Do you ever come home from a holiday and have one specific meal or restaurant that just won’t leave your mind? A place where the food was sublime or the ambiance was overwhelmingly special? Sometimes the details of a trip start to blend together by the time you return home, but if you’re lucky enough, […]

3 Memorable Meals in Florence

One aspect of La Dolce Vita which is eagerly anticipated by attendees are the days filled with creativity! Carolyn envisions a retreat where women of all skill levels enjoy flexing their creative muscles while learning, or improving, their working knowledge in a variety of different creative fields. You don’t have to be a expert, dabbler, […]

2024 Retreat Workshops

“You have to taste a culture to understand it.” – Deborah Cater In Italy food is more than just sustenance, it is art, tradition and community rolled into one; specialized butcher and bakery shops where the proprietors have served the same clients for years and where they know the providence of each cut they sell; […]

2024 Tuscan Culinary Explorations

Where you will stay During your time at La Dolce Vita you will have the opportunity to experience authentic Italian country life. Our host estate, Borgo Personatina, is an Agriturismo with a small Olive Oil production, located in the hills of Tuscany. Accommodations will be fulfilled by our retreat collaborator e20Toscani, a Siena based Italian […]

2024 Accommodations La Dolce Vita

Exploring the city in Italy During our day trips we will be exploring some beautiful Tuscan cities. Read on to discover where La Dolce Vita Retreat attendees will journey in 2024. Visiting Siena Our group will visit the medieval city of Siena which is undoubtably one of the jewels of Tuscany. Famous because of its […]

2024 City Visits La Dolce Vita

La dolce vita retreats in tuscan market

La Dolce Vita 2024 will include a visit to two Tuscan markets. First the Lucca antique market, followed by the Siena weekly market on a different day. The two Tuscan markets will have vastly different offerings, affording attendees a look at two different Italian market styles. Siena weekly market The Siena weekly market is where locals go […]

2024 Market Visits

Celebrating Creativity and making meaningful connections to the local community are core values at La Dolce Vita. It is my pleasure to introduce you to the special guest who will be joining + guiding us as we stretch our creative muscles while exploring Tuscany together. Meet Danielle Kartes. She is a living embodiment of a joyful […]

2024 Retreat Special Guest:

As we head into the holiday season, it’s my pleasure to share a handful of items that I love and think will speak to fellow creatives who yearn to make pretty (and yummy) things, and surround themselves with beauty while dreaming of their upcoming travels. Whether this guide inspires ideas for gifting to others or […]

Holiday Gift Guide 2023

I vividly recall the first time I tried this recipe at the Tuscan home of my friend, and retreat collaborator, Sveva. A delicate combination of fresh shelled peas, shallots, goat cheese, and just enough mint, it felt like the heavens opened up and angels sang when I took my first bite. INGREDIENTS: 1 or 2 […]

Summer Garden Cheese Spread

“You have to taste a culture to understand it.” – Deborah Cater In Italy food is more than just sustenance, it is art, tradition and community rolled into one; specialized butcher and bakery shops where the proprietors have served the same clients for years and where they know the providence of each cut they sell; […]

2023 Tuscan Culinary Explorations

Let's chat!

do you have questions that haven't been answered here?