Sparking Your Personal Renaissance

A Transformational Personal Writing Adventure in Florence, Italy 

    You are invited to register for a five-night writing retreat that will set your heart ablaze for years with memories of Firenze’s beauty, art, food, architecture, and fashion! We’ll gather in the lovely B&B Galileo in the heart of Florence, Italy where you’ll enjoy a private bedroom and bathroom, an included continental breakfast bar with Italian specialties, a location just steps away from most of the fabulous attractions on our itinerary, and many fine spots to rest, reflect, meditate, pray, write, or journal!

     Located in the spiritual and ancient city of Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, this workshop focuses on great works of art and small bits of literature and history, architecture and environment, poetry and prayers, inspiring and fun ekphrastic creative writing and introspective journaling to spark renewed interest not just in Italian culture but in living your best, most authentic and delightful life at home. It is an intimate and powerful workshop with space for only 4 participants (maximum: 6 with optional double occupancy) who want to use one of the most beautiful cities in the world as a springboard to an upgraded way of life at home!  

Questions? Call Leilani at (214) 620-7275 or email Leilani@WritingAdventures.com

Writing to Spark a Renaissance

From Florence, Italy to the Center of Yourself

     Our days will be peppered with essential questions, literary and historical models, art work, and guided meditations to usher us along the path of our personal journey – inspiration to prompt discoveries and innovations in our plans and moments of clarity about what makes life worth living and what elements of the Italian way of life we want to employ to transform ourselves and our environments at home.  Sandwiched by shorter guided personal writing and activities, the heart of the workshop will be the three full days planned around related sight-seeing in Florence, Italy. The literary models, pieces of history, and art will focus on these themes:: 

Emerging with Michelangelo 

Soaring with Brunelleschi

Creating with Leonardo da Vinci 

You’ll use a variety of easy personal writing techniques to create a folder full of journals, poems, prayers, stories, character sketches, reminiscences, and descriptive–pieces that can become fodder for published writing later or simply be a treasure map, marking spots, times, places, and people to influence your renewal, revival, revelations, and reflections. 

Our Stay in the B&B Galileo  

You will never forget you’re in Italy in these digs fit for a queen! The B&B Galileo 2000 is a luxury property located in one of the most beautiful squares of the historic center of Florence – Piazza San Firenze. Each room is lovely, but slightly different, so room assignments will be made in the order registrations are fully paid. The elegant building is next door to Leonardo da Vinci’s home, and each room offers free WI-FI, a small seating area, Renaissance-style decor, hairdryer, toiletries, and–of course–a private bathroom with shower or shower/tub. Some rooms offer marvelous views of the Bargello National Museum with other attractions only a quick walk away from our Italian homebase!  

Peppered with antiques and elegant furnishings, your room will provide an afternoon respite for siestas, an afternoon glass of prosecco, or an hour of quiet meditation or writing. Most importantly, our historic building includes an elevator (a lift), so feel free to bring whatever you need to feel comfortable, knowing you won’t have to cart it up ancient stairs. 

Sample rooms . . . 

And, where shall we dine? 

A Sample Restaurant

Procacci 1885

Procacci, now “a cornerstone of Florence’s aperitivo scene” once “catered to King Vittorio Emanuele III, and it has displayed a royal coat of arms from the House of Savoy since 1925.” The “30-plus generation wine-producing clan” of Antinori supplies all the wine, and “these days, it’s a good spot for people-watching during fashion trade shows; global fashionistas flock to dine on dainty mini paninos slathered with truffles, along with glasses of tomato juice or sparkling Franciacorta wine (Lombardy’s equivalent of Champagne). You should go further into the decadent menu options like foie gras, mortadella soaked in alchermes (an Italian liqueur), or egg with sliced truffle. Pick up a few gourmet souvenirs too, including truffle salts, truffle-infused anchovies, white truffle honey, aged balsamic vinegars, and fine chocolates.” And, of course, you can always order a Florentine specialty – steak! 

Our Local Guide 

Zeynup Arzu

The lovely Zeynup Arzu is again scheduled to be our private guide through the streets of Florence, showing us everything from David to the grand heights of the Florence Duomo. She’s passionate about her city, a wonderful Italian cook, and a whiz at by-passing the crowds in Italy. You’ll walk away not just with new knowledge and understanding of Florence’s history, art, food, religious influences, and culture – but also a new friend! 

Frequently-Asked Questions

QUESTION: I’m interested in the program and tour, but I’m not “really a writer.” Is this trip for me? 

ANSWER: Absolutely! The writing we do is very “low pressure,” and you never have to share what you have written unless you want to do so. While advanced writers will find the prompts stimulating and may, indeed, churn out material worth publishing, the writing assignments won’t be at all intimidating for beginners. You’ll simply be writing about you, what you desire, and what you notice in our travels. And, all the writing tasks will include samples or easy-to-complete formats. They are designed to “spark a period of growth” for you, getting you closer to the ideal life you want and giving you a more meaningful experience with our magical location in Italy. 

QUESTION: Is this a religious program? 

ANSWER: Teaching Spark and Writing Adventures are not exclusively attached to a particular denomination or belief system other than being accepting and loving like Christ and other spiritual teachers, but our daily routines will include the reading of a nightly prayer/meditation (written in a manner to be respectful of most beliefs) related to our day’s activities. In addition, we will be visiting several inspiring Cathedrals and Italy is inundated with religious art and artifacts, so it’s easy to get into a “spiritual mood” and feel connected to a higher power and your best self here. We’ll also be talking about the biblical, literary tradition of David, of course, as we prepare to see Michalangelo’s work. 

QUESTION: What are the dates? 

ANSWER: Arrive in Florence, Italy on Sunday, November 10 (leave the US on November 9) and depart Italy on Friday, November 15 – or arrange to stay over for extra free days or to explore more of this beautiful country. 

QUESTION: What is included and not included in the $3,997 fee? 

INCLUDED ARE: Three morning or afternoon tours led by the above-mentioned master guide; four sessions of Leilani’s “Spark Your Personal Renaissance” program built on personal writing prompts and examples; your five-night hotel stay in a private room with shower or tub;  four amazing dinners with wine; five continental breakfasts with fresh juice, coffee, or tea; three lunches; tickets to attractions included in the itinerary, including Michelangelo’s David, the famous Duomo, an open-air introductory tour of Italy, art works that will stop your heart at the Uffizi Gallery, tickets to hear popular opera favorites sung by Florence’s version of The Three Tenors, and lots of little surprises along the way. 

NOT INCLUDED: Passport/Visa fees if you need a current one; airline tickets to and from Florence, Italy; travel insurance; free-day activities; souvenirs or gifts; and land transportation, but . . . 

If you’d like to have a driver waiting to take you to our hotel when your airplane arrives in Florence, Italy, simply make sure your total amount due is paid no later than September 1, 2024 and send Leilani your arrival time, airline, and flight number. A driver will be holding a sign with your name when you leave customs. This ride will be prepaid as a bonus to you for your promptness! 

To book your airline ticket, you may wish to speak to our friend Ann Halbrook at AMCreative who is aware of the start and finish times of our program. She can also help you add more days with a hotel if you wish to stay over on your own or explore more areas of Italy after our week together. (214) 392-2882 

To purchase travel insurance, you may wish to speak to our friend and agent, Laura Meyers. As a small company, we can’t provide refunds, so travel insurance can be a life-saver in the event of an emergency, illness, or accident. 

AND NOW . . . How do I register? 

1. Click here and complete the online form

2. Pay your non-refundable deposit of $500 here 

or $3997 balance here.

 Questions? Contact Leilani at Leilani@TeachingSpark.com or call or text (214) 620-7275.