A Taste of Village Life: Custom Food, Art & Outdoor Adventures
Escape with your small group to Vallo di Nera, a medieval village tucked into the hills of Umbria.
Just two hours north of Rome, this stone village is surrounded by forests and quiet countryside. Life moves slowly here. Artisans, cafés, and everyday moments shape village life—experiences your Italian-American host, Jessica Vecchione, shares as she guides you.
Guests stay in Jessica’s private home in the heart of the village. From there, each group creates its own path through Umbria. These custom retreats are built around slow travel, with days shaped by what matters most—at a pace that feels natural and unhurried.
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Start Planning Your Custom Journey with a 30 Minute Chat
Select a date and time to book - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Zoom Call with Jessica Vecchione to talk about Custom Retreats
VirtualJoin me for a brief Zoom call to talk about Umbria and see if a scheduled retreat or a custom trip for your small group is the right fit. We’ll go over dates, pricing, travel, lodging, meals, and what a typical week looks like at Casa Della Zia in the Valnerina. I’ll also explain how custom trips work for groups of up to 10 and how we shape each experience around your interests. Whether you're drawn to food, art, workshops, or time exploring the countryside, we’ll talk through what matters most to you and find the right balance of structure and free time. No pressure, just a friendly conversation to answer your questions and help you decide what feels right.
Select date and timeEvent time zone:America/New York GMT-04:00
Zoom Call with Nick & Jessica (Winter Light Photo Retreat - December 7 - 14, 2026)
VirtualSchedule a Zoom call to learn more about Winter Light in Umbria, a one-week photography retreat in the medieval village of Vallo di Nera led by photographer Nick Kelsh. This is not simply a photography workshop. It is an immersive winter experience in one of Umbria’s most beautiful stone villages, where the pace is slower, the light is softer, and everyday life becomes part of what we photograph. During the call, we can talk through the retreat experience, the village setting, the photography approach, accommodations, meals, travel logistics, and what to expect during a December week in Umbria. You’ll learn how the retreat blends daily shooting, in-the-moment guidance, shared meals, village walks, firelit evenings, and the chance to photograph real moments as they unfold. This is a good opportunity to ask questions, meet your hosts, and see whether this small-group retreat is the right fit for you.Select date and timeEvent time zone:America/New York GMT-04:00
Zoom Call with Jessica & Jeanette (Maiolica Painting Retreat, May 10 - 17, 2027)
VirtualCurious about our Maiolica Painting Retreat in Umbria? A brief Zoom call is the best way to explore whether this experience is the right fit for you. Join Jessica Vecchione, host of Casa Della Zia, and Jeanette Platania-Harper, master maiolica artist, for a relaxed, no-pressure conversation about what the week truly feels like — not just the itinerary, but the pace, setting, and creative experience of living and painting in Umbria. We’ll cover retreat dates, pricing, travel logistics, accommodations, meals, group size, and what a typical day looks like, including studio time, excursions, and downtime. You’ll also have time to ask questions and talk through your goals, experience level, and expectations. If you’re considering a custom retreat or private small-group trip, we can also discuss interests, preferred pace, and possible tailored options. This call is purely informational — an opportunity to gain clarity, meet your hosts, and decide whether this retreat aligns with what you’re looking for. Schedule your Zoom call below.Select date and timeEvent time zone:America/New York GMT-04:00
Zoom Call with Jessica and Randy (Songs Across the Mountains - June 20 - 27, 2027)
virtualJoin singer-songwriter Randy Miritello and Casa della Zia host Jessica Vecchione for a relaxed Zoom conversation about Songs Across the Mountains, an immersive songwriting retreat taking place June 21–28, 2027, in the medieval Umbrian village of Vallo di Nera. Randy and Jessica will share what makes this retreat so special, from focused morning songwriting sessions and informal song circles to shared meals, cultural excursions, local traditions, and the unforgettable landscapes of the Valnerina. You’ll learn how the week is designed to help both experienced songwriters and those just beginning turn memories, stories, melodies, and a sense of place into original songs. This is an informal, no-pressure opportunity to meet Randy and Jessica, hear more about the retreat experience, ask questions, and discover whether a week of music, storytelling, community, and creative inspiration in Umbria feels right for you.Select date and timeEvent time zone:America/New York GMT-04:00
Zoom Call with Candace & Jessica (Sky & Stone Yoga, September 20-30, 2027)
VirtualJoin me for a brief Zoom call with Candace Rudd to talk about Umbria and Sky & Stone, a small-group yoga retreat, September 20–30, 2027, based at Casa Della Zia in Vallo di Nera. The full itinerary is available to review in advance. This is a friendly, no-pressure conversation where we’ll walk through dates, pricing, travel and transfers, lodging, meals, and what a typical week feels like. Candace will also answer questions about her yoga approach and how the retreat is welcoming to people who want to move, rest, breathe, and reconnect at their own pace. We’ll talk about the rhythm of the week—from morning mindful movement and breathwork to slow days exploring the Umbrian countryside, sharing local meals, visiting nearby towns like Spoleto and Norcia, and winding down with gentle practice, conversation, wine, and candlelight. Book a Zoom time below and bring your questions. This call is simply an opportunity to get clarity and decide whether this retreat is the right fit for you.Select date and timeEvent time zone:America/New York GMT-04:00Buon Giorno
A glimpse into what awaits you...
