Bring your sketchbook to where art meets la dolce vita…

Hello creative friends!
I’m delighted to invite you to join me for a soulful and inspiring art retreat in the rolling hills of Italy next August!

Set in the heart of Le Marche, this 7-day/6-night all-inclusive creative escape will be held at the enchanting Hotel Leone—a beautifully restored 15th-century palazzo nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the Sibillini Mountains.

Each day will be a blend of joyful exploration and quiet creation: we’ll sketch in hilltop villages, paint sunlit landscapes, and gather in the studio for mixed media collage, watercolor, PanPastels, and creative journaling. Expect warm breezes, ancient stone paths, shared meals under the stars, and the kind of connection that only art and travel can bring.

Come away with me to this magical corner of Italy—where creativity flows as freely as the local wine, and beauty waits around every bend.

•   7 nights accommodation in luxury  air-conditioned, en-suite rooms

   – Luxury bedding

   – High quality, 100% natural, Italian toiletries:  shampoo, shower gel, body lotion and hand gel

   – Daily servicing of the rooms

   – Mid-week linen and towel change
   – 100% cotton waffle robes and slippers

• All meals including breakfast, buffet lunch and a choice of up to 4 courses from our daily changing gourmet evening menu

• A ‘pizza-giro’ evening at a local trattoria within a few minutes walk of the hotel

•   Delicious local wine with lunch and evening meal

• Hands-on pasta making masterclass with three generations of the same family – Nonna, her son and her granddaughter – who will all teach you how to make tagliatelle and ravioli from scratch

• 30 hours of painting tuition, including demonstrations and one-to-one advice and guidance

• PanPastels & some shared art supplies

• Private group transfers to and from either Ancona airport or Pedaso (station or bus stop)

• Excursion to the beautiful town of Ascoli Piceno( lunch not included only on this day)

•  Morning excursion to the hilltop town of Torre di Palme – followed by lunch in a beachside restaurant at the coastal town of Pedaso on the Riviera del Palma. 

•  Experience the community and culture on a “Taste of Le Marche” full-day excursion visiting three local, family-run, artisanal food & wine producers with a tour and tasting at each

•  Unlimited use of our air-conditioned studio

•  Full-time staff on-site 

Creating in the Land of Light…

This retreat isn’t just about making art—it’s about pausing to notice the golden light on stone walls, the curve of a hillside, the quiet beauty of everyday life in Italy. With Ivy’s gentle guidance and the timeless charm of Le Marche as your muse, you’ll return home with meaningful artwork and a deeper connection to your creative self.

Join me in Italy and make space for beauty, inspiration, and the joy of slowing down…

Ascoli Piceno

Once a thriving Roman settlement, Ascoli Piceno is a town steeped in elegance and timeless beauty. We’ll stroll through the grand Piazza del Popolo—one of Italy’s most beautiful squares—lined with Renaissance architecture and gleaming travertine stone. From there, we’ll explore its winding streets, historic churches, and artisan shops, soaking in the quiet rhythm of Italian life. It’s a place where history and inspiration meet at every turn—an artist’s dream come to life.

Torre di Palme

Perched high above the Adriatic Sea, Torre di Palme is a jewel of the Marche region—quiet, sun-washed, and full of charm. With its narrow stone lanes, flowering balconies, and sweeping sea views, this medieval hilltop village feels like a step back in time. We’ll wander through its peaceful streets, sketching its textures and vistas, and soaking in the stillness that makes it such a perfect place for reflection and creative pause.

Taste of Le Marche

Experience the community and culture of Le Marche on a full-day “Taste of Le Marche” excursion, where we’ll visit three family-run, artisanal food and wine producers tucked into the region’s rolling hills. At each stop, you’ll enjoy a guided tour and tasting—sampling everything from hand-pressed olive oil and aged cheeses to regional wines and traditional sweets. Along the way, you’ll meet the passionate makers behind these local treasures, hear their stories, and experience firsthand the heart, heritage, and hospitality that make this region so special.

The art of Italian pasta

Step into a true Italian kitchen for a hands-on pasta-making masterclass led by three generations of the same welcoming family—Nonna, her son, and her granddaughter. Together, they’ll guide you through the art of crafting traditional tagliatelle and ravioli from scratch, sharing cherished techniques, laughter, and family stories along the way. It’s more than a cooking class—it’s a joyful celebration of connection, tradition, and the simple pleasure of making something beautiful by hand.

Workshops With Ivy

Our creative journey in Italy will be rooted in beauty, presence, and gentle exploration. I’ll guide you in creating a soulful PanPastel portrait—no drawing experience needed, as we’ll use a simple transfer method so you can focus on building color, softness, and quiet expression.

We’ll also spend time sketching in hilltop villages and golden fields, creating expressive field journal pages inspired by wildflowers, crumbling stone walls, and the shifting Italian light. Together, we’ll explore watercolor studies, storytelling collage drawn from the region’s rich history and landscape, and prompts that encourage freedom, play, and artistic curiosity.

It’s a week to slow your pace, breathe with the land, and let your creativity unfold with ease and intention.

Private Travel & EXcursions

Our week will include a thoughtful blend of cultural excursions and serene countryside moments—all curated with care by our trusted local hosts. We’ll travel together in a comfortable, private vehicle, winding through sun-drenched hills, vineyards, and quiet medieval villages.

No schedules to manage, no maps to follow—just relaxed discovery and the pleasure of being fully immersed. Sit back, breathe deep, and take in the golden light, terracotta rooftops, and sweeping views as the heart of Italy gently reveals itself.

Accommodations

As the late summer light spills over terracotta rooftops and the hush of the hills settles into evening, our days close in comfort and quiet beauty. Perched in the medieval village of Montelparo, Hotel Leone welcomes artists and seekers with open arms, elegant spaces, and timeless Italian warmth.

This beautifully restored 15th-century palazzo blends old-world charm with modern ease, where stone archways, antique furnishings, and views that stretch to the sea invite you to slow down. Sip local wine on the terrace, sketch as the sun sets behind the hills, or retreat to a quiet corner with your journal and dreams.

It’s a place to rest, reflect, and be gently inspired—a hillside haven for your creative spirit.

Food & Drink

At Hotel Leone, every meal is a celebration of Italy’s rich culinary traditions. You’ll enjoy a full array of chef-prepared meals each day—including a plentiful breakfast, a fresh and varied buffet lunch, and a choice of up to four courses from our daily changing gourmet evening menu.

Whether we’re dining together in the elegant dining room or beneath the open sky on the terrace, each meal is thoughtfully prepared with local, seasonal ingredients and paired with exceptional regional wines.

It’s Italian hospitality at its finest—nourishing, flavorful, and made to be savored in good company.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Travel costs / Airfare

• Passport fees, photos and processing where applicable

• Additional nights lodging

• 1 lunch out