Retreat to Florence
Art, History, Food, and Joy
Cari Amici! Florence, with its ancient art, stunning architecture, and rich history, sets the stage for some of our most inspiring retreats. Here, you’ll indulge in soulful food, sip wine, taste olive oil, and wander the charming streets of one of the world’s most beautiful cities, all while slowing down and embracing joy.
In this city, every street and piazza is steeped in inspiration, offering an enriching backdrop for life-changing experiences with renowned guest teachers in book publishing, the culinary arts, and more.
Check out this fabulous guide to Florence from the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni.
Hotel Bernini Palace
Luxury in the Heart of Florence
Our home in Florence will be the elegant and historic Hotel Bernini Palace, a beautifully restored 15th century residence tucked into the very heart of the city, just steps from Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery. Once a noble Florentine palace, the building still carries the atmosphere of old Florence, with vaulted ceilings, antique details, and centuries of history woven into its walls.
With its timeless architecture, richly appointed interiors, and old world Florentine atmosphere, the Bernini Palace offers a sense of quiet refinement and warmth deeply connected to the spirit of Florence itself. From here, the city unfolds effortlessly around you: winding Renaissance streets, hidden cafés, artisan shops, museums, piazzas, and the golden glow of the Arno all within walking distance.
Guests can gather in the hotel’s beautiful Art Deco inspired lounge for an evening aperitivo or quiet conversation after a day of writing and exploration. The hotel’s restaurant, La Chiostrina, offers refined Tuscan cuisine inspired by regional tradition, and massage and wellness treatments can also be arranged for those seeking a bit of extra restoration during the retreat.
What Makes it Special
Hotel Bernini Palace
To arrive in Florence is to step into a city where beauty and history are woven into daily life. Often described as an open air museum, Florence carries an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world: timeless, intimate, artistic, and deeply alive. Renaissance masterpieces exist not only inside museums and churches, but alongside everyday life in sunlit piazzas, winding streets, and centuries old buildings glowing in the Tuscan light.
The city invites a slower rhythm. Church bells echo through the afternoons, café tables spill into narrow stone lanes, and the Arno River moves gently through the heart of Florence, connecting the grand historic center with the artisan filled Oltrarno neighborhood. Florence is also a city made for wandering, where some of the most memorable moments happen unexpectedly: a hidden piazza, a tiny wine window at dusk, or evening light washing across ancient stone.
For writers especially, Florence offers something rare. The city awakens the senses and quiets the noise of ordinary life, creating space for reflection, memory, and creative clarity. It is a place that encourages you not only to see more deeply, but to listen more deeply to your own inner life.
