AN ARTISTIC Immersion…

Join Kelly Marie Thompson in Italy for a Gathering like no other! This all-inclusive destination workshop is an extraordinary immersion into beauty, nature and creativity. You’ll explore medieval hill towns and enjoy delectable Italian meals, all while learning Kelly Marie’s distinct, artistic approach to floral design, as well as her best techniques and tips. This isn’t simply a workshop, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience infused with creativity and inspiration!

photo courtesy Clary Pfeiffer

ABOUT Kelly Marie

Listed as a top Martha Stewart florist, Kelly Marie’s style has been described as “organic, giving the illusion that floral design is effortless” and “always romantic, but with a unexpected element that is sure to delight”. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Town and Country, Vogue, The Knot, Better Homes and Gardens and many more.

Flowers and foliage are Kelly Marie’s language. She works with students to craft an experience that stirs the heart, creates a mood & tells a story.  With imagination and technique, she helps you weave every petal, frond and vine into your next chapter of flowers.

LEARN HOW TO…

• Design irresistibly romantic bouquets
• Create large scale vase arrangements, with Kelly’s distinct organic style
• Design adorable corsages
• Arrange inviting, stylish table setting
• Differentiate your table settings with classy touches and symmetry
• Use thoughtful composition (the foundation to eye-popping arrangements)
• Choose palettes that act as a bridge to your overall design
• Select the right size and scale of blooms
• Incorporate different sized blooms into your design
• Hand-tie airy, loose, organic arrangements (Kelly’s signature look!)
• Select just the right vessel for your arrangement and design
• Prepare a vase the right way (this is a must-know!)
• Use loose linens and fabrics in your tablescaping to create a cohesive flow to your design
• Design stunning place settings
• Set the stage for photography
• See your designs through the eyes of a photographer for creating the best imagery
• Forage for flowers and greenery to add that extra “wow” element to your design
• Properly treat freshly cut blooms for your designs
• Create sweet, lovely corsages and boutonnieres

photo courtesy Clary Pfeiffer

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival 

• Highlights: Arrival from Rome Airport, welcome and overview with Kelly Marie
• 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, you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the historic center of the village with trip facilitator, Pamela Haack, followed by an overview of this fabulous workshop with Kelly Marie.

This evening you’ll enjoy a sunset apertivo and delicious welcome dinner. 

Day 2: Puscina Flower Farm

• Highlights: organic flower gardens, onsite instruction with Kelly Marie, pizza night
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning, after breakfast, our drivers with transport you through the stunning Tuscan landscape as you make your way to beautiful Puscina Flower Farm – run by sisters Laura and Teresa. Here you’ll enjoy an up-close tour of the gardens, which feature hundreds of varieties of organically grown flowers, followed by time to cut your own stems. Then it’s back to the farm’s light-filled workshop space for hands-on instruction with Kelly Marie. 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 Città della Pieve for an inspiring lesson with Kelly Marie on designing natural, flowing bouquets. Afterwards we head to a private home for aperitivo, followed by pizza dinner at our friends’ wood-fired pizzeria.  

Day 3: Floral Class & Pasta Making

• Highlights: instruction with Kelly Marie, pasta lesson, bruschetta
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll join Kelly Marie for an inspirational floral design class, where you’ll learn how to create organic, eye-catching arrangements with the gorgeous Tuscany blooms you collected at Puscina Flowers. Then it’s off to Cristian’s bistro for an oh-so-fun pasta-making lesson followed by lunch, featuring your handmade pasta, of course!

In the afternoon, you’ll continue your design class with Kelly Marie. This evening it’s off to a local trattoria for a fireside bruschetta lesson and olive oil tasting, followed by dinner cooked alle brace (over coals).

Day 4: Floral Class & Saffron

• Highlights: morning walk, instruction with Kelly Marie, saffron tasting
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll enjoy an optional exploratory walk along some of most picturesque alleyways in the village, along with some amazing Renaissance masterpieces, before joining Kelly Marie for an inspirational design class in the workshop studio space. 

After lunch at a nearby cafe, you’ll have time to relax and then join Kelly Marie for continued instruction in the studio. This evening it’s off to our friend’s shop for a private saffron tasting (a local speciality) and informal “aperi-cena” featuring delicious saffron dishes.

Day 5: Tablescaping & Photo Shoot

• Highlights: instruction with Kelly Marie, tablescaping session, photo shoot
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning you’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast, followed by instruction with Kelly Marie that includes a gorgeous installation for tablescaping, as well as making corsages and boutonnieres.  

After lunch at a local cafe, you’ll join Kelly Marie for continued instruction followed by an exciting photo shoot, with talented local photographer, Sara Cencetti, featuring your spectacular floral compositions. This evening brings a special aperitivo and farewell dinner prepared by Chef Vito. 

Day 6: Departure 

Early morning transport to Rome Fiumicino Airport. 

photos courtesy Clary Pfeiffer

WHO Should Attend

• flower enthusiasts and hobbyists
• beginning floral designers
• experienced floral designers
• event planners
• wedding planners
• lifestyle bloggers
• design enthusiasts
• photographers
• anyone who wants to improve their floral design skills

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 5 nights stay at Boutique Hotel Vannucci
• Private transportation to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport on arrival and departure days
• Private transportation service to/from all towns and sites included in the itinerary
• All breakfasts
• All lunches
• 5 dinners featuring regional specialties and accompanied by regional wines
• Daily instruction with Kelly Marie, both small-group and individual
• Stylized photo shoot
• Entrance fees to all sites included in trip itinerary
• Daily accompaniment with a Strada Toscana team host or guide

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 hotel 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. ☺️

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.

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DATES & DETAILS:

• Dates: June 1-6, 2024
• Trip Price: $3,495 – $3,995 USD (select 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 reserve your space
• View our terms and cancellation policy

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