RETREATS

Calcata, Italy – 4 days – 17-20 September 2026 

One of the foundations of House of Mon – both for the work I do with people and the way I run the business – is to lean into intuition, to trust myself and what the universe is telling me. And that is why I am hosting my next retreat in Calcata, Italy. Read on for the mad story of Calcata or jump to the “What to expect” section for retreat details. 

I first visited this tiny medieval town, perched on top of cliffs of volcanic rock, while on holiday with my partner last summer. We had rented a car in Rome and drove north, exploring the beautiful Treja Valley and its lush nature and archaeological sites. He had vague memories of Calcata from childhood, so we stopped for an afternoon - wandering its walled town with twisting, cobbled alleys and having lunch at the edge of a cliff, looking out over the seemingly unending green of the valley. Talking with the locals, we learned of Calcata’s frankly weird history and as we soaked up the sunshine and unusual vibe of the town, a plan was formed…

Calcata is known as the “paese di fricchettoni,” the village of freaks. It earned this name due to a turn of events that started in the 1930s when the government, worried the cliffs were crumbling, decided to build a new town nearby (Calcata Nuova or new Calcata) and to demolish the old town. The new town was finished in the 1960s, and the original residents moved, but by that point the government had changed and the demolition order turned out to be a cooked up political charge. It being the 60s, hippy artists moved into the deserted old town, restored it and had the demolition order rescinded. Now it is like village-wide art commune and one of the most charming hill towns in Italy. The New York Times describes it as what "may be the grooviest village in Italy, home to a wacky community of about 100 artists, bohemians, aging hippies and New Age types."

Calcata’s unusual history extends further back. It is also known as the town of witches, with the underground caves on which it is built rich in primitive energy and host to an ancient altar where people perform magical rites linked to stellar worship. Apparently on a windy day you can hear the voices of old witches as they fly through the town (more likely the wind through the cracks in the rocks but I think don’t mess with a good story). 

And just to get even weirder…. The Church of Santissimo Nome di Gesù in Calcata used to host a peculiar religious relic: Jesus’s foreskin. It’s said the box that held it was stolen during the sack of Rome and hidden in a cavern in Calcata. It was discovered and celebrated for about 400 years, but then about 40 years ago it mysteriously disappeared again. 

When my partner and I returned earlier this year to spend a weekend in Calcata, we discovered that, beyond the interesting history and beautiful setting of the town, it really is a perfect fit for House of Mon. As it’s now been home to artists for 60-something years, the place is infused with creativity. This comes in many forms – from traditional visual arts to culinary arts (we ate incredibly well!) to music and more. The town also honours and connects with its stunning natural environment. In fact, it is home to Opera Bosco, a contemporary art museum in the woodland of the gorge of the Treja Valley, with all works of art made from natural materials of the forest, with naturalistic techniques. What’s more, the artists of the town host workshops to share their passions with visitors. 

What to expect
The retreat begins on Thursday September 17. A private transfer will take us Rome Fiumicino airport to Calcata, just 30 miles away. After checking into your room, you’ll have time to settle in and wander the town before our welcome dinner. 

On Friday, we will explore and connect with the scenic nature of the Treja Valley, learning about the local history and ecology from a local guide. We’ll have a picnic lunch and experience Opera Bosco, an outdoor contemporary art museum. That night, we will come together in our communal space, an art gallery, for a night of mind- and mood- altering meditation, utilising breath work, guided meditation and plant medicine. 

On Saturday, use your newly unleashed creative force in a range of workshops– from creating perfume, ointments or soap with the local herbalist, to making ceramics, paper mache objects, a leather mask or a marionette, to a cooking lesson or wine tasting, or get moving with dance therapy or qi gong in nature. A full list will be shared before the retreat for your selection. There will also be time for a massage, spa or cupping session (additional cost). That night we will share our experiences of the night before over dinner at one of Calcata’s amazing restaurants. 

On Sunday we relax, have a last chance to explore the art galleries, shops and special places of Calcata, and come together over lunch before our transfer back to Rome Fiumicino. 

Prices include all meals, group airport transfers and accommodation. From £1550 sharing accommodation to £1750 single occupancy. Early bird prices until the end of May - £1400 sharing and £1600 single occupancy. 

 

 

Buenos Aires, Argentina – 7 days in November 2026 TBC

 

Join us for a journey through the bohemian world of Buenos Aires. Explore a culture that understands that our souls must express their creativity to feel alive. Spark your imagination and curiosity. Explore altered states of consciousness. Connect with your dreams and yourself.

 

Beyond the stereotypical tango, steak and malbec, there is a world of theatre, music, dance and art that gives Buenos Aires a creative energy that I’ve never felt anywhere else. People here understand that they are more than their day jobs and that creative endeavours are what feed the soul. I have always loved attending cultural events in my adopted home of London but it wasn’t until I started living part of the year in Buenos Aires that I understood that expressing creativity isn’t something you schedule in once a month, it should permeate life.

 

My time here has changed me – stimulated my curiosity, relaxed the constraints I had placed on myself, and allowed me to reconnect with and express my creativity. I want others to experience the city’s contagious passion for life and feel inspired. However, I recognise that it is not feasible for everyone to fall in love with someone in Buenos Aires and move to another continent, as I did! So I have created an 8-day programme of theatre, music, dance and art – along with the steak and malbec, because they are damn good – that will give an inspiring taste of another way of life.

 

Alongside the evening artistic itinerary, participants will be guided and supported in self-exploration of the outer world and their inner worlds. It is not enough to watch, we must do! During the day, participants can choose from a range of creative activities or exploratory assignments that will take them around the city. It is up to you how far you want to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. See where inspiration takes you and what adventures serendipity provides!

 

Oneirogens and other plant medicines, supported by guided meditations, will aid in connecting with dreams and other altered states of consciousness. The culmination of this work will be a mind and mood-altering night in an incredible dome outside of the city, where participants will have a fully supported experience surrounded by beautiful nature. This aspect of the retreat will be tailored to each individual’s experience, comfort level and goals, with guidance, support and integration provided at all stages. This combination of self-work and artistic programme is designed as a kick-start. Return home feeling inspired, less constrained and more connected – to yourself and your creative life force.

 

What to expect​

Staying at a luxurious boutique hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. The first night we will have a welcome dinner, get to know each other and go over the programme. The following 4 nights we will explore the city together, with dinners and creative performances. We will start the days together, discussing dreams and setting objectives for the day, then you will explore on your own through your chosen activities. Then we will travel to Casa Tierra, a retreat centre with a dome and glamping, an hour outside of the city. We will then have a final day and night back in Buenos Aires for relaxation and integration. Enjoy a massage or osteopathy during the day, and at night we will come together to share our experiences over dinner.

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