses guests might incur on their own.
Please note: no smoking, vaping, drugs or alcohol. In order to respect the owner’s privacy, photographing or videoing the monastery and its grounds is not permitted.
What Is Not Included:
The price covers the cost of the art materials and tuition fees - your tutors are just charging for their time and expertise. The accommodation, meals and transfers to and from the airport are generously offered by the hosts as part of the non-profit philanthropic purpose that the monastery serves.
Meet Your Tutors
Caroline Tatham
Main art tutor and group leader
Emma Tatham
Art assistant, yoga instructor and emergency contact
Topsy Vanheuverzwijn
‘Mind, body and soul’ tutor
What You’ll Learn
During your stay, your main tutor will be Caroline Tatham, a Royal College of Art graduate and experienced lecturer at colleges such as Central St Martins in London, The English Gardening School and her own well-established Art and Design college: The Cotswold Gardening School.
Art Practice
Together we will embark on a range of fun and informative contemporary watercolour projects, building to a final abstract Tuscan landscape. All exercises are 100% beginner-friendly and no previous experience is required. You’ll get lots of support and encouragement from both Caroline and teaching assistant Emma. You can complete as much or as little as you like.
Drawing inspiration from Tuscany, we will explore the fundamental techniques such as: wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, lifting, glazing, washes, masking fluid, composition and underdrawing. Exercise topics include: a lavender-inspired abstract design, postcards to send home, David Hockney-inspired water patterns and a goldfinch painting in a stylised floral setting -where we’ll explore the importance of symbolism in renaissance painting. In our final project, we will be inspired by the Tuscan landscape around us, to create an abstract landscape in the style of Paul Klee. We will even include a bonus exercise that can be completed at home, to continue your art journey. You will also learn about colour theory and the importance of colour palettes and colour mixing, as well as how to effectively research future artwork projects.
‘Mind, Body and Soul Practice’
As you get in touch with your inner child through playful exploration of colour, shape and texture, there will also be the opportunity to cement your learning with optional, related ‘mind, body and soul' exercises. Drawing on her experience as a karateka and karate instructor, the ‘mind, body and soul’ tutor, Topsy, will introduce some gentle exercises that help promote a healthy mind in a healthy body. Through breathing and focus, as well as grounding and letting go, the practice is intended to find inner balance. Working on body awareness and coordination is great fun too! Having been part of, and holding space for various fire circles, Topsy will also be offering the opportunity for you to tap into this timeless practice. Around the fire, we open up to new possibilities and personal transformation. In a gentle and held way, Topsy will create a space for reflection and setting intentions, linking in with your artistic journey during the retreat. ‘Mind, body and soul’ wellness activities include: breathing exercises, grounding and body awareness, gentle stretches, fun coordination exercises, visualisation, journaling, guided meditation and fire reflection.
Morning Yoga
At the start of each day, you’ll also have the option to take part in beginners yoga with your yoga instructor, Emma. Togther we’ll work through the Sun Salutation, preparing us for the day ahead, full of fun and creativity. At the end of the session, there will be time for reflection, where we’ll practice breathing exercises and visualisation, relating to the day’s art and ‘mind, body and soul’ themes.
The Location:
Monasterino della Conoscenza
The Italian word conoscenza, or knowledge, is at the heart of everything the monastery does: “We encourage the study of all disciplines while here and especially focus on sustainability in the food we serve and how we take care of our gardens.”
Located in a secret area close to Siena’s city centre (just a 7 minute drive), this 11th-century historic monastery is set in a stunning 1 hectare garden, which includes a swimming pool, lavender fields, olive trees, a small luscious lake, trekkings into the countryside and lots of benches, tables and chairs. You’re welcome to explore the vibrant gardens whenever you like, surrounded by hundreds of fruit trees, a vegetable garden, and bee hives with a keeper. The owners of this secret hideaway (whom Caroline has a professional history with) are very private and protective of these magical grounds and property, so much so that the property cannot be found on Google Maps! Due to the owner’s privacy concerns, we ask all students to kindly not take any photographs or videos of the property during their stay.
The Caroline Tatham Art tutors are excited to discover and explore its beauty with the students this summer. There is the option to go trekking into the countryside for days when you don’t feel particularly art-focused.
Site’s History
Founded in 1070 A.D, The Monasterino della Conoscenza is a historical landmark. Its activities have always been dedicated to charity. The nuns who inhabited it in the Middle Ages would provide nourishment for both the body and soul to young Sienese orphan girls. Since then, the premises have been modified and restored.
Representative photo by Aliona & Pasha
Representative photo by Roman Odintsov
Representative photo by Julia Sakelli
Accommodation
This minimal-style shared accommodation offers the choice between a bunk bed or a single bed. Each room is named after one of the nuns who lived at the Monastery in 1384.
Rooms are divided into two “apartments”. Each apartment has a common study area and a shared kitchenette, which is equipped with: a coffee machine, electric boiler, microwave oven, dishwasher, drying rack and soap to hand-wash clothes. Free wi-fi service is available indoors and outdoors.
In each room, you’ll find a bathroom, as well as towels, a hairdryer and hair & body soap, sheets and toilet paper.
Please click the ‘book now button’ below to view and book accommodation options.
Volunteering
During this pared-back art escape and following in the monastery’s philanthropic traditions, we will participate in a half-day’s volunteering group outing into the local community, as part of your stay.
Volunteering may include helping to maintain community gardens, cemeteries, green areas or Siena's precious and ancient walls. Feedback from previous students taking part in these volunteering activities has been really positive. The above activities could be in association with Le Mura (who takes care of green areas in Siena), Urban Garden il Boschetto, the American Monument Cemetery, Le Bollicine (who creates an integration program for disabled people). You will be updated on the exact volunteering activity that you’ll be participating in, nearer the time.
To make sure the program is right for you, please do get in touch if you have any injuries that might hinder your ability to take part in physical activities, the volunteering can be customised accordingly.
FAQs
-
Yes. All meals are included from Monday dinner to Saturday breakfast and will be cooked by the Monastery’s chef and served in the main dining hall, the Old Chapel.
Meal times are as follows: breakfast: 8-9am, lunch: 1-2pm, dinner: 7-8pm.
You may inform us of dietary requests when booking.
-
Not at all! We specialise in supporting and encouraging those with no previous experience. You just need a ‘can do’ attitude!
Caroline loves connecting people to their inner creative voice.
Absolute beginners are most welcome.
-
7:30-7:55am: Beginners Yoga.
8-9am: Breakfast.
9-10am: Mind, body and soul.
10am-1pm: Art session 1.
1-2pm: Lunch.
2pm-5pm: Art session 2.
5pm-7pm: Free time.
7-8pm: Dinner.
8-9pm: Mind, body and soul.
Monastery arrival: 4pm on Monday. Monastery departure: 10am on Saturday.
The one half-day of volunteering will take place in the morning.
You’re welcome to opt out of any activities at any time.
Each evening you will be given a sheet of activities, asking you what you're interested in participating in the following day. For example: art, 'mind, body and soul' or yoga.
We don’t organise day trips, but you are welcome to partake in self-guided trips if you want to opt out of a class. Or, you might want to explore the Tuscan countryside via the garden’s trekking routes. You’re also welcome to use the outdoor swimming pool from 9am-7pm.
-
Day trips are not included in the retreat.
We don’t organise day trips, but you are welcome to partake in self-guided trips if you want to opt out of a class. Or, you might want to explore the Tuscan countryside via the garden’s trekking routes. You’re also welcome to use the outdoor swimming pool from 9am-7pm.
There will not be any private transportation available on site/provided by the monetary, please use public transportation, hire a taxi or rent a minivan.
-
You’re welcome to opt out of any activities at any time.
Each evening you will be given a sheet of activities, asking you what you're interested in participating in the following day. For example: art, 'mind, body and soul' or yoga.
We don’t organise day trips, but you are welcome to partake in self-guided trips if you want to opt out of a class. Or, you might want to explore the Tuscan countryside via the garden’s trekking routes. You’re also welcome to use the outdoor swimming pool from 9am-7pm.
-
Yes. The minimum number of participants is 7 and the maximum is 16. If we do not reach the minimum number of participants, the course will not run and you will be refunded, including your deposit.
We recommend booking your flight once we have confirmed that we have reached the sufficient number of bookings required to run the retreat.
We will confirm this to you via email by 18th June 2025.
-
The retreat runs from 16th-21st August 2027.
Monastery arrival: 4pm on Monday. Monastery departure: 10am on Saturday.
-
Total cost: £750
Deposit: £250
Balance: £500
The deposit is non-refundable unless we do not reach the minimum number of participants required, if so the course will not run and you will be refunded including your deposit.
-
Please make sure you have room in your luggage to take your artworks back with you. We’ll provide you with a secure A4 plastic wallet.
-
Flights are not included.
We strongly advise that you take out cancellation insurance for any pre-booked transport such as flights, trains etc.
We recommend booking your flight once we have confirmed that we have reached the sufficient number of bookings required to run the retreat.
We will confirm this to you via email by 18th June 2025.
-
Please join us at Pisa International Airport at 2pm on Monday 18th August to make use of the free transport to the monastery.
If you don’t make it in time, please contact Emma (emergency contact) at 07885429525 to inform us of your late arrival. From there, she’ll provide the address and you will be responsible for payment and organisation of your own transport.
-
Transport to and from the airport is provided (set collection times apply).
Please join us at Pisa International Airport at 2pm on Monday 18th August to make use of the free transport to the monastery.
If you don’t make it in time, please contact Emma (emergency contact) at 07885429525 to inform us of your late arrival. From there, she’ll provide the address and you will be responsible for payment and organisation of your own transport.
-
No. In order to respect the owner’s privacy, photographing or videoing the monastery and its grounds is not permitted.
-
You’re welcome to bring partners who are not interested in taking part in art sessions. They will still have to pay the full retreat fee, book their bed and will also be required to participate in the half-day volunteering activity.
-
Yes, feel free to use this phone number during the retreat: 07885429525.
-
No. All tourist taxes and fees are covered.
-
All bookings are non-refundable under any circumstances. Participants are advised to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements.
If the retreat is cancelled due to force major events or circumstances out of our control, we will let you know as soon as possible and refund the total cost of the retreat, including the deposit.
Please click here to see our full cancellation policy in our terms and conditions for more details.
-
No. Drugs, alcohol, smoking or vaping both indoors and outdoors is prohibited.
-
Absolutely! Please do not hesitate to get in touch, if you have any questions.
There will be an online Zoom meeting nearer the time of the retreat, where you’ll be able to ask questions and meet other people who are interested in the trip.
Or, send us an email / give us a call:
Email: info@carolinetathamart.co.uk
Phone number: 01453899018
Please do not hesitate to get in touch, if you have any questions:
Email: info@carolinetathamart.co.uk
Phone number: 01453899018