You're invited to a one-of-a-kind retreat in Tuscany to celebrate and further explore how the narratives we've been studying in VVBC inform and enhance our lives.
We'll be enjoying the sweet life and the sweet Veda in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
The main draw for our retreat is a day at MOSA, the Museum of Sacred Art at Villa Vrindavana, where we will view the glorious paintings of Giampaolo Tomassetti depicting scenes from The Mahabharata.
We'll also spend a day in Florence to visit the Uffizi and discuss the iconic religious paintings and sculptures through a Vedic lens.
We have a marvelous itinerary planned filled with knowledge, pleasure, art-making, fun, delicious food and unforgettable experiences.
Join me in Italy for La Dolce Veda and enjoy the sweet knowledge and the sweet life. Claim your space today!
Where we're staying:
We will be spending seven nights at the incredible Villa Casavecchia, located right outside the town of San Casciano Val di Pesa, and nestled into the hills of the Tuscan countryside.
"Villa Casavecchia consists of three large villas and ample grounds where you can take relaxing nature walks. One of these villas which has been lovingly restored, was originally built in the 1200s! These villas have an old world charm that transport you to another time and provides you with an authentic experience of Tuscany."
Our Villa, Il Giogo is made up of seven rooms distributed over two floors that can accommodate up to 14 people. The ground floor comprises a large living room, three bedrooms, and a modern kitchen. There is a large veranda with wooden tables that overlooks the property's swimming pool. This area is the perfect place to watch the sunset. See below. This will be us!
Daily Schedule
Here is a rough sketch of what our days will look like:
Enjoy our morning program at sunrise, breakfast, our adventure for the day, lunch and free time, afternoon program, dinner and an evening gathering to share knowledge and discuss our experiences.
Day 1:
Arrival and Orientation
Day 4:
Day Trip to Florence
Day 7:
VVBC Salon!
Day 2:
Explore San Casciano Val di Pesa
Day 5:
Free Day/ Painting Workshop
Day 8:
Travel Home
Day 3:
Museum of Sacred Art
Day 6:
Day Trip to Siena
What We're Eating
What could be more divine than having our own private Italian chef?
They'll be serving us beautiful locally sourced authentic vegetarian Italian cuisine three times a day including lovely salads, pasta dishes, bread and cheese, delicious desserts, teas and yes, my friend, coffee.
We'll happily accommodate Vegan, GF, and any other dietary restrictions or allergies as long as we know in advance.
Please note, that although we are celebrating the good life, we'll not be partaking of wine, beer, or any alcohol during our retreat either at the Villa or on our day trips. Thank you in advance for understanding. If you'd like to go wine tasting, please make plans before or after our time together.
(Above photo is our veranda!)
Retreat Contribution: $2650
What's Included*
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7 nights at Villa Casavecchia
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Travel to and from our Villa on the first and last day
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Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner prepared daily by our own Private Italian Chef
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Museum Passes, MOSA + all other art galleries
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Day trip to Florence
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Day trip to Siena
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All daily transportation including day trips and excursions
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Art Workshop(s)
What's Not Included
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Travel to Florence, Italy
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Souvenirs
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Lunches out in Florence and Siena
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Gratuities
*Please note that some of our itinerary is subject to change based on weather and/or Nature's Intelligence.
(Below: Happy and adorable retreaters from last year's La Dolce Veda retreat.)
Accommodations
All rooms are double occupancy. Each room has two beds which can either be separate for two individuals, or pushed together for a couple. You are welcome to request who you'd like as a roomie, otherwise, roll those dice like Yudhishtira and be pleasantly surprised (unlike Yudhishtira).
Most rooms have an en suite bathroom. No matter which room you're in, remember, you're in a Villa in Tuscany!
Prerequisite: Participants must practice Vedic Meditation or be scheduled to learn VM on our retreat (for an additional fee). Inquire by emailing jameyhoodmeditation@gmail.com.
If you've read The Mahabharata, fabulous. No worries if not. You'll still get a tremendous amount of value out of the excursions and nightly discussions.
A LOVE LETTER TO YOU.
Dearest follower of Charm,
You've made it all the way here and are about to say "yes" to a unique offering. You may not even know why exactly.
Curiosity and desire for Self-discovery has been the momentum driving the availability and expansion of Veda Vyasa Book Club and perhaps they're guiding your actions now.
The consistent excellence of those who've joined the Book Club is what inspired me to create Support Materials that had visual elements to help bring the reading to life. It was through this process that I discovered the magnificent artwork of Giampaolo Tomassetti. When I saw his epic paintings of scenes from The Mahabharata done in the style of Italian Baroque, I vowed that wherever in the world these paintings are installed, that when the pandemic was over, I would go and see them in living color.
Last October, I took my first group to Tuscany to see this Sacred artwork and meet the artist and it was beyond description. We had an unforgettable experience at MOSA and an absolutely magical time in Florence. Our discussion after visiting the Uffizi museum was three hours! That's how moved we were by viewing art through a Vedic lens.
So here we are. A shared experience like no other has been designed with the help of a talented artist named, Tom, who’s affiliated with the Museum of Sacred Art and based in Florence. We’ve been working together to curate a retreat that has academic components as well as being deeply spiritual, emotionally moving, playful, creative, delicious, and fun. It will be a feast for all of the senses...
La Dolce Veda!
Join me.
It’s a journey of Self-discovery. With friends. In Italy. And it’s fun.
xoxo,
Jamey
(Above: Giampaolo Tomassetti describing his work and inspiration to our group at MOSA)
Claim your space today with a $500 deposit.
Payments can be made through:
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Zelle jameyhood@gmail.com
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Venmo @jamey-hood
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Feel free to use Wise (USD) if you're outside of the US.
(Deposit is non-refundable after June 1st. Full payment is due by August 15th.)
Or pay in full below and get first dibs on the best rooms + a special gift!
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Pay with a Credit Card by clicking below.
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