Italy Workshop

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life.
~~ Mary Oliver from “The Summer Day”

With my one wild and precious life I want to live it to the fullest—choosing the sweet life, la dolce vita. And I choose to help others discover how they can happily live their one wild and precious life. One way I do that is through my Italy Retreats.

I wanted to clarify the ‘workshop’ aspect of my Italy Retreat. Explaining how I weave my work of 22 years and my practice of living the sweet life into the trip.

 What Do We Learn in the Workshop?

1. Sweet Life Practices that include: tools and techniques that help you manifest your ‘sweet life’ (la dolce vita) and empower you to find your voice.
2. Dialogue technique for happiness, called the Option Method.
3. Tools for nurturing, increasing happiness and success.
4. Dissolving limiting beliefs and blocks to living your precious life.

I believe we learn best when there is a climate of acceptance, trust and fun. Traveling in and of itself teaches us so much about ourselves. Italy does that in spades, Then I create a delicious blend of activity, adventure and reflection that create connection through sharing meals, laughter, stories and workshops moments .

My work has always been about focusing on desires, knowing and manifesting what you want, while dissolving limiting beliefs in a gentle natural way.

For example, you will participate in writing exercises and small group experiences often while sipping a cup of cappuccino.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where Do We Meet?
I select moments and places that lend themselves to reflection and conversation that leads to finding our own voices and bliss.

We meet in sunny cozy meeting rooms or sit in piazzas, rooftop terraces in the fresh air overlooking the colorful houses of the cinque Terre, and on cliff sides overlooking the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. We make room to bring a richness of spirit that even Italy cannot provide on its own.

How Often Do We Meet?
During the 10-day Retreat, we meet for 12 hours for the workshop. We do travel as a group to eight towns interspersed with workshop time. There is also free time.

For instance, one day we meet for 2-3 hours for the workshop, and the next day we explore one of the 7 towns  such as the thermal springs and caves of Grotta Giusto in Monsumanno for our wonderful spa day and massage.

Is there enough time to savor Italy?
Well, you could be there a lifetime and it would not be enough time to fully savor Italy. However, you have lots of time to experience and create heartfelt cultural connections.  The Retreat I’ve created is more than just experiencing Italy–it’s also about discovering your own riches. You get to live in Italy for 10 days, and also have the chance to create, heal your soul, nourish your heart, find your voice, and open into your sweet life.

Is This Workshop an Intense Processing Experience?
It is more about opening to possibilities, happiness and la dolce vita, the sweet life. More fun than anything intense.  We’ll be walking, hiking, biking, eating scrumptious Italian food, while we intersperse the workshop activities. I like to think that all of our activities are part of the overall experience of the ‘workshop’.

What is the Sweet Life, La Dolce Vita?
Life in Italy is built around making connections with neighbors, in the outdoor markets and stores. That’s what we do with the fantastic like-minded women we travel with and with everyone we meet. You are supported by each other and transformed by the beauty that surrounds you.

Stretching, trying something new creates a sweet life. You will be more empowered and self-sufficient–able to manifest so much more happiness in your life.  La dolce vita, is the sweet life of dancing in the streets, walking, learning, sharing meals, connecting, spiritually and emotionally growing, throwing open the windows to the sounds of the locals outside beginning their day, and making lifelong friends.

You can re-create much of this when you return home (maybe the gelato will not be as tasty though). You will return home with life-changing experiences and a set of Sweet Life Practices to keep it all going, for manifesting La Dolce Vita in your life, wherever you go.

 Who will I meet?
The women who join me for this Italy Retreat are awesome, courageous, fun-loving, young-at-heart! They have become my lifelong friends, and you will connect with your group in the same way.

You’ll meet women like Monica and Sallee. The other day Sallee wrote this to me, “My experiences from the 2009 Italy Retreat is a resource for me when I want to live happiness and the sweet life!  I call upon that experience when I want to remember what joy and happiness feels like. It’s an experience that lives in my heart and soul. There’s something about being in all that blue sky, blue ocean country and then doing the blue sky list of desires. The sky’s the limit. That Retreat was a pivotal AHA experience for me to create my life from bigger more fulfilling possibilities.”

Monica, joining the 2013 Retreat, told me: “Since I said yes to the Italy Retreat, my energy levels have increased, my outlook has changed to hope for the future and amazing ideas for my future work have been popping up in my mind ever since. Finding Lenora’s website full of zest for life, is divine intervention and my 20 year old dream of going to Italy is being fulfilled, and best of all I even get the experience of personal transformation.”

For more details and pricing for the Italy Retreat, click here.

Any questions? Contact me – I am happy to answer any questions.

The post FAQ and Workshop Description for Italy Retreat appeared first on Italy Retreat for Women.

Living the sweet life is another way of talking about being happy or feeling contentment or peace even though life can and will throw you a curve ball at any moment.

In the act of our travels to Italy, we Walk a lot. I’ve found that the best way to explore any place is to walk.

Eat deliciously. Explore the great culinary pleasures of Italy. Simple ingredients, but the freshest possible grown in soil that is so rich it produces incredible-tasting produce and wine.

We find great coffee shops at sidewalk cafes, and gelato stands that call you to try all the flavors like pistachio, limone, peach, caffe’ for expresso lovers, frutti di bosco (fruits of the forest): a mixture of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, raspberries and so much more!

In Lucca, we Find parks and ride bikes. In Cinque Terre, we find the trails, and walk along them.

Just living in the moment. It’s a welcomed state of mind.

Join us. The dates for 2013 are September 9-18, and the first $500 deposit is due on May 1.

Choices of gelato

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I just love doors, especially in Italy. In this photo, we can enter through the portal into Lord Byron’s grotto in Portovenere.  The blue Mediterranean invites us to gaze into her beauty, lie in the sun on her rocks, or slide into the cool waters.

Doors are not just entry points into mysterious rooms full of history and wonder, but can be  portals into other worlds of art. Some doors stand15 feet high or more because they allowed horses and carriages to enter into the inner court of the house, or protected those inside from attacks. Thick, ornate, poetic, colorful.
As the book title suggests, “In order to move forward, we must exit.”
In Portovenere, San Pietro Church at the point overlooking the Bay of Poets near La Spezia and Lereci. 

St. Peter figures on the door of San Pietro.

Lucca

Lenora at the door to shopping at Le Sorelle in the Piazza di Anfiteatro in Lucca.

An inviting door to buy beautiful linens in Lucca.

My hubby at St Cristoforo church on Via Fillungo, Lucca, Italy.

Lucca

Lucca

Love the red accent on this Lucca door

A door is an important element of any house, a symbol of passage from one place to another, one state to another, from light to darkness.

A door can be a metaphor for transition and metamorphosis because as in life, in order to move forward, we must exit.

In religious abodes, the act of passing over the threshold means that the faithful has to put aside their personality and materialism, as they are forced to confront the inner silence and meditation that it symbolizes. It has a role in initiation rites. When you cross the threshold, you abandon old, emotional ideas, concepts and plans which are no longer appropriate; the familiar horizon is enlarged. An open door invites us in. A closed door arouses curiosity, or wonderment to the unknown on the other side. 

In Italy, the doors are inviting us into places we will never forget.

I invite you to open the door to joining me in Italy and living la dolce vita, the sweet life. You will have the chance to slip inside all of these doors to savor what awaits inside.

Door in Portovenere

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Basil and pesto in cubes

Just wanting to remind you that Spring is on its way!

Basil is a staple of the Italian garden. Here is the evolution of the basil plant.
Pesto mix poured into ice cube trays and the into the freezer. Once frozen, I pop the aromatic pesto cubes into zip-loc freezer bags ready to use in soups, stews, sauces all winter long. And it really does taste fresh.  Simple to spread pesto on delicious bread of your choice, add some fresh tomato slices, and shaved reggiano parmigiano.

Most stores sell fresh basil leaves during the winter. I brought in a basil plant in a pot and it is still growing in my sunny south facing window.

Basil Pesto Recipe:
2 C (packed fresh basil leaves)
1/4 C toasted pine nuts
1 garlic clove
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
2/3 C extra virgin Olive oil
1/2 C. freshly grated Parmesan cheese (region parmigiano)

In blender pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt, pepper. Keep blender on, add oil tip creamy.  Take out and add the parmesan cheese.  Can be made 2 days ahead, stored in refrigerator. If you leave the cheese out, you can store it in the fridge for over a month, but maybe about a week with the cheese.

To freeze: pour the liquid pesto into ice cube trays, freeze overnight, then store the frozen pesto cubes in ‘freezer ziploc bags’ or containers to use throughout the year.

Tomato cuke salad with fresh basil & mozzarella, and parmigiana with corn on the cob

Dreaming of summer!

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The Via Dell’ Amore Path between Riomaggiore and Manarola on Cinque Terre Trail.

I love taking photos and Italy is a photographer’s dream come true!  Here are a few shots of Riomaggiore and Manarola.

Manarola as seen from the rocks below the village

Ceramics in Manarola

In each town in the Cinque Terre, we find beautiful and quaint shops where we enjoy shopping, ‘oohing and aahing’ over the ceramics, packaged or bottled local food items, clothing, olive oil, limoncello and wine.

Riomaggiore Harbor

If you would like to savor more photos of Riomaggiore and Manarola, you can see them on flick’r page and through Janey’s blogposts and photos.  Janey, one of the lovely women who traveled with me in 2012 writes about the Italy Retreat as seen through her lens.

She’s a great example of what it means to follow her dream and make a commitment to manifest it.  Last winter she  had the desire to travel to Italy and when she found my women’s tour online, she was excited to join us.  In her enthusiasm, she invited her best friend, Lisa, to join us too, and so the fun began.

Janey invited her friend, Lisa, to join the Retreat.

Did I mention shopping?! We stimulated the Italian economy a little, right Katy and Hilary?

Join us in September and invite your friends! We only have room for 7 women.

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Pizza Snack in Monterosso, Italy

The women who adventure with me to ITALY are THE BEST.  Here are three happy women living the ‘sweet life’, la dolce vita (Cindy, Mary Ellen, Mary G.) enjoying pizza before we hop on the train to Vernazza to shop. 

“Traveling to Italy has been on my bucket list for a long time. So happy I went with Lenora who is a compassionate guide and took into consideration our needs. I felt so taken care of.  I also pushed my boundaries a little and faced my challenge of fear of heights by walking on some of the trails in the Cinque Terre. Besides experiencing the magic of Italy, I loved learning more about manifesting my dreams, and breaking free of old patterns on this retreat. I loved the deep sharing and closeness created with women also.  I highly recommend that you join Lenora and live more of la dolce vita.”
~~Mary Ellen

Janey & Cindy’s first gelato in Italy

Janey, (left) from our 2012 adventure, writes a blog about her adventures during our Retreat on her blog. jmac12.blogspot.com. Check it out! Cindy (on right) shares her experiences and delights in Italy on the Retreat in this short video posted in my blog post from December 2012. 

“I loved this trip and have to say it was the best decision I’ve ever made!! Loads of fun. Great preparation by Lenora. So.Much.Fun!!!! and I made the best new friends EVER!
Trip of a lifetime…” ~~Janey

Enjoying the view of Lake Como in 2011. Mary C, Lenora, Betty

We just wanted to have fun and be creative in our picture poses! Girls just wanna have fun.

“I have wanted to join Lenora on her retreats since she began them in 2009, and I kept procrastinating.  Now that I have finally experienced the Retreat in 2011, all I can say, is “Go now to Italy with Lenora. Do not put it off! You will never regret this decision. I carry Italy and all the fun in my heart every day.”  –Betty

“I love discovering the culture,  enjoying the pace,  generosity,  richness. The entire atmosphere of Italy is thick with culture and history. I feel it in the ground when I’m walking,  and in the beautiful buildings. It’a also great to have biking integrated into the trip in Lucca as we bicycle on top of the Renaissance wall. Join Lenora. It was wonderful.  Experiencing another culture with other women actually enriched and expanded my own experience. Discovering the culture,  the food,  the history. I really liked the camaraderie even though I didn’t know before I registered how it would be to travel with a group.” ~~Jerrie

On our rooftop class room overlooking the ocean in Monterosso, Italy

Enjoy a sweet sidewalk cafe

Sharing food and drink has always been a time to tell stories, laugh away your troubles and bond. In Italy it is a time-tested tradition.

As if Italy in itself isn’t enough to transform a woman’s belief in what’s possible, the sweet life practices you will learn and adopt make it even more profound.

Like a fine, delicious Italian meal served over a long evening spent sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company, I serve my workshop on dissolving limiting beliefs to live the sweet life in small, artfully prepared, portions throughout our trip.

Another scrumptious meal in the Cinque Terre

Refresh in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean

Mater Natura (Mother Nature) scupture in Portovenere with Marie and Joanne

Beautiful sculpture of Mother Nature looking out at sea watching for the fishermen to return. Marie and Joanne joined her watch.

 ITALY: Do you enjoy beauty, art, architecture, food, nature, mountains, ocean, shopping, wine, beauty, food again!? Then you will LOVE ITALY.

What’s holding you back from traveling to Italy?!  Let me know.

The post Italy as seen from the Women’s Perspective appeared first on Italy Retreat for Women.

You won’t believe what it’s like to smell the fragrances of Italy wafting into the streets–the pastries, espresso, sauces and more! Or to see the beautiful Mediterranean turquoise water, and colorful homes and architectural buildings and churches.

Come with me on this virtual tour of Cinque Terre, Chiavari, Lucca, Portovenere,Portofino and other towns on the Italian Riviera. Grab a cup of coffee, put your feet up and enjoy my September 2012 ITALY RETREAT FOR WOMEN TO LIVE LA DOLCE VITA!

The 2013 dates for my 5th Annual Italy Retreat for Women are September 9-19

Have you ever said, “I wish I could go to Italy?”

What would make it easier for you to join us in September for this trip of a lifetime?

The post Italy Retreat Slideshow 2012 appeared first on Italy Retreat for Women.

During this holiday season, the joys of spending time with family and friends, come to the forefront. And in the midst of a world sometimes seemingly gone off the deep end, it is time to remember to find joy, laugh a little, love a lot.

One of the reasons I created the Italy Retreat for Women experience was for that very purpose. Experience another culture, break out of our comfort zone, laugh a lot and manifest our heart’s desire. The Mediterranean sunshine and the turquoise waters added to the delicious cuisine, culture and beauty create an atmosphere of happiness.

Enjoy this video of Cindy, feeling the bliss in Italy, during my 4th Annual Italy Retreat for Women to live la dolce vita. Notice the passion of life going on in the background.

Remnants of the castle walls in Portovenere, Italy often called the 6th Cinque Terre town

Italian Desserts!

The sampling of desserts is from Miky Restaurant in Monterosso, one of the Cinque Terre towns.
I wish for all of you a holiday filled with lots of moments of happiness and humor as it heals any loneliness and hurt in your life.

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, Buon Natale!

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Thermal waters pool

After a week of hiking in Cinque Terre and biking in Lucca, we trim down to the basics of living the sweet life at a thermal springs outside of Lucca. We change into white robes as we enter the caves of Grotta Giusti in Monsumanno, Italy.  My mind and body crave this gentle ‘steam bath’ to relax, and release toxins.

This is a surreal passage into another time, as less than a dozen of us enter a beautiful series of softly-lit caves. The temperature is a warm 93 degrees Farenheit, 34 degrees Celcius, (lower than our 98.6  body temperature). To my surprise, it is odor-free. We silently walk into different sections of the caves, called Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell. We sit in deck chairs in this mysterious other worldly womb of the earth, surrounded by ceilings and walls of beautiful minerals and rock formations.

Away from our normal routine of life, we relax into the silence to RETREAT, REPLENISH and REJUVENATE.

Next, we change into our bathing suits and walk outside to immerse in the large mineral rich thermal pool, where we swim and float, then make our way over to the underwater hydro-massage seats inside the edges of the pool. Like the caves, the temperature is a steady 93 degrees Fahrenheit, 34 degrees Celcius.  We move in and out of the pool, sit poolside on the lounge chairs, and enjoy delicious food and drinks at the poolside restaurant.

I arrived in Monsumanno from Lucca. The train ride from Lucca to Montacatini Terme takes 25 minutes. Outside the train station, I use my cell phone to call a taxi that costs 20 Euros for a 10 minute ride to Grotta Giusti in Monsummano. The phone number is posted on a sign in front of the station. Although not always at convenient times, Grotta Giusti Spa sends a van to the train station at designated times 3 times a day for pickups and departures from the spa.

What spas have you visited in Italy? Want to join me in September, 2013 for my Italy Retreat for Women?

Note: I have not included photos of Grotta Giusti Spa as they do not allow photos taken of their pool and cave area. Please see their website for photos.

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Via Dell’ Amore trail seen from upper street in RioMaggiore

Heading to Manarola from Riomaggiore Hiking trail

These next photos are the path that begins in Monterosso, the northern Cinque Terre village where we stay for my Italy Retreat For Women.  It continues for 90 minutes to the next village of Vernazza. Climbing up past one of the Monterosso beaches, we begin our journey.  It’s a challenge and a transformational experience, but we take our time, and rest along the way drinking lots of water. I recommend bringing small packets of electroytes along with plenty of water. If you have bad knees, I don’t recommend this hike since there are around 700 steps along the way.

Climbing into the light through grape vineyards and olive trees

Hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza

The view of Monterosso from the hiking trail to Vernazza

Some of the path has hand rails, but not all of it

Take your time walking any of the trails, visit the quaint stores in each town, eat the delicious food and savor every moment. When I teach my workshop, I focus each day on how we can live la dolce vita, the sweet life, wherever we are even in our daily lives at home. Savor each moment, do something you are afraid of doing, live outside your comfort zone.

Climbing vertical and horizontal mountain ridges

As you can see in the photos, we’re not wearing hiking boots, but good walking sandals or shoes, like Merrells or Ecco.

Passing vineyards, citrus orchards, olive groves, and brooks

Love this bridge

Jewelry sales on the trail! Made our day.

There are many rewards for hiking this gorgeous trail and one is a surprise artisan selling his beautiful creations.  The other two, of course, is breathtaking views, and the inner sense of true accomplishment.

After 90 minutes, the jewel village of Vernazza appears in the horizon

Everyone can find something to love in the Cinque Terre. Join me next year and find out for yourself.

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