Pen and Pasta Retreat
September 3 - 12, 2027
Writing and Culinary Experience in Italy curated just for you!
Create Memories that will last a Lifetime!
***Eat, Connect & Create*** Writing & Culinary Journey Through Italy’s Rich Traditions
Our Vision:
Get ready to embark on a memorable adventure through Italy’s heart and soul — where food, creativity, culture and celebration go hand in hand. We will explore cherished traditions, regional flavors, and timeless Italian customs rooted in love, family, and gathering around the table. Get inspired as you connect with the passion and soul of Italy.
🍷 Italian Food, Culture & Celebration
Italy is more than just a destination — it’s an experience. Each region boasts its own unique cuisine, shaped by centuries of history, local ingredients, and cultural influences. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the bustling streets of Rome, food is not merely a meal, but a celebration of life itself.
This trip will immerse you in these rich traditions — savoring authentic dishes, learning from local artisans, and celebrating the flavors and traditions that make Italy so unforgettable.
🖋Connect with Italy's Passion and Let it Inspire Your Writing
A writers’ retreat in Italy wraps you in the kind of beauty that makes creativity feel inevitable. You wake to soft golden light over rolling hills, spend your mornings drafting in quiet stone villas scented with espresso, and wander medieval streets in the afternoons gathering inspiration from museums, open-air markets, and conversations with locals. Evenings often unfold over long communal dinners—handmade pasta, regional wine, and lively discussions with fellow writers—where ideas flow as easily as the Chianti. Between dedicated workshops, reflective solitude, and the sensory richness of Italian life, you experience a rhythm that lets your writing deepen, expand, and breathe.
More Than a Destination...
Italy is more than just a destination — it’s an experience. Each region boasts its own unique cuisine, shaped by centuries of history, local ingredients, and cultural influences. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the bustling streets of Rome, food is not merely a meal, but a celebration of life itself.
This trip will immerse you in these rich traditions — sparking your creativity and taste buds. Savor authentic dishes, learn from local artisans, and celebrate the flavors and traditions that make Italy so unforgettable.
✈️ The Journey
Fall 2027: September 3 – 12, 2027
We're gathering a small group for an unforgettable experience through Rome, Tuscany, and Florence.
Your Hosts
Megan Tull - Our Culinary Experience Guide
Megan Tull - Our Culinary Experience Guide
Megan Tull - Our Culinary Experience Guide
Megan Tull is a serial entrepreneur, Passion Expert, Philanthropist and World Traveler. With her favorite travel spot being Italy, she started her latest business Buono Cello from her love of everything Italy and with the goal of providing unique and immersive cultural events. They bring Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast to you through their L
Megan Tull is a serial entrepreneur, Passion Expert, Philanthropist and World Traveler. With her favorite travel spot being Italy, she started her latest business Buono Cello from her love of everything Italy and with the goal of providing unique and immersive cultural events. They bring Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast to you through their Limoncello Parties and Pasta Making Experiences! She is passionate about creating personalized and unforgettable events for you and your friends., colleagues or customers!
Ruth Klein - Our Writing Coach
Megan Tull - Our Culinary Experience Guide
Megan Tull - Our Culinary Experience Guide
For more than three decades, Ruth has helped entrepreneurs, executives, authors, experts, coaches, and founders transform their expertise into books, brands, speaking platforms, media opportunities, television appearances, and thought leadership businesses. Her clients have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, secured maj
For more than three decades, Ruth has helped entrepreneurs, executives, authors, experts, coaches, and founders transform their expertise into books, brands, speaking platforms, media opportunities, television appearances, and thought leadership businesses. Her clients have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, secured major consulting contracts, filled professional practices, built national brands, launched bestselling books, and expanded their influence in ways they once thought were impossible.
She also is the host of streaming TV show The Book Club with Ruth Klein.
Our Itinerary - September 3-12, 2027
Arrive at Rome Airport on September 3, 2027
🏛️ Rome | September 3 - 5
Arrival – September 3
Fly into Rome Airport, where our private driver will whisk you away to Hotel Smeraldo a charming boutique hotel in the heart of ancient Rome.
- Welcome Lunch & Orientation Walk
- Evening Excursion: Explore one of our favorite gems – the Jewish Ghetto Tour - We will check out the culinary highlights of the Campo de' Fiori and Jewish Ghetto neighborhoods. Sample cured meats, local wines, deep-fried artichoke, and some of Rome's tastiest pizza and gelato. You'll discover top attractions along the way, from the Pantheon to ancient Roman ruins.
Day 2
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Private Tour of the Vatican & Sistine Chapel
- Afternoon free for exploration
- Group dinner at Hostaria Pantheon, Piazza della Rotonda
Day 3
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Private Tour of the Colosseum & Roman Forum
- Casual lunch
- Depart by private car service for Tuscany
🌄 Tuscany | September 5 - 9
Day 3
- Arrive in Siena and check into Villa Ca Bianca, nestled in the Tuscan hills
- Free time to unwind or explore
- Welcome Tuscan dinner at the Villa
Day 4
- Breakfast at the Villa
- Day Trip to Montalcino
- Brunello Castle Tour/Cooking Class
- Hands-on Cooking Class with Chef Alexandra: Learn to make pasta, ravioli, and tiramisu
- Enjoy your creations for lunch with Brunello wine and countryside views
- Afternoon: Private tour and wine tasting at De’Ricci Cellars in Montepulciano
- Return to Siena for dinner on your own
Day 5
- Breakfast at the Villa
- Discover the rivalrous history of the 17 city districts (“contrade”) who still compete today (granted with much less violence that the 13th century!) taste the sweet local delicacies indulge in the spectacular Piazza del Campo
- Enjoy a light lunch paired with Chianti wine in a local restaurant/wine bar in Siena City Centre
- Visit to Francesco Ravagni’s families' 400-year-old olive oil mill in Anghiari
- Olive oil + wine tasting
- Dinner at the Ravagni family estate
Day 6
- Breakfast at the Villa
- Visit Podere de Bosco, a local sheep farm
- Learn how pecorino and ricotta cheeses are made
- Cheese tasting & farm-fresh lunch
- Afternoon transfer to Florence
🏙️ Florence | September 9 – 12
Day 6 (Cont.) Check in at La Dimora del Mercante, a beautiful boutique hotel in the city center.
- Free time to explore
- Dinner at the stylish La Ménagère
Day 7
- Late morning Secret Food Tour with our wonderful private guide Silvia
- Afternoon free for shopping and exploring
- Dinner on your own
Day 8
- "Florence in a Day" Private Tour with Ismael (our incredible guide!)
- See the Statue of David at the Accademia
- Explore the Uffizi Gallery’s masterpieces
- Evening Cooking Class with Chef Silvia
- Learn to make authentic Italian pizza, focaccia, and biscotti
Day 9
- Morning truffle hunting experience in the Tuscan countryside
- Enjoy a gourmet truffle lunch
- Return to Florence for final shopping or relaxation
- Farewell Dinner at the iconic Buca San Giovanni
✈️ Departure – September 12
In early am travel back to Rome via train to catch your departing flight.
💰 Trip Details
- Cost: Total Cost (not including airfare) is $9,497.00 per person
- Group Size: Limited to 12 people
- Note: Some accommodations include double rooms with shared beds. We recommend bringing a friend/travel buddy.