Nestled in the countryside of southern Tuscany (Arezzo is 45 minutes away and Florence l.5 hours by car) lies Migliara. For thousands of years there has always been a pilgrim's rest at this place - first in the Etruscan times, then Roman, and then local Christians would stop here on their way to Rome. Some time later in the l9th century the present house served as a farmhouse and mill and now it is restored back into a simple, monastic environment offering peace, tranquility, spiritual nourishment and healing.

All that can be heard is the sound of bird song and the gentle mountain stream that embraces the house and the fields around it. A cassette tape is available to order through us of the sound of this healing stream for meditation and quiet reflection.

Migliara Retreats was founded in l995 by Lucinda Vardey, a Christian whose spiritual interest is in bridging the teachings of the east and the west. Lucinda is a trained gestalt practitioner and experiential teacher and also teaches yoga, prayer, meditation and sacred ritual.

Guided retreats and pilgrimages for small groups - no more than 7 people at a time - are offered during the summer months for men and women of all religious beliefs or spiritual interests.

Spacious double rooms are light and cool and there is time for quiet personal reflection, walks and meditation in the beautiful pastoral environment as well as teaching and travel to sacred places.

Retreats and pilgrimages offered for 2006 are listed below and cost $1690 (Cdn) or US $1590 or UK £820. The cost includes pick up and drop off at Arezzo train station, 3 meals a day (home-made Tuscan cuisine) accommodation in spacious double rooms, local transportation, museum fees, books and yoga instruction.

Click on the pictures to see larger versions

 
July 2006
In the Footsteps of St. Francis Pilgrimage

 
September 2006
Holy Women of Tuscany & Umbria Pilgrimage

Private Retreats:

Migliara is available for personal directed and non-directed retreats.

Depending on dates required and numbers registered, the cost is € 60.00 per person per day which includes full accommodation and 3 meals. Transportation not included. Maximum stay 4 days.