Join Marnie from Solstice Savory Pies for an enchanting week at Castello di Potentino, a thousand-year-old Tuscan castle lovingly restored by Charlotte Horton and her Bohemian British family.
Nestled in the heart of southern Tuscany, this extraordinary retreat offers an authentic, slow-living experience surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and the timeless rhythm of rural life. Guests savor different types of Italian cuisine, with chefs from various regions preparing authentic, seasonal fare served family style.
Enjoy beautifully prepared dishes, estate wines, and a day of exploration that includes a visit to Peteglia Winery for a private tour, tasting, and lunch among the vines, followed by a stop in the medieval village of Santa Fiore, where our local guide—who grew up there—shares stories of daily life and the village’s rich history.
Beyond the food and setting, what makes this retreat truly special is the connection—sharing meals at one long table, exchanging stories with new friends, and forming bonds that last long after the week ends. Guests are invited to slow down, to listen, to laugh, and to experience the warmth of genuine hospitality that defines life at the castle.
Learn to make cheese with Luisa, cook traditional Sardinian dishes alongside Carlotta, forage on the estate, and unwind by the pool at sunset during cocktail hour as the sun slips behind Monte Amiata. This is more than a retreat; it’s an experience of connection—to people, to food, and to the true spirit of Tuscany.
This remarkable castle—named by Travel & Leisure among the “20 Famous Castles Everyone Should Visit at Least Once” and praised by The New York Times for one of the “Best Interiors of 2019”, is where you’ll call home for the week, at a surprisingly accessible price.
These retreats have sold out in years past, and the French retreats are sold out, so make sure to reserve early.
Included in Your Retreat
Every detail of your stay at Castello di Potentino is designed to immerse you in the flavors, culture, and rhythms of Tuscany.
From hands-on cooking and cheese-making classes to intimate dinners prepared by regional chefs, each day brings authentic experiences that connect you to the land, its people, and the joy of gathering around the table.
Enjoy relaxed mornings, slow afternoons, and evenings filled with delicious food, local wine, and conversation under the Tuscan sky.
- Six authentic seasonal family-style dinners with estate wines by local chefs
- Daily authentic seasonal family-style lunches with estate wines by regional chefs
- Self Serve Continental breakfasts with fresh pastries
- Cheese-making and tasting class
- Pasta-making classes
- Chef led cooking classes
- Foraging experience on the estate
- Private winery tour, wine pairing, and lunch at Peteglia winery
- Estate wine-tasting session with Charlotte, including the history of Potentino and the land
- Trip to the local and quietly beautiful medieval village of Santa Fiora
- Nightly artisan cocktails
- Estate wines at dinner every night
- A bottle of Castello di Potentino wine and honey in your room upon arrival
Additional Activities at the Castle
Each day at Castello di Potentino invites you to experience Tuscany at your own pace.
Explore the hillsides on a guided hike or join a foraging walk through the estate’s olive groves and vineyards.
Spend quiet afternoons reading in the castle’s two-story library or beneath the shade of ancient olive trees.
Take a swim in the pool overlooking the castle, nestled among the groves, or simply relax and soak in the timeless view of the valley below.
For those drawn to creativity, bring your paints or camera to capture the soft Tuscan light that has inspired artists for centuries, or join a hands-on cooking class in the castle kitchen to learn authentic regional dishes.
Guests can also learn about the land’s deep history and the archaeological digs that continue to uncover traces of the Etruscans who once lived here.
From unhurried mornings to golden evenings, every moment at Potentino offers space to explore, create, and reconnect—with yourself, with nature, and with the spirit of Tuscany. A chance to breathe outside your everyday life.
2026 Tuscany Retreats
Six Nights / Seven Days
Spring Retreats
April 27 – May 3: Women’s Retreat
Fall Retreats
September 21 – 27: Co-ed Retreat
October 5 – 11: Co-ed Retreat
Pricing — All-Inclusive, Airfare Not Included
Double Occupancy: 2750 Euros (~$3200) per person based on double occupancy (6 rooms available).
Early bird: Book before October 1 2025 : 2500 euros (~$2900) per person/ based on double occupancy.
Single Occupancy: 4500 Euros (~$5200) per person.
Triple Occupancy (3 Twin Beds): 2500 Euros (~$2900) per person based on triple occupancy(two rooms available).
2,500 euros in dollars current exchange rate (12/09/2025) = $2904.56 dollar amount is based on exchange rate upon payment
Don't Just Vacation, Create a Forever Memory
Join me for these unforgettable retreats to one of my favorite places in the world.
To be a part of the retreat contact Marnie directly at 1-530-409-2097 or Marnie@SolsticeSavoryPies.com
Salute!
Marnie
Additional Information
Day 1
3:30 pm shuttle pickup from Grosseto Train Station
4:00-4:30 pm: Check-in
6 pm to 7:30 pm: Wine tasting with Castle owner, Charlotte and her own estate wines. A lesson about the area, soil, climate and Etruscan culture and people.
7:30 pm: Dinner prepared by guest chef with Castello di Potentino Estate wine at the Castle.
Day 2
7 am to 10 am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
9-10am Optional: Hike with Marnie.
Midday: Making cheese with Luisa, followed by Lunch with Estate wines.
5:30 to 6:30 pm: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset (weather permitting)
7:30 pm: Dinner prepared by guest chef with Castello di Potentino Estate wine at the Castle
Day 3 ( A day to unwind and relax).
7am to 10am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
Free day for guests to explore the property, relax, go for hike on the grounds, read, draw. A day of rest and relaxation
1pm: lunch with Estate wines
5:30 to 6:30 pm: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset (weather permitting)
7:30PM: Dinner prepared by guest chef with Castello di Potentino Estate wine at the Castle
Day 4
7 am to 9:30 am: Self- serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
10:00 am to 5:00 pm: Lunch and wine tasting at a local winery and exploring the Medieval village of Santa Fiora
5:30 to 6:30 pm: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset (weather permitting)
7:30 pm: Dinner prepared by guest chef with Castello di Potentino Estate wine at the Castle
Day 5
7 am to 10 am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
11 am-4 PM: Bread making class, along with lunch and estate wines.
5:30 to 6:30 PM: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset( weather permitting)
Evening: 7:30 PM: Dinner prepared by guest chef with Castello di Potentino Estate wine at the Castle
Day 6
7 am to 10 am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
11 am to 4 pm: Guided foraging walk on grounds of castle and pasta making with Luisa and cheese you made earlier in the week! Enjoy a pasta lunch you created!
5:30 to 6:30 PM: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset(weather permitting)
Evening: 7:30 PM: Special Solstice Savory Pie dinner with Castello di Potentino Estate Wine. *** If weather permits in the castle courtyard under candle light.
Day 7
7 am to 10 am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
Check out 11am. Shuttle leaves by 11:15 am to take guests back to Grosseto Train Station. Ciao till our next retreat!
Contact Marnie for Payment: Payments can be made directly to Marnie via wire transfer, ACH, Check, or Zelle.
Email: marnie@solsticesavorypies.com
Phone: 1-530-409-2097
We can offer credit card payments with a 3% fee.
Deposit: $750 deposit (per person) required at booking( Non Refundable)
Balance Due: Remaining payment due four months prior to arrival day.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation less than four months before trip: Non-refundable.
Wait list Refund within 4 months: If we fill your spot, 50% of the trip cost refunded.
Travel Insurance: Strongly recommended for unexpected cancellations.
Additional Notes
Booking and Assistance: Contact us for any further assistance or queries. We are dedicated to ensuring your journey and stay at Castello di Potentino is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
By Shuttle Service:
We offer complementary round trip shuttles to the castle from Grosseto (1 hour from Castle) if you choose not to drive. It's the closest train station to the Castle and easy to reach via Rome, Florence or any other city. Advance Booking Required.
By Car:
Explore with Freedom: Rent a car to discover nearby hilltop villages and hot springs on your free day.
Small Cars are Advised: Smaller vehicles are recommended for easier navigation through local villages' quaint, narrow streets. Car rentals are in the larger cities and not at the castle.
Airfare and Car Rentals are not included in the retreat package.
Booking Assistance: Contact Marnie for help with bookings.
Email: marnie@solsticesavorypies.com
Phone: 530-409-2097 (Available 8am-5pm, leave a message or text for callbacks)
Nearest Airports and Travel Time by Car:
Rome Fiumicino: Approx. 3 hrs ( most economical)
Rome Ciampino: Approx. 3 hrs 30 mins
Pisa: Approx. 2 hrs 15 mins
Florence: Approx. 2 hrs 30 mins
Perugia: Approx. 2 hrs 15 mins (challenging driving conditions)
Please be aware that our castle retreat involves navigating multiple staircases, as there are no elevators on the premises. It's essential for guests to be comfortable with climbing stairs frequently, including accessing the castle ramparts and exploring the expansive grounds. We regret that if this level of physical activity is challenging, our retreat may not be the most suitable option for you.
Please no kids under 15, as this is a more adult type foodie trip with alcohol and folks wanting time to relax.
Photos and video may be taken during the retreat and used for promotional purposes by Solstice Savory Pies and Solstice Foodie Retreats. By attending, you consent to being photographed unless otherwise requested in writing.
The Tuscany Foodie Retreat
