This Retreat is GOOD FOR:
- All levels welcome
- Beginner friendly
- Creative inspiration + block
- Gentle + slow-paced
- Luxury experience
- Seniors (50+)
- Solo travellers
About this retreat
Welcome to your home in Umbria for a week! And we know how to make you feel at home! The Villa and its gardens are magical, and they alone warrant a stay. You will be transported back to yesteryear, swept away by the grandeur of the Villa, with frescoed ceilings, luxurious parlours, charming decor and elegant, lovingly remodelled suites. The Villa is nestled just below the picturesque historical medieval village of Panicale, recorded to be first settled in 2000 BC. The village boosts panoramic views across Lake Trasimeno. A picturesque village, rich in history and art, which guests will have the opportunity to explore and dine in. All meals are prepared onsite by our two fabulous chefs. Not only do they serve delicious meals, made from locally sourced organic produce, they are such wonderful, welcoming and warm individuals. They will make your stay even more special and make you feel at home. They deserve a mention, because after all, a great retreat experience includes the connections we make with those people around us. We will explore local villages and sample the delicious Umbrian cuisine of the region. Your tutor is a practising printmaker who has been teaching printmaking for over 20 years. Majoring in printmaking at Monash University, she has studied at Il Bisonte in Florence, and has exhibited both in Australia and Europe. She has managed, and taught classes at the Firestation Print Studio in Melbourne, before moving to Italy many years ago. She is passionate about drawing and printmaking and loves sharing her passion with her students. Her priority is that participants enjoy the experience and have fun with this intriguing medium. Participants will learn new skills and techniques and leave with a beautiful smal edition of their own prints. They will learn how transfer their image onto the plate; draw into and etch their plate; and print their plates on an etching press. We blend art, history, Italian local cuisine and offer a holistic experience with a flexibility to allow participants to engage with activities and the course at their own pace (excluding offsite excursions and events that are pre-booked-that have a set time table).
Offering
Location
Villa LeMura - Holiday Villa,Events and Weddings… Wellness retreats - Historic Residence in Italy, Località le Mura, Panicale, Province of Perugia, Italy
Venue
Villa LeMura is a beautifully restored 18th-century palazzo in Panicale, Italy, offering a perfect escape away from your day to day life to recharge. Surrounded by rolling hills and ancient olive groves, the villa blends history, luxury, and authentic Italian charm. Set on four acres of idyllic gardens, the villa offers stunning frescoed interiors and breathtaking views across the Umbrian and Tuscan landscapes.
Guests have the entire Villa and its grounds to themselves, there are no other guests present during your retreat, except the retreat hosts/staff. Guests are encouraged to spend time in the beautiful gardens and wander the olive grove, explore the Villa and its grounds. Outside the Villa gates there are many scenic walking paths, around the countryside, or up to the village.
There is a gorgeous. in-ground pool with sweeping views of the hilltop village Panicale, that guests can use at any time. There is a laundry if guests should need. There is an old chapel at the Villa and many other quiet areas-parlours, sitting rooms, salons and of course the studio, where guests can relax and unwind. There is free Wi-Fi on the ground floor of the villa for guests.
Part of the old cantina under the Villa has been turned into the Printmaking studio. It is lovely and cool in the Italian summer, and with a huge open fireplace, it keeps the space comfortable and warm in the cooler months.
Accommodation
Villa LeMura
Read more about the rooms
Originally the summer residence for a noble family from Perugia, the historical residence Villa LeMura started out in 1690 as a working farm and over the years was gradually transformed into the stunning villa you can still experience today with many of its original features painstakingly restored.
The surrounding land was used mainly for tobacco, silk ,wine and grain and in the tower of the Villa it is still possible to see where the tobacco was dried and where the silk worms hatched. The interior frescoes were painted by Mariano Piervittori who worked on many of the historic buildings all over Umbria and also on the most important residences in Perugia.
The rooms are furnished with antiques, drawings and paintings, all with historical significance, and tastefully painted in various pastel tones. Original frescoes grace the ceilings of all rooms, and the beds are outfitted in antique embroidered Italian linens.
There are 10 rooms in total with 2 that work well as a family suite as they share a bathroom. The remaining rooms all have private ensuites. Every room is breathtaking and has its own individual style and is beautifully furnished with an eclectic mixture of antiques and more contemporary decor.
Meals
Our food consists of local produce, Italian pastries and fresh organic fruit and vegetables. Our delicious meals are prepared on site by our wonderful chefs. We are happy to cater for individual dietary requirements if participants notify us in advance- so we can organise the menu accordingly. Wine is included and served with dinner at the Villa. Aperitivi offered on selected days. *Meals and drinks on external trips are not included.
Facilities + amenities
A day in the retreat
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Day 1: Welcome to the Villa3:30-5:30 Pick up from Chiusi-Chianciano Terme railway station4:00 Villa open for Arrivals. Settle into your room Relax or explore your home and grounds6:00 Welcome and introductions. Studio tour and outline of the weeks activities .7:00. Aperitivo hour in the Villa’s limonaia7:30 Welcome Dinner of traditional Umbrian cuisineDay 2: Get inspired8.00 -9:00. Breakfast 9:30 -12:45 Short countryside walk to explore the local hilltop village with stunning views over Lago Trasimeno.1:00-2:00 Lunch back at the Villa3:00 - 5:30 Studio Orientation, demonstration of etching and printing process. Etching Test plate.5:30-7:30 Free time7:30 Dinner at the villaDay 3: Sketch, Snap and Explore8:00 - 9:00 Breakfast10:00 Excursion day to another local hilltop town. A free day to hike, shop, people watch in piazzas, sight-see, sketch and explore1:oo pm Lunch as you please in town....2:30 -4:00 Exploring ....5:00-6:30 Stop at lakeside village for an aperitivo.7:30 pm Dinner at a magical bar and restaurant on the shores of Trasimeno.Day 4: Etching- Printing-Wine Tasting8.00 - 9:00 Breakfast9:30 – 1:00 Studio time1:00-2:30 Lunch at the Villa.3:30 - 5:00 Studio5:30-7:00 Wine Tasting at a local Vineyard7:30 Dinner at the VillaDay 5: Etching-Printing-Olive Oil Tasting8,00 - 9:00 Breakfast9:30 - 13:00 Studio time. Etching and working on our copper plates1:00 - 2:00 Lunch at the villa2:30 - 4:30 Studio time. Etching and printing our plates5:00-7:30 Private Olive Oil Presentation and Tasting in the local village8:00 pm. Dinner at the Villa.Day 6 : Print! Print! Print!8,00 - 9:00 Breakfast 9:30 - 13:00 Studio time. Etching and working on our copper plates1:00 - 2:00 Lunch at the villa2:30 - 5:00 Studio time. Etching and printing our plates5:00-6:00 Aperitivo and Critique. A look at our week’s work together over a glass of wine.7:30 Artists’ final dinner at the Villa.Day 7: Farewell & Departure8:00 - 9:00 Farewell Breakfast9.00-10,00 Goodbyes and departure for Chiusi-Chianciano Terme railway station*Some activities may be held on different days/times
Included
- Retreat prices are per person based on room choice and are inclusive of :
- 6 nights accommodation
- Full use of villa, pool and grounds.
- All art materials provided.
- Daily on-site printmaking course with a qualified teacher and practising printmaker.
- All meals* provided prepared onsite by our chefs using organic local produce. *Excluding meals off-site on trips
- Coffee and tea provided.
- Welcome drink & wine with dinner provided.
- Private wine tasting.
- Private olive oil sampling.
- Trips to medieval villages including Panicale and the lakeside village of Castiglione del Lago.
- Transfers to and from Chiusi-Chianciano Terme railway to the Villa.
- Assistance with navigating your train trip to arrive at Chiusi-Chianciano Terme railway.
Not included
- Flights to and from Italy
- Travel Insurance. It is highly recommended that participants take out travel and medical insurance.
- Toiletries
Frequently asked
I've never done printmaking. Can I still come?
Yes. This retreat is designed for complete beginners through returning artists. Small class sizes mean everyone gets individual attention from your tutor, a practising printmaker with 20+ years of teaching experience.
What should I pack?
Comfortable clothing for studio work (something you can get a little ink on), walking shoes for village explorations, dress-up options for Italian dinners, a journal, and swimwear if you'd like to use the grounds. Detailed list after booking.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. Our two onsite chefs prepare all meals from local organic produce and cover most dietary needs. Alcohol is available during dinners. Let us know specifics at booking.
Who is this retreat for?
Adults from their 40s to 80s, primarily women but men are welcome. Partners who aren't taking the printmaking course can join as non-participating guests and enjoy the other activities.
How do I get to the venue?
The 18th-century Villa is in Panicale, Umbria, about 2 hours from Rome or 2.5 hours from Florence. Private transfers can be arranged from either city. Logistics shared after booking.
What's the cancellation policy?
The 10% deposit via The Good Index is non-refundable. The 90% remainder is refundable up to 60 days before start, transferable inside 60 days.




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