A CREATIVE RETREAT TO TUSCANY
With Guest Teacher SUZY BOGGUSS
October 25 - November 1, 2026
Sesto Fiorentino outside of Florence, ITALY
Limited to 12 Alumni of Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops.
Our small group of Performing Songwriter Creative Workshop alums will stay at the 15th Century Villa in Sesto Fiorentino, in the breathtaking countryside just six miles outside of Florence. The beautifully restored apartments are spacious, open and look out over gardens and olive groves.
Each morning there will be a breakfast of breads, eggs, jams and yogurts—all homemade and locally grown. Enjoying it together in the family’s dining room is the perfect way to begin the day.
We will have songwriting workshops on four of the mornings, taught by award-winning artist and songwriter Suzy Bogguss. She will lead inspiring morning classes to help you tell your story in a compelling way.
You will each enjoy a cooking lesson with Costanza, preparing meals from her grandmother’s recipes, and we will have dinners each night that are nothing short of events—pizza in the gardens cooked in the outdoor wood oven, a traditional Tuscan barbecue, and so much more…
Francesca will guide us through an afternoon in Florence where history will leave you speechless, and the Statue of David will move you to tears. She’ll lead countryside walks, and we’ll spend an afternoon in the Chianti region where she has wonderful surprises planned and we’ll end the day with a wonderful authentic Tuscan dinner in a restaurant in the region. We’ll also spend an entire day in the northernwestern part of Tuscany visiting a breathtaking marble mine and ancient village.
There’ll also be plenty of time to wander around the town of Sesto Fiorentino, walk to the train station from the villa and catch a 10-minute ride into Florence, or spend a planned free day visiting Lucca or Sienna … or even hang out at the villa and help pick olives.
And of course, there will be music … inspiring songwriting classes on four of the mornings, free time to write and have a one-on-one session with Suzy, and treats from some local musicians.
So the universe is ready to take the wheel for a week in Tuscan paradise. Say yes and show up. And then let the music, food, culture and friendship begin to work its magic in your life.
I can share in full honesty that Lydia creates and seamlessly orchestrates the kind of experiences that you hold in your cell-memory; in your bones. The kind of moments where you realize why you are here, that you are capable of more joy and growth than you thought possible, that the world is still full of spectacular beauty and that you, your voice and your songs are worthy and deserving. All I can say is grazie.
A few of the things included:
- Transportation to the Villa from the Florence airport or Sesto Fiorentino train station
- 7 nights in an apartment at Villa Il Paradisino: Arrive Sunday Afternoon October 25, 2022, and leave Sunday Morning Nov. 1
- Four mornings of songwriting classes with Suzy Bogguss, and a one-on-one session with her
- Breakfasts of homemade jams, breads, yogurts, and fresh eggs
- Light lunches of Panini, stuffed focaccia, and other delights
- A cooking lesson with Costanza in the main house, creating meals from their family recipes that we’ll enjoy that evening
- Four evenings of dinners and wine served in the dining room of the main house, as well as an opening night dinner on the villa patio (weather permitting) of pizza cooked in the wood-burning oven, and a closing night Tuscan barbecue
- An afternoon in Florence, accompanied by Francesca as your guide. It will include your train ticket and pass to the Academia museum as well as dinner in a local restaurant
- A afternoon in the Chianti region with Francesca, a walk through villages, wine tasting at a local winery, and dinner and wine at an authentic Tuscan restaurant.
- A day in northwestern Tuscany with a tour of a marble mine, lunch, and dinner at a village restaurant.
- Musical performances by Italian musicians.
- … and many more surprises.
Once you’ve arrived at the villa, you will be completely taken care of. You won’t need a car, and the train station and town of Sesto Fiorentino are all just short walks. All of your meals are taken care of except for one afternoon that you have on your own.
Register
Cost
All-Inclusive Pricing (except for airfare):
- $3,495 Per Person Double Occupancy Room With Private Bath (Available for 6 People) NOTE: You’ll need to have your roommate planned—we won’t be assigning people to room together.
- $4,495 Single Occupancy Room With Private Bath (Available for 4 People)
Payment:
- $1000 Deposit (Plus $1000 Single Room Supplement if Applicable) Upon Registration
- Second Payment of $1000 Due June 1, 2026
- Third Payment of $1000 Due July 1, 2026
- Balance Due August 1, 2026
Attendees
THIS WORKSHOP is limited to 12 alumni of Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops (spouse, partner, friend also welcome if room is shared).
You must be at least 21 years of age to attend.
Lodging
Villa Il Paradisino in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy (6 miles outside of Florence). You’ll be assigned a room or apartment based on single/double registration and availability. All of the rooms have private baths, and kitchens are in apartments.
Refund Policy
- All payments and deposits are non-refundable if we are not able to fill the spot. If we are able to fill the spot, however, you will be refunded all but $500.
A Creative Retreat in Tuscany
Oct. 25 - Nov. 1, 2026
This retreat has been filled. Email Lydia@performingsongwriter.com if you'd like to be added to the cancellation list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t play an instrument?
You don’t need to worry about that at all—except for Suzy’s and Matt’s workshops, playing an instrument isn’t required. The focus in the writing workshops is on telling your story in a way that connects with listeners, and if an instrument is needed the teacher can always help out with that.
Are the classes for all levels?
The songwriting classes are for all levels of writers, whether you’ve only journaled, written poetry, or are someone who actually performs and has recorded your songs. It’s designed to be three days of inspiration from the teacher, legendary guests, or each other as you support the efforts and bravery of your classmates.
There are three classes—Suzy’s performance class at the Bluebird, Matt’s melody master class, and Jonatha’s studio workshop—for alums who’ve already been through other Performing Songwriter classes. These three are by invitation based on if you’re ready and able to perform your songs, are proficient on your instrument, and if you have songs finished and ready to record.
What’s involved in song feedback?
Each person will perform a work-in-progress song in front of the class as the teacher listens and finds a teachable moment that everyone can learn from so more songwriting tools can be added to the toolbox. Feedback is strictly from the teacher, though, and the class is just invited into it as listeners — this keeps it safe and on track. You’ll also have a private 15 minute 1-on-1 with the teacher where you can talk about anything you’d like or get feedback on something you’re working on.
What does a workshop day look like?
The actual schedule for the workshop will be sent to you when we’re one week out. But in general, the mornings are for input — lessons from the teachers, song breakdowns, prompt exercises, etc. Then a lunch break for a couple of hours when 1-on-1s are also scheduled. Afternoons consist of the song feedback sessions with the whole class and any guests we might have pop in. The days start around 9:30 and end at 6:00, except for the last evening which goes through dinner.