Eat, Play, Write in Tuscany
Sandra Younger grew up in the American South where people still swap stories over fried chicken, apple pie and sweet tea. At the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and at Syracuse University, where she earned degrees in English and journalism, Sandra studied stories—what makes the great ones great and how to share them with powerful writing that engages and inspires. She’s since told thousands of stories as a magazine journalist and in her 2013 book, The Fire Outside My Window: A Survivor Tells the True Story of California’s Epic Cedar Fire.
Sandra is also an international speaker and media guest. She’s taught writing and journalism at the university level, as a personal coach, and for San Diego Writers, Ink, a writing nonprofit she serves as a board member. Sandra and her photographer husband, Bob Younger, live near San Diego, California, where she’s currently working on her first novel. They are the parents of two adult daughters and grandparents to three exceptional pre-schoolers.
Sandra Younger grew up in the American South where people still swap stories over fried chicken, apple pie and sweet tea. At the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and at Syracuse University, where she earned degrees in English and journalism, Sandra studied stories—what makes the great ones great and how to share them with powerful writing that engages and inspires. She’s since told thousands of stories as a magazine journalist and in her 2013 book, The Fire Outside My Window: A Survivor Tells the True Story of California’s Epic Cedar Fire.
Sandra is also an international speaker and media guest. She’s taught writing and journalism at the university level, as a personal coach, and for San Diego Writers, Ink, a writing nonprofit she serves as a board member. Sandra and her photographer husband, Bob Younger, live near San Diego, California, where she’s currently working on her first novel. They are the parents of two adult daughters and grandparents to three exceptional pre-schoolers.
Bella Italia, for centuries the home of great writers.
Let the magic of Italy be your muse! Author and writing mentor Sandra Younger will be your guide as you explore magical Tuscany, birthplace of the Renaissance, where authentic voices find freedom and stories flow like fine Chianti.
- Are you ready to work toward becoming a stronger, more confident writer?
- Are you hungry for inspiring new experiences and time away from everyday obligations to nurture your creativity?
- Are you eager to engage with other writers in a small, supportive group?
- Have you been dreaming about visiting—or re-visiting—amazing Italy?
If your answer is an enthusiastic “Yes!” then this remarkable opportunity was designed for you.
San Fedele
Beautiful San Fedele, a thousand-year-old monastery near Siena, resurrected from ruins and transformed into a distinctive retreat center, will be your home away from home for a full week.
Each morning after a tasty buffet breakfast, you’ll learn how to take your writing from good to great, first by tuning in to your individual, authentic writer’s voice. Sandra will also cover key elements of strong writing and secrets of compelling story crafting, including how to craft inviting settings, realistic characters, believable dialog, and page-turning plots.
Each day we will write or venture out with the group to ancient hilltop towns and other delightful nearby sites. You’ll discover charming stone streets full of shops, museums, and cafes where you can enjoy an espresso, lunch or gelato while filling your notebook with impressions of the characters you meet, the settings you discover, the stories unfolding all around and within you.
View of Tuscan hill town
Back at San Fedele, everyone will come together to share the day’s experiences and (for those who feel ready) lovingly critique what you’ve each written. Then it’s on to the dining room for a delectable, authentic Tuscan dinner, and finally the relaxing comfort of beautifully appointed rooms. Trust us, the monks never had it this good! But you can.
Join the Eat, Play, Write retreat this June in Tuscany for a transformative week to remember.
Siena
Additional Activities: Our daily writing will be combined with other adventures such as:
- Day trip to Medieval Siena to take photos, explore and shop
- Excursions to nearby hilltowns like Radda, Castellina, Monteriggioni, etc.
- Visit to Chianti winery for a tour and tasting
- Variety of inspiring locations to get your creative juices flowing
- Discussions of Tuscan cuisine with our chef
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Price: $3,595 p/p based on double occupancy; (non-participant partners $2,895)
Optional Supplements:
- $575 for single room-limited availability
- $275 p/p for Jr. Suite
Includes:
- Shared double room in restored monastery
- Daily traditional breakfast and dinner, including wine
- Daily writing classes and readings
- Excursion to Siena
- ½ day excursions to nearby hilltowns (Monteriggioni, Radda, Volpaia…)
- Pick up from Florence train station at 3:30pm on arrival Saturday
- Transfer to Florence on final day
Does Not Include:
- Airfare
- Lunch (lite lunch will be available for purchase at San Fedele on days we are not out on excursion)
- Independent meals and sight-seeing
- Gratuities
To Register: just click on the Sign Up Now button. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your spot in the workshop. Payment can be made on line with a credit card, or you can follow the instructions to send in your registration and payment by mail. Once we receive your deposit we will send you a formal Registration Confirmation with further information about the program. You will receive 2-3 other correspondences by email prior to the workshop with information about Italy, a supplies list and an electronic invoice for the balance. Final Balance is due by April 15th. Any time prior to your arrival, if you have questions about anything regarding the trip or the program, you can contact us by email or phone and we`ll be happy to assist you.
Contact us for more information: info@ilchiostro.com or speak to us live at 800-990-3506.
Borgo San Fedele
— San Fedele is a restored 12th century monastery floating in the Chianti hills —
Il Chiostro at San Fedele is the combined skills of Linda and Michael of Il Chiostro joining together with Nicolo and Renata of San Fedele to produce a unique and inspiring environment rooted in the traditional Tuscan values of beauty, great food, an appreciation for nature and the value of community. The monastery, dating back to the 12th century, was meticulously restored using traditional building methods and all original materials. Today, the monastery remains true to its original spirit, rich architectural detail. The 16 rooms and suites where participants are housed have lovely modern bathrooms, screened windows, air conditioning, period furniture, wi-fi internet service, satellite television and minibar, all designed to perfectly compliment the medieval surroundings.
The original soaring chapel is now used as a large art studio or workshop space. The monks’ refectory, where a lost 16th century fresco was uncovered during renovation, is now the dining room connected to a state-of-the-art kitchen and the old stone cantinas where they stored their wine have been transformed into studio and classroom space.
Common/Studio space in the ex-chapel
For information about the history of this monastery, Click here to go to San Fedele’s web site…
Rather than hotel, San Fedele is classified as a historic residence in Italy. That means that it is an intimate setting, preserved along strict historical guidelines to preserve the spirit of the setting. The owners are on site to oversee this unique combination of historic landmark and modern day comfort.
Accommodations are spacious shared double rooms or junior suites. Each room, because it was converted from the original structure of the monastery without altering the building, is unique in shape. Furnishings and decor were selected to coordinate with the historic, subdued feeling of the monastery, but in a comfortable, modern style. All rooms have two beds that can be separated into twins or combined into one large matrimonial. There is a sitting area, refrigerator, DSL wi-fi, television, air-conditioning, heating, modern private bathroom with shower and hair dryers.
There are a limited number of single rooms available at a supplement of $575.
2 Jr. Suites for a minimum of 2 people are available for a supplement of $275 per person.
Archway from rose garden and breakfast buffet in the refectory (photos by Lester Lefkowitz)
The back of San Fedele is surrounded by a large al fresco dining terrace with the original terra cotta tile designs reproduced down to the smallest details. The terrace overlooks the same organic vegetable and flower garden tended by the monks for centuries. Beyond are the rolling Chianti vineyards that make this part of Tuscany so breathtaking.
Other common spaces include a large classroom carved into the rock of the ancient wine cellar, an expansive private piazza, a 16 x 7 meter swimming pool and sprawling landscaped grounds on a rolling hillside.
The upper pool at San Fedele
Florence will be our meeting point on the first day of the workshop. A van will pick up the group at the train station at about 3:30 pm on Saturday afternoon.
We recommend that you fly into either Florence, Pisa or Rome (Milan is a bit too far away). Florence is closer but it doesn`t have an intercontinental airport, so there are no direct flights from the US. You would have to change planes in a larger European city. From the Florence airport you must take a shuttle bus (Volainbus) into the center (20 minutes).
There are more scheduled flights from the US to Rome, many of them direct. From Rome, you will need to take a train to Florence (about 2 1/2 hours).
Important! In making your return flight arrangements, if you are flying home on Saturday after the workshop, try not to book a flight too early. From our location allow 1 ½ hours to get to the Florence airport or 3 ½ hours to get to the Rome airport.
For suggestions about getting to Rome or Florence, accommodations or other logistics, please consult ourTraveling to Italy link. Renting a car from all the major rental agencies is possible if you prefer to be more independent during the week.
Fall vineyards
Borgo San Fedele sits conveniently on a country road connecting the charming medieval walled town of Radda and the village of Vagliagli. Other nearby hilltowns include Castellina-in-Chianti, Monteriggioni and Volpaia. It is about 45 minutes from San Gimignano and Volterra. Many of these towns have roots in the earlier Etruscan civilization that permeated this area prior to the Romans.
San Fedele is located about 12 km northeast of Siena and 45 km south of Florence.
The Food
For us at Il Chiostro, helping our guests to experience the traditional food in one of the earth`s richest, most sensual areas is our pleasure. The Chianti region of Tuscany is Italy’s famous wine and olive oil producing region. Here we want to expose you to the wonders of simple Italian cooking known in the area as cucina povera. Our chef is a Tuscan native who uses recipes from her mother and grandmother to bring the tradition of not only Tuscany, but specifically the Chianti region, to the table each evening. We use seasonal, organic products, locally produced by small farms and family shops. Our chef searches for the best of Tuscany to serve you. Tuscan cuisine is a simple art that has been refined over the centuries to surprise our palates while the red chianti wine comforts our souls. Come explore what food can really be all about.
About Your Il Chiostro Hosts
Linda and Michael, and their program managers will host your program in Tuscany. They have been organizing workshops in Italy since 1995 and each person brings a special talent to the program. You can read more about them by following the About Il Chiostro link. At the Tuscan Renaissance Center, the owners of San Fedele, Nicolo and Renata, live on site. They will be available throughout the program to talk about the history of the monastery, the renovation and this area of Tuscany they call home.
In addition to your workshop
Optional activities offered with this program will focus on the cultural, gastronomic, historical and artistic heritage of Tuscany. This area has been an inspiration to countless people for centuries. What Tuscany offers its visitors is truly astounding:
Art – San Fedele is located conveniently between the cities of Medieval Siena and Renaissance Florence packed with some of the most famous masterpieces in the world.
Wine -You are in the heart of the Chianti region, synonomous with the most famous wine that Italy produces. But the innovative Tuscan vintners are also producing Super Tuscans, red varietals that are quickly ascending the ranks of world-class wine.
History – this area was settled by the Etruscans centuries before the Romans were a civilized society. Their necropoli dot the fields throughout the area. Nearby towns like Radda, Vagliagli and Castellina date from the early Middle Ages. Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. San Fedele witnessed most of this from its panoramic perch atop the hillside.
Food – cucina povera is the typical Tuscan cuisine that has become popular around the world. The recipes are simple, emphasizing local and seasonal products: porcini mushrooms, salumi, legumes, vegetables, pasta, bread and game meats. Visiting an outdoor food market, you will understand the wisdom of this very healthy cuisine.
Crafts – perhaps the harmony of the landscape has been the inspiration for many local craftsmen. Exquisite hand-painted ceramics are the prime example, closely followed by mosaics, leather, woodworking, and textiles.