Come back to yourself. Come back to each other.
Six days. Sixteen people. One thousand-year-old Tuscan castle.
STIRRING UP LOVE FOR LIFE
September 1–6, 2026 • Castello di Potentino, Tuscany, Italy
Some retreats give you a vacation. This one gives you a return. A return to your spark. To your spouse. To the version of you that knows how to slow down, savor, and feel alive in your own skin again.
Sound familiar?
- You want to feel alive again, in your body, in your relationships, and in the way you move through the world.
- You've been moving so fast that your joy, your spark, or your sense of self has gone a little quiet.
- You're craving deeper connection, with yourself, with someone special, or with life in general.
Created and co-hosted by Staci Bartley (Relationship Expert & Integrated Sex Specialist) and Marnie Coots (Founder, Solstice Foodie Retreats)
If any of that lands, this retreat was made for you.
Three rooms remaining.
Your investment is protected... see our travel commitment here.
Come Stir It All Up With Us
Your Tuscan reset
No matter where you’re starting, you’ll be guided back to yourself through sensory experiences, shared moments, and conversations that open doors you didn’t even know were closed.
It’s a transformational, sensory-rich journey designed to help you reconnect with what’s true, awake, and alive inside you.
- You’ll slow down.
- You’ll feel held.
- You’ll rediscover parts of yourself you forgot you missed.
All in a thousand-year-old Tuscan castle where connection, play, and possibility rise back to the surface again.
Why Tuscany?
Our retreat takes place at Castello di Potentino, a 1,000-year-old castle in Southern Tuscany, recently named one of Travel + Leisure’s “20 Castles You Must Visit in Your Lifetime” (March 2025 issue).
Here, you’ll be surrounded by ancient stone walls, sunlit vineyards, and golden hills that seem to go on forever. It’s not just beautiful, it’s a world away from everyday life.
A place where time slows down, and healing, reconnection, and deep emotional intimacy can truly unfold.
And thanks to Solstice Foodie Retreats, every detail is thoughtfully taken care of, so all that’s left for you to do is relax, savor, and rediscover you.
Spoiler: this view looks even better in person.
Because some places don't just change your view, they change you.
What Makes It a Sensory Rich Experience?
Because real connection lives in the body as much as the mind, you’ll be immersed in hands-on, sensory-rich adventures that awaken every part of you:
Because...
connection isn’t something you force. It’s something you feel. And here in Tuscany, it meets you in the light, the food, the laughter, and the way you remember parts of yourself you’ve been missing.
Feel connection in motion, from the texture of olive branches beneath your hands on a night hike, to the warmth of a friendly embrace, to the grounding of your own bare feet on ancient earth.
Touch
Taste
Savor chef-prepared meals inspired by a different region of Italy each evening. Hand-roll pasta, craft your own cheese, and toast new friendships with local wine.
Breathe in wild herbs, freshly baked bread, and sun-warmed vineyards. Every inhale is a reminder that the simplest moments can stir our deepest memories.
Smell
Sound
Let the rhythm of laughter, the hum of conversation, and the quiet strum of local musicians remind you how good it feels to listen, really listen, to life, yourself & others.
Wake each morning to golden Tuscan light spilling across the hills, ancient stone walls, and the soft flicker of candlelit dinners under the stars. Beauty will be your constant companion.
Sight
Where We’ll Spend Our Week Together
Pack Your Bags... Here’s What’s Waiting for You
Wander the sunlit hillsides gathering wild herbs, a sensory reminder that curiosity is the beginning of connection.
Foraging Walk Through the Estate
Surprise and play woven throughout the week, from shared adventures to quiet discoveries that wake up your senses.
Moments of Novelty & Adventure
Gentle, embodied moments that rebuild trust, ease, and laughter, creating space for genuine connection to unfold naturally again.
Emotional Safety
Practices
Heart-opening gatherings that help you reconnect with yourself, others, and what’s possible now, whether you come solo or with a partner.
Daily Relationship Skill Sessions
Let Tuscany’s wild beauty wash over you, cascading falls, ancient groves, and the kind of awe that resets your entire system.
Waterfall &
Forest Hikes
Taste a different region of Italy each evening, paired with local wines and stories that nourish both body and soul.
Regional Chef-Prepared Meals
Candlelight, music, and the pleasure of being fully present over unforgettable meals in the courtyard or grand hall.
Moonlit Dinners
Under the Stars
Roll, shape, sip, and savor in the castle’s rustic kitchen. Creating something delicious together is half the magic.
Handmade Pasta
Sessions
Stillness, daydreaming, and spontaneous adventure, moments to reconnect with yourself, your senses, and the world around you.
Time to Rest
and Wander
Stroll cobblestone streets, visit the glass-bottom church, and savor a long, laughter-filled lunch in a hidden Tuscan village.
Day Trip to
Santa Fiora
Experience Italian joy through live music, storytelling, and local artistry that fills the nights with laughter and rhythm.
Local Artists and Evening Performances
Walk by moonlight through centuries-old trees, a soul-stirring reminder of how good it feels to be part of something bigger.
Night Hike Through Olive Groves
You want to experience Tuscany not just as a place, but as a catalyst for transformation that is also off the beaten path of tourists.
You want a meaningful escape that feeds both your body and your soul
You’re ready to slow down and rediscover what pleasure, play, and presence feel like
You’re craving genuine connection... with yourself, with others, or with your partner
This is for you if:
For the ones ready to find their way back to each other.
Dates: September 1-6, 2026
Location: Castello di Potentino, Southern Tuscany, Italy
Limited to 16 People Only
Price: €2,999 per person
To reserve your spot, click the button below to select your preferred room and pay $1000 US deposit per person.
Your deposit officially secures both your room and your place at the retreat.
Once your deposit is received, Tom Bartley will personally contact you to confirm your booking details and set up your remaining payment plan based on your preferred method.
Here are the Nitty Gritty Details:
Come as you are. Leave with your senses alive and your spirit wide awake.
Payment Details:
Remaining payment will be made to Love Shack Live Events with Tom Bartley via Zelle or Venmo (no fee) or credit card (3% processing fee applies).
📧 tom@stacibartley.com
📞 916-412-6285
- 6 days / 5 nights of lodging in a private room at Castello di Potentino
- All meals lovingly prepared on-site using local ingredients
- Daily wine from the castle’s own vineyards
- Group relationship skills sessions with guided rituals and playful activities led by Staci
- Foraging walks and hands-on Italian cooking experiences
- Round-trip transportation between the Grosseto train station and the castle
- Welcome gift upon arrival
- Day trip to Santa Fiora, a charming nearby village
- Pre-trip planning sessions to help you prepare for travel
- Follow-up group Zoom call 4–6 weeks after the retreat
Not Included:
What's Included?
- Airfare to and from Italy
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Transportation to and from Grosseto train station (train details provided after booking)
- Optional excursions or off-site meals not included in the retreat schedule
Room Styles & Accommodations
Each room inside Castello di Potentino is one-of-a-kind, filled with history, charm, and the unmistakable warmth of Tuscany.
We’re hosting this retreat co-mingle style, which means rooms are reserved per person, not per couple.
To secure your spot, each guest pays a $1000 deposit.
Most rooms sleep two people, and some sleep three. Triple rooms work for both duos and trios. If it’s just the two of you, we’ll simply close the extra spot.
If you prefer a room all to yourself, single-occupancy pricing applies. These are limited, so call Tom as soon as possible to reserve one: 916-412-6285.
Not sure which room to choose? If you’re two friends booking a one-bed room and want separate beds, we have cots available.
Just reach out and we’ll help you get sorted. Tom’s your guy.
scroll down to select your room
Details: Nestled in the castle’s historic tower, this spacious suite features a freestanding tub, large shower, and a private sitting room with a well-loved library. Expect stunning views of the vineyards and Montegiovi hills.
The Tower Room
Bathroom: Private bathroom next door with freestanding tub and shower
Details: A cheerful, art-filled space with painted trompe l’oeil columns and sweeping valley views. The decorative details date back to the late 19th century, making this one of the most charming rooms in the castle.
The Green Room
Details: Famous for its golden bed featured in Visconti films, this luminous room sits under the eaves and looks out over both sides of the castle. A perfect blend of cinematic history and Tuscan warmth.
The Visconti Room
Details: Bright and inviting, the Yellow Room features Etruscan-inspired motifs and a silk Baldachino bed from an 18th-century villa. The artwork belonged to the castle’s owner’s great-grandmother, Charlotte, whom you’ll meet during your stay.
The Yellow Room
Details: Elegant and earthy, this grand room features rich terracotta hues, a replica of Baronessa Sergardi’s four-poster bed, and views of olive groves, vineyards, and the nearby village of Seggiano.
The Rust Room
Details: Bright, charming, and full of character, this spacious room features two single four-poster beds draped in 19th-century French Provençal printed cotton. The large private bathroom, located just next door, includes both a free-standing shower and a bathtub. Tucked under the eaves on the second floor, this room is cozy, quiet, and ideal for families or small groups, especially when paired with the Visconti Room.
The Red Room
Rick Steves called the hesitation Americans are feeling "creative worrying," fears built from news consumption, not on-the-ground conditions. His team's 2026 advice? Travel boldly. The real challenges they flag are higher prices, bigger crowds, hot summers, and a new EU border system. Not one is a safety concern.
🌍
What Travel Experts Say
A Note About Traveling in 2026
Before You Scroll To Logistics
We know what some of you are asking. We've heard it in emails, on calls, and in quiet conversations with couples we love.
"We want to come. We just don't know if this is the right moment to travel abroad."
We want to speak to that directly, because fear and wisdom are not the same thing, and we don't want one to be mistaken for the other.
🏰
Why Those Challenges Don't Apply to Us
We designed around every one: sixteen people in a private castle, not a crowded city. Early September after the peak heat. Your pricing is locked when you book. The 2026 challenges Rick Steves' team flags won't touch your experience.
✈️
What We're Hearing on the Ground
Marnie, co-host of this retreat and founder of Solstice Foodie Retreats, is heading to Italy and France this month. Every conversation with local hosts and partners is the same: business as usual. Tuscany is still welcoming, still beautiful, still exactly what we promised.
"There's no concern on my part. It's going to be as good as ever."
Rick Steves — leaving for a 50-day European trip, May 1, 2026
Our Promise To You
Your investment in this retreat is safe with us. If international travel conditions truly change in a way that affects this trip, we will not disappear with your deposit. We will move the retreat, or find another way to make it right. You will not lose what you've put in. That's our commitment, in writing.
We believe in showing up for yourself in the real world, not the one we're afraid of, but the one that's actually waiting.
Have questions? We'd rather have a conversation than leave you guessing →
Your Journey to Tuscany Starts Here: Simple Guidance from Flights to Trains to Shuttles
🌍 Getting There Made Easy
- Pisa: ~2 hrs 15 mins
- Florence (Peretola): ~2 hrs 30 mins
- Perugia: ~2 hrs 15 mins (narrow roads)
- Rome (Fiumicino): ~3 hrs — most economical
- Rome (Ciampino): ~3 hrs 30 mins
❤️ Additional Details
- Booking Assistance: Need extra help? Tom and the Solstice Foodie Retreats team are here to make it easy.
- Photography Notice: Photos and videos may be taken during the retreat and used for promotional purposes.
- Accessibility: Please note that the castle has multiple staircases and no elevators. Guests should be comfortable navigating stairs throughout their stay.
Option 2: Car Rental
- Small cars are recommended (Tuscany’s roads are narrow and winding)
- Roads are beautiful but not always well-marked, so allow extra time
- On arrival day, you’ll drive directly to the castle
This option is ideal for couples who want a little extra adventure.
✈️ Nearest Airports
Option 1: Train to Grosseto
- Rome → Grosseto: ~2 hours, €25–€35 one way (easiest and most popular route)
- We’ll send you a step-by-step travel guide
- We can connect you with our trusted travel partner if you’d like hands-on support
- Tip: The Omio app makes booking your train tickets simple and fast
Once you reach Grosseto, you'll take our complimentary shuttle the rest of the way to the castle.
Start Here: Complimentary Shuttle Service
INCLUDED
- Advance booking required
- We’ll confirm your pick-up time after you share your travel plans
- Grosseto is about 1 hour from Castello di Potentino
- Perfect for guests who take the train instead of driving
If you’re not renting a car, the train-to-shuttle route is the smoothest way to arrive.
Cancellation, Payment Policy & Other Details
To keep this retreat intimate and personalized, we’ve created clear and simple booking terms.
💰 Deposit
A non-refundable $1000 USD deposit per person is required at the time of booking to secure your room and spot.
💶 Euro-Based Pricing
The retreat price is €2,999 per person, but all payments are processed in U.S. dollars. Your total will be converted using the current exchange rate at the time of each payment or full balance payment.
(Tip: You can check the latest exchange rate anytime at wise.com)
✈️ Is Now the Right Time to Travel?
We know some couples are asking this, openly or quietly, and we want to answer it with care.
What travel experts are saying. Rick Steves, one of the most trusted voices in American travel, is leaving for a 50-day European trip on May 1st. He's publicly called current hesitation "creative worrying," concerns built more from news consumption than on-the-ground conditions, and his team's 2026 guidance is to travel boldly. Their list of actual 2026 travel challenges (higher prices, crowds, heat, new border procedures) contains no safety concerns.
What we're seeing firsthand. Our Italian partners are reporting business as usual. Our retreat co-host Marnie is traveling to Italy and France this month and we'll share real-time updates from her on the ground.
What we promise if things change. If international travel conditions truly shift in a way that affects this retreat, we will not keep your deposit and walk away. We will move the retreat to an alternate date, or find another solution that makes you whole. Your investment is protected. That commitment is ours, in writing, from us to you.
If you have questions we haven't answered here, reach out. We'd rather have a real conversation than leave you guessing.
If you need to cancel within four months of the retreat start date, the full trip cost is non-refundable.
If we’re able to fill your spot from our waitlist, you’ll receive a 50% refund of the total retreat cost.
📅 Balance Due & Cancellations
The remaining balance is due four months prior to the retreat start date (May 1, 2026).
If you need to cancel within four months of the retreat start date, the full trip cost is non-refundable.
If we’re able to fill your spot from our waitlist, you’ll receive a 50% refund of the total retreat cost.
🧳 Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case of illness, delays, or other unexpected changes.
✈️ Need Help With Travel?
We partner with a trusted travel agent who can assist with flights, insurance, and pre/post-retreat arrangements.
To be connected, simply email us at love@stacibartley.com after booking and we’ll make the introduction.
