246: Join Me Italy in 2025 for a Rest-Filled, Christ-Centered Travel Retreat for Women!

Last Updated on August 29, 2024 by Alicia Michelle

How’d you like some spiritual replenishment… while enjoying beautiful Italy?! I am thrilled to announce that I’m hosting a Christian Women’s retreat in September 2025 in Tuscany! Today I’m sharing the details of this life-changing retreat including our destinations, daily activities and of course all those amazing things about Italy like the food and culture! Listen to my conversation with Karolina, our trip event host and planner, and here more about this intimate and personalized experience for women focused on soul rest. PS, If you are interested, sign up soon because spots are limited!

 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• [00:39] You get to come to Italy with me for a life-changing retreat!
• [06:05] What does Tuscany have to offer? Hint: it’s the best of everything
• [09:10] What are the benefits of traveling with someone who knows the area?
• [14:28] The incredible places you will experience when you join me on the Italy Retreat
• [26:36] We will be enjoying five-course meals at the villa
• [30:20] This retreat will bring some life-changing energy to your life
• [32:15] The personalized care and support that this retreat offers

 

[00:39] You get to come to Italy with me for a life-changing retreat!

For 6 months I have been dying to tell you that I am going to Italy in September 12-22, 2025 and you are invited! This is my very first in-person event for Christian women and it is in Tuscany Italy. This is a lifelong dream of mine and after I went to Tuscany in the fall of 2023 and was hosted by the incredible Karolina and David, I knew that I needed to plan a retreat there!  From the second I got there, they treated us with so much love and took care of every single detail. That’s when I knew they’d be the perfect partner to host an event for women. 

We will be staying in Luccs, Italy (Tuscany) at the villa that Karolina and David’s villa, and traveling to different places such as Florence and the Italian Riviera. There will be amazing food and wine but most of all, it will be a chance for you to get spiritually and mentally rejuvenated. 

I am going to be teaching workshops and we will be focusing on how you can look around at what God is doing in your life, look back and see what he has done, and look ahead at what is next. We will be allowing ourselves to rest and truly surrender. It will be a chance to take stock of where we are at and what He is doing in our lives. We do not usually allow ourselves to make enough space in our schedules to stop and think,  so can you imagine spending 10 days focusing on Christian spiritual replenishment? You will be pampered, refreshed, and connected to God on a soul-enriching level!

[06:05] What does Tuscany have to offer? Hint: it’s the best of everything

The couple who will be hosting us, Karolina and David, have been living in Tuscany since 2009. They love hosting these experiences because they want to share what Tuscany has to offer. Tuscany offers slow living and amazing organic food fresh from the farms that are there, which are both so important at this time. For so many people, a life-changing experience includes slow-paced living so you can find inspiration, passion, and reconnect with God about His plans for your life.

[09:10] The best aspects of traveling with someone who knows the area

You will be taken care of from the moment you arrive at the airport. You will feel at home, comfortable, and safe when you arrive in what may be a brand-new country to you. When we travel to a place where we do not know the language and have never been there, it can be difficult to relax. This is what is great about traveling with someone who is from there and knows the country. You will be able to immerse yourself in the culture and also allow yourself to relax and shut your mind off. 

When I joined Karolina for the first time, I lost myself in what day it was–that was how relaxed and carefree I felt!  There was a gift in being able to be completely hands-off and follow her around everywhere. This took off the stress and I felt comfortable and cared for. Both Karolina and David have such a gift for hospitality, caring, and warmth. 

[14:28] The incredible places you will experience when you join me on the Italy Retreat

September is the best time to travel to Italy for food and wine. It is an important time of the year because they are harvesting grapes and everything is fresh. We will be experiencing everything around us, not just touristy sights. We will have the ability to have 5-6 hours in each place we go so we can soak in the atmosphere of each town.

We will be going to Florence, which has so much to offer (including the statue of David!). Karolina says that she discovers something new every time she goes. Lucca is a hidden gem and you get to experience the place where the gladiators were fighting. It is important to see and experience the charm of Italy for yourself.

We will also be experiencing Portovenere which will take your breath away. You will also have a chance to venture off on your own to explore if you want. We will also be going to a food and wine experience that is an hour and 20 minutes away and even seeing the beautiful seaside by bus is great. Every town has a bit of a different atmosphere and you will be able to dip your toes in the Mediterranean.

[26:36] We will be enjoying five-course meals at the villa

Italy is a food mecca and Tuscany is one of the richest regions where the sea and the mountains meet. This means that you can find great pasta, shrimp, and mushrooms. Karolina has a culinary background and combines that with her hospitality to create cooking experiences. 

And yes we’ll have cooking classes twice with Karolina and her staff there! Karolina and I have both found that cooking classes can be healing and rehabilitating. Tasting and learning the variety of dishes from different regions will be incredible. She has five recipes that she is going to share with everyone that you can take back home and share with your friends and family. It is also important to sit down, enjoy the food, and each other's company. This tradition is deeply embedded in the Italian culture and Karolina hopes to bring this practice to you at the retreat. 

[30:20] This retreat will bring some life-changing energy to your life

Every time that Karolina hosts a new group she prays that she brings something new to their life. Through the day-to-day activities and various things that they offer, she shares that there will be multiple things that will positively impact your life.

[32:15] The personalized care and support that this retreat offers

I love the energy that Karolina and David bring to every aspect of your time at the villa. There is something different about going to a place where you are with someone who knows the culture, can speak the language, and has every detail figured out for you. The transportation, food, lodging, and even the wine are included as part of this retreat.

Just to give you an example of the care that happens there: When I came on this trip in 2023, I missed my connecting flight. I was stuck for 9 hours in Germany, I was really tired and I could not figure out how to get a hold of Karolina. My husband connected me to her via three-way call on the phone, and she was so caring, kind, and accommodating. 

Later that day when my flight arrived, I was warmly welcomed by her husband at the airport. He walked me over to their lovely BMW, asked if I wanted water or to use the car’s massager–anything he could do to make me comfortable after the long flight and all the delays.  Immediately he was so attentive to my needs. It felt like I was welcomed in by friends and that is the kind of trip that they create. 

If this sounds like something you would be interested in make sure to check it out and sign up because there are limited spots available. All you would have to do is put a deposit down to save your spot and then you can arrange payments with Karolina. You can invite a friend, come by yourself, or even bring your husband if you want. I would love to be able to connect with you, see you face to face, and grow and learn together with God!

 

RESOURCES:

Ready to refresh your mind, body, and spirit as you explore one of the world's most beloved regions? Join Alicia in September 2025 for a life-changing travel retreat to Italy!

Check out Alicia’s Christian Meditations for Daily Calm to refresh your spirit when life is overwhelming and stressful.

 

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