Tranquility and nature are the treasures of Casa Della Pace.

The estate 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, retreat member 2010

Picture yourself spending time in Italy writing, doing yoga, dining on detoxifying vegetarian cuisine, and enjoying a bit of local wine.

At heart, Casa della Pace is a simple, peaceful retreat space within an hour’s distance of Assisi and Perugia. 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.

Far greater than a vacation is the special kind of retreat that reminds you that your life is a treat, and that the precursor to the vacation was a treat as well. When you return home,  you will take back strategies for reaching fulfillment that are both flexible and motivating.

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.

 

“There was so much love and acceptance emanating from Jade and Stephen that anything seemed possible. And, it was so much fun! Even though we did a lot of serious and useful work, we also spent a lot of time laughing, and everyone knows there is nothing better for healing than humor. Jade, you have the most delightful and infectious laugh! The group was amazing–I don’t know how you did it, but it felt like everyone was chosen to complement everyone else. For those two weeks we all belonged together–and I know the friendships begun there will continue. For me personally, the goal writing and creative exercises helped me to find my writing voice again; it had been buried for a few years and now I’ve got it back. That is one of the greatest gifts I took home with me from the retreat. Thank you, Stephen, and Jade for the painting and yoga, which were equally crucial for my development…” -Sharon, retreat member 2010

 

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

“I liked eating hot dogs and smoking cigarettes and running around my Los Angeles-paced life complaining about how I can’t find time to write and worrying about my herniated disc destroying my yoga practice and making me an invalid. Two weeks in the gorgeous Umbrian hinterlands, and I kicked my 17-year nicotine habit, I got 15 rough chapters of my book written (could’ve done more if I didn’t catch a bug on my weekend trip to buy leather goods in Florence), I was walking almost pain free, and I’m committed to eating more fruits and nuts. If you want your head rearranged by the positivity of the people (Stephen, Jade, Santi, the staff, and all the other participants) and the sheer serenity of the place, come do this. It’s so amazing and magical that re-entry into real life might get a little rough, but that’s just an indication that you’re bringing home a better, more determined, more centered you.”

- Felice, 2011 Wellness Immersion Writing Retreat at Casa della Pace

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.

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