WORKSHOPS

Join one of our many workshops on offer, from cooking to clay, and learn a new skill or uncover your inner artist.

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CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

Some of the core values at Villa Lena include creativity, collaboration, community and connection. Our exciting programme of creative workshops addresses all of these principles, bringing unique experiences to our guests, led by our artists-in-residence. The workshops – which have ranged from flower arranging to pottery, creative writing to art therapy – will vary depending on the time of year and artists we have on the residency programme.

2022 is no different: expect workshops exploring Bargello needlepoint with Goia Mujalli & Cecilia Charlton and Modern Ikebana with Sarah Stracke in spring; in early summer learn how to create pinch pots with Eloise White and experience the joy of drawing in nature with Becky Allen; late summer sees workshops aimed at children by Renata Minoldo including creating flower potions, or make ceramic archeology inspired objects with Rain Wu and explore Abstracted Painting to music with Tal Walker and Sue Dray; celebrate the colours of autumn with Floral Installation workshops by Stuart Fenwick and Earth Pigments exploration with Abbie Adams. Participation in all creative workshops is free for hotel guests.

"The place has its own rhythm and every day there is something different to try"

— The Guardian, 2019

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CULINARY WORKSHOPS

PASTA WORKSHOP & OLIVE OIL TASTING

Get creative in our kitchen! Delicious, fresh and totally-your homemade pasta from scratch, cooked to perfection by our chef. Before sharing your creations together over a communal lunch, learn about the traditional and organic techniques used to harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the 2,000 olive trees on the Villa Lena estate and sample the distinctive product we create here. Adults €50, €15 Kids

HARVEST & TASTE

What’s in the Garden? Pick what’s best in season in our vegetable orto, crunch on some fresh greens, cook a new recipe and share the meal together. Adults €50, €15 Kids

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TUSCAN TASTING

WINE TASTING

Try a selection of wines including those made with grapes from the Villa Lena estate.

At Villa Lena we produce our own wine on site. Start your masterclass off with a tour of our vineyard and then sample both our own products, plus some from the local region, and delve into the world of organic, biodynamic and natural wines. Adults €50

COCKTAIL MAKING WORKSHOP

Learn the secrets and techniques behind traditional Italian cocktails such as Spritz and Negroni from the Villa Lena barman. Adults €45

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VILLA LENA FOUNDATION EVENTS

OPEN STUDIOS AND ARTISTS APERITIVO

Pop down to the artists’ studios for an aperitivo and to see what our current group of residents have been thinking about and creating. Free for guests

INTRODUCTION TO THE VILLA LENA ART FOUNDATION

Find out more about the Villa Lena Art Foundation with an introduction to the residency programme and explore the onsite collection through three artworks currently on display. Free for guests

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YOGA AND MORE

Located in the wild Tuscan hills, Villa Lena prides itself on its nurturing interdisciplinary environment. We host yogis who teach all types of yoga and wellness disciplines, whether it’s hatha, vinyasa, mediation or pilates, to more alternative practices such as cacao ceremonies, gong baths or intuitive dancing.

This year explore yoga and a number of holistic workshops including: Herbal Tea Foraging with Isobel Spence; create a smudge stick for a Full Moon Ceremony with Gina Spinelli; take part in a guided meditation session and Chakra Cleansing Yoga with with Olivia Franklin; take some time to Flow and Restore with Annie May Rice in a workshop that release energy and calm a busy mind; relieve stress as part of Yoga Nidra with Madeleine Auvinen; not forgetting to completely Let Go in an Ecstatic dance class with Miriam Feinsilber.

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KIDS ALWAYS WELCOME

Throughout the year we make sure there is always something for kids at Villa Lena. Workshops and events are led by artists-in-residence, collaborators and partners, this ever evolving cycle of experiences means there is always something new for kids to learn and each stay at Villa Lena is totally unique. There is always a focus on sustainability, we use natural materials where possible and create little to no waste, and connection to our surrounding nature. Our partner Oppidan runs a Kids club in April and October that includes activities for the children that make learning a creative and fulfilling experience. In the afternoons, parents have the chance to book private 1:1 academic sessions with Oppidan mentors. Creative workshops run by artists-in-residences are often kid friendly and range from exploring clay to foraging collage workshops. Take a look at our What’s On page to find out more.

SELF GUIDED WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES

In case none of our scheduled activities fall in the place during you stay, you can explore Villa Lena and get creative with specially curated, self guided workshops and activities we put together.

VILLA LENA IPHONOGRAPHY TOUR

Explore Villa Lena estate through the camera lens and capture creative memories to share with friends. Focus on the different light throughout the day, composition and add originality to your pictures by choosing different angles and moving camera to different points of view.

EMBROIDERY KITS by Cecilia Charlton

Enjoy a little embroidery exercise curated by previous artist in Villa Lena Art Foundation residency Cecilia Charlton. A compact embroidery kit includes all materials and instructions. Enjoy relaxing embroidery activity by the pool, flower garden or one of our communal spaces in Fattoria building.

SILENT WALK & SMUDGE STICK by Renata Minoldo

Go for a silent walk around the villa and sustainably gather a small amount of flowers and plants to make a herbal bundle. Take it home with you and once dried use it to smudge your space. When we burn dried plants, they release their smoke to cleanse our space and remove stagnant energies. Smoke has cleansing properties and through it we can help clear those things that don’t belong to us anymore. Every plant has a special power and its wisdom to heal. It is important to connect with them when foraging, asking for permission and thanking them for their work after smudging.

*Please only pick foraged flowers and plants, please avoid using flowers from the Villa Lena flower garden.

Instructions and recommendations to all self guided workshops can be found at the reception or Library room at the Villa.