a weekend of Spring creativity

a seasonal cultural and creative retreat in the heart of the Sabine Hills, just outside Rome

14-17 March 2024

 

Join us for four days of creativity, history, cooking and culture.

Meet like minded people and enjoy a retreat with local food and wine, archaeological walks and all Spring’s freshness!

 
 

be nourished and nurtured in tune with the seasons

Let us take care of you these days. We’ll eat Elisabeth’s meals at a big communal table, getting to know people from all over the world. From your room you can see the Farfa valley, waking up after Winter. You’ll fall asleep with the bells of our donkeys and the sound of the river.

reignite your creativity and awaken your senses

Through a foraging walk, a clay workshop and a cookery class, you will awaken your senses. The bright green of the Farfa Valley, the warmth of the sun and all the wild flowers, will spark your creativity and you’ll go home with fresh ideas for your cooking.

gain unique insights into the ancient roman past

During the historical tours you’ll get to know more about the influence of Ancient Rome in this part of Latium, and the importance of the Abbey of Farfa during medieval times, of which the small ‘borghi’ are still testimonies.

 

food/cookery

We love to use local, organic and seasonal products. Elisabeth will show you how she intuitively creates her vegetarian meals.

During the cookery lesson you’ll get the chance to get your hands dirty. We’ll make fresh pasta, and a flaky pie crust that we will use to make a spring herb pie with ricotta.

We want to reignite your passion for food and during a tasting we’ll tell you everything about the not-so-secret ingredient that makes food irresistable: good olive oil, the pearl of the Sabine Hills.

 

History / culture

Stefano was drawn to this area by the untouched Farfa river. At the foot of the hill of Mompeo, over millions of centuries, this river carved a gorge in the limestone.

Fascinated by the presence of ruins of early medieval water mills and the remains of a Roman villa, Stefano is passionate about founding out as much as possible about the history of Mompeo.

We’ll visit the historical village, with its narrow streets, the archaeological site of the Roman villa, and the river with its medieval ruins, all of which are part of the natural reserve Monumento Naturale Gole del Farfa.

 

pottery

Let your hands guide you during a Clay Workshop, and spark your creativity during this meditative experience.

Karla Sotres will teach you the basics of clay modelling. You'll learn the pinch hand building technique and the slab building technique. You'll create 2-3 simple functional pieces for your table or kitchen in food safe stoneware clay.

At her studio, Karla will dry your pieces, fire them, glaze, fire again, and post them back to you. It will be the best souvenir delivered at your door step!

 

Herb WALK

Let’s get purified by the clear (and cold) river water! Don’t worry, no nasty detoxing here. A plunge for the brave ones, or just listening to the river sound. Phytotherapist Xilef Welner will guide us along the gorge of Farfa and tell us all about the Spring edible herbs and how we can use them in a respectful and safe way.

Back in the agriturismo we’ll prepare an invigorating mix of dried herbs together, to bring home.

 
 

four days immersed in the beautiful sabine hills

olive oil

Discover the two thousand year old link this area has with olive oil, during the tour of the Roman villa. And after Stefano’s olive oil tasting, you will never think the same way about olive oil!

It’s best to see it with your own eyes, but the golden hour at the site of the Roman villa will leave you speechless.

discover the nature reserve Gole del Farfa

a tour at the Roman villa, a visit to the villages of Mompeo and Montenero, and a walk to the river with its medieval mills and gorgeous carved out limestone rocks. You’ll get a sense of what the Sabine Hills are about, enjoying its quietness and intact nature.

cookery demo and hands on

Elisabeth cooks instinctively and seasonally so exactly what we make will be inspired by what she finds at the market, but this is Italy so you can expect fresh pasta, sourdough and delicious desserts!

 

the itinerary/

what to expect

You’ll receive a detailed itinerary at the event but here’s what we have planned

thursday

relax, introduction

Welcome dinner at Le Mole.

friday

Kitchen workshop after breakfast

Tour at the Roman villa and visit of Mompeo in the afternoon, dinner at Le Mole.

SATURDAY

Clay workshop with Karla Sotres.

After lunch, Stefano will share his passion about olive oil during a tasting.

Dinner at a typical trattoria, near the stunning village of Montenero.

Sunday

Walk to the river with a herb specialist, followed by an energising herb workshop,

We end the retreat with lunch at Le Mole.

 
 

join us for an italian escape

Have a room to yourself or bring a friend or loved one!

 

What’s included

  • 3 nights at Le Mole sul Farfa

  • all meals

  • a cooking class, the pottery workshop, olive oil tasting, the herbal workshop

  • transport for all the visits in the itinerary

  • transfer from the train station of Fara Sabina – Montelibretti to Mompeo

1800 EUR, payable in up to three instalments

1600 EUR per person, payable in up to three instalments

 
 

Why not make an event of it

Combine the retreat with some days in Rome, Florence or Naples. March is a perfect time to avoid the crowds in Italy.

 

FAQ’s

  • Make sure to get travel insurance, so you’re covered if anything happens. The booking is non-refundable unless we are notified at least 90 days beforehand of a cancellation. We can accept someone to take your place.

  • Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements, we’re happy to accommodate you.

  • Your flight is not included. We arrange a transfer from and to the train station of Fara Sabina - Montelibretti. There is a direct train from the airport to Fara Sabina.

    All transfers during the retreat are included.

  • Follow the Book Now button and you will be sent all the payment information.

    To confirm the reservation we ask for a deposit of 50% of the total amount. The remainder should be paid before the workshop starts.

    This booking is managed by Italia Travel.