“Honey and wildflowers” RETREAT

“Abruzzo is eclectic, surprising, maybe shy and perfectly imperfect, yet, once discovered – it’s a secret worth preserving.”

I’ve been dreaming of this retreat for over five years, and finally, here it is!

I’m so excited to introduce you to a little place I call home, Abruzzo. We will be hosting our very first retreat in this truly magical land. Exquisitely curated few days that will delight the senses and satisfy both curiosity and hunger for beautiful, meaningful experiences in an unspoilt, secret and unexplored part of Italy. 

Abruzzo, the greenest region of Italy and voted number one in this year’s Travel and Leisure “50 best places to travel in 2022”, is ready to welcome you this April 2022 in full bloom. 

My wonderful Letitia Ann Clark and I will be hosting a small group of people to enjoy and discover together some of the most extraordinary and unique experiences this region has to offer. 

Expect five full days of pure bliss, relaxation, learning and discovery. We’ll hike in the national park, drive through the Sagittarius gorges, enjoy bountiful sunset aperitivo, attend traditional Abruzzo cooking classes and demos, walk around some of the most charming and ancient hamlets and much, much more…

Ready to discover more?

Find all the details below…

WHERE:

Abruzzo, Italy. Our accommodation is located in the countryside of Chieti.

WHEN:

March 30th - April 3rd 2022;

Check-in: from 3 pm onwards.

Check out: by 12 o’clock.

YOUR HOSTS:

Allegra Pomilio your chic host, was nominated amongst the 50 most influential women in food by Corriere Della Sera. Raised in the countryside of Abruzzo, surrounded by medicinal plants and orange trees planted by her great grandfather Amedeo, the creator of Aurum liqueur, still widely in use today in Abruzzo. Deeply passionate about gastronomy, she worked side by side with the French food blogger Mimi Thorisson for over two years in the Médoc region. Her knowledge of hospitality combined with her photography and visual art background studies allowed her to create her brand, Mèlisses, the quintessential Mediterranean lifestyle. Living between Greece and Italy, she hosts culinary and art gatherings to explore and highlight beautiful, unspoilt corners of the world each time under unexpected points of view.

Letitia Clark is a trained chef, illustrator, and writer originally from the English countryside and now based in Sardinia. She is passionate about nature, good produce, and the joy found in cooking and eating together. After training at the renowned Leith’s Culinary Institute in London, her various kitchen jobs include head baker, pastry chef and chef-de-partie at Spring, pastry chef and chef-de-partie at Ellory (now Leroy) and chef at Morito, Hackney. She has already published two acclaimed cookbooks, Bitter Honey and La Vita è Dolce, which are Mèlisses’ staples for recipe inspiration. She teaches cooking classes and hosts guests worldwide, and continues to paint and write about all things food.  

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Five days & four nights accommodation at Casa Marzapane b&b;

• Cooking classes and hands-on sessions with Letitia Ann Clark, including pasta making, desserts and modern twists on traditional classics of Abruzzo, using the freshest local ingredients;

• Amphora aged wine tastings, produced in the area of Atri, and paired with homemade cold cuts;

• Meals in our favourite traditional restaurants and chef’s cooking demos;

• All outings and excursions led by Allegra;

• Outdoor typical bbq led by Giovanni, an expert in traditional open fire cooking;

• All meals during the retreat (four dinners, three lunches, four breakfasts, aperitivos/snacks, drinks & refreshments);

• All transfers from/to the b&b;

• 5 days & 4 nights accommodation at Casa Marzapane b&b;

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

Airfare and/or Transportation to & from Abruzzo. Travel insurance (highly recommended). 

ITINERARY:

March 30th:

• Check in from 3 pm onwards at Casa Marzapane b&b

• 6-7 pm welcome Aperitivo

• 8 pm dinner at the b&b

March 31st:

• 9 to 10.30 am Breakfast

• Traditional cooking class with Letitia featuring different types of honey, locally foraged ingredients, herbs and very special saffron grown in the area. A Spring feast all for ourselves…

• Lunch at the b&b with dishes prepared during the cooking class

• Free afternoon

• 6 pm off to have a typical aperitivo paired with the best selection of local wines

• 8 pm dinner in a locals-only restaurant featuring a traditional “Abruzzese” style menu for a mouth-watering meal

April 1st:

• 8 am Breakfast

• Morning leisurely hike and excursion in the national park of Abruzzo

• Lunch at our favourite traditional restaurant, nearby the village of Loreto Aprutino, followed by a small cooking demo in their kitchen

• 6 pm tasting of Amphora aged wines from the area of Atri, paired with a selection of homemade charcuterie

• 8 pm dinner at the b&b

April 2nd:

• 8.30 am Breakfast

• Outing towards the villages of Villalago and Scanno (loved and captured by Henri Cartier Bresson), driving through the Sagittarius gorges

• Lunch out for a classic barbecue and open fire feast led by Letitia and Giovanni, in the company of a great Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

• Afternoon cooking class with Letitia featuring seasonal wild greens, fragrant citruses and indulgent desserts paired with Aurum liqueur

• 8 pm farewell dinner

April 3rd:

• 8-9 am Breakfast

• Check out by noon

*The itinerary is a guide; we reserve the right to make changes in case of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances where we may need to alter the order of outings or replace them with something equally wonderful.

HOW TO REACH US:

There are mainly two ways of reaching Abruzzo by plane. 

• Rome airports, both Fiumicino and Ciampino
  About 2.30h by car from Pescara / 3h by bus. You can consult this website to check time schedules.

• Pescara Liberi airport (with connections from/to London Stn. - Milan - Sardinia - Sicily - Prague - Brussels) About 20 min away from the b&b.

You could also reach us by train. Pescara is well connected with most Italian cities. 

We will arrange a pick up for all participants arriving at Pescara or Chieti. 

ACCOMMODATION:

We’ll be welcoming you to the lovely Casa Marzapane b&b nestled in the hills of Chieti, not far from the centre of the city considered one of the most ancient of Italian cities and surrounded by bucolic tranquillity, and small producers such as winemakers, beekeepers and olive oil producers. 

Charming and beautifully decorated, it will be our intimate and elegant home during the retreat. The rooms face the majestic Majella mountain and possess a unique personality, instantly enticing for their comfort and privacy.

We’ll start our days enjoying the delicious breakfasts served on the old communal table, featuring homemade sweets and artisanal cheese and cold cuts, all softly highlighted by the beautiful morning light swathing through the large windows. After our traditional cooking classes and outings, followed by a warm bath, we’ll convene by the large open fireplace and enjoy the freshly prepared aperitivo with a glass of Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo together. 

PRICING & ROOMS:

We have unique room options available for our guests at the b&b, starting from 2400€ per person.

COSTS INCLUDE ALL MEALS, ACTIVITIES/EXCURSIONS AND ACCOMMODATION.

HEATHER accommodation

Suite with ensuite bathroom, terrace, sofa bed and outdoor bathtub (upper level, mountain view)

SOLD OUT

CHESTNUT accommodation

Suite with ensuite bathroom and terrace (upper level, mountain view)

SOLD OUT

THYME accommodation

Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, sofa bed and private outdoor space (garden level)

SOLD OUT

ACACIA accommodation

Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and private outdoor space (garden level)

SOLD OUT

SAGE accommodation

Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and private outdoor space (garden level)

SOLD OUT

Please note the room you’re interested in, as you will be required to select your room when reserving your spot in the retreat. Also, let us know whether you are travelling solo or wish to share accommodation with a friend or partner. 

Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Full payment will be required upon registration and paid through bank wire transfer to participate. 

Please know that there will be no last-minute REFUNDS or cancellations due to the nature of the event, but if you need to cancel, we can accept someone to take your spot. Alternatively, a refund will be offered if the place is filled through our waiting list. This policy, unfortunately, will have to be implemented due to the small number of participants joining. If the retreat needs to be cancelled for any reason, you’ll be fully refunded. 

You must have your travel insurance to participate.

COVID 19:

In order to participate in this retreat, proof of vaccination and a negative rapid test result are required 24h prior to attendance.