About the Wellness and Writing Retreat Center – Casa della Pace

The estate which hosts the creative writing and wellness retreat sits quietly in the lively Italian woods in a remote, hilly region of Umbria a few kilometers from the towns of Gubbio and Citta di Castello. Its elevation is 650 meters.

“The extravagant birdsong and wind in the trees,the fireflies in the starlight,the happy laughter and sharing,all wonderful memories.

-Isabelle, Casa Della Pace wellness and writing retreat member 2010

Click here to visit Casa della Pace’s website

At heart, it is a simple, peaceful retreat space within driving distance of some of the most wonderful towns in Italy. On the property is a beautifully renovated church used primarily for our yoga classes, though it is a delightfully tranquil spot to sit and read or write as well.

“This was the best choice to make… it feels so powerful and free to be in this beautiful place.”

-Isabelle, Casa Della Pace wellness and writing retreat member 2010

All the meals are included, and they are vegetarian, made fresh by the owner and chef, Santi.

Silence and nature are the treasures at Casa Della Pace. These priceless amenities will keep you in touch with yourself and in love with Italy. Here you will feel a sense of peace, enlivened by the natural beauty of the place. You may just decide to spend a day at the retreat in the open air having a sun bath.

Each guest room is different, furnished in a warm, handmade style. Seven of the rooms feature doors that open directly to the natural beauty of the surrounding hills.

Casa Della Pace features a staff member who independently offers a variety of expert massage styles you could choose to enjoy to thoroughly detox and de-stress.

“I love the beautiful setting at Casa Della Pace and the free time to explore.
I love the fresh clean air, the abundance of butterflies, the fragrant extraordinary wildflowers, the many nightly fireflies, and our bonfires.
I love the delicious fresh organic meals prepared with love by Santi. “

-Sylvia, Casa Della Pace wellness and writing retreat member, 2010

Cuisine

A great deal of care is put into the meals so that each is balanced, wholesome, and tasty. Frying with oil is minimal.
Bread is homemade sour dough and the yogurt, jams, preserves and muesli are also homemade.

Ecological products are used for soap and cleaning.

Meals are served in two dining rooms, one with a large open hearth for log fires. An adjacent courtyard provides a shady area for summer outdoor meals.

Local beehives provide most of the honey, and local hens provide free range eggs.

Examples of Typical Meals

Breakfast:

Green or black tea, coffee, barley coffee, milk, rice milk, fresh fruits, yogurt, muesli, bread, sweet raisin bread, butter, honey, jams, porridge.

Lunch:

Orecchiette (a sort of pasta) with cime di rapa (a typical south Italian green).

Tofu roasted with carrots and spices as cumin, soy sauce, garlic.

Raw salads made of grated carrots, green salad, sun flower seeds, apples.

Fresh local cheese.

Coffee, fruits.

Another example:

Roasted aubergine dressed with basil, garlic, olive oil.

Risotto with onions and saffron.

Thin omelets.

Chard and chicory leaves cooked in pan.

Fruits and coffee

Some Homemade Recipes:

Home made muesli: Oat, wheat, barley, rye and millet flakes, sun flower, sesame and flax seeds, raisin, a little bit of cane sugar. It is lightly toasted.

Home made bread: Whole and white wheat flour, sesame seeds, whole sea salt, spring water, sour dough.

Dinner:

Pumpkin soup with a little cumin and ginger in it, or potato soup with rosemary and leeks dressed with miso.

Seasoned pecorino (sheep cheese) and fresh mozzarella.

Raw and cooked vegetables and a dessert complete the evening meal.

Details and Accommodations

Twenty persons can find comfortable accommodation in nine rooms, seven of which which have private bathroom.

Around the house, there is a small swimming pool and lawns in the sun or shade, as well as deck-chairs and hammocks.

The surrounding countryside offers the opportunity for wonderful walks in nature thanks to the many quiet roads and paths winding through the woods and over the hills.

The pricing includes your room, meals, wine, teas and fruit, the use of the church, the lawns and the pool.

Casa della Pace is the center of a number of nature paths. There are plenty of easily-followable signs. Various loops lead to beautiful spots, panoramic point of view, through woods or along streams. The time for a walk varies from half an hour to a full day. The paths visible on the map allow walks of about three hours. It is possible to organize a Casa della Pace guided hike and, in case of a long walk, to be fetched by a car. It is also possible to reach and visit near villages as Apecchio or Montone with a 5 – 6 hour hike.

The quality of hospitality is sincere, loving, simple and comfortable. Prices are kept reasonable and low. There is a small swimming pool on the premises to refresh yourself during the summer heat, or simply relax in a shady spot. On clear starry nights one can sit around an outdoor campfire.

The retreat center is also an excellent place to use as a base for either walking or biking excursions, in which you can explore hills, woods, various hidden winding paths that marvelously unfold before your eyes. Furthermore at Pianello’s river you will be surrounded by wonderful natural scenery with pools of crystal clear water that is readily accessible for those brave enough to dive in.

Alternatively, you may decide to take a car ride, visiting some of the most architecturally and culturally interesting cities of central Italy such as Gubbio, Assisi, Urbino, Perugia, Cortona or Citta di Castello.