A Sensory Couples Retreat: Stirring Up Romance
Castello di Potentino, Tuscany, Italy • Limited to 7 couples
A Sensory Couples Retreat to Rekindle Intimacy, Rediscover Joy, and Reignite Desire in Tuscany
Love Shack Live Events and Solstice Foodie Retreats present a romantic escape in Tuscany to rekindle love and rediscover joy together.
October 13–19, 2026
Stirring Up Love is your invitation to begin again, together.
This isn’t just a romantic vacation.
It’s a guided journey home to each other, designed to help you rekindle intimacy, rediscover the joy of being together, and stir up the desire that first brought you here.
You crave real closeness but aren’t sure how to find your way back…
The spark that once felt effortless now flickers and fades…
You’ve started to feel more like roommates than lovers…
Sound familiar?
Come Stir It All Up With Us
Your home for the week... pure magic!
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 each other.
Spoiler: this view looks even better in person.
Because some places don't just change your view, they change you.
Let the senses lead.
Want to reignite your spark?
Because...
Because romance isn’t something you think about. It’s something you live. And here in Tuscany, you’ll feel it everywhere, in the light, the laughter, and the way you find your way back to each other.
Feel connection in motion, from the texture of olive branches beneath your hands on a night hike, to the warmth of a shared 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 and to each other.
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
Hand in hand, wander the sun-drenched hillsides and gather wild herbs, a sensory reminder that connection begins with curiosity.
Foraging Walk Through the Estate
Surprise and play woven throughout the week, from shared adventures to quiet discoveries that make you feel alive.
Moments of Novelty & Adventure
Gentle, embodied moments that rebuild trust, tenderness, and laughter, inviting connection to unfold naturally again.
Emotional Safety
Practices
Heart-opening gatherings that help you express your needs, listen deeply, and rediscover what’s possible... together.
Daily Relationship Skill Sessions
Let Tuscany’s natural beauty wash over you, cascading falls, ancient groves, and moments that invite awe and renewal.
Waterfall &
Forest Hikes
Savor a new region of Italy each night, paired with local wine and stories that feed both body and soul.
Regional Chef-Prepared Meals
Candlelight, music, and the simple pleasure of being fully present over unforgettable meals in the courtyard or grand hall.
Moonlit Dinners
Under the Stars
In the castle’s rustic kitchen, roll, shape, and sip your way to delight. The joy of creating something delicious together is half the magic.
Handmade Pasta
Sessions
Stillness, daydreaming, and spontaneous adventure, time to rediscover the joy of nature and each other.
Time to Rest
and Wander
Stroll cobblestone streets, explore a glass-bottom church, and share a long, laughter-filled lunch in a hidden Tuscan village.
Day Trip to
Santa Fiora
Experience the rhythm of Italian joy through live music, laughter, and local artistry.
Local Artists and Evening Performances
Walk beneath a canopy of stars and centuries-old trees, a reminder of how beautiful it is to feel small in something vast.
Night Hike Through Olive Groves
You know your relationship needs time, intention, novelty, and an opportunity to reimagine a beautiful future
You want to enjoy an authentic Tuscan experience, without worrying about a thing
You’re ready for something different but practical
You’re longing to feel closer emotionally, mentally, intellectually, and physically
This is for you if:
For the ones ready to find their way back to each other.
Dates: October 13–19, 2026
Location: Castello di Potentino, Southern Tuscany, Italy
Limited to 7 Couples Only
Price: €6,900 per couple
To reserve your spot, click the button below to select your preferred room and pay your $900 USD deposit per couple.
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.
An Intimate, All-Inclusive Couples Retreat
Here is the Nitty Gritty Details:
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
- 7 days / 6 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.
From cozy suites to cinematic chambers under the eaves, every space offers its own story, private bath, and unforgettable view. To reserve your spot, select your preferred room below and submit your $900 USD deposit per couple.
Your deposit officially secures both your room and your place in the retreat.
After your deposit is received, Tom Bartley will personally reach out to confirm your booking and help arrange your remaining payments.
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: 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
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 $900 USD deposit per couple is required at the time of booking to secure your room and spot.
💶 Euro-Based Pricing
The retreat price is €6,900 per couple, 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)
📅 Balance Due
The remaining balance is due four months prior to the retreat start date (June 13, 2026).
❌ Cancellations
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 after booking and we’ll make the introduction.
