Together in Tuscany

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 Wine 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 Wine & 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, wine, 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.

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

06/02/2026

Who knew an afternoon of ink printing could leave us with such a deep appreciation for an art form that has been practiced for centuries?

During our Creative Retreat in Tuscany, we stepped into the world of traditional printmaking with a talented local artist who creates her own linocut stamps using carving tools passed down from her grandfather. Talk about keeping a family tradition alive!

But this was no ordinary art class. The ink we used was made from plants using an ancient recipe, and our canvases were antique linen sheets thoughtfully repurposed into beautiful placemats. Every detail connected us to the history, craftsmanship, and sustainability behind this nearly forgotten art.

Each of us created a one-of-a-kind handmade piece and acquired a new respect for the patience, skill, and creativity behind traditional printmaking.

Have you ever tried a traditional craft that made you appreciate the artisan’s work even more? Share it in the comments!

Join us in October for our next creative retreat.

05/31/2026

Happiness is…knowing our Creative Retreat in Tuscany at left a lasting impression on our guests and provided inspiration for them to bring back home.

Our guests continue to chat with each other through our WhatsApp group and share how they incorporate lessons from the retreat into their daily lives.

A special shoutout to our very talented and fun cooking instructor and hostess: Valentina Grossi. Her practical approach to cooking with fresh, wholesome ingredients, makes it easier to learn and recreate her delicious dishes at home. She even inspired one of the guests to grow her own sage when she got home!

Wouldn’t you love to learn directly from someone like Valentina with generations of Italian cooking in their blood? You can have a hands on cooking experience when you join our retreats in Tuscany. Message me to learn more.

Buon appetito!

05/29/2026

Volpaia is a medieval village built in the 1100s and where I’m currently staying. Today it has 4 churches (only one is open), 30 residents and produces 250,000 bottles of wine!

The wine is fermented in vats spanning 3 stories and holding 80,000 bottles worth of wine! Because in Tuscany you can’t change the outside of historic buildings, they had to remove the roof and install the vats by crane and then painstakingly replace the roof exactly as it was.

They age some of the wine in French oak barrels in cellars beneath 2 of the churches. Others are aged in Croatian wood barrels since they have a longer shelf life of 20 years. Thank goodness because they can only be replaced by disassembling the old barrels and rebuilding new ones in the underground cellars.

The wine is delicious as is the scenery and olive oil.

Now I’ll try the food in their Osteria. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Interested in a wine tour like this? Let me know in the comments and I’ll take you there.

Saluti!

05/28/2026

Who knew geese could be such an integral part of winemaking? This was my first time visiting a winery where the geese are so revered that they have a special caged in area to go to at night to stay safe from the foxes.

These Italian geese eat the grass and fertilize the soil at in San Donato, Tuscany.

I visited the winery to see if my October guests would enjoy a visit there. I know they will!

They produce delicious wine (even a Brunello!), olive oil, and balsamic vinegar aged 20 and 100 years! Their tasting includes all of these products paired with bread, cheese, and chocolate.

Casa Emma we will see you again this Fall!

05/27/2026

I’m in the Tuscany countryside visiting villas and wineries for future retreats. It’s a dirty job but someone’s got to do it.

Do you think guests would like a place like this? Share in the comments.

I’m at

Check out our Fall women’s retreats. Our website link is in our profile.