In May and June 2006, nine women gathered at the villa above called “I Cinghiali” in Northern Tuscany to break bread and have conversation, to shop, to laugh, to share, to walk, to have immense fun and learnings with, and more. Some of them came together as long-standing friends; all went away as friends for a lifetime.
It was an extraordinary experience, acknowledged by the women in the following ways:
“You have created a beautiful space for awakening old memories of silence, inner wisdom and women’s love”
“It has been a lifetime experience. I feel so lucky and so grateful.”
“I will always treasure our memories”
“What magic, what joy, what laughter you created for all of us”.
“Cherished memories and new members of my Front Row”.
“I loved the connection between the girls brought about in such a wise natural way.”
You too can experience this magic for 7 days in 2010 living Tuscan style in a small village tucked away in the Garfagnana region north of Lucca with fellow travellers of life, sharing knowledge, wisdom, strategies for personal improvement, laughter and fun. Gaail Tait and Buzz McCarthy, under their Women of Wisdom label, invite you to join this intimate group at the villa owned by Buzz. Minimum is six participants, maximum is eight.
Buzz’s passion for Italy and Tuscany in particular began when, as a 22 year old on her first visit, she declared that one day she would purchase a villa there, a dream she fulfilled 20 years later with her husband. Since 1988 she has called the upper reaches of Tuscany, the Garfagnana, home for at least a part of every year, and for the entire year of 2001. For twenty years she has combed the hills, exploring villages and hamlets, bars and restaurants, markets and shops selling the exquisite produce of the area; Chestnut and acacia honey, wild boar salami, local olives, foccacia and ciabatta that melt in your mouth, rich green freshly-harvested extra virgin olive oils, wines from local grapes, sweet and salty prosciutto, rich runny gorgonzola, sheep and goat cheeses made in a tiny ‘factory’ in the next village, and so on. All these delights and more await you during the 2009 WOW experience.
Gaail was first introduced to the delights of the Garfagnana area of Tuscany 14 years ago when, five minutes after she first met Buzz, she was invited to visit during her first European trip. Their friendship, forged in this glorious region, is legendry. Both are well-known Life Coaches, Buzz is an author (her book Interlude with Wild Boars is a must before your journey to Italy) a presenter, a relationship consultant and a Tony Robbins trainer, and Gaail is a speaker, presenter and life coach. Together they present the Ultimate Relationship Series of Workshops.
But this trip is about you. Your knowledge, wisdom, eagerness to learn and your passion and sense of fun is what will make this trip thoroughly memorable. What you will bring to the table will affect your fellow travellers like never before in this quiet village perched on the side of a hill with a view of a 10th century ruined fortress on the hill opposite which caused an earlier visitor to remark “If this isn’t heaven, you can see it from here”.
For 20 years guests have enjoyed the ambience of ‘I Cinghiali’ and the villages of the Garfagnana in Northern Tuscany. Some have painted or drawn, many have walked the hills, most have photographed; all have succumbed to the pace of village life and the charm of this region. Many have returned once or twice, some have come back seven times as padroni of their own Tuscan dream. Guests have fought for the right to be chef for the day; exploring the local markets and purchasing the delicious products the area is renowned for. In the evening they have sipped wine on the terrace, watching the sun’s rays fall over the fort and eventually behind the marble mountains whilst waiting for their dinner, perhaps cooked in what a neighbour describes as the “largest forno (stone oven) in the Garfagnana”.
“I Cinghiali” lies on an acre of land in the small hamlet of Caprignana with perhaps 30 houses, a church and one shop and bar which also serves as a meeting place for the villagers, rising above the bustling market town of Piazza al Serchio. The villa has everything you could want, and more, for a short or a long sojourn. It has been renovated to the highest standard and equipped with purpose-bought furnishings and other accoutrements. Pictured above, it is a large stone structure on three levels with six bedrooms, either with queen or twin beds. There is a spacious and comfortable living room, a dining room large enough to seat 14, kitchen with double-oven Paul Bocuse stove, and two terraces, one at the lower level and the other at the first floor level. Two fully tiled bathrooms, high roofed upper hallway and a laundry complete the villa. You will have the run of the villa to yourselves. Buzz and Gaail will be living in the restored barn, adjacent to the villa.
Download our brochure for full details.
COST
The cost of the 2010 Women of Wisdom Experience is Australian Dollars $4200 per person. Should you wish to have sole occupancy of one of the three queen rooms there is an additional charge of AUD $250.00.
What is included:
Transportation from Lucca station and all transportation around the valley in our cars. All meals and wine including five meals out at local restaurants. All other meals at the villa. All accommodation at the villa “I Cinghiali” inclusive of use of linen, laundry facilities, and heating if required. Other WOW activities as planned.
What is not included:
All items of a personal nature, travel insurance, your air tickets and other travel arrangements and expenses during the Experience. We require you to provide us with policy number and insurer of your travel insurance.
Please note we are not travel agents and simply providing accommodation and a local itinerary at the destination as we have done for a number of years with WOW and our Fabulous Food Experiences.
BOOKINGS
If you are interested in participating in this Experience, please email us now. If you wish to reserve a place please complete the attached booking form and return it now with your deposit. The 2006 Experience was booked out within a week, with five people booking in one single day.
Buzz McCarthy |
Gaail Tait |