Soul Words
A Journaling Retreat in Florence with Susannah Conway
Come to Florence and spend a gentle, restorative week reconnecting to your divinely brilliant self in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Through a delicious blend of journaling, guided meditation, and creative play, we'll explore what's true in our lives right now while wandering the Renaissance streets, hidden piazzas, and timeless beauty of Florence. Together, we'll unravel where we've been, honor where we are, and listen for what may be calling us next.
Using our journals as portals, we'll uncover the words at the center of our being and excavate the story threads woven through our lives. Surrounded by art, beauty, and centuries of creative expression, we'll create space to hear our own inner wisdom more clearly.
Soul Words is an invitation to spend a beautiful week with paper, pens, curious hearts, and meaningful conversation. And scissors and glue too! We'll create by hand as we gather inspiration from Florence's art-filled streets, hidden corners, Renaissance treasures, and everyday moments of beauty.
Together we'll explore, notice, create, and reflect, allowing the city itself to become part of the creative process. Whether you're seeking fresh inspiration, creative renewal, or simply a week immersed in beauty, Florence offers the perfect setting for discovery and delight.
February 1-6, 2027 | Florence, Italy
Susannah Conway
Susannah Conway is a writer and teacher who’s been sharing her heart online since 2006. Dedicated to helping people access their creative joy and nurture a deeper kinder relationship with themselves, Susannah’s online courses have been enjoyed by thousands of people from over 50 countries around the world.
Her first book, This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart, hit bookshelves in 2012. LONDONTOWN: A Photographic Tour of the City’s Delights followed in 2016. She lives in London, England, with her kittens, Mousey & Lolly.
"Susannah has a way of communicating that makes one feel so comfortable, as if an old friend just stopped by."
- Laurie, USA
Find the thread. Shape the story.
Spend a beautiful week reconnecting with yourself in the Renaissance heart of Florence. Journal over a morning cappuccino, wander cobblestone streets, linger in sunlit piazzas, savor unforgettable meals, and follow your curiosity wherever it leads.
Through Susannah's thoughtful guidance, journaling practices, meditation, and creative exercises, you'll uncover the words and wisdom waiting just beneath the surface of everyday life.
Florence has inspired artists, writers, and seekers for centuries. Surrounded by beauty, history, and creative energy, you'll find space to listen more deeply to yourself and what matters most.
You'll return home inspired, holding your Soul Words like precious jewels, with a renewed sense of self and tangible proof of your own magic.
No previous journaling or meditation experience is necessary—just curiosity and an open heart.
Write with purpose. Guided by Florence.
Our days unfold in a gentle rhythm of reflection, creativity, and discovery. Gather with Susannah for journaling, meditation, meaningful conversation, and creative exploration, then spend your afternoons following your curiosity through Florence.
Browse artisan shops, linger in a sunlit piazza, visit a museum, sip coffee at a favorite café, wander across the Arno, or simply return to your room to rest and reflect. Florence offers endless inspiration, and you'll have the freedom to enjoy it at your own pace.
As evening arrives, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy both the pleasures of gathering and the freedom of exploring Florence on your own. Some evenings we'll come together over wonderful meals and conversation, while others invite you to follow your own curiosities in this beautiful city. A twilight stroll, a few pages in your journal, or an early night may be the perfect ending to the day.
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.
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.
Join us for five unforgettable nights in beautiful Florence.
This intimate retreat includes luxurious accommodations at the historic Hotel Bernini Palace, daily classes with Susannah Conway, and a thoughtfully curated experience designed to nourish both your writing life and spirit.
Included in your retreat tuition:
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Five nights accommodations at Hotel Bernini Palace
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Daily Classes with Susannah Conway
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A private guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery
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A curated walking tour through the heart of Florence
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A hands on Tuscan cooking class
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Two group lunches at beloved local restaurants
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Two memorable group dinners in Florence
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Time and space to journal, create, reflect, wander, and be inspired by Florence
Retreat Investment:
Classic Room
$4,850 USD
Superior Room
$5,050 USD
*use SOUL250 at check out for $250 off your deposit. Code only good through July 15th
Airfare is not included.
Because of the intimate nature of this experience, space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.
