Eat. Paint. Love! Italy preparation

Hello and Warm Welcome,

It is an absolute joy to share the EAT. PAINT. LOVE! retreat in Tuscany, Italy with you!
To help you have an easy and pleasant journey, we ask that you:

  • Read this document carefully.

  • Upload your photo for the shuttle driver

  • Complete the form to the right.

  • Note my contact info:
    email: montine@lifeisanart.me or call/WhatsApp: +1 (646) 400 - 9086

 

The Location:

Our retreat takes place in a family-owned medieval borgo outside of a small town called Strada in Chianti.

via Mezzano, 36
50027, Strada in Chianti
Firenze, ITALIA

Getting to the Retreat: 

 

Shuttle Service:
Pickup/dropoff transportation from the Florence Santa Maria Novella train station on the first and last day of the retreat is included in your retreat package.

SMN Train Station Meeting Point, Day 1:

  • Where to Meet: Inside the Santa Maria Novella train station in front of the Farmacia (there will be a green sign with a cross)

  • When to Meet: 14:30/ 2:30 PM

  • Signage:
    The driver will hold a sign reading “EAT.PAINT.LOVE! with Montine” plus your photos and names.

Return Shuttle, Last Day:

  • You should arrive back at the SMN train station by 3:30PM

Alternate Transportation:

  • Car: If you wish to drive or hire a car, Strada in Chianti is about 45 minutes south of Florence.

  • Taxi: Taxis cost between $100- $130 from the Florence area to the retreat location.

  • Bus: There is an hour-long bus (approximately 4 euros) from the Florence bus station to a town 15 minutes away from our retreat, where we can you pick up.

  • Other: If you need advice for other arrival means, please let us know.

Accommodations:

The medieval structure has 9 apartments with 18 bedrooms and private and common areas (see accommodations), each with separate entrances opening onto the garden, the bourg, and/or overlooking the pool and wide views of the soft hills. There is a fabulously large, airy cantina which we will use for painting indoors; of course we can take our easels outdoors as we wish as well.

The living areas have a high-efficiency wood stoves, and radiator heat in cool evenings.  When days are warm and the interiors will remain cooled by the wide stone walls.

Onsite you will have access to limited WIFI, a washing machine and line dry, and a phone for local calls.  There is limited cell service in the countryside, so please let your loved ones know calls will likely be infrequent.

Rooms are assigned according to registration preferences.

Our Schedule:

An example of our daily schedule - of course these times subject to change as the group finds its preferred rhythm: 
6-day Schedule

8:00: Yoga
9:30: Breakfast
10:15-1:15: Intuition Painting
1:30: Lunch
2:00: Open Time
4:00-6:30: Intuition Painting
6:30-7:00: Free Time
7:00: Dinner
8:00: Free Time

Preparation:

This is a guide to getting the most out of Intuition Painting®. We feel confident that this guide will ensure the best and safest possible outcome for you and the group. Think of this workshop as an inner quest, a timeout from everyday life, to find and reconnect with yourself.

  1. Pay attention to your dreaming self - which may be already preparing for the Intuition Painting®. Note any powerful thoughts, feelings, or expectations that arise.

  2. Being in your natural state as you paint will enhance your process. Moderating substances such as caffeine, alcohol, refined sugars, and/or nicotine in advance of and during the workshop will benefit your experience. 

  3. Take care of all of your business, home, family, childcare, pet care before you arrive. Subject to reality, prepare to turn off your cell phone completely. Prepare your loved ones not to hear from you during our painting time. This one can be difficult, but it really pays off if you can manage it.

  4. Make sure no one is expecting you to come home with a painting to share.  You may decide to burn it ceremoniously after all - - or it may become more personal than you wish to share.  It is important to be free of any performance expectations. Remember this is not about creating a finished piece of artwork, it is rather about letting your creative unconscious communicate to you through its primary language: color, shape, and form.

  5. Optional Reading:  Painting from the Source by Aviva Gold; Life, Paint, & Passion by Michele Cassou & Stewart Cubley; The Creative Connection by Natalie Rogers.

What to Pack:

  • Be prepared for cool and warm weather, as it can range from 30's-90's F (1-33C).

  • Consider Packing:

    1. Comfy clothing for painting that you don’t mind getting paint on

    2. One dressy/fun outfit for our last dinner

    3. Layers (ie tank tops, tshirt, long sleeve shirt, light sweater, coat/jacket)

    4. Hiking/Walking shoes (closed toe)

    5. Scarf, hat, sunglasses, small umbrella

    6. Yoga attire

    7. Bathing suit & flip flops (pool on site)

    8. Water bottle

    9. Journal and pen

    10. A token of meaning from home (a photo, a locket, a reminder of a goal or loved one) to put in our circle

    11. Paintbrushes (Only if you have a set you prefer to use, otherwise we have everything on site)

    12. Self-care needs: medications, allergy medications (if sensitive), ear plugs, eye mask

What to leave home:

  • High heels

  • Perfumed lotions or fragrances

  • Worries

Items Already Onsite:

  • hairdryers

  • washing machine (line dry only)

  • yoga mats

  • towels

  • linens

  • reading lights

  • flashlights

  • healthy snacks

  • food including: water, coffee, tea, snacks, all meals

Getting Cash/Euros:

You will be able to use most ATM/bankomats in Italy to get euros. We recommend you choose ATMs that require your card in order to enter an enclosed area and access the machine.

Please note, foreign debit and credit cards may add a small “foreign adjustment fee” to all transactions.

Rules & Requests:

  • Please let the facilitator, a staff member, or an assistant know if you need any assistance or support.

  • Quiet hours are from 11:00PM-7:00AM.

  • The retreat is a drug-free environment. Please do not over-drink.

  • Please respect the experience of others.

  • Please do not play loud music or media in the common areas when others are already present without asking permission.

  • Leave any business or networking goals at home.

  • People who are not participating in the retreat or assisting the retreat are not allowed to be on the grounds unless previously agreed.

Massage Options:

  • 45 minute (80 euros) or 1 hour, 15 minutes (120 euros) massage sessions will be available for booking with highly recommended massage therapist Chiara. Her work is rooted in Ayurvedic-Yoga and integrates deep relaxation and muscular tension release with subtle Cranial Sacral work on emotional and energetic levels. She reconnects clients with their vital energy through primal breathing and prana. Past participants RAVE about Chiara :)

  • 45 minute Reiki and/or Cranial-Sacral sessions will be available with Angela (amazing practitioner).

Please pay in euros at the time of your massage.

Finalizing Payment:

Final payments are due two months before the retreat start date.  You will receive an invoice with your personal total due and payment instructions. Please read our Cancellation Policy and  email me if you have any questions.

 

Required Info:

Please complete the form below so we have all the info we need to accommodate you as best possible.