Together in Tuscany

10/24/2026

I’m back from a week of exploring Lisbon and the beautiful Alentejo region, scouting out the special places, people, and experiences that will shape our May 2027 Portugal Creative Retreat!

From trying my hand at pastel de nata making and painting traditional Portuguese tiles in Lisbon to discovering cork-making traditions, sampling local w**es and olive oil, enjoying a seaside lunch in Comporta, and exploring the historic streets of Évora, this trip was filled with inspiration!

But one of the biggest highlights? Staying at Casa Fortunato, our charming boutique hotel and home base for the retreat. I can already picture us gathering in the courtyard, sharing delicious meals, and enjoying the simple pleasure of slowing down together.

Could you picture yourself joining us in Portugal? Comment below and tell me what excites you most: creative workshops, local food and w**e, or discovering Portugal’s hidden gems!

Want to learn more about our May 2027 Portugal Creative Retreat? Send me a DM or visit Together in Tuscany to discover what’s taking shape!

10/08/2026

Azulejo Adventures: Painting a Little Piece of Lisbon!

You can’t visit Lisbon without falling in love with its colorful azulejos - the iconic ceramic tiles that have decorated Portugal’s buildings for more than 500 years. From grand churches to everyday homes, these beautiful tiles tell stories and bring the city to life.

So, of course, we had to try our hand at creating our own! A little paint, a lot of creativity, and we each get to bring home a one-of-a-kind piece of Lisbon.

This may be another fun experience to include in our Portugal creative retreat!

10/05/2026

A little taste of Lisbon… with 200 years of history.

The beloved pastel de nata has its roots in the monasteries of Portugal. In the 1800s, monks at Lisbon’s Jerónimos Monastery are believed to have created these little golden pastries using egg yolks, sugar and pastry, a delicious solution to all those leftover egg yolks from the convent kitchens.

When the monasteries closed in 1834, the recipe made its way into the world beyond the convent walls. By 1837, Pastéis de Belém were being made and sold near the monastery and the rest, as they say, is history.

Fast forward nearly 200 years…and here we are, in Lisbon, learning to make them ourselves!

There’s something pretty special about rolling up your sleeves, learning a centuries-old tradition, and then sitting down to enjoy the delicious results.

And yes… experiences like this may or may not be part of something I have in the works for 2027 and 2028.

07/31/2026

We are so excited to collaborate with Cucinamore, LLC and Olio2go for some pasta making fun in Virginia! If you’re local, we would love to see you join us!

Chef Daniela from Cucinamore also cooks for private parties and events near Leesburg VA. Follow her if you’re interested. She held a cooking demonstration and created a delicious Italian dinner at our Taste of Tuscany in Virginia retreat earlier this year.

And Olio2go sells authentic Italian food products at their store in Fairfax. Stop by if you want to bring the true taste of Italy into your own.

We hope to see you on the 27th!

I'm honored to have been invited by Olio2Go and Together in Tuscany to serve as the guest chef and lead this special pasta class on August 27 in Fairfax.

I'll be sharing the techniques, traditions, and stories behind authentic homemade tagliatelle, just as I learned them growing up in Italy, as well as a few insights gained through years of experience.

Whether you prefer to roll up your sleeves or simply watch, learn, and enjoy tasting fresh pasta, I think you'll have a great time.

My sincere thanks to Olio2Go and Together in Tuscany for the opportunity to be part of this event.

I'd love to see some familiar faces there!

To reserve your spot, please use the organizers' registration information in the flyer below.

06/19/2026

One of the highlights of our time in Puglia was stepping inside an authentic family-run masseria to witness centuries-old cheesemaking traditions firsthand.

We watched skilled artisans transform fresh milk into some of Southern Italy’s most beloved treasures: creamy mozzarella, decadent burrata, caciocavallo, and other regional specialties.

The craftsmanship, passion, and dedication behind every bite were truly inspiring.

Of course, the best part came at the end: gathering around the farm table to sample freshly made cheeses, cured meats, and local delicacies.

Experiences like this are why I love bringing women to Italy. We connect with its people, culture, and culinary heritage in meaningful ways.

Would you enjoy seeing where your food comes from and tasting it fresh from the source? Let me know in the comments!

06/09/2026

Did you know that Puglia is Italy’s olive oil capital, producing nearly half of the country’s total olive oil?

The region is famous for its 60 million olive trees, including monumental groves with trees that are thousands of years old. On our tour we saw a 2,000 year-old tree!

We followed the journey from tree to table, visiting an ancient underground olive mill that once extracted olive oil with donkeys, large stones, woven filters and harsh manual labor.

We sampled several award-winning extra virgin olive oils, each with its own distinct character from smooth and buttery to robust and peppery. It was a delicious lesson in why olive oil here isn’t just an ingredient but a way of life.

Travel has a way of connecting us not only to beautiful places but also to the land and stories that make them special. Experiences like these are exactly why I love creating immersive journeys that go beyond the typical tourist path.

Would you enjoy exploring ancient olive groves and tasting fresh-pressed olive oil straight from the source? Let me know in the comments!

06/07/2026

We had so much fun strutting our stuff and being carefree in the streets of Pienza and Sarteano. I love it when we can truly be ourselves no matter where we are or who we are with.

This is proof that maturity and silliness coexist beautifully.

Looking for a safe space to simply be yourself? Join us this Fall on one of our retreats in Tuscany. The links are in our profile.

Tell me in the comments: What’s the silliest thing you’ve done while traveling?

06/06/2026

Some of the best travel experiences happen when you step beyond the tourist trail and into the heart of a community.

This week in Lucca, we joined a cooking class with Chef Matthew Cook, and it was so much more than learning recipes. Before we ever stepped into the kitchen, Matthew guided us through four family-run bodegas; some operated by the same families for five generations. We met the people behind the food, learned how locals shop for fresh ingredients, and gained a deeper appreciation for the traditions that keep these small businesses thriving.

Back in the kitchen, we were welcomed with an abundant spread of meats, cheeses, pickled vegetables, homemade marmalade, marinated eggs, and Prosecco. It was a feast that felt more like gathering with friends than attending a class.

As a culinary-school-trained chef, Matthew’s talent is undeniable, but what truly makes this experience special is his warmth, generosity, and passion for sharing the authentic flavors of Lucca.

Travel has a way of connecting us to a place, but experiences like this allow us to belong to it, even if only for a few hours. We also made new friends from the UK as a result! These connections are priceless!

If Lucca is on your travel list, I highly recommend joining us in September for our Women’s W**e and Wellness retreat and you too can have a chance to experience Matthew’s cooking class.

Have you ever taken a cooking class while traveling? Tell me where in the comments.

06/03/2026

I’m spending time getting more immersed in Lucca, a beautiful Tuscan city, as we prepare for our second annual W**e & Wellness Retreat this September. There’s something special about wandering Lucca’s perfectly preserved ancient walls and sitting in Piazza Anfiteatro, the oval-shaped square built on the footprint of an ancient Roman amphitheater.

This week also included time with my retreat partner, Laura Totaro, brainstorming ways to welcome even more women into this unforgettable experience of connection, wellness, w**e, and authentic Italy.

Lucca is a special place and I can’t wait to share it with our September guests.

Would Lucca be on your Tuscany itinerary? Tell me in the comments.

**eAndWellness

06/03/2026

When I return to the States from Italy it’s back to co-hosting local events with Vally from Olio2go! Join us July 10 for pizza making plus learning in person about my 7-week adventure in Europe and the retreats I’m planning in 2027 as a result!

Roll up your sleeves and join us for a hands-on Pizza Making Class at Olio2Go on July 10th!

Learn the art of crafting delicious pizza from start to finish, and enjoy your creation with friends at Olio2go. Whether you're a pizza enthusiast or just looking for a fun night out, this class is sure to be a slice of fun🍕

📅 July 10th
💲 $65 per person
🍕 Pizza + toppings included
🥤 Non-alcoholic beverages included

Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today!

https://together-in-tuscany.wetravel.com/trips/wood-fired-artisan-pizza-class-together-in-tuscany-3394985506 -this-trip