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A writing retreat with masterclasses, one-on-one feedback, and sharing salons

Writing in Tuscany

Do you love to write, but never seem to find the time? Do you hesitate to even call yourself a writer? Then give yourself the gift of a week in Tuscany: time, space and attention for the writing you keep meaning to do. Whether you dream of a novel, a memoir, a personal essay, poetry, a play or screenplay, or simply want to get words on the page, this week is for you.

Led by novelist and writing coach Georgia Clark, the week balances long, quiet stretches of writing with warm, generous company: optional morning masterclasses, a private one-on-one with Georgia, and evening salons where you can read your work aloud (if you’d like to) and hear what others are writing.

Writers of every genre and every level are welcome, from complete beginners to published authors. Most guests leave with pages written, a clearer sense of their project, and new friends cheering them on.

We would love you to join us and savour the true bella vita italiana.

– Lois and Bill Breckon

Booking enquiry

2027 writing holiday

Guests on our writing holidays at The Watermill at Posara, Tuscany, enjoy SEVEN nights at the watermill, with full board.

We should emphasise that absolutely EVERYTHING is included in the cost of your holiday: tuition, accommodation (including all linen and towels), pre-dinner aperitifs, all meals (including delicious meals with wine prepared specially for you at the mill, and at charming local restaurants) and local transportation (including transfers to Pisa airport; an excursion by train to Lucca or the Cinque Terre).

All you have to do is get to Pisa. We do the rest!

  • 4 – 11 September 2027

Georgia Clark

Writing in Tuscany

Tutor & Programme Information

Writing holidays itinerary

The following is a typical Writing week itinerary.  You may choose to write every minute you are here or you may choose to benefit from any (or all!) of Georgia’s FIVE masterclasses.  When you arrive she will also ask you to schedule with her a 30-minute one-on-one feedback session where she will talk through your project, your pages, or your next steps.  There will also be several opportunities, in the evening salons, to read your work aloud, and to hear what others have written.  You can pick whichever sessions work for YOU!

This exciting itinerary starts and ends at Pisa airport, because that is where most of our international guests arrive. We’ll discuss with you the best times to arrive there.

For all our meals we use fresh local ingredients, often from our own gardens, so the sample menus mentioned below will change depending on the season.

Here’s a little more information about each of the FIVE masterclasses:

  1. From Idea to Story: how to turn a spark into a story with shape, by finding what it’s really about, whose story it is, and where it begins.
  2. Writing Your Life Story: memoir and personal writing: finding your material, deciding what to leave out, and shaping real life into a story others want to read.
  3. Writing Romance: from historical to rom-com, the beats, chemistry and conflict that make a love story work.
  4. Publishing 101: How Books Get Sold: what agents and publishers do, how a manuscript becomes a book on the shelf, and how the UK industry works today. For anyone curious about traditional publishing.
  5. Stories Aloud: drawing on ten years of Georgia’s storytelling series Generation Women, how to shape a true story for a live audience and read your work with confidence. It’s a perfect preparation for the closing salon.

First saturday:

  • Pick-up at Pisa airport between 11:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs (1pm). Transport by mini-bus or car to the Watermill.
  • Light lunch in the Watermill courtyard dining room.
  • Afternoon: settling in; exploring the mill, the gardens and the river. First group session where everyone shares what they’re working on and what they hope to leave with. Sign-ups for half-hour one-on-one feedback sessions.
  • Aperitivi on the vine verandah; brief welcome from The Watermill team. Discussion of the week’s activities.
  • Dinner at the mill.
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto.

Sunday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill (cereals, fruit juices, fresh bread/toast, brioche, jams, fruit, boiled eggs, coffee, tea).
  • First Masterclass, ‘From Idea to Story’ (say 10:00 to 11:30) on the vine verandah, the studio (overlooking the gardens and the river) or the main salotto, as appropriate.
  • Own writing time.
  • Lunch in the Watermill courtyard dining room: finocchio al forno (in a white wine, cream and cheese sauce); bresaola, with parmesan shavings, olive oil and rucola; panzanella (the Watermill’s own recipe); hard-boiled eggs with mayonnaise and capperi; insalata verde (from the watermill garden in season) with borage or nasturtium flowers according to the season and a mustard vinaigrette dressing.
  • Afternoon:  own writing time and one-on-ones.
  • Facilities for making tea and coffee at the mill.
  • Aperitivi on the vine verandah.
  • Transport by minibus to the nearby walled Medieval town of Fivizzano (about 10 minutes’ drive).
  • Dinner: an introduction to Tuscan cuisine at the Caffé Elvetico in the Piazza Medicea Fivizzano: locally made antipasti, including hams, salumi, crostini, bruschetta, caprese, torte locale varie; ‘patriotic pasta’ (three different pastas, with red (ragù), white (salsa di noci) and green (pesto) sauces, the colours of the Italian tricolore; local pecorino cheese, served with insalata verde; locally made dolce. Local red wine and white wine; acqua minerale, coffee/teas.

Monday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill (cereals, fruit juices, fresh bread/toast, brioche, jams, fruit, boiled eggs, coffee, tea).
  • Second Masterclass, ‘Writing your Life Story’ (say 10:00 to 11:30) on the vine verandah, the studio (overlooking the gardens and the river) or the main salotto, as appropriate.
  • Own writing time.
  • Transport (12:15) to Monte dei Bianchi (circa 30 minutes)
  • Explore village: ancient houses and church, spectacular mountain views, valleys, hill-top villages, olive groves, etc.
  • 13:00 Gourmet lunch at Al Vecchio Tino restaurant: risotto con pere e gorgonzola; san martino baked in chestnut leaves, seasonal vegetables; very light chocolate mousse. Coffee, tea. Wine.
  • 14:30 Transport to the watermill.
  • Facilities for making tea and coffee at the mill.
  • Own writing time and one-on-ones.
  • Early evening: aperitivi on the vine verandah.
  • Dinner at the mill.

Tuesday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill (cereals, fruit juices, fresh bread/toast, brioche, jams, fruit, boiled eggs, coffee, tea).
  • Third Masterclass, ‘Writing Romance’ (say 09:30 to 11:00) on the vine verandah, the studio (overlooking the gardens and the river) or the main salotto, as appropriate.
  • Own writing time.
  • Transport to Fivizzano (around 11:30 hrs): market day: produce stalls etc.; opportunity to explore city walls. Talk to stall-holders, café staff etc.
  • Lunch in Fivizzano: Panino, home-made ice cream and coffee at the Gelateria Ricci in Fivizzano.
  • Transport (say 14:00) to the watermill.
  • Afternoon:  own writing time and one-on-ones.
  • Early evening: aperitivi on the vine verandah.
  • Dinner at the mill.
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto.
  • First salon, where there will be an opportunity to share your work.

Wednesday – (No formal tuition this day)

  • Early continental breakfast (say 0800) at the mill (cereals, fruit juices, fresh bread/toast, brioche, jams, fruit, boiled eggs, coffee, tea).
  • Transport (say 08:30) to Aulla station for train to Cinque Terre or Lucca
  • Morning and afternoon: sightseeing in the Cinque Terre or Lucca. Packed lunch provided by the watermill (or guests can buy their own lunch or a snack at location).
  • Train back to Aulla (arrives circa 18:30).
  • Transport to watermill.
  • Early evening: aperitivi on the vine verandah.
  • Dinner at the mill.
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto.
  • OR, a full day writing on your own at the mill.

Thursday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill (cereals, fruit juices, fresh bread/toast, brioche, jams, fruit, boiled eggs, coffee, tea).
  • Fourth Masterclass, ‘Publishing 101’ (say 09:30 to 11:00) on the vine verandah, the studio (overlooking the gardens and the river) or the main salotto, as appropriate.
  • Own writing time.
  • 11:45 depart for local ex-monastery, and own writing time.
  • Light picnic lunch at the ex-monastery.
  • Afternoon: more writing at the monastery.
  • Transport to watermill mid-afternoon.
  • Own writing and one-on-ones.
  • Early evening: aperitivi on the vine verandah.
  • Dinner at the mill.
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto.
  • Second salon, with the opportunity to share your own work.

Friday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill (cereals, fruit juices, fresh bread/toast, brioche, jams, fruit, boiled eggs, coffee, tea).
  • Fifth Masterclass, ‘Stories Aloud’ (say 10:00 to 11:30) on the vine verandah, the studio (overlooking the gardens and the river) or the main salotto, as appropriate.
  • Own writing time.
  • Lunch at Pieve San Paolo
  • Return to the mill for final one-on-ones and own writing time.
  • Early evening: prosecco on the vine verandah.
  • Farewell dinner at the mill.
  • After dinner: Coffee/tea and digestivi in the main salotto.
  • Closing salon.

Saturday

  • Continental breakfast at the mill (cereals, fruit juices, fresh bread/toast, brioche, jams, fruit, boiled eggs, coffee, tea).
  • Transport to Pisa airport between 8:00am and 9:00am. Those with late flights may leave their bags at the airport and take a (very short) taxi ride to Pisa for sightseeing

We can cater for vegetarians and others with dietary requirements (please tell us in advance).

This is a draft itinerary. It can be altered to suit the weather and the needs and preferences of the group.

Clothing

The days are usually warm to hot, but it can rain, sometimes for a day or two at a time. So, we recommend a lightweight waterproof coat and perhaps an umbrella (although we have a selection you can borrow). The evenings might be a little cooler, so warm pullovers or tops are a good idea. Sensible shoes for walking are also recommended.

What it costs

We offer 11 beautiful bedrooms with their own en suite bathrooms, plus one Suite, ideal for friends sharing, or couples.

Our policy is not to discriminate against people coming on their own by charging a vast supplement for single rooms. So, if you are coming by yourself, you will always have your own individual bedroom.

We would, however, like friends to share if it is at all possible and there will be a saving if you do so. And if you share with a non-participating partner, he or she will enjoy a generous discount of £GBP 250 for the holiday week.

Alberti

Superior double with en suite shower room

Large bedroom, with large private terrace, on the first floor of the Tuscan house. En suite shower room. Views over the river. The ‘Super Kingsize’ bed (180cm wide) can be divided into large singles if required.

  • £2,850 single occupancy
  • £2,585* per person sharing
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.
Botticelli

Superior double with en suite shower room

Large, dual-aspect bedroom, with balcony, on the first floor of the Tuscan house. En suite shower room. Views over the courtyard and gardens to the mountains beyond. The ‘Super Kingsize’ bed (180cm wide) can be divided into large singles if required.

  • £2,850 single occupancy
  • £2,585* per person sharing
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.
Bronzino

Superior double with en suite bathroom

Large, dual-aspect bedroom on the second floor of the Tuscan house. En suite bathroom, with bath and shower. Views over the courtyard and gardens to mountains beyond. The ‘Super Kingsize’ bed (180cm wide) can be divided into large singles if required.

  • £2,850 single occupancy
  • £2,585* per person sharing
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.
Brunelleschi

Superior double with en suite shower room

Deluxe double bedroom with en suite shower room, on the first floor. Large roof terrace overlooking the courtyard and gardens. Amazing views of the mountains. Double bed (140cm wide).

  • £2,850 single occupancy
  • £2,585* per person sharing
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.
Anguissola

Classic double with en suite shower room

Dual-aspect bedroom on the first floor of the Tuscan house. En suite shower room. Views over the vourtyard, the walled garden and the mountains beyond. The ‘Super Kingsize’ bed (180cm wide) can be divided into large singles if required.

  • £2,785 single occupancy
  • £2,560* per person sharing
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.
Gentileschi

Classic double with en suite shower room

Double bedroom with en suite shower room, on the first floor of the Tuscan house. Views over the riverside courtyard and river beyond. The ‘Super Kingsize’ bed (180cm wide) can be divided into singles if required.

  • £2,785 single occupancy
  • £2,560* per person sharing
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.
Ghirlandaio

Classic double with en suite shower room

Double bedroom with en suite shower room, on the ground floor of the 17th Century watermill, with views over the millstream cascades and the river. The ‘Super Kingsize’ bed (180cm wide) can be divided into singles if required.

  • £2,785 single occupancy
  • £2,560* per person sharing
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.
Uccello

Classic double with en suite shower room

Double bedroom with en suite shower room, on the ground floor of the 17th Century watermill, with views over the millstream cascades and the river. The ‘Super Kingsize’ bed (180cm wide) can be divided into singles if required.

  • £2,785 single occupancy
  • £2,560* per person sharing
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.
Fra Angelico

Standard double with en suite shower room

Double bedroom with en suite shower room, on the first floor of the Tuscan house. Views over the courtyard and gardens. The ‘Super Kingsize’ bed (180cm wide) can be divided into large singles if required.

  • £2,710 single occupancy
  • £2,500* per person sharing
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.
Ghiberti

Standard double with en suite shower room

Double bedroom with en suite shower room, on the second floor of the Tuscan house. Views over the courtyard and gardens. The ‘Kingsize’ bed (160cm wide) can be divided into singles if required.

  • £2,710 single occupancy
  • £2,500* per person sharing
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.
Donatello

Superior single with en suite shower room

Superior single bedroom with en suite shower room, on the first floor. Large roof terrace overlooking the courtyard and gardens. Amazing views of the mountains. Queen-size bed (120cm wide).

  • £2,685 single occupancy
The Lippi Suite

Suite

Exclusive use of a suite overlooking the riverside gardens and the river. Double bedroom with King-size bed (160cm wide)*, dressing room and shower room all on the first floor; large living room on the ground floor.

*If you prefer to have separate beds, the dressing room can be made up into another bedroom (with either single or twin beds).

  • Principal bedroom single in kingsize bed (with another person in the dressing room) £2,680
  • Dressing room single in single bed (with another person in the principal bedroom) £2,580
  • For two people sharing double bed: £5,260 (i.e. £2,630 per person)*
* there’s a £250 discount for a “non-participating partner”.

Deposit, payments and cancellations

Click the button below to see all holiday information relating to costs, balances, payments, and cancellations.

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Make your booking today

Click the button below to be taken to our contact and booking page. If you have any questions regarding your holiday please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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Here are just a few of the testimonials regarding our tutor, Georgia:

I felt so nourished, supported, and got so much writing done. Georgia is generous, kind, funny, entertaining, and just great to be with. She knows how to make people feel comfortable and supported.

LW

I’d had no idea that what I needed was a house full of focused women all working nearby… It was a truly exceptional experience and I’m grateful to have shared it with an amazingly talented group of writers.

MM

This event welcomes writers of all levels and genres, which makes it such a rich and diverse experience. For me, it was a watershed moment — the moment I knew I was on the right path to pursue my writing dreams… No one walks away empty-handed.

ND

My well is replenished, and I feel so much braver about my memoir… Georgia, you and this community you’ve created have changed my life and wholly empowered me.

EA

Georgia made everything feel effortless — offering just the right balance of structure and freedom… I loved the permission to move at our own pace — to write in silence, take breaks, and reconnect when ready. The evening salons were transformative; hearing everyone’s in-progress work reminded me how much beauty lives in a draft.

EM

Imagine you have all the time in the world to write, share your work in progress, enjoy a great view and the company of brilliant, funny, and insightful people, and of course, eat well… Georgia brought a group of strangers together and over only a few days, made them friends and big fans of each other’s work.

MA

This experience was not only productive but rejuvenating. I’m so thankful for the time dedicated to our personal craft as well as the time carved out for connection with others… Georgia asked intentional questions, gave encouraging feedback, and provided valuable insight regarding next steps in my career.

MH

As the oldest in the group, I came away feeling seen and heard — something that sadly isn’t the norm in our society. The perfect balance of focused work time and space for discussion, exploration, and celebration… I met wonderful women from all walks of life and ages and was inspired by their dedication.

JR

Frequently asked Questions

Below are a few frequently asked questions relating to our creative holidays in Tuscany. If there are any further questions you need answering, please do not hesitate to contact us using our Contact Form.

A note on mobility and ability to climb stairs

At the Watermill

The Watermill is an historic building, dating from the 17th Century, and there are steps both internally and externally.

The Ghirlandaio and Uccello bedrooms are accessible from ground level, with the odd step. The other bedrooms are on the first and second floors (US: second and third floors), accessed by internal and/or external stairs.

The painting studio is accessed by a flight of a dozen or so external steps.

The Vine Verandah in the Walled Garden, where aperitivi are served, has three stone steps leading from the Courtyard.

Painting on location

(click HERE for the typical painting itinerary)

Our transport will drop us off at lovely locations, but sometimes there will be a short walk to get to the best painting spots. The maximum walk (at Verrucola castle and village) is some 80 metres down quite a steep slope. At Fivizzano there is a walk of a similar distance, gently uphill from the lower gate of the town to the main piazza where the market is held. At the other locations our minibuses will drop you off within a few metres from where you will paint. As well as mobility, please also be certain you are able to carry what you need during your location painting sessions.

If you have doubts about your mobility, it would be wisest to bring a spouse or friend or carer who can help you.

Self-caterers

The above gives an indication of steps at the Watermill

Are there any hidden extras?

None whatsoever. Everything is included in the cost of your course: tuition, accommodation (including all linen and towels), pre-dinner aperitifs, all meals (including dinner with wine at charming local restaurants), and local transportation (including transfers to Pisa airport; the excursion by train to Lucca or Cinque Terre).

All you have to do is to get to Pisa and we do the rest.

On the excursion day (transport is free), at breakfast time we’ll provide materials for your own picnic lunch or, if you prefer, you can buy yourself a snack or a more formal lunch when you are out – it’s up to you!

Other than that you only need money for personal needs, postcards and the odd cappuccino in the piazza.

We can organise special optional excursions for non-participating partners (npps) and will discuss these with the npps when they arrive. These extra excursions will be at cost. The Watermill makes no profit from them.

What time are the pick-up and drop-off times at Pisa airport on the first and last days of my course?

We pick you up at Pisa airport on the first day between 11am and 1pm. We organise precise pick-up times to fit in with our guests’ flight arrivals times.

Transfers to the mill later than 1pm are extra, at cost. If you arrive later than 1pm, we can arrange a local taxi to come to pick you up at Pisa airport. This will be cheaper than hiring a taxi at Pisa airport. The cost for a taxi is of the order of 180 Euros. Alternatively, there are trains from Pisa Centrale (shuttle train from airport) to Aulla Lunigiana station and we can arrange to pick you up there, where the taxi fare will be far cheaper than from Pisa. If there are other people arriving outside our pick-up hours, we’ll let you know and you will be able to share the transport costs.

Alternatively, you may care to arrive a day early and stay in Pisa overnight (See Where can I stay in Pisa? below) and come to the airport on the Saturday morning. The airport is close to the town and there is a shuttle bus from the centre, as well as a train and taxis. We will tell you the precise times we will pick you up from the airport on Saturday morning.

We depart for Pisa on the last Saturday after breakfast. In practice, this usually means there are two minibuses, leaving at around 8:30 am and 9:30 am, but precise timing does depend on all our guests’ flight times. Since the mill is about a one-anda-quarter-hour to one-and-a-half-hour’s drive from Pisa airport and since check-in starts two hours before flight time, your ideal return flight time should be later than about 12 noon. (A 1200 flight would mean having to be at the airport at 1000 and leaving the Watermill at 0830).If your flight is earlier than noon, we’ll try to help with our complimentary drop-off, but it depends on all our guests’ departures – and if your flight time means that you have to leave Posara before 7.30 am, we will arrange a taxi for you, for which you will have to pay.

Those with late afternoon or evening flights from Pisa may find it more convenient to leave their bags at left luggage in the central railway station (Pisa Centrale) and take a (very short) taxi ride or walk into to Pisa for sightseeing. There is a regular shuttle train from the station to the airport (Pisa Aeroporto), taking about five minutes. It is probably wisest to check shuttle times before sightseeing/lunch, to ensure arrival at the airport on time.

If you prefer, we can drop those with late flights at the airport itself in the morning. There is also a left luggage service there, located in the Arrivals area, open from 8am to 8pm, but it apparently costs €20 per bag. You can leave your luggage there and hop on the Pisamover shuttle train from Pisa Aeroporto station to Pisa Centrale station in the centre of town. The airport is close to the town and the shuttle only takes about five minutes. Or you can take a taxi from the rank just outside the Arrivals area if you prefer.

Please let us know your flight details (particularly arrivals) as early as you can, so we can make all the necessary arrangements.

Where can I stay in Pisa?

We don’t stay there ourselves of course, but our travel advisers and guests have in the past recommended:

Added by guests in 2017/8:

La Corte di Stelio www.lacortedistelio.it Tel: +39 050 2200092
Excellent B&B, very close to the airport, ideal for late arrival and Watermill pick-up next day at the airport. Hot and cold drinks available 24/7, good buffet breakfast. Very friendly family business.

Hotel Roma Www.hotelroma.pisa.it Tel: – +39 050 550578
Excellent B&B, just across the road from the city walls and the Baptistry, Cathedral, and Leaning Tower. Also, there is a bus stop outside the hotel to get to other areas of Pisa.

Added by guests in 2018/9:

Palazzo Kinsky, 52 Via San Martino, just south of the river.

Added by tutor Randy Hale in 2022

La Corte di Lisa B&B, Via San Bernardo 22. https://www.lacortedilisa.com/
Adjacent to Piazza della Pera with about 7-8 restaurants an bars all around the perimeter. Filled with local families on a Friday evening! (NE part of Pisa, yet on south side of river).

Will any strenuous walking be involved?

Please see the Note on mobility above if you have any doubts about your capacity to climb steps or walk short distances.

At the Watermill there are steps, both internally and externally.

Outings

The maximum walk (at Verrucola castle and village) is some 80 metres down quite a steep slope. At Fivizzano there is a walk of a similar distance, gently uphill from the lower gate of the town to the main piazza where the market is held. At the other locations our minibuses will drop you off within a few metres of your destination.

If you have doubts about your mobility, it would be wisest to bring a spouse or friend or carer who can help you.

The Wednesday excursion is to Lucca or the Cinque Terre is by train. How much walking you do when you get there is entirely up to you! There is some strenuous walking in the Cinque Terre if you want to do it, but there are ferry boats (and trains) between the villages.

How can I organise my flights?

The best airport to arrive at is Pisa, which has many daily flights to and from international destinations. You might also care to fly into Florence and spend a few days there. There is a regular train service from Florence Santa Maria Novella station to Pisa Centrale, where there is a shuttle train which takes only a few minutes to arrive at Pisa Aeroporto, where we pick our guests up on the morning of the first Saturday of their holiday week.

We recommend that you do not book your flights until we have told you that sufficient numbers have enrolled on a course to make it viable, and that it will definitely run. We will let you know this at the earliest opportunity, (many months before the start of the course) to help you get the best deals on flights online or through your local travel agent. When booking your flights, please note our complimentary pick-up and drop-off times, which you can find in the section above. And don’t forget to take out travel insurance.

Can I come by car?

Of course you can. You can park at the mill and we’ll give you full instructions on how to get here. (We haven’t lost anyone yet!). We reckon you can do Calais to the mill easily in two days using the French autoroutes and the Italian autostrade and it is even more fun if you take three days and make a holiday of the journey. We recommend stops near Strasbourg and beside Lake Como if you make a three-day trip. We’ll gladly share our experiences of motoring down, suggesting routes and places to stay.

Can I bring my laptop?

Yes, of course. Italian electricity supply is 220 Volts, You will need an adaptor from your plug to a 2-pin continental socket. Most of our bedrooms now have a good wi-fi signal, but if you have any problems, you will find the best signal in the communal sitting room.

What materials do I need to bring (painting week)?

Your tutor will be in touch well before the course with a suggested list of materials, but we are generally very relaxed and there’s no obligation to bring anything specific.

To save you being overloaded on your flight we can provide:

  • lightweight portable easels
  • portable chairs
  • drawing boards
  • water bottles
  • white spirit
  • rags
Are there hairdryers?

There are hairdryers in each room. If you bring your own, the electricity is 220V. You will need an adaptor from your system to a two-pin European plug.

Do I need to bring linen or towels?

No, all linen and towels are provided. There’s also a washing machine for communal use, but please ask us first so we can fit you in around the mill’s laundering.

Can I be contacted at the mill from the UK?

In an emergency it’s probably best for your friends or relatives to contact Bill on his Italian mobile: +39 327 379 9178. Or Lois at +39 328 471 3589. Or you can call our manager Karsten on his mobile: +39 347 979 3294.

If you bring your laptop you can receive emails in our communal sitting room.

Please note that the numbers above are correct; don’t add or subtract zeroes to those above.

What happens if I have to cancel my holiday?

The deposit is non-returnable, unless you cancel within 14 days of the booking.

If the course has to be postponed because of official restrictions due to disease, terrorism or on armed conflicts, the deposit may be transferred to a course with the same tutor at a later date, or to another tutor of your choice.

If you have to cancel four to eight weeks before departure, a charge of 40%of the total price is payable; at two to four weeks, 60%; at one to two weeks, 80%; at less than one week, 90%. Once the course has started, 100% is payable. We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance that includes provision for you having to cancel.

What can non-participating partners do?

Non-participating partners are welcome to join the groups. You should certainly come on the day we go to the wonderful Al Vecchio Tino restaurant (usually the Friday) in its spectacular setting, and on the excursion to Lucca or the Cinque Terre on the Wednesday. And we have many suggestions for fun places to visit and things to do while your partner is busy on the course. If you come by car, of course, you will enjoy even more freedom. Many non-participating partners, however, find it rather relaxing to choose a quiet spot in the walled garden or the riverside gardens and settle back with a book or enjoying a dappled-sunlight snooze….

Visit our Partners activities page HERE for more information

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