Porchias Whole Integrated Self Health
EAT     PAINT    PRAY    LOVE
Life In Balance Tuscan Style
January  Issue, 2013

Florence & Tuscany
Holistic Wellness Retreat

  Conque Terre

October 3 - 12, 2013
4 days in Florence, Art Capitol of  Italy
5 days in Tuscan Countryside
$3,644
Early Registration
Price goes up to $4,050 May 1st
Greetings!

Travel With Intention
Please join me on this fabulous slow-paced, 10-day trip to Italy filled with great food and wines from Tuscany, guided art tour and class, Vipassana meditation in ancient olive groves, gentle yoga and Porchia's W.I.S.H. Wisdom Circles filled with heart and soul centered inspiration to support your creative expression and holistic wellness goals.
Take home an integrated action plan for Life In Balance back home.

Taking much inspiration from the artistic masters of Florence and the beauty of the Tuscan countryside you shall explore your own creativity through drawing, painting and photography.

Morning gentle yoga, dance and movement
help to work off all those delicious meals and wines we have.

Vipassana Meditation & Evening Wisdom Circles
support you in transforming past limiting beliefs and behavior patterns into new self-loving, self-nurturing and creative practices to support health, wellness, vitality, success and fulfillment.

Limited to 10-12 people.
Pricing, details and to reserve your place NOW
with $500 deposit.
  
Dianne Flying
Please join me for this very special and unique travel and wellness opportunity.


Dianne Porchia, MA


Book your air flights by end of March

for the best possible prices.

Itinerary
Plenty of time off for relaxation and personal exploration.
  

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Arrive Firenze

3-nights at Plaza Hotel Lucchdesi 4-star hotel.  Informal group meeting to get acquainted, then dinner on your own and time to rest up after flight.                     


Friday, October 4
Art Tour With Florentine Artist / Teacher Margherita Abozzo
Group lunch (not included in price)
Wisdom Circle set personal intentions
Dinner on own for personal exploration



water color suppliesSaturday, October 5
Purchase Art Supplies,
Art Tour with Margherita

Group lunch (not included in price)
Wisdom Circle, facilitated meditation
Dinner on your own to explore Florence

13 Century Villa Campestri, family owned luxury relaisSunday, October 6
Group Transportation to Tuscan Countryside
5 nights at Villa Campestri & Oleoteca

Day of arrival explore grounds and area on your own

Group dinner at Villa Campestri (included in price)

Monday, October 7
Morning Gentle Yoga
Vipassana Meditation

Art class with Margherita & Porchia
Lunch on your own
Afternoon free for painting, drawing
exploration of Villa grounds





Wisdom Circle

Group sharing of artworks

Dinner on your owm, opportunity to explore Mugello township trattorias





Tuesday, October 8

Morning Yoga, Vipassana Meditation
Optional Day Trip To Sienna
Dinner at surprise location
(included in price of day trip option)


 

Wednesday, October 9

Morning Gentle Yoga
Vipassana Meditation

Painting & drawing around
Villa Campestri






Picnic lunch
around Villa Campestri
(included in price)
Wisdom Circle and group sharing of artwork


Oleoteca Villa Campestri
Optional dinner at Villa Campestri 
(billed separately) with free olive oil tasting and complementary bottle of wine for those who choose to have a second dinner at Villa


Thursday, October 10

Optional Horseback Ride & Vineyard Tour in Chianti Region
Wine Estate Tour of 17th Century Villa
Tuscan Lunch on Premises
Wisdom Circle back at Villa Campestri
Dinner on your own.

Chef GiovanniFriday, October 11
Group Transportation to Firenze
1 night at 3-star hotel in city TBD
Wisdom Circle & Closing Ceremony
Evening Cooking Class & celebratory group dinner (included in price)


Saturday, October 12

Departures
on your own

Reserve your place NOW

Pay Now $500 Deposit 
Payment in Full Deadline June 1, 2013
Deposit refunded less $150 per person when cancellation is 120-90 days prior to start of Retreat. 

$3,644     If Paid In Full by May 1, 2013 
$4,050      After May 1, 2013

Prices per person, based on two people in shared bedroom with private bath.   Single supplement applies for private room. 

For full details and Registration contact

Book your flights in March for best prices! 

Villa Campestri & Oleoteca

13 Century Villa Campestri, family owned luxury relais
This intimate luxury 25-room 13th century villa and surrounding lands was owned the noble Florentine family Roti Michelozzi for nearly 700 years until 1989, when they sold the entire Campestri property to the present owner, Paolo Pasquali who has added Italy's first Oleoteca.  Note: Single supplement applies. 

Salon Villa Campestri
With one section dating back to the medieval period and another dating to the Renaissance,
Villa Campestri has commanding views 3 kilometers above the valley of Tuscany. Because of its altitude, the owner has not
Lawn at Villa Campestri
found it necessary to have
 air-conditioning. Many antique
 furnishings have been used in the rooms and each has a bathroom with sparkling cobalt blue and white tiles that are made in a local ceramics factory.


Olive groves
Ancient cypress stand on the lawn in front of the Villa welcoming you to this corner of the Mugello Valley
where nature has been left intact.  Villa Campestri is surrounded by ancient olive groves and a a large private park of extraordinary beauty offering innumerable paths for relaxing solitary walks to discover the beauty of local wild flora, nearby streams and pathway through the woods leading to the panoramic view of the Mugello Valley.  In the park you will discover two works of art by the contemporary Florentine artist Fabio Bini: "Beyond The Sky" and "The Human Balance."

Art of Villa Campestri and the neighboring historic villages of the Mugello Valley abounds.
In the Villa's spacious salons, frescoes, valuable stain glass windows and decorative ceramics made by 20th century artist Galileo Chini in Borgo San Lorenzo, are to be found in the Villa's restaurant, chapel and some guest rooms.  Historically, these lands belonged to the Medici family so as you explore neighboring villages you will discover many commissioned artworks by native born artists of the day such as Giotto and Beato Angelico.


Pool at Villa Campestri

The grounds also provide a beautiful swimming pool
with magnificent view of the Mugello Valley and complimentary mountain bikes for exploring the park.




 
The ancient olive grove and Oleoteca produces olive oil of exceptional quality.

Villa owner, Paolo Pasquali
Oleoteca Villa Campestri
is proud to have won first prize for his OliveToLive Design and Technological Innovation at annual International Congress of Gastronomy's Madrid Fusion 20 12, o ne of the most prestigious events in the world of food and drink.  With its deep color, lingering taste and notes of artichoke and almond, this oil inspires Campestri chef in a symphony of flavors skillfully combining  innovation and tradition, simplicity and refinement. 
 
Ravioli


Chef Roberto Zanieri
creates dishes of absolute excellence at the Villa's Restaurant L'Olivaia
serving some of the best homemade ravioli in Italy and featuring olive oil produced on the property.  The leading
 
protagonist here is the extra-virgin olive oil produced by the Villa's ancient 
Insalata Caprese
 
 
olive groves. Many of the ingredients employed come from the Villa's gardens and organic orchards. The wine list offers an ample selection with classic vintages alongside some innovative suggestions selected by wine talent scout, maestro Dario Bogani.

Dining Room Villa Campestri


The suggestive atmosphere of the Restaurant with its polychromatic wooden ceiling, 
carved shelving, stone window frames and terracotta floors is the ideal setting for group dinners together or intimate Breakfast Salon Villa Campestridining.
 
 
Buffet breakfast is included in the room rate.
Rich selection of cakes, homemade bread, cereals, yogurt, jam, honey, chocolate, cold cuts, cheese, scrambled eggs, hot roasted bacon, fresh fruits, toast, juice and specialty pastries prepared with our extra-virgin olive oil and delicious braided oil with rosemary and orange marmalade. Espresso, cappuccino, chocolate, gluten-free breakfast upon request.

Campestri's organic,
extra virgin, cold-pressed olive oil is not only tasty but also healthy and good for you, known as the food of the Gods from the time of early Egyptians to present day.

 
Enjoy a luxurious professional massage at an intimate corner of the grounds under the shade of ancient olive trees or in the privacy of your room.  Olive oil precious fatty acids, polyphenols and anti-aging vitamins A,E,K and D help keep skin healthy, while therapeutic touch detoxifies, reduces swelling, stimulates circulation of blood, lymph and digestive systems.  Treatment menu includes Ayurvedic massage, relaxing or energizing massage, decongestant massage, reflexology and shiatsu massage. Time: 60 minutes - €70,00.
    

Airport: Florence, 45 Minutes

Villa Campestri has transportation and drivers available for any individual excursions you may want to take to neighboring villages in the Mugello Valley.

For prices and Registration
 
contact 



Firenze

Florence, aka Firenze, is the capital city of Tuscany, famous for its beautiful historic city center which is like an open-air museum and is classified as a World Heritage Site.

Firenze was one of the most important cities in Europe from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. However, Florence has been inhabited since the 10th century and historians date its foundation to 59 B.C. as a Roman settlement for retired soldiers.










It was from the 14th to 16th centuries, during the rule of the Medici Family that Florence became one of the most important cities in Europe.






Lorenz
Neptune Sculpture at Piazza della Signoria
Neptune sculpture at
Piazza della Signoria
o de' Medici was the greatest patron of the city, transforming Florence intothe cradle of the Renaissance by attracting the best artists,architects and writers of the time such as Leonardo daVinci, Michelangelo and
Botticelli to whom he commissioned various works.





Margherita Abozzo, Florentine artist / teacher and contemporary art writer will be our guide
as we visit many of the city's historic sites from her unique insider's perspective and if time permits we might get to visit her own art studio and get a glimpse of what some contemporary Florentine artists are doing.
cropped Bottecelli
Bottecelli's Birth of Venus

Margherita will take us to her favorite art supply shop before we depart the city of Florence so you may purchase any drawing or painting materials you want for our stay in the Tuscan countryside.


Plaza Hotel Lucchesi Our initial 3-night stay in city center
allows for full enjoyment and exploration of this magnificent city both in daylight and in the summer evenings with plenty of evening time off to explore the magic of Florentine summer nights and restaurants.

Accommodation in Florence at four-star Plaza Hotel Lucchesi on the right bank of the Arno River with marvelous city view.  Conveniently located near the church of Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi, Duomo and Michaelangelo's David at the Accademia.   Note:  Single Supplements apply.
Chef Giovanni

We return to Florence for our last night in Italy
at Plaza Hotel Lucchesi and a special cooking class and dinner with Tuscan chef Giovanni and closing ceremony before everyone departs the following morning.

For pricing and Registration
Book your flights in March for best prices.


Optional Day Trips

Sienna  
 
Chianti Classico Sienna is the medieval fist of the Tuscan region, ironically Europe's best preserved towns due to its lack of funds - the city couldn't afford to replace its archaic Gothic structures with more modern buildings. Now it's mandatory for any new buildings in the city to stick with the medieval architectural theme.

Cars are prohibited within the walls of this three-hillside town.  Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes to explore Sienna's many narrow roads, alleys and steps that snake through the city like discarded olive branches.

Piazza del Campo is the heart of the city and where the Palio horse races are held every July 2nd and August 16th.
It is a traditional citywide festival takes weeks to set up full of  banquets, parades and blessings for the horses in the name of Saint Catherine of Sienna and after a two minute race it's all over.  No tour of Sienna Italy would be complete without at least one meal taken in the city's famous Piazza del Campo, where Sienna restaurants spill haphazardly in every direction from its center.

Saint Catherine of Sienna
was an avid lobbyist for peace and was canonized in the 15th century and became the first Catholic woman to be given the title of Doctor of the Church.

Vineyards encapsulate most of the land between Florence and Sienna, where the famed Chianti wine was first born. To the south of Sienna is the Brunello region, home to another of the country's most acclaimed wines. Sienna restaurants are fiercely proud of their wine selections, where Tuscano wines are largely featured.

For pricing and Registration contact

Book your flights in March for best prices! 

Horses, Vineyards & Lunch
 

Ride amongs
t vineyards, olive trees and medieval villages to a 17th century Villa's estate where you will be given a guided tour of their ancient cellar, learn about the process involved in producing their olive oil and world famous Chianti wine.

After a tasting of both your appetite will be whetted for a traditional Tuscan lunch of bruschetta and pasta.

Horse ride is one hour with helmets provided.  A professional horse guide gives a brief lesson to get acquainted with your horse and tour leader provides transportation from and return to Villa Campestri.  No previous riding experience is required.  Wear long pants and closed toe sports shoes.  Duration approximately 6 hours. 

Dinner at unique surprise location included in this day trip option.

Excludes: personal expense and tips.

For pricing and Registration contact

Book your flights in March for best prices! 

Margherita Abozzo

Margherita Abozzo and Dianne Porchia met in London in 1990, at the Byam Shaw School of Art where they both attended and earned their bachelor's degree in Fine Art.  Five years later Dianne returned to the United States and eventually transitioned into the healing arts, while Margherita continued with her art vocation obtaining her master's degree in Art History at the University of Florence.

Margherita early abstract paintingsMargherita now lives and works in Florence, Italy, with her husband and their three children. She writes on contemporary art, photography and science since 1984 for numerous Italian and international art and photography publications. Margherita also teaches, keeps a Visual blog for a radio station and runs art classes and workshops on a regular basis.

Margherita's works are in public and private collections in Italy, England and America. Her books are in the permanent collections of TATE Modern and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

 

Art Supplies

 

water color supplies

Airlines have many restrictions on what you can carry or check in your luggage and you may not be able to transport some art supplies. Before you try packing any art supplies in your luggage, please check with your airline carrier to see what is permissible.       

 

 

Margherita will be taking us to her favorite art supply shop in Florence for anyone who wants to buy art supplies in Italy rather than transport them from home.  

 

For travel Dianne uses a simple set of watercolor paints in a tin or small tubes, watercolor pad, one Japanese bamboo brush and Shaprie permanent markers.  She has also used Prisma Color pencils and Aquarelle water color pencils which are easily transportable and have no mess.

 

Pitt Water Color Brush Pens are also a good choice for easy transportation and no mess.

 

  

  

Please do not bring oil paints, solvents and other toxic supplies to Villa Campestri.  They have no facilities for cleaning such supplies.   

 

Our drawing and painting will take place outdoors, no easels or chairs will be provided other than what may be found around the Villa grounds, so you may want to bring a cushion or blanket to sit on.  


Wisdom Circles,
Gentle Yoga & Vipassana Meditation


Dianne Porchia masterfully creates a safe and sacred space to assist you in gracefully transforming old limited beliefs and patterns into new self-loving, self-nurturing and spiritual practices that support creative self-expression, holistic health, wellness, success and fulfillment in your life.    Read more.

Our first Wisdom Circle will take place on our second night in Florence where each person gains clarity on their intention for the retreat. Subsequent Wisdom Circles provide an opportunity to share personal insights and learning from the day's meditation, suggested reading,exercises, artwork, activities and observations.
 
Dianne Flying
Porchia 's experiential exercises include:

  

Somatic Dialogue

Giuded Visualization

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Vipassana Meditation

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Body Movement, Dance, Vocalization Heart-Soul Centered Communication Skills   

 

   

Stimulate your  unique creative expression     

Open to more love in your heart and joy in your soul.

Gentle yoga and movement outdoors awakens your senses

Vipassana Meditation in Park Villa Campestri inspires your soul
Access your body-intelligence, soul-wisdom  and a willing mind Learn how to identify and move blocked energy "chi" in your body

 

Inspire your take-home action plan for Life In Balance back home.

   

Limited to 10-12 people. 
Reserve your place NOW

Pay Now
$500 Deposit  p/person required

$3,644     If Paid In Full by May 1, 2013
$4,050      After May 1, 2013

Payment in Full Deadline June 1, 2013

Prices per person, based on two people in shared bedroom with private bath.   Single supplement applies for private room.   

Price Excludes: 
Airfare
Travel Insurance
(Strongly recommended, inquire with your travel agent) 
Some meals on your own as listed in itinerary
Transportation for excursions on your own
Art supplies
Massage
All the great souvenirs you'll bring home in your suitcase. 

Terms: 
$500 per person deposit require
Credit card payment accepted through Pay Pal Invoice
Cancellation penalties: Deposit refunded less $250 per person when cancellation is 90 days or less prior to start date of retreat.

  For Registration Form: contact 

Book your flights in March for best prices

Air Travel & Ground Transportation  
All participants should arrange their flights so that they arrive in Florence on Thursday, October 3rd. For people traveling from the Unites States this means scheduling your flight for Wednesday, October 2nd, getting a connecting flight from Rome to arrive in Florence the following day, 10/3/13.  Our retreat ends on our last night in Florence, Friday, October 11, so plan on departing Florence Saturday, October 12, for your flights back home.

Book flights in March for best summer prices.
 
Group ground transportation on day of arrival and day of departure from Florence International Airport to / from Plaza Hotel Lucchesi in Florence city hotel is included in price.

Group transportation from Plaza Hotel Lucchesi, Florence to Villa Campestri is
provided in this package. No other ground transportation is included other than optional day trips which are included in each excursion package. However, Villa Campestri has transportation, drivers for hire and mountain bike rentals available for guests.

Travel Insurance 
Dianne Porchia / Porchia's WISH does not provide travel insurance of any kind. If you are interested in such, please consult your travel agent, credit card travel services, Auto Club, etc.   
EAT, PAINT, PRAY, LOVE:  Life In Balance Tuscan Style
Unique Travel With Intention opportunity unlike anything you've ever experienced before.

Sign up NOW for this incredible journey into body-mind-heart-soul inspiration filled with great foods and wines of Tuscany, masterful art, architecture, inspiration, creative expression, spiritual connection, holistic health, wellness, personal growth and the magic of Tuscany. 

Reunion head shot
Blessings & Light,
 
Dianne Porchia
Porchia'sW.I.S.H. - Whole Integrated Self Health


For  Registration Form
contact

Book your flights in March for best summer prices!
In This Issue
Itinerary
Villa Campestri
Firenze
Sienna
Horses & Vineyards
Margherita Abozzo
Wisdom Circles
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Dianne Porchia
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$500 deposit
Pay Now
Payment in Full Due June 1, 2013,
120 days prior to arrival date.

Pricing, details and
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