Vallo di Nera
.....in the Green Heart of Umbria
Inside the Retreat
More than just a workshop—it's a curated immersion into Italian art, historic living, and the flavors of the valley.
The Village as Your Studio: A Journey of Discovery in Vallo di Nera
When you step through the medieval gates of Vallo di Nera, you aren't just visiting a historic site, you are entering your living studio. Built in 1100, this remarkably preserved stone village is yours to discover, offering inspiration at every turn. Beyond the easel, you will form genuine connections with the local community, making friends with villagers as we share coffee in their homes and experience the authentic rhythm of Umbrian life.
From sketching the 14th-century frescoes in the Church of Santa Maria to finding inspiration at the ancient stone fontana, the entire village serves as your backdrop, inviting you to become a part of its timeless story. While our dedicated studio space at Casa della Zia provides the perfect light and tranquility for mastering delicate Maiolica brushwork, the world outside its walls is your true canvas, waiting to be explored
Garden Fires & Authentic Flavors
Art is best accompanied by world-class food, and at Casa della Zia, every meal is a celebration of the valley. Savor an unforgettable evening as we gather in the garden around our 200-year-old stone oven to watch two Vallo native chefs, Giacomo and Anastasia, prepare traditional focaccia over an open wood fire. Throughout your stay, you’ll enjoy authentic farm-to-table meals and local wine tastings—all included and prepared with the freshest traditional ingredients from the heart of Umbria.
Beyond the villa, we have curated a culinary journey that takes you to the finest restaurants in the region. You will enjoy lunches and dinners at the most celebrated dining rooms in the valley and historic hill towns, including refined meals at the historic Locanda Cacio Re and the elegant Locanda Valcasana. From the rustic, multi-course feasts at La Lecceta horse farm to the sophisticated flavors of Trevi and Spoleto, your palate will experience the absolute best that Umbrian gastronomy has to offer.
Day Trip to Assisi
We’ll journey from our medieval base in Vallo di Nera to Assisi, where art, architecture and the story of Saint Francis come together. Inside the Basilica of Saint Francis, we’ll take time to look closely at the extraordinary frescoes, noticing the expressive figures, rich colors, decorative borders and storytelling that make these paintings so compelling. For our own work, there is inspiration in every detail: the curve of a painted arch, the pattern of a robe, or the balance of warm earth tones against a brilliant blue.
Beyond the Basilica, we’ll explore Assisi’s stone streets and inviting piazzas, with time for shopping in the small boutiques and artisan shops along the way. Browse ceramics, jewelry, textiles and local specialties, perhaps finding a keepsake or a gift to bring home. Bring a sketchbook or camera to collect colors, shapes and motifs as we wander, and pause for a coffee or gelato. Back at Casa della Zia, these observations can become starting points for your own maiolica designs, connecting the art we’ve encountered with the work taking shape in the studio.
A Pilgrimage to Deruta: The Heart of Italian Ceramics
Immerse yourself in the world-renowned heart of Italian ceramic heritage with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes visit to a traditional working studio in Deruta. This isn't just a gallery visit; it is a front-row seat to the complete alchemy of Maiolica art, covering every meticulous step of the ancient process.
You will witness the entire lifecycle of a masterpiece: from the rhythmic "throwing" of raw clay on the artisan’s wheel to the delicate hand-painting of traditional mineral glazes, and finally, the high-stakes transformation inside the kiln. Gaining this rare, technical insight into the craftsmanship that has defined the Renaissance for centuries provides the perfect creative spark for the several designs you will complete during your week at Casa della Zia. After the tour, you'll have time to explore the vibrant piazza and local shops of this charming town, seeing firsthand how these historic techniques continue to shape modern Italian culture.
A Day at La Lecceta: Rustic Flavors & Roman Ruins
We’ll take a break from the studio to visit La Lecceta, a peaceful horse farm nestled in the Umbrian hills. Our friend Daniela will welcome us for a leisurely afternoon and a traditional feast prepared in her kitchen. Her generous meal unfolds over several courses, giving us time to savor the food, share stories around the table and enjoy the countryside. Between courses, step outside to meet the horses and take in the colors and textures of the surrounding hills, with plenty of inspiration to bring back to the studio.
On our way back to Casa della Zia, we’ll stop at Ponte Fonnaia, an ancient Roman bridge tucked away in a quiet valley. Its massive stone blocks and graceful arch offer a striking subject for photographs or a few pages in your sketchbook. We’ll take time to explore, notice the details of its construction and imagine the travelers who passed this way centuries ago.
The Art of the Table: A Masterclass in Handmade Pasta
Trade your brushes for rolling pins as you join master chefs Cinzia and Paolo, the heart and soul of Locanda Cacio Re, for an immersive culinary workshop in the center of Vallo di Nera. In this tactile session, you will learn the timeless craft of creating perfect pasta dough from scratch, fashioning it into an array of traditional cuts and delicate, hand-sculpted ravioli. Much like capturing a landscape on canvas, you’ll learn to balance texture and flavor under the expert guidance of our hosts.
Beyond the pasta, Cinzia and Paolo will lead the class through the preparation of a signature Umbrian appetizer and a decadent Italian dessert. The experience culminates in a celebratory sit-down lunch at the Locanda, where we will gather as a group to enjoy the three-course feast we created together. To ensure you can bring the flavors of the valley back to your own kitchen, you will head home with a collection of family recipes and a signature Locanda Cacio Re apron—a functional masterpiece of your time in Vallo.
A Portfolio of Italian Masterpieces: Hand-Painted Memories For Your Home
Under the expert guidance of Jeanette Platania-Harper, you won’t just create a single painting—you will complete a diverse portfolio of several authentic designs to take home. Using her specially developed technique that adapts intricate, traditional Italian and Sicilian Maiolica patterns for versatile acrylics on paper, you will bring the vibrant spirit of the Renaissance to life across multiple stunning pieces.
This collection isn't just a set of souvenirs; it is a permanent, tangible legacy of your eight-day creative immersion at Casa della Zia. You will capture the ancient soul of Vallo di Nera in a series of masterpieces you’ll be proud to display throughout your home, serving as a lifelong reminder of your time spent mastering a new craft in the heart of Italy. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned artist, you will leave with the skills and the hand-crafted art to prove that you’ve truly mastered the art of the stay.
