Tuscan Table: A Culinary Retreat
The kind of week that feeds your soul (and your appetite).
Experience the Retreat
Step into our Tuscan Retreat and embrace slow mornings, meaningful connections, and the timeless beauty of rolling hills and shared tables.
Here, amidst vineyards, olive groves, and the gentle rhythm of the Italian countryside, life slows to an unhurried pace. Serenity and revival find you in the simplest moments with a glass of Chianti at sunset, laughter over hand-rolled pasta, or quiet reflection in a field of wildflowers.
This is more than a getaway; it’s a personal sojourn. Whether you’re at a crossroads, craving inspiration, or simply seeking the joy of fresh experiences, Tuscany opens its arms. Each day brings courage, curiosity, and vitality through hands-on cooking, local excursions, and the warmth of new friendships.
As the week unfolds, you’ll savour authentic cuisine, sip world-class wines, and immerse yourself in traditions that have shaped this region for centuries. And when it’s time to depart, you’ll carry with you not just recipes and memories, but renewed energy, inspired pathways, and connections that linger long after the Tuscan sun sets.
A Nourish Travel Tuscan Retreat
Antico Macchione - Tuscany, Italy
Thursday 23 – Wednesday 29 April 2026
Step into springtime Tuscany with us and embrace slow mornings, long lunches, and the magic of rolling hills where food, wine, and connection take centre stage.
This six-night culinary immersion is designed for those who crave authentic flavours, hands-on experiences, and the kind of long conversations that only happen around a shared table. In the heart of the Tuscan countryside, you’ll join our small group for a week of cooking, tasting, exploring, and indulging, all guided by local experts and seasoned with that signature Nourish touch.
Think aprons instead of Zoom calls, vineyards instead of traffic, and the occasional glass raised to remind ourselves just how good it feels to slow down and savour.
Your hosts for the week are Chef Riccardo Petraru, who will guide you through the secrets of Tuscan cuisine, and Cally Albrecht, yoga and meditation teacher and owner of our villa, Antico Macchione. The perfect pair to nourish both body and soul.
And because this is your retreat, every activity is optional. Whether you’re kneading pasta dough, wandering a vineyard, lounging with a coffee and a view, journaling with a glass of Chianti in hand, or simply being still, you’ll find space to do exactly what you need.
Expect to experience:
Honey like you’ve never tasted before - acacia, chestnut, wildflower. Taste, compare, and learn how to pair with cheese, meat, and dessert.
Hands-on pasta workshops - discover Tuscany’s pasta heritage and roll your own pici by hand, alongside other regional shapes. Dinner, naturally, will be your creation.
Wine immersion - explore family-run wineries, enjoy private tours, and learn professional tasting techniques. By the end of the week you’ll know your Sangiovese from your Chianti (and how to swirl like a pro).
Olive oil masterclass - explore the fruity, peppery, and grassy notes of Tuscany’s finest oils, and learn how to cook with them like a local.
Rustic baking & artisan visits - from crusty breads and biscotti to meeting local producers, this is Tuscany’s food culture at its heart.
Slow Tuscan living - market strolls, countryside walks, time to nap in the sun, write in your journal, or sip an espresso in the piazza.
Daily yoga sessions - gently awaken your body and calm your mind, held in serene surroundings that make each deep breath feel like a fresh start. Optional, of course.
A farewell feast to remember - a celebration of all the flavours, skills, and friendships gathered during the week, with storytelling and music under the Tuscan stars.
This isn’t just a retreat. It’s a delicious exhale. A cheeky reset. A week that fills your cup — and your soul — with everything you didn’t know you needed.
This is your permission slip to step away from the noise, soak in the beauty, and reconnect with your brain, your body, and a whole bunch of brilliant people.
Daily Routine:
08:00 Yoga, Breath, Meditation
09:30 Breakfast
11:00 Daily workshop
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Free time or outing to a winery or local producer
17:00 Restorative Practice (Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra, Meditation)
18:30 Aperitif
19:30 Dinner
All activities are optional—guests can do as much or as little as they like.
Plenty of downtime for reading, relaxing, and soaking in the atmosphere.
Location:
Nestled among Tuscany’s vineyards and olive groves, Podere Macchione will be your home for the week. A rustic-meets-luxury villa that feels instantly welcoming. Think stone walls, shady terraces, lavender fields, and long tables set for stories and slow feasts.
Located in the province of Siena on the historic San Fabiano estate, Podere Macchione sits just outside the charming town of Monteroni d’Arbia, along the ancient Via Francigena, once one of the great roads to Rome. This region is the heart of Tuscany: rolling cultivated hills dotted with cypress trees, fields of sunflowers and poppies, and a landscape scattered with castles, villas, and farmhouses.
From here, you’re perfectly placed to explore Tuscany’s most celebrated treasures: Chianti’s world-famous wine region, the hill towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano, the medieval streets of Arezzo and Volterra, and even Florence, just a short drive away.
The estate itself spans 14 hectares of farmland, olive groves, and lavender fields, with pockets of woodland, a small lake, and garden areas perfect for gentle walks. The nearby town of Monteroni d’Arbia (5 km) offers everything you need day-to-day with supermarkets, a bakery, banks, and, of course, a gelateria.
Podere Macchione was lovingly restored by British couple Cally and Nick Albrecht, who purchased the old farmhouse in 2016 and have since created a truly magical retreat space.
Accommodation is in stunning private or shared rooms (twin or triple), each with its own en-suite bathroom. With farmhouse-luxe styling, natural materials, and calming earth tones, every space invites rest and rejuvenation.
Travel made easy: The villa is within reach of several airports. Perugia (1 hr 15 min), Florence (1 hr 30 min), Pisa (1 hr 45 min), and Rome (2 hrs 45 min).
This is for you if:
You want to cook, taste, and live like a Tuscan, not just observe.
You’re longing for a week where food is the love language and wine is the punctuation.
You’re curious about the craft behind olive oil, honey, and pasta traditions.
You crave time to slow down, connect with others, and let Italy work its quiet magic.
You’d happily swap spreadsheets and schedules for aprons, recipe notes, and spontaneous laughter.
You crave proper conversation, not small talk, but the juicy kind stays with you for a long time.
You’re longing for a breather, a chance to slow down, switch off, and maybe even hear yourself think.
You’re juggling all the things and need a permission slip to hit pause (no kids, no colleagues, no one needing snacks.
What awaits you:
Your investment includes:
6 nights luxury accommodation at Podere Macchione, Monteroni D’Arbia, Tuscany from Thursday 23 April - Wednesday 29 April 2026 (share with a friend or relative or book a private suite).
Transfers from Florence or Siena.
All transportation during your Tuscan adventure.
All meals, tastings, and wine, from market picnics to multi-course feasts.
Hands-on classes in pasta, baking, and Tuscan cooking with local chef Riccardo.
Guided tastings of olive oil, honey, and wine with local experts.
Private winery tours and professional wine tasting lessons.
Artisan visits to markets and producers in towns like Siena, San Gimignano, or Pienza.
Yoga, breath work & meditation.
Plenty of downtime for naps, walks, and soaking in Tuscan springtime.
A visit to the captivating city of Siena.
All taxes.
Pre-retreat and post-retreat Zoom meetings.
It does not include:
Travel costs to and from Tuscany
Travel insurance - compulsory that you organise your own
This isn’t just a retreat. It’s a love letter to Tuscany.
A week of slowing down, savouring the seasons, and reconnecting with yourself — one plate, one sip, and one story at a time.
Macchione features 8 sanctuary-style guest bedrooms.
4 double bedrooms are located on the ground floor; one of which is accessible from the living room, and the other 3 have their own independent entrances, accessible from the garden.
A further four well-sized bedrooms (3 double rooms & 1 triple room) open up from the beautiful first-floor sitting room, making it the perfect setting for groups and gatherings. All bedrooms have their own en-suite bathroom.
Earlybird pricing available until 31 December 2025:
Shared room rate $5,995
Private room rate $7,995
Rooms are limited.
