An Invitation for You
Join us for a Velvet Ashes in-person retreat experience in the hills of Tuscany! We are thrilled to invite 24 women from our community to take part in a time of renewal and retreat with like-minded women who understand the unique challenges of cross-cultural life.
This 3-night retreat provides guided time in the Word, teaching, worship and rest. We’ll have time to be alone with God and time for connection in community. Optional art and exercise elements are always a part of our retreats and we look forward to the opportunity to share in those with you. All this will be experienced in a private Tuscan villa with beautiful hillsides to hike and explore. We are looking forward to experiencing the beauty of this area with you.
Cost:Â
A limited number of single rooms are available.
Single: $550
Shared: $450
Priority will be given to those currently serving on the field who have not previously attended an In-Person Retreat. Fill out this application to begin the process! Once your application is approved look for your acceptance email with a link to pay and secure your spot.
Apply
Things to know before you apply
You must arrive in Florence by 12:00 PM in time to be transported to the retreat location on April 10.
You are invited to join our team April 13-14 to tour and enjoy Florence and participate in a group cooking class. Cost not included in retreat registration.
This location can pose a challenge for those with mobility issues. Hills and walking are unavoidable at this location.
If cost might prohibit you from applying, you can email us about funding options.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Your fee does not include any transportation or expenses related to travel to Italy. It does not include any tourist activities or food outside of the retreat location. It does include transportation from Florence to the retreat location, along with all lodging, food, and activities once you arrive at the retreat location.
There is a non-refundable deposit of $150. If you cancel your registration by January 15th, you can get the remaining balance refunded. After January 15th, 50% of your balance can be refunded. After February 15th, there will be no refunds.
The retreat location is 45 minutes west of Florence.
Our desire is to create an intimate space where we can be known and share openly. The villa we have chosen will be reserved solely for Velvet Ashes use during the retreat and we have specifically chosen it for its size and the ability to accommodate our numbers well.
The in-person retreat will utilize the same content for the 2026 online retreat but it will be presented live and will incorporate elements that can only be fully enjoyed by in-person connection.
Yes. Although spots are available on a first come first served basis, we do our best to honor requests. When your spot is confirmed you will be given a chance to request a roommate.
Yes. All kinds of dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
Once registration closes we will be discussing the coordination of tourist activities for retreat participants that would enjoy extending their time in Tuscany after the retreat to take in some sites. Those activities would be optional and fees associated with those activities are not included in the registration.
Check-in will begin at the retreat location at 3:30 pm on Friday, April 10, and departure will be Monday, April 13 after 1:00 pm. Our last session will be Monday morning.
We long for this to be a time of rest and renewal for all retreat participants, including new moms. At this time we feel that is best experienced when moms are in a season where they can leave their children and engage in a few days away. If this isn’t a season where that is possible for you we hope in the years to come you will be able to join us!
Yes. Just make plans to arrive no later than 3:30 pm on April 10.