Matti di Gello - Primavera Festival
2025-04-27 - 2025-05-02 | Arezzo
Spring is calling, and so is the Matti di Gello – Primavera Festival!
From April 27th to May 2nd, 2025, join us in our stunning valley for a festival that’s all about creativity, adventure, and embracing the freedom of nature. This event is perfect for adults and kids alike, with a whole week of activities designed to help you reconnect with your inner child and enjoy all the wonders Novanta has to offer.
Expect live music, performances, and delicious local food. Discover the rich Italian history that surrounds us, experience the flavors of traditional Tuscan cuisine, and take part in fun outdoor activities that will have you feeling both relaxed and energized. The festival is a blend of exciting adventure and peaceful moments, allowing you to explore, play, and enjoy the freedom of our breathtaking surroundings.
This festival is all about having fun together. Don’t miss your chance to make lasting memories with your loved ones, surrounded by the beauty of Tuscany and the warmth of the Novanta community.
Book your stay at Novanta for exclusive access to all festival activities and unforgettable moments.
Let’s get back to what truly matters—being creative, adventurous, and free!
Book here

Relax + Reconnect Yoga Retreat
2025-08-31 - 2025-09-05 | Novanta 90 – Borgo di Gello, Borgo di Gello, Bibbiena, Arezzo, 52011, Italy
Ready to reconnect, reset and realign? Join us for a transformative Yoga Week Retreat from August 31th to September 5th.
Guided by the incredible Emma and Lisanne, this retreat will take you on a six-day journey of rejuvenation, blending yoga, meditation, and breathwork with the beauty of Tuscany. Each day of the retreat introduces a theme inspired by one of the five Chinese elements, each capturing its distinct energy, season, and emotion.
Step away from the everyday hustle and immerse yourself in nature and tranquility. Spaces are limited—book now and treat yourself to this inner journey.

BOOK THE RETREAT HERE

A typical day looks like this…

Morning tea & fruit
Morning meditation and/or rejuvenating yoga practice
Healthy breakfast
Time to relax or hiking
Nourishing lunch
Enjoying the scenery and/or optional treatments
Yin yoga, Breathwork or another special class or workshop
Shared outdoor dinner overlooking the valley
Relaxation or bedtime

What’s included:

Full board accommodation in authentic & unique rooms
Daily Yin – and yoga, meditation and/or breathwork classes
Special classes such as Soundbaths, Aroma yoga with essential oils and more
Silent hike to the monastery of La Verna
A guided tour through the village of Borgo di Gello
Pizza night with homemade pizza and music
Full access to the outdoor swimming pool with stunning views
Communal dinners with healthy homemade food
Opening & Closing ceremonies
Additional: natural wines from the Tuscan region
Optional: Massages and Additional Therapeutic Sessions (may vary based on our guest teacher’s offerings)

We’ll start off the first day with lunch at 14:00 and will practise together on that day at 17:00. We’ll finish after breakfast on the last day around 10:00. Please make sure to book your flights accordingly
Each room is unique and decorated with contemporary art.
Prices:
€1095,- for a shared double room with ensuite bathroom and twin beds
€1295,- per person for a semi-private* bedroom in a shared suite (max 2 people) with ensuite bathroom.
€1595,- per person for a single studio with ensuite bathroom.
* The semi-private rooms are rooms that have their own beds in a private space. The rooms are either separated by different floors, a curtain or a door. Please be aware that in some of the suites a bedroom needs to be passed to get to the shared bathroom.
All levels of yoga experience are welcome. Optional treatments to book are massages, healings and/or acupuncture sessions. Availability depending on the therapists joining us this edition.

BOOK THE RETREAT HERE

From Sketchbook to Studio | Art Retreat
2025-09-21 16:00 - 2025-09-26 11:00 (Europe/Rome) | Novanta 90 – Borgo di Gello, Borgo di Gello, Bibbiena, Arezzo, 52011, Italy
Immerse yourself creatively in breathtaking surroundings and join us on an inspiring Art Retreat with Laura McKendry from Sunday 21st to Friday 26th of September 2025.
Set in the stunning surroundings of the Casentino Hills, with breathtaking views of the once-abandoned Gello Valley, this creative retreat with Artist-Illustrator Laura McKendry offers an exciting opportunity to explore the art of traveling with a sketchbook and bringing drawings to life.
Novanta is nestled on the edge of the beautiful Casentino National Park, surrounded by 300 hectares of rolling fields and lush forests. This peaceful, inspiring environment provides the perfect backdrop for a four-day drawing workshop, where nature itself will be your muse.
Laura McKendry is a seasoned artist and teacher with over 20 years of experience. Known for her playful and intuitive approach, she uses a range of materials to create expressive, dynamic images that radiate energy and emotion. This retreat is designed to offer something new for both first-time participants and those who have joined Laura’s previous workshops.
This event has sold out. Please email to be added to the waiting list. Occasionally spaces become available.

BOOK THE RETREAT HERE

An overview of the program:

Day 1: The retreat kicks off with a playful evening of exploring color and pattern, encouraging intuitive and abstract image-making—techniques that often influence Laura’s own creative projects.
Day 2-5: From there, she’ll guide you in using your sketchbook to capture the beauty of the landscape with a pared-down selection of drawing tools. These simple sketches will form the foundation for the creation of energetic, visually rich illustrations, deeply inspired by the Tuscan countryside and the authentic agriturismo lifestyle
Day 6: By the end of the retreat, you’ll have gained numerous ways to explore any location through your sketchbook—from holiday travels to daily walks—and how to turn these sketches into vibrant, completed artworks that reflect the essence of your experiences.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll experiment with a variety of materials, including watercolors, acrylic and emulsion paints, ink, pastels, and colored pencils. Special focus will be placed on developing color palettes, creating characterful, imperfect illustrations, and refining your final images to evoke a strong sense of place.
This retreat offers a perfect balance of structured guidance and personal exploration, helping you push your creative boundaries in a tranquil, inspiring setting. Whether you’re a beginner eager to dive into sketching or an experienced artist seeking fresh inspiration, it will provide the space and tools to grow your creative practice.

What’s included:

All meals and refreshments
5 nights of accommodation
Full access to teaching and all art materials
Use of the pool and surrounding grounds
Note: Drinks from the honesty bar are additional and paid individually at the end of your stay. Additional activities outside of the workshop can be booked and paid for separately.

Check-In & Check-Out:

Check-in from 16:00 on Sunday
The workshop begins Sunday evening at 17:30, followed by dinner at 19:30
Four full workshop days from Monday to Thursday
Check-out by 11:00 on Friday
If traveling from afar, consider adding an extra night or two in Florence or Pisa before or after your stay at Novanta.

Accommodation:

If you choose a shared room, we will connect you with your room partner (with permission from both parties) before the retreat.
We’re also happy to put participants in touch if you’re arriving at the same airport and wish to share transfers.

Workshop Size & Environment:

The workshop will be capped at 15 participants, ensuring an intimate and focused experience.
Although the workshop is in a private space, Novanta is a large area, so other guests (unrelated to the workshop) may be on-site. This adds to the social atmosphere and creates more opportunities for interactions outside of the scheduled sessions.

Pricing:

€1995,- for a shared double room with ensuite bathroom and twin beds
€2295,- per person for a semi-private* bedroom in a shared suite (max 2 people) with ensuite bathroom.
€2595,- per person for a single studio with ensuite bathroom.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE
Borgo di Gello’s Unique Nature:
Borgo di Gello is beautiful and unique but also rough and unrefined. It’s a place for those with an adventurous spirit and open mind—get ready for an unconventional yet memorable stay!
Photography:
Our in-house photographer will be on-site to capture the essence of Borgo di Gello during the retreat. Photos will be used for Novanta’s marketing purposes, but we respect your privacy and will ensure you’re comfortable with the process.
Payment:

50% deposit is required to secure your space, with the remaining 50% due by June.
If an alternative payment plan is needed, please contact art@lauramckendry.com.
Non-refundable bookings: Unless your space can be filled by another participant, in which case we will refund minus transaction fees. We recommend travel insurance for any unforeseen cancellations.

See you in our creative valley!

This event has sold out. Please email to be added to the waiting list. Occasionally spaces become available.
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BOOK THE RETREAT HERE
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Rise&Root
2026-10-01 14:00 - 2026-10-06 11:00 | Novanta 90 – Borgo di Gello, Borgo di Gello, Bibbiena, Arezzo, 52011, Italy
Rise & Root is a six-day retreat in the Novanta valley that welcomes nature as a metaphor for inner renewal.
During our retreats, we invite you to soften, to feel what the land gives you. Here, transformation doesn’t need to be loud. Sometimes a tiny seed is enough to shift your whole direction. Back to the essentials, rediscover what truly matters to you and what you want to create.
Through yoga, creative workshops, mindful cooking, and nature rituals, participants reconnect with themselves and the rhythm of the season.

DARE, (DAY)DREAM and TRANSFORM.

Providing fresh, seasonal, and nourishing food, with opportunities to participate in cooking experiences.
Offering yoga, meditation, and mindful movement in diverse natural settings.
Facilitating creative and connecting activities that support personal growth and group bonding.

BOOK THE RETREAT HERE

Audience

This retreat welcomes anyone seeking personal growth, stress relief, and a deeper connection with themselves and nature, including returning guests, newcomers, locals, and both experienced and first-time yoga participants. For everyone who is brave enough to go back to the essentials: Rediscover what truly matters to you and what you want to create.
Nothing to hide, nothing to chase, nothing to prove.

About the teachers

Nienke
My first introduction to yoga came when I was 18 and travelling through India. What started as a way to find balance gradually became a meaningful part of my life – a practice that helps me to breathe, feel grounded and reconnect with what truly matters. Six years ago, I experienced something on this mountain that changed me. Novanta showed me that life doesn’t always need to be in fast forward. Here, time slows down. Nature speaks. And when you allow yourself to pause, something inside begins to shift.
“I want participants to feel what the mountain can give to you and allow themselves to experience transformation, big or small”

Elena
This valley has always felt like a homecoming to me, a place to slow down, breathe deeper, and return to what truly matters. Here, surrounded by the mountains, I have learned, grown, and gently stepped beyond my comfort zone. I believe in the transformational power of this land: its grounding nature, the way it invites connection, trust, and curiosity. It reminds us that growth doesn’t have to be rushed — it can be soft, spacious, and supported.
“I feel a deep calling to share this experience with others. To create a space where you too can reconnect with yourself, discover new perspectives, and let the mountain show you what’s possible — one mindful moment at a time”

Together, Elena and Nienke blend their love for mindful movement, nature, and authentic connection — creating a retreat where every guest feels supported to rise and root into who they are.

Pricing:

SHARED ROOM | €1195,- |
A generously sized suite shared with up to three other retreat guests. Comfortable single beds and a shared bathroom make this a warm and social home base, great for guests who enjoy community and connection.
SEMI-PRIVATE ROOM | €1395,- |
A spacious suite shared with one other retreat guest. Everyone has their own private bedroom, the rooms are either separated by different floors, a curtain or a door. While the bathroom is shared. Ideal for those who want privacy balanced with the cozy atmosphere of shared accommodation
SINGLE STUDIO | €1695,- |
A private and comfortable studio for one person with its own ensuite bathroom, perfect for those who love some extra peace, privacy, and time for reflection during the retreat.

The prices include accommodation, food, water/tea/coffee and of course the program of the retreat. Excluded are drinks and massages that can be booked separately.

The retreat will be hosted in English. 🇬🇧

BOOK THE RETREAT HERE
