Bella Vista Art Haven Retreat in Italy
May 2-8, 2027
$6,250*
*Shared rooms are available for up to two people per room at a rate of $4750 per person.
*Your non-painting partner may join you for an additional $1500. ($7750 total)
Escape to the quiet charm of Torrita di Siena for a truly restorative painting retreat designed to slow you down and spark your creativity. Set against sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside, your artistic sessions will take place at a stunning vista where light, color, and landscape come together in perfect harmony.
Between moments at the easel, wander into the storybook streets of town, cool off with a refreshing swim, or indulge in thoughtfully curated
experiences brought right to your doorstep.
We will take a single day trip to Florence—but the heart of this retreat lies in unhurried days filled with painting, relaxation, and inspiration.
Registration opens on May 4, 2026 at 7am
Enrollment is full, please add yourself to the waitlist in case a spot opens up
Your link to register will appear above when registration opens.​​
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We will use the following payment schedule. Please e-mail us if you would prefer to pay in full or request a different payment schedule.
Deposit due upon registration: $3125
10/15/2026 2nd payment auto draft: $1562.50
2/15/2027 final payment auto draft: $1562.50
Day 1 - Sunday, May 2nd, Arrival
Arrive in Torrita di Siena by train or rent your own car. If you arrive by train, we can pick you up! You can arrive any time during the day. Spend the afternoon settling in or join us for your first lesson. A cold lunch buffet will be available at the house and our private chef will serve a welcome dinner.
Day 3 - Tuesday, May 4th, Painting at the Villa
Tuesday will be a full day of painting with lessons in the morning and afternoon. Nicholas will lead an art history lesson and demonstration. Our private chef will serve dinner to the group.
Day 5 - Thursday, May 6th, Painting in Torrita di Siena
We will walk into town to paint some of the beautiful historic buildings. For dinner, make a reservation at one of the two walkable restaurants in town or drive your rental car to a nearby town. There are walkable grocery stores if you'd like to use the kitchen at the house to make your own meal.
Day 7 - Saturday, May 8th, Departure
Departure from the residence is no later than 10am. We can help drive you back to the train in Torrita di Siena or if you rented a car you can leave anytime before 10am. Breakfast is not provided on our day of departure.
Day 2 - Monday, May 3rd, Painting at the Villa
Monday will be a full day of painting with lessons in the morning and afternoon. Nicholas will lead an art history lesson and demonstration. For dinner, make a reservation at one of the two walkable restaurants in town or drive your rental car to a nearby town. There are walkable grocery stores if you'd like to use the kitchen at the house to make your own meal.
Day 4 - Wednesday, May 5th, Florence
We will head to Florence for most of the day and have a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery. You will have some free time while in Florence to explore and enjoy lunch and dinner at the restaraunt of your choice.
Day 6 - Friday, May 7th, Painting at the Villa
Our last day will be spent at the house for final touch ups on our paintings and critiques. Our Chef will return to serve dinner on our final night.
Instruction
You’ll be guided throughout the retreat by Nicholas and Kate Stewart, who will enrich your experience with inspiring demonstrations, engaging art history insights, and thoughtful, individualized instruction tailored to your creative journey.
​We encourage you to bring a sketchbook to make notes along the way.
Included in your cost
Accomodations
Your cost includes a private room at our residence in Torrita di Siena. Each room has it's own private bathroom.
Shared rooms are available for a discounted rate of $4,750 per person. The beds can be split into two twin beds in all rooms. Those who wish to share a room will be given priority to join the retreat. (E-mail us to arrange your shared room)
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*Read more about the Accomodations below*
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Meals
Some meals will be provided but you will be responsible for some of your own meals.
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Breakfast: Will be available at the residence from 8-10am Monday-Friday. Options include coffee, tea, juice, milk, assorted jams, honey, bread, fresh fruit, cheese, ham, eggs, cereal, and yogurt.
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Lunch: A cold lunch buffet will be available at the residence Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
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Dinner: Our private chef will provide dinner Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday
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Meals not included:
Wednesday: We will be in Florence for lunch and dinner. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a restaurant of your choice!
Dinner Monday and Thursday: Walk into town to enjoy one of the two restaurants! If you prefer to grocery shop and cook at the residence the kitchen will be at your disposal.
We plan to have cooking classes at the residence on these nights but will need to meet a minimum number of participants. More information about cooking classes will be available in February.
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Uffizi Gallery
Transportation to Florence and guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery are included in your cost. You will have extra time on this day to explore Florence at your leisure.
Extra add-ons for fun at the Villa!
We will be providing a list of extra activities you can take part in at the villa. These extras won't be available to us until February 2027.
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Here are the optional add-ons we hope to offer. They will be priced individually and you can choose whether you want to participate. If you are particularly interested in something, please let us know!
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Wine or olive oil tastings
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Pizza or pasta making classes
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Massage sessions
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Gelato making class
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About the Accomodations
Santa Gelsa is an imposing 18th-century staffed villa, fully air-conditioned with a private swimming pool. Positioned on a private estate, in a charming and quiet village near Montepulciano, it allows guests to connect with local Tuscan life while enjoying the privacy of your own luxury villa.
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The spacious villa has been lovingly refurbished and features light-filled air-conditioned bedrooms, modern en-suite bathrooms and a myriad of charming living spaces, all across three floors. If you are concerned about the stairs, don’t worry, there is also an indoor lift. All bedrooms benefit the privacy of en-suite bathrooms, and all beds can be configured as queens or two singles, offering flexible sleeping arrangements. Frescoed walls, family heirlooms, antique terracotta floors and vaulted ceilings, echo the property’s old-world charm.
On the ground floor, at the heart of the villa, is a loggia with vaulted ceilings, that runs the length of the facade. Natural light spills through large, arched windows, with a long dining table that seats up to 24 comfortably, and a living space furnished with modern sofas and chairs at either end. The spacious, professional kitchen is accessed from near the loggia, while a glass door leads out onto a parasol shaded seating terrace, from where you can take your breakfast prepared by your private chef. At one end of the loggia, a door opens into a second dining area, while on the other side, a living room with TV.
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The private swimming pool — set on a travertine stone terrace, across the extensive, manicured garden — boasts a delightful panorama of the Tuscan countryside. The pool area is furnished with modern loungers and parasols perfect for afternoons devoted to soaking up the sun. At sunset, hop on over to the large, shaded outdoor living area, just above the swimming pool, for a glass of wine and plate of crostini Toscani.
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Santa Gelsa sits on a private estate and farm, owned and managed by the homeowners. The farm produces Chianti, Merlot and Syrah wines, as well as Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and a variety of cereal grains. Located on the edge of the medieval village of Torrita di Siena, guests enjoy the freedom of walking to the nearby caffé, restaurants, and pizzeria. There is also a notable butcher and weekly farmers market on Friday, just outside of the villa’s 300-year old walls.
About the town of Torrita di Siena
Santa Gelsa is within a 200-yard walk of the medieval village of Torrita di Siena. A short walk to a cafe bar and pizzeria within 100 yards from the gated entrance of the villa. Within a 500 mt/ 0,33 mil walk, there is a small grocer, a butcher shop, a restaurant and a pharmacy. Drive 10-12 minutes to Montepulciano or Sinalunga to find an array of fine restaurants, pizzerias, café bars and wine shops. Within 800 mt/0,5 mil of the villa, there is a supermarket in Torrita di Siena, open on Saturday until 8 pm and on Sunday mornings. There are three supermarkets in Sinalunga. Morning markets in Torrita di Siena on Fridays, in Montepulciano on Thursdays, in Cortona or Cetona on Saturday mornings and others during the week in the nearby villages. Bagno Vignoni, within a 40-minute drive, is known since Roman times for the benefits of its thermal spring waters that gather in a big basin located in a beautiful square in the centre of town. In Cortona, 30-minute drive, is the archaeological Museum of the Etruscan Academy in the historical Palazzo Casali. The monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, about 40 minutes drive. The Val di Chiana valley famous for its well known awarded wines and cheeses, the Val d'Orcia (Unesco Heritage) and the Crete Senesi for their spectacular landscapes are only some of the many places of interest you can find near Santa Gelsa.
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Getting There
Airports nearby:
Airports: Florence 110 Km/68,3 mil - 75 minutes; Pisa 170 Km/106 mil- 3 hours; Rome Fiumicino 220 Km/138 mil - 2 hours; Milan Malpensa 450 Km/280 mil- 4.5 hours.
By Car:
Motorway exit: From Siena – Perugia highway, Sinalunga exit 10 minutes to the villa; From A1 highway, Val di Chiana exit: 15 minutes to the villa;
After exiting the A1 highway, the 6,4 Km/4 mil drive leading to the villa is a paved road.
Parking for several cars is located within the entry gate.
By Train:
Railway station: Montepulciano 10 Km/6,2 mil - 13 min. OR Torrita di Siena (in town)
Already registered?
Get ready for the trip in 3 easy steps
1
Book your transportation
You can arrive in Torrita di Siena anytime on May 2nd. We can pick you up from the train station or provide you with the address of our residence.
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2
Let us know your travel plans
We will send out a questionnaire before the trip. Please make sure you have provided us with your plans for arrival and departure.
3
Pack your bags and leave the rest to us!
We've included our favorite plein air gear and a packing list below. We are happy to answer any of your packing questions along the way.
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**Important** - Your paints must travel in your checked bags. Do not pack any mediums or solvents, they will be provided for the workshop,
Packing List
Check your paints at the airport: All "artist pigments" must be checked when flying. Please include the SDS sheet in your luggage:
Read Gamblin's tips on flying with artist pigments
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Check out our plein air packing list here: Packing List
**do not pack any painting mediums or solvent**
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Our teachers are sharing our favorite painting gear for travelling abroad. Below are links to some of the things we love to take and will help you make the best decisions to pack lightly for the trip. If you'd like us to take a look at some other gear you have or are considering we are happy to give our opinion.
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Favorite plein air easels:
Art Box and Panel Mini Plein Air Travel System - palette tray, panel holder, and tripod included
Skippy Pochade Box - palette tray & panel holder included, tripod not included. (Allow up to 8 weeks for shipping)
Guerilla Painter Cigar Box - palette tray & panel holder included, tripod not included
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Slik U8000 Tripod - a great lightweight option
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Favorite painting panels*:
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Favorite wet painting carrier*:
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*Make sure the size of your panels matches the size of your wet painting carrier
Questions & Answers
How many hours per day will be spent painting?
We will paint for 3-6 hours per day most days. This workshop is mostly on site at our residence so you can opt to paint for longer periods. We do not plan to paint when we take our trip into Florence on Wednesday.
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What supplies do I bring on the trip?
A supply list is provided for the trip. We will provide Gamsol and Liquin as you cannot fly with either of these.
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How many total spots do you have?
We have 11 private rooms with private bathrooms. All rooms have a bed that can be configured as a queen or two singles.
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Can I bring my non painting partner?
Yes, all rooms can accommodate your non-painting partner. You can add your partner to your reservation for an additional $1500
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What can my non painting partner do during the day?
Our residence is located on the edge of the small town of Torrita di Siena. There are a limited number of things to do in town, but it is walkable. By car or hired car they can expand their exploration to nearby towns. They will be given the option to participate in any add-ons we bring to the residence during our stay. We have a concierge service at our disposal to make arrangements for other activities.
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Can I rent my own place nearby?
Yes, please e-mail us to discuss your level of participation in the workshop.
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Are there private bathrooms?
Every room has a private bathroom with toilet and shower. Each bathroom has it's own hair dryer.
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Is laundry available?
Two washing machines and a spin dryer are available on site.
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Is there a minimum age?
You must be 18 or older to participate in this workshop.
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What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel by October 15, 2026 for a refund minus $1200 deposit
Cancel by April 1, 2027 for a 50% refund minus $1200 deposit
Cancellations after April 1, 2027 will not be eligible for a refund
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Find our full list of policies here: Read Policies
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