Bespoke Ceramic Retreat Isola del Giglio
TraveLoving can build a bespoke retreat experience from weekend retreats to 1 week and longer, always working with our trusted partners and friends, and tailored to meet the needs of the individual and the whole.
Min 3 – Max 9 Travellers
During the Ceramic Retreat there are 2 to 4 hours of instruction each day punctuated by lunch. After your class you can choose to spend more time working on your ceramic piece or go for an excursion, it’s up to you. The atelier will be open to you 12 hours a day during your stay.
The Ceramic Retreat will be held by Dominique CJ Masullo, founder of Prince Of Sun. During the course you will learn different manual techniques, used since ancient times, to create works inspired by the beauty of the landscape that surrounds you. My advice is: feel free, use your imagination and creativity without thinking that you can’t do it!
Isola del Giglio
Don’t come to Giglio looking for a party, or luxury shopping, or Michelin-starred dining. There’s little in the way of glamour here, but for a quiet, laid-back retreat, few places on the west coast of Italy offer that sweet spot of easy access and a completely away-from-it-all feel.
Just over nine square miles, Isola del Giglio is the second-largest of the Tuscan Archipelago, the string of seven islands said to have been formed by the scattered pearls of Venus’ necklace. Giglio’s hulking big sister, Elba, slouches to the north and is visible on a clear day. Together with even tinier Capraia, they are the only islands with year-round populations and public access. The island is reached via one of several daily ferries from Porto Santo Stefano on the Tuscan mainland (the ride takes about an hour).
Stay
Overlooking a rocky cove on the south-east side of Giglio Island. The villa stands on top of a series of granite terraces and today appears surrounded by a park-garden created and maintained over the years by the same family, “conquering” it with love for granite, wind, salt and drought.
The House
The Summer Home is a secluded hideaway on the remote island of Giglio in Tuscany. If you want to get away from the rest of the world to relax your mind, body and soul, then this retreat could be the place for you. Sitting on a promontory above a tiny bay, a twenty-minute boat ride from Isola del Giglio’s main harbour, this family run guesthouse is nothing if not secluded. You won’t find revelers looking for nightlife or restaurants because simply, there are none. Instead, you get hospitality (full board includes buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner), peace of mind and tradition. This is not to say there is nothing to do there as there are endless trekking trails, a variety of sport to indulge in and a lovely little rock beach to refresh your soul.
Food
The fresh everyday cooked food is a great part of the pleasure. All is home made with love by Barbara and Marcella in the little kitchen behind the main dining room. Homemade pasta and bread, fresh fish of the day, meat, cheese, salty and sweet cakes, for a typical Mediterranean diet are served at every meal.
Most of the ingredients including the meat is produced by them, fish comes from the island fishermen or from the fish farms in the salty water of Orbetello lake. The vegetable garden of their own farm provides some the fresh greens for the meals and there is even a little mill that grinds the grains for bread, pasta and cakes. Everything is cultivated in an organic way respectful of the environment.
The Farm
Like in a normal farm you will find pigs, hens and goats. With the goat milk we make a wonderful “caprino” cheese, yogurt and ricotta for breakfast. If you take a walk in the farm in the early morning to enjoy the first light of sunrise you will find out that the animals have the best view over the sea and Cala degli Alberi. But soon you will hear their voices asking for freedom and food. In their way they ask the guardian to open their enclosures and scatter in the wild part of the island. At sunset like good fellows they will be back by themselves to their stables.
What To Do
This Tiny Island Off the Coast of Tuscany Offers Crystalline Sea Views, Hidden Coves for Snorkeling, and Amazing Hikes
During your free time you are free to explore the island by yourself as a traveler, not as a tourist!
– Beach Hop: A hike or short drive away from your base at the port are the three most beautiful beaches on the island. Le Cannelle and Le Caldane, just right of the port, are close enough to each other that both can be visited in a day. Though Le Cannelle can be reached by a hike (with spectacular views of the bays, cliffs and coastline) is necessary to reach Le Caldane.
– Rent A Boat: Renting a boat is a sure way to view the entire island, which is only 20 square kilometres. Anchor at L’Arenella or in one of the many secluded coves before diving into the water, tepid and inviting. (We rented through the small business Relaxing Boat, Isola del Giglio).
– Additional aquatic experiences are readily available, and small businesses hosting scuba diving and snorkeling excursions can be found within the port.
– Rent E-bikes at Giglio Porto right by Bottega di Angiolino it’s the best way to explore the whole island
The Retreat Includes
– 7 nights in double suite / double or single occupancy
– full board includes buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner during your stay (alcoholic drinks included only during dinner)
– the Holiday Home offer the following activities: canoeing, bowling, table tennis
– daily ceramic workshop
– boat transfer to the Holiday House from/to Giglio Porto
Prices
7 Nights – 8 Days:
2.750€ per person in shared double room; 3.350€ per person in double room – single occupancy
The Retreat Not Includes
– additional activities
– flights/train
– transfers to and from airports
- meals and drinks that are not mentioned in the program
– insurances