WILD AND WHIMSICAL FLOWERS with Paulina Nieliwocki

Paulina is on a mission to teach flower design that is wild, whimsical, artful and refined! Based in the charming medieval village of Città della Pieve, Paulina’s retreat-style workshop in Italy includes daily, hands-on instruction, a stunning assortment of organically grown stems from a local flower farm, and an exciting variety of tips and techniques that you can use immediately in your own floral designs.

ABOUT Paulina Nieliwocki

Paulina started her journey into the world of flowers while teaching high school foreign language. After falling in love with flowers as a medium, she left teaching and in 2014 she opened her floral design business, Blue Jasmine Floral.

As a floral designer with her own distinct style and approach, Paulina loves dainty accents, color, texture, and each stem’s unique shape. By highlighting the nuances of nature, she allows each design to tell its own story, to communicate a specific tone, and to elicit a particular feeling. Paulina feels it is a true pleasure to work with the natural beauty that Earth delights us with, and a privilege to be a part of her clients’ own floral journeys and celebrations.

WHAT YOU’LL Learn…

• Paulina’s unique, whimsical approach to Floral Design
• Principles of Design and Design Perspective
• Color Theory
• Centerpieces: Design and Recipe Making
• Bridal Bouquet: Design and Recipe Making
• Small Pieces
• Small Scale Designs
• Centerpiece Accents
• Setting a Layered Table for a Luxe Event
• Ceremony Installation: Mechanics and Design
• Ceremony Installation Pricing Guide
• Attracting the Ideal Client: From Initial Inquiry to Tips of Communication
• Tips for pricing events, delivery and more

TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival 

• Highlights: Arrival Città della Pieve, overview with Paulina, village walking tour
• Dinner

Upon your arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, our private drivers will transport you to the Italian countryside, and your boutique hotel accommodations in the unspoiled village of Città della Pieve. After check-in, and some time to get settled, you’ll join Paulina for a workshop overview, followed by a walking tour of the historic center of the village. Next it’s off to enjoy a delicious welcome dinner, prepared by the talented Chef Jordy.

Day 2: Puscina Flower Farm

• Highlights: Tour and flower-gathering at Puscina Flower Farm, onsite instruction
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, our drivers will transport you through the stunning Tuscan landscape as you make your way to the beautiful Puscina Flower Farm, for a full-demo composition lesson with Paulina, with a focus on color theory, principles of design, perspective, mechanics and recipe making. Next you’ll enjoy tour of the organic flower gardens with the delightful owner, Teresa, who will show you how to cut and gather your own stems. Afterwards you’re in for a treat as you enjoy lunch right here, featuring exceptional foods produced on the farm. 

In the afternoon, it’s back to the studio with Paulina where you’ll create compotes and centerpiece designs, using the gorgeous blooms you’ve collected at the farm. This evening’s dinner is an oh-so-fun food tour that includes stops where you’ll enjoy local cheeses, wines, panini and more.  

Day 4: Pienza

• Highlights: Instruction, excursion to Pienza
• Breakfast, lunch

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll join Paulina in the studio for an inspiring lesson on bouquets, featuring Paulina’s unique approach and design recipes. Lunch today is served up at our friends’ inviting cafe. 

This afternoon, it’s back to the studio for instruction with Paulina that includes a boutonniere and collage demo, followed by a biz talk on market trends, speaking with clients, inquiry forms, initial conversations and proposals. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a delightful excursion to the Renaissance town of Pienza, with its spectacular views over the Val d’Orcia – one of the most photographed areas in Tuscany. Here you’ll have time on your own to explore the adorable alleyways, shop the plethora of artisan shops and to soak in the lovely Tuscan atmosphere of this charming town. Dinner this evening is on your own in Pienza. Of course we’re happy to supply recommendations.

Day 3: Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Instruction, pasta-making lesson
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, it’s off to the studio for lesson with Paulina on creating stunning tablescapes. You’ll learn Paulina’s sought-after techniques for designing irresistible small pieces, along with her approach to layering a table design. Afterwards, it’s off to our friend, Cristian’s, cozy bistrot where you’ll assist Paulina in designing a table setting that includes the satellites, candles and linens. Then it’s time to don an apron for an oh-so-fun pasta making lesson with Cristian, followed by a tour of his wine cantina and finally lunch, featuring your handmade pasta, of course.

This afternoon, it’s back to the studio for a Q&A and discussion session with Paulina where you’ll learn how to price event pieces, how to create a standard pricing guide, plus how to calculate for labor and delivery. This evening we’re off to a local wood-fired pizzeria for Tuscan-style pizza!

Day 5: Città della Pieve

• Highlights: Instruction, installation, stylized photo shoot
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll join Paulina in the studio for an overview of installation mechanics. Afterwards you’ll gather stems and accessories and head to Palazzo della Corgna (a former duke’s palace), where you’ll work on an arch installation in the palazzo’s historic courtyard. After lunch on your own, you’ll head back to the studio for a final session with Paulina. 

In lateafternoon you’ll be joined by local photographer, Sara Cencetti, who will be photographing your bouquet and compositions with her distinct, colorful style – the perfect compliment to Paulina’s floral design approach. This evening you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at our friend, Gianluca’s, trattoria.    

Day 6: Departure 

Early morning departure to Rome Fiumicino Airport

ACCOMMODATIONS Boutique Hotel Vannucci

Hotel Vannucci began as a project of Vittoria Spinola, daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II, who fled Pisa (and an arranged marriage with her elderly husband) to start a new life with her lover in Città della Pieve. Here, she and her soon-to-be new husband, Paolo, built two villas that became luxurious holiday accommodations for wealthy Romans vacationing in the countryside. In 1903 one of the villas became Hotel Vannucci, and today it maintains the elegance and refinement of its inception, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. A stay here is truly special, nestled just outside the medieval walls of the historic, and unspoiled, village of Città della Pieve.

VIEW the Photo Gallery

WHAT’S INCLUDED

•  5 nights stay at Boutique Hotel Vannucci
• Group transportation to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure days
• Private van service to/from all towns and sites included in the itinerary
• All breakfasts
• 3 lunches
• 4 delectable dinners featuring regional specialties and accompanied by regional wines
• Daily instruction with Paulina, both small-group and individual
• Stylized photo shoot of your floral arrangements
• Q + A and Biz sessions with Paulina
• Workshop booklet curated with the Blue Jasmine Approach to designing Wild & Whimsical and Flowers
• Visit to Tuscany organic flower farm 
• Excursion to Pienza
• Pasta-making lesson

Not included: Airfare, ground or water transportation outside of that listed in the trip itinerary, alcoholic drinks, wines or meals ordered “on your own”, gratuities for drivers and staff

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: Sometimes unexpected things come up. If there is unscheduled closing or schedule change, we carefully pivot to include something that is equally as wonderful and interesting, so that the quality of your experience is never at risk. ☺️

DATES & DETAILS

• Dates:
  • April 27 – May 2, 2026
• Trip Price: 
  • $3,795 – $4,295 USD, per person (choose room type upon booking)
• Room Descriptions:
  • Single: Single occupancy, single bed, private ensuite bathroom
  • Classic: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Superior: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
  • Deluxe: Double occupancy, double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub and shower (specifically for couples or friends traveling together)
• A $700 deposit is required to secure your space on this workshop
• Arrival/departure airport is Rome Fiumicino
• See our Terms and Cancellation Policy

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