Inside the Retreat
More than just a workshop—it's a curated immersion into Italian art, historic living, and the flavors of the valley.
Vallo di Nera: Your Living Canvas
When you enter the medieval gates of Vallo di Nera, you are entering your living studio. Built in 1100, this remarkably preserved stone village offers a "sketching op" at every turn—from the 14th-century frescoes in the Church of Santa Maria to the ancient stone fontana where villagers once gathered.
Beyond the sketchbook, you will form genuine connections with the local community, including visiting our neighbor Franca for coffee in her home. As we stroll through the weathered stone walls and quiet charm of the village, you will learn to capture the interplay of light and shadow that makes Vallo a dream destination for artists. Here, the village isn't just a backdrop; it’s a place to make friends and find your story.
Culinary Inspiration: A Feast for the Senses and the Sketchbook
Sketching is best accompanied by world-class food, and at Casa della Zia, every meal is a celebration of the valley. Savor an unforgettable afternoon as we gather in the garden around our 200-year-old stone oven to watch two Vallo natives, Giacomo and Anastasia, prepare traditional focaccia over an open wood fire. The rustic charm of the stone oven and the glow of the flames provide the perfect "visual feast" to capture in your sketchbook before we share the meal together.
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 dining rooms in the region. You will enjoy refined meals at the historic Locanda Cacio Re and an evening in the riverside village of Scheggino at the elegant Locanda Valcasana.
From the rustic, five-course feasts at La Lecceta horse farm to the sophisticated flavors and vibrant flower-lined streets of Spoleto and Spello, your palate—and your sketchbook—will experience the absolute best of Umbrian gastronomy.
Assisi: A Travel Sketcher's Dream
Journey just 35 minutes from our medieval base in Vallo di Nera to the spiritual and artistic heart of Italy. You won’t just wander through the Basilica; you’ll be led on a private, 2.5-hour guided tour by Maura, our knowledgeable and charismatic local expert. Together, we will study the legendary frescoes and winding medieval streets that have inspired world-class artisans for centuries. By observing the interplay of light on ancient stonework and serene countryside views, you’ll find fresh inspiration to fill your pocket-sized sketchbook with a personal collection of memories.
The Edible Sketch: A Pasta Masterclass at Locanda Cacio Re
Put down your pencils and pick up the rolling pins for an afternoon of delicious, tactile creation. Join master chefs and owners Cinzia and Paolo at the celebrated Locanda Cacio Re to learn the ancient art of handmade pasta. Much like layering a sketch, you will learn to build the perfect dough from scratch, fashioning it into traditional cuts and hand-sculpted ravioli that are as beautiful as they are flavorful.
Under their expert guidance, the class will also prepare a classic Umbrian appetizer and a decadent dessert. The experience concludes with a celebratory sit-down lunch where we will enjoy our creations together in the Locanda’s historic dining room. To ensure this "memory" stays with you long after you leave Vallo di Nera, you’ll head home with a collection of their family recipes and a signature Locanda Cacio Re apron.
The Fior Di Cacio Festival: A Sensory Visual Feast
Experience the heart of Umbrian culture during the Fior Di Cacio Festival in Vallo di Nera. This celebration of local cheese, artisans, and pastoral life provides a vibrant, high-energy environment for your sketches. You’ll have the rare opportunity to capture the movement of the festival, the textures of local hand-crafted cheeses, and the festive life of the Valnerina valley as it spills through the medieval streets.
A Day at La Lecceta: Rustic Flavors & Roman Ruins
We’ll take a break from the studio to visit La Lecceta, a serene local horse farm nestled in the Umbrian hills. Relax as our friend Daniela spends the day preparing a traditional, multi-course feast just for us, showcasing the true heart of Italian home cooking. On our way back to Casa della Zia, we’ll stop to explore a hidden piece of history: the Ponte Fonnaia. This massive, 2nd-century Roman bridge is a breathtaking "secret" tucked away in the landscape—a perfect, quiet moment to sketch or simply soak in the ancient atmosphere of the valley.
A Personal Visual Diary: Capturing the Soul of Umbria
Under the expert guidance of Teresa Bonner, you won’t just create a single drawing—you will fill a personal, pocket-sized sketchbook with a diverse collection of memories to take home. Whether capturing urban scenes, rolling landscapes, or the vibrant colors of an Umbrian meal, you will learn to use quick sketches to preserve the moments that matter most to you.
Through brief demonstrations and personalized support, Teresa will help you develop your technical skills and tap into your own creative voice. If you have often thought about sketching while traveling but didn't know where to start, this is the perfect workshop for you. Teresa loves working with novices and provides dedicated guidance and tips specifically for beginners throughout our sketching sessions to ensure everyone feels confident and inspired.
This collection isn't just a set of drawings; it is a permanent, tangible legacy of your eight-day creative immersion at Casa della Zia. You will leave with a series of personal sketches that serve as a lifelong reminder of your time spent wandering and sketching in the heart of Italy. Whether you are a complete beginner picking up a pen for the first time or an experienced artist, you will leave with the skills and a hand-crafted visual diary to prove that you’ve truly mastered "the art of the stay".
