Slow Living Couples Retreat
Le Marche, Italy | Apr 30–May 6, 2025
We can’t think of a better place in the world for couples to connect than in beautiful Italy.
This uniquely designed experience provides an opportunity to lean into the slow living pace that Italy has to offer while exploring a region that is considered one of Italy’s beautiful, hidden gems with your loved one.
The Location & Venue
Central Marche: a hidden gem
Le Marche is a hidden gem less known by most travelers. Nestled between the mountains and the Adriatic sea, beautiful nature is all around in this gorgeous region of Italy. You’ve maybe never heard of the region of Marche, but that’s not because it’s any less beautiful than Tuscany or Umbria. It’s only because it’s off the typical tourist trail that stays close to the main highway in Italy.
Italians call Le Marche, “Italy in a region.” With the mountains, the sea, forests, and the hills, it has a little taste of the architecture, the landscape, and the cuisine that Italy has to offer.
Retreat Villa
Where We Will Stay: a luxury villa
In the hills of central Marche, this exquisite and luxurious villa holds some of the best panoramic views in the region. The villa is a fully restored farmhouse only a few kilometers from an old medieval village known as the “balcony of Marche.” When the weather is clear, you can even see a view all the way to the Adriatic Sea.
This luxury villa is restored respecting the standard of a typical Marche farmhouse, but with modern comforts and conveniences. There are beautiful indoor and outdoor living spaces with spectacular views of the countryside that guests can enjoy day and night. The villa rests on twenty acres with room to explore and take an evening stroll.
Each couple’s private suite is both luxurious and comfortable. Each are fully equipped with an in-suite bathroom with rain shower, bidet, sink, and linens.
The common spaces of the villa are elegant with a touch of rustic appeal. Whether you choose to relax by the outdoor heated pool, take a dip in the indoor jacuzzi while enjoying the views out of the beautiful, picture windows, or play a game of billiards, there is room to gather in various spaces.
All meals at the villa are prepared using local, quality ingredients. There is plenty of space for us to gather at the table together, both indoors as well as al fresco.
What You Can Expect on the Retreat
A Uniquely Designed Retreat for Couples: helping you focus on connection and slow living
I have had many requests to host a retreat for couples offering an opportunity for them to have a similar experience that I offer at my ladies retreats. My husband and I have a big heart for couples and a desire to see their marriages flourish. We can’t think of a better place in the world for couples to connect than in beautiful Italy.
This retreat is for married couples looking for an exclusive experience (limited to only four couples/8 attendees) discovering hidden Italy & slow living in the region of Le Marche.
The topography of Marche is breathtaking. Choose to explore the forest, hike to a waterfall, or soak up the sun on the beach. The quaint villages found in this region seem to be nearly untouched by tourism. Instead, you will find Italians living life and loving where they live. You won’t hear much English spoken in this area. Instead, you find deep, Italian culture.
Marche is the perfect place to live slowly and explore how Italians do that day in and day out. There will be time for visits to small villages for a stroll and to take in the view, excursions to the sea, wine tours, and enjoying exquisite, local cuisine.
This retreat is all-inclusive once the retreat begins. You will be able to rest, recharge, and enjoy the loveliest place on earth with the one you love the most.
Live Slowly: intentional itinerary to help you enjoy and savor all Italy has to offer
As with all retreats that we offer, this retreat will focus on slow living. There will be time for our Slow Living Workshop where you will learn the value of a slower paced life and all that life has to offer. With hands-on observation of the Italian culture, this lifestyle will be evident.
Because of the theme and nature of the retreat, the pace is relaxed. There is not a demanding schedule and list of sights to see. Rather, there is a mixture of time to relax and rest while exploring and experiencing the beauty of Italy.
As with any retreat in Italy, food is a priority. Authentic, local cuisine will be enjoyed and savored along with local wines. Did you know that The Best Italian Winery of 2024 is from Marche? We plan to visit this winery for a special tour and tasting while on the retreat.
All retreats with Old World Italian leave room for relaxing back at the villa. As mentioned, there will be time set aside to enjoy the luxurious accommodations and gorgeous views overlooking the golden hills of Marche. Soak up the warm sun next to the beautiful pool. Practice self care in the indoor spa house with the jacuzzi. Simply savor the culture of Italia.
Italy taught us to live slowly and savor everyday life.
Meet Your Hosts
Ciao a tutti! We are Sommer and Neil.
We have always loved Italy. Nearly two decades ago, we created and opened an artisanal gelateria handcrafting gelato each day. We travelled to Italy to be trained in gelato making and while there, fell head over heels for Italia. We never imagined that years later, we would end up moving there. While running our business, we enjoyed creating unique flavors of gelato and serving it to our community daily. It was such a joy to see people’s faces light up tasting our gelato and being reminded of their own unique travels to Italy.
After many years of this life, we sold our two gelaterie locations and it was a complete refresh for our family. By this time, we had two little baby boys. We sold our home, cars, and all of our belongings and moved to Italy for a great adventure that lasted for years. Even now, it continues in a new way.
Living in Italy was a wonderful experience for our family. The experience taught us to live slowly and savor everyday life. It gave us a very unique perspective on time, productivity, and relationships. It helped us to look at what people truly value in life.
Life brought us back to the States, but it is now our joy to travel back to our “second home” and share our love for it with others like you.
As a couple who has been married for over twenty-two years, we have learned the value of sharing life with one another. We value experiences over things every time. As we reflect, it’s the memories and experiences we have shared together—building things, taking big steps of faith, enjoying unforgettable meals, traveling to new places, and gaining new perspectives—that have impacted us and our relationship the most. It’s the unique moments that we share together that have bonded us in our marriage. Many of those moments have happened in bellissima Italia.
We want to invite you to join us for an unforgettable experience that we believe will add value to your life and to your marriage. Join us for a week specifically curated and set aside for you to connect with your spouse in a magical setting like no other.
More Details about the Retreat & Pricing
Accommodation
– 6 nights in a luxurious villa with breathtaking views of the Marche countryside
* the accommodations are luxurious with modern conveniences, yet have Old World Italian charm
* all rooms are equipped with queen beds and private, in-suite bathrooms
What’s Included?
– 6 nights beautiful and luxurious accommodation in an Italian villa
– exclusivity: only 8 attendees will enjoy this exclusive and intimate retreat (married couples only)
– all meals, wine, beverages, and snacks for each person: 7 suppers, 6 lunches, and 6 breakfasts lovingly prepared by your hosts from locally sourced, quality ingredients as well as dining out at some of the best restaurants and local spots around
– free arrival and departure transportation to the retreat location
– all local transportation during the retreat so you don’t have to worry about anything but enjoying your time in Italy
– hiking to a beautiful waterfall near the mountains
– day excursion to a beautiful beach along the Adriatic coast of Italy
– a visit to Italy’s 2024 winery of the year
– uniquely curated day trips and excursions to small, local villages and the surrounding countryside
– pasta making workshop
– Slow Living Workshop to help you learn to live the slow, Italian life wherever you are
– free time with your spouse to relax by the pool, in the spa, or take a nature walk
– pre-retreat consultation with your hosts to help you prepare for your time in Italy
– your hosts will serve as your personal guides for this uniquely designed experience
What’s Not Included?
– flight costs
– transportation to the retreat pick-up destination
– travel insurance (recommended)
Price
$6,500 per couple (may be paid in one full-payment or two half-payments)
*attendees must be at least 18yr or older at time of travel
*full payment is due by and non-refundable after January 31, 2025. A one-half down payment is required to secure your spot.
Cancellation Policy
In order to reserve your spot to participate, 50 percent of payment is required. Fully refundable before Jan 31, 2025. Full-payment is due by and non-refundable after Jan 31, 2025. Please be aware that there will be no last-minute refunds or cancellations due to the nature of the event. However, if you need to cancel, we can accept someone else to take your spot. Alternatively, a refund will be offered if the spot is filled through the waiting list. It is also recommended that you purchase travel insurance.