Casale di Clio: a Retreat for Writers, Artists & Others
Get Here by Public Transport ~ Walk to Grocery Shops and Restaurants/Bars
Hikes from the Front Door ~ Private WC Shower for all Rooms (for 2025 season)
Flexible Start/Finish Dates & Stays from 5 Nights (for 2025 season)
COURSE Schedule in development for 2025!
What are you waiting for? – secure your preferred 2025 dates at Casale di Clio NOW
We are now closed for the 2024 season – though accepting bookings for the 2025 season (April-Nov)
We now have a minimum stay of 5 nights – see our Rooms & Rates page for details
Welcome!
Welcome to the website of Casale di Clio (literally, ‘the farmhouse of Clio’), where we offer rooms and facilities for Writers, Artists, Creative Folk – and for those seeking a little ‘time out’ from the hurly-burly of modern life for relaxation, reflection, regeneration and to re-charge the batteries. Situated in the Apennine Hills of Northern Tuscany, Italy, we also welcome Hikers and Lovers of Nature! Casale di Clio is our house in the hills above Bagni di Lucca, on the sunny south-facing side of Lima Valley. The house is named after the Muse Clio – see below – and is set within a small and picturesque hamlet with wonderful views of hill-top villages. We think it’s the perfect place to stay in Italy for those wanting some time for study, reflection relaxation – or just to ‘getaway’ for a while; the Casale is cosy, characterful and quirky rather than sleek and modern, as some ‘high-end’ (and much more expensive!) retreats and residencies may be.
We offer short-term occasional accommodation (room rentals) for those wanting to be creative and/or to have time and space to reflect – particularly for those wanting to focus on literary, artistic, musical, historical, cultural or land-based endeavours. ‘Sustainable Land Use’ might appear at first to be a little incongruous, but we have an interest in the land and Permaculture, which is quite useful since in addition to the garden we have parcels of woodland that have been neglected for a little while, and a wonderfully-located parcel of partially-terraced land that we are developing as an ‘orto‘, or growing area – it is worth remembering that land and landscapes have provided inspiration in many creative disciplines!
Come to write, draw, paint, compose your ‘musical offering’, or to study; come with a specific project to work on, or come to play with new ideas and to seek inspiration; come for respite from the stresses of modern city life – and maybe to reflect on a change in direction; come and stay in a cosy and quiet base for a hiking holiday – maybe come with no other aim than to ‘kick-back’, read, and enjoy some ‘time-out’ in a lovely environment. We hope that your stay here will, paradoxically, be both stimulating and relaxing!
La Musa Clio
Our residence is named after the Muse Clio; she appealed to us because when the Muses were assigned specific literary and artistic spheres she was named Muse of History (and hence story-telling), with the specific role of ‘making famous’ and celebrating success! We hope that our residents will be inspired by Clio – and by the achievements of the various polymaths and creative icons that our accommodation rooms are named after: Leonardo (da Vinci), Dante (Alighieri), Hildegard (of Bingen) and Galileo (Galilei)!
Your Hosts
We are husband and wife partnership Adrian (British) and Tiziana (Italian), and we moved from the UK to Italy in late 2022. We have a breadth of experience that includes writing, organising village Art Shows, permaculture, sustainable land use and smallholding. We welcome folk to stay throughout the year – not just in Summer/High Season. Between us we speak English and Italian, and welcome those of all nationalities.
Retreat, Residence or Holiday?
We recognise the subtle differences between what might be termed ‘Retreats’, ‘Residences’ or ‘Holidays’ – all of which you will find available online for writers, artists and those with particular areas of interest or study (including local history, hiking and appreciation of the natural world and wildlife). At Casale di Clio we embrace a blurring of the lines between ‘retreats’ and ‘holidays’, offering rooms to rent while allowing guests to strike their own balance between any projects or interests that they bring, local exploration – and relaxation and reflection of course! We aim to enable you to enjoy a unique ‘getaway’ experience.
Staying Here
We offer comfortable rooms (each with a desk) and what we hope is an environment that will encourage and inspire your literary, artistic, cultural or other endeavours. As well as your comfortable study-bedroom you will have access to the living room, dining room, kitchen, library, garden, and various other spots suitable for work or relaxation, including our ‘Art Barn’ – with amazing views that are likely to inspire you to take up pencil, paintbrush, pen, camera – or keyboard (computer or musical!).
We do not provide meals – you will mainly cater for yourself, though there will be the opportunity to share cooking/ mealtime with other guests resident at Casale di Clio – and/or with the hosts. If you would like to eat out, Bar Santina at neighbouring San Cassiano di Controne is within reasonable walking or cycling distance (with other local food options available, including local stores – see our Location page for details).
We focus on providing rooms for those who have a project to work on or an area of interest to study and reflect on – as well as for those who just want to relax in an atmosphere conducive to the appreciation of art, literature, history, culture and the land. We welcome and encourage autodidacts (self-directed learners) who might wish to make the most of the interesting resources in our library. Having said that, we are scheduling ‘courses weeks’ in 2025, coordinating residence dates with courses provided by various teachers/organisations – see our current ‘course week’ schedule here.
In your downtime there are various options for whiling away the time, from setting up the screen to watch a Shakespeare performance (RSC productions) to a game of Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit – or any of the other games available – with any other guests present and/or the hosts.
When we have writers, artists or other ‘creatives’ resident here – or those bringing studies/research – we encourage ‘quiet hours’ at the Casale on weekday mornings and afternoons (see Terms and Conditions). Accommodation rooms do not have televisions or radios – nor is there a television set up in the living room (though one is available in the library for watching the occasional DVD). This is not a monastery, however (aperitivi on the terrace or balcony are not unheard of!); we just ask residents to respect one another’s wish to enjoy a relaxing stay here.
There is wifi internet here – although we are currently also installing (ethernet) internet sockets throughout the house.
Group Bookings
We encourage you to consider coming and residing for a week or more with like-minded folk – people who share an interested in a particular literary, artistic, historical or other creative/cultural topics; maybe you are a member of a writing circle, book club, art or photography group – or even a history group. Contact us if you would like to discuss coming as a group with a shared interest – we usually have special offers available (family/friends group bookings for general holidays are not accepted).
A Private Bathroom!
During the 2024/25 close season we are undertaking works to provide private bathroom facilities for each of the guest rooms that will be available for the 2025 season (three with en-suite WC/shower facilities, one with a lovely private bathroom a short way along the corridor).
A Warm Welcome!
In Autumn 2023 we had a new heating system installed – including a five-star efficiency rated combined solar water panel and wood-fired boiler system that heats radiators and our domestic hot water. This is complemented by the similarly fuel-efficient Jotul wood-burner for the living room, and small wood-burning stove in the kitchen. This will allow us to provide comfortable accommodation for tenants whatever the time of year (extra blankets and hot water bottles are also available if it should get particularly cold early or late in the season).
Booking to Come & Stay
Maybe consider our suggestions, below, as to why you might wish to come and stay – or go straight to our Booking Enquiries page if you are already interested in coming to stay at Casale di Clio.
Why Come and Stay at Casale di Clio?
- Writing Retreat
- Art Retreat
- Courses
- Musical Composition Retreat
- Photography Retreat
- Study Permaculture & Sustainable Land Use
- Write up Dissertation/Thesis
- Sabbatical/Reading Week
- ‘Retreat with a Treat’ (concert, spa visits, yoga classes)
- Local History Study & Appreciation Holiday
- ‘Relax, Reflect & Recharge’ Getaway
- Walking/Nature Retreat Holiday
- Italian Language Self-Study Holiday
- ‘Build-Your-Own’ Retreat
- Research the area when considering a Move to Italy!
- Plan buying and renovating an Italian property!
- Tennis Retreat: coaching and matches at local club
- ‘Digital Nomads’ welcome!
All while enjoying the lovely countryside, villages, footpaths, food and culture!
Our Location
Casale di Clio is in the small hill village of Vetteglia, on the sunny South-facing side of the Lima Valley – above the historic spa-town of Bagni di Lucca. Vetteglia is on the signposted Cammino di San Bartolomeo footpath that links Pieve di Controni (just a few KM down the Cammino from Vetteglia) with other local villages – and on to Pistoia, a little further afield (worth a visit in its own right); the Cammino passes directly past our front door! From San Cassiano, just a few KM up the Cammino from Vetteglia, further signposted footpaths and trails head up onto Monte Prato Fiorito (Flowery Meadow Mountain!) for great hiking with wonderful views. On a separate page we set out more reasons why we think this is the perfect location for writers’, artists’ and study retreats.
The House & Facilities
We aim to provide a welcoming and relaxing environment, especially for those engaged in creative endeavours – with ‘study and reflection spaces’, inside and outside, including a small library and ‘Art Barn’.
At Casale di Clio, in addition to your own study-bedroom (with desk), you will have access to the following:
- living room
- dining room
- kitchen (with allocated fridge/freezer space)
- shared guest bathroom (option to secure exclusive use)
- library/study room
- ‘Art Barn’
- balcony with a view
- dining terrace
- garden
- the ‘orto’: south-facing growing area with a view!
- woodland and mountain walks
The Casale, with its nooks and crannies – many with spectacular views – has been described as ‘like something out of The Game of Thrones’ – not familiar with the series, we hope that is a good thing! (We think it’s probably due to the ‘tunnels’/covered passageways and internal courtyard.)
Orto & Bosco
We are lucky that Casale di Clio has land: both woodland (bosco in Italian) and cultivatable land for fruit and vegetables (our orto) – and residents are welcome to explore both; indeed, the Cammino di San Bartolomeo passes through our woodland towards San Cassiano. With an interest in Sustainable Land use and Permaculture, and a background that includes setting up and running a smallholding along organic lines in the UK, we have accrued a well-stocked library of relevant books, which residents are free to study; we welcome those who might want to come and stay for a ‘land study holiday‘.
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CIN: IT046002C2E72C8OQ8
Tuscany CIR: 046002LTN0117
Reviews of Casale di Clio
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I need space to focus on writing a book that has been commissioned.
I wanted somewhere I could get to by train, free from most distractions and inspiring.
I wrote 17,000 quality words - the foundation of the book.
The hosts were really wonderful.
They went out of their way to support your endeavor wherever possible and to make life as logistically easy as possible.
Nothing was too much for them, and it was great to have interesting people to socialize with if you wanted a break from writing!
I couldn't recommend this place more for its balance of tranquility, beauty, and interest.
Hello, Victoria; thank you for taking the time to write such a kind review.We enjoyed your company - and the interesting discussions! - and are glad you managed to get so much work done; 17,000 words - fantastic!!Best of luck with bringing the project to completion. Best wishes
While it's well removed from the big cities, it has a contemporary feel and offers an excellent experience.
The hosts are generous, understanding of creative needs and actually inspiring themselves in what they do.
They have thought about everything, and it's a well-put-together experience that facilitates creative thinking.
I came to develop a creative project with no distractions.
The splendid isolation was the main attraction.
It's not a hermit lifestyle by any means, but it is far from the maddening crowd.
I recalibrated my project to focus on the essential elements and commit my concept to paper.
There were no distractions, yet everything I needed was available but in an inspiring way - it's a mix between the traditional and the modern.
Nothing was missing.
Thank you for your kind review Kevin.We are so glad that you enjoyed your time here and found the right space and place to work on your project - we enjoyed having you here!Best wishes, Adrian & Tizi
What a gem! Couldn't have wanted more.
The location, environment and room was just what we needed. Adrian and Tizi were perfect hosts from the moment we were picked up at Bagni di Lucca - attending to our requests whilst giving us the the space we needed. Such an inspiring place! Not only were we able to devote time to our projects but also able to enjoy the local river, places of interest and walks - not to forget aperitivo!
Thank you very much for your kind review Richard - we enjoyed having Carole and yourself here, and hope to see you back at Casale di Clio again one day!
A very unknown part of Tuscany at the foothills of the Apennines. Authentic Tuscan village.
Very welcoming and caring hosts.
I was travelling from Australia on an extended trip and wanted some quiet time in an authentic setting.
Time to rest, reflect and create.
Got to immerse myself in local culture and Summer events within Vetteglia and surrounding villages.
I did walks daily and felt looked after by our hosts.
Thank you Liz - we are glad that you enjoyed your stay here - it was interesting to hear about your journey, and good luck for the rest of your travels!
Un posto dove fare pace con se stessi attraverso il silenzio e i colori della natura. Ospiti delicati, Tiziana e Adrian hanno creato per i loro ospiti un luogo di rigenerazione: aprire le finestre su un paesaggio di boschi e colline, passeggiare nella natura, guardare le stelle la sera...e mangiare delizie locali sulla terrazza...una ricetta perfetta per chi scappa dallo stress.
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A place to make peace with yourself through the silence and colors of nature. Delicate hosts, Tiziana and Adrian have created a place of regeneration for their guests: opening the windows onto a landscape of woods and hills, walking in nature, looking at the stars in the evening... and eating local delicacies on the terrace... a perfect recipe for those who escape from stress.
Grazie mille Manuela: siamo molto felici quando i nostri ospiti apprezzano e beneficiano del nostro posto speciale!***Thank you very much Manuela: we are very happy when our guests appreciate and benefit from our special place!
Adrian and Tiziana, the hosts of this retreat, are exceptionally kind, easygoing, and intelligent individuals. They were mindful of my need for quietude and willing to accommodate my needs and desires.
Ultimately, I found myself inspired by them and wanting to spend time with them when I was not writing!
As a mother of two, I cannot often find the space and time I need to connect with myself and my creativity.
I have always felt a strong connection to Italy and have traveled there many times, but had not yet spent a great deal of time in Italy's quieter, wilder regions.
I was drawn to the unstructured nature of this retreat. I felt free to move and work at my own pace without interruption, which was invaluable.
I was able to reconnect with myself, get clear on my goals, plot a clear path forward, and deepen my writing practice.
Thank you so much Heidi for writing such a lovely review for us!We so much enjoyed having you stay - and we are both so happy that your stay here provided you with what you needed!Best wishes, Adrian & Tizi
Adrian and Tizi were wonderful and so accommodating. I had the space and privacy to do whatever I wanted but they were available if I needed them for anything.
They went above and beyond for the other guest and I, they made the trip all the more special.
I chose this retreat because it seemed like the perfect place to relax, unwind and give me the space to create.
The views are indescribable and the village feel made it all very special.
I mostly wanted to paint and was able to finish up a project but ended up using a lot of the time to myself, meditating and reading(they have a great library).
The trip really helped clear my mind and it was the reset I needed.
Thank you very much for your kind words, Qamar - we very much enjoyed having you here and are so happy that you achieved what you wanted during your stay with us!We feel blessed by having such wonderful guests staying here as our first Bookretreats guests!
Luogo ideale per staccare dalla frenesia della vita quotidiana, casale molto ampio e ben ristrutturato, camera confortevole (voto 10 al materasso!), bagno ampio e super funzionale, locali comuni molto caratterstici, sembra di entrare in un altra dimensione. Tiziana e Adrian super ospitali e disponibili, consigliatissimo anche come punto di partenza per escursioni giornaliere sui colli e borghi confinanti. Grazie per il bel soggiorno!
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Ideal place to escape from the frenzy of everyday life, very large and well-renovated farmhouse, comfortable room (10 for the mattress!), large and super functional bathroom, very characteristic common areas, it feels like entering another dimension. Tiziana and Adrian are super hospitable and helpful, also highly recommended as a starting point for daily excursions to the hills and neighboring villages. Thanks for a nice stay!
Thank you very much for your kind review Moira - we enjoyed having you here!*Grazie mille per la tua gentile recensione Moira: è stato un piacere averti qui!
E'stata un'ottima idea allontanarmi da tutto e prendermi questa settimana tutta per me. Al casale ho trovato anzi ritrovato del tempo di qualità, niente corse niente orologio. Buoni libri , buona musica e buon cibo per riscoprire il buono vero della vita.
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It was a great idea to get away from it all and take this week to myself. At the farmhouse I found, or rather rediscovered, some quality time, no racing, no clock. Good books, good music and good food to rediscover the true goodness of life.
Thank you very much Daniela, we are so glad you made the most of your stay with us - be sure to tell your friends about us!- - -Grazie mille Daniela, siamo così felici che tu abbia sfruttato al massimo il tuo soggiorno con noi: assicurati di parlare di noi ai tuoi amici!
Tiziana and Adrian are wonderful hosts with a great knowledge of the area. The place is a little oasis of peace and quiet with incredible views of the Apennines.
During our stay we sampled some great authentic food and we had a wonderful day in Lucca which is less then an hour away by car.
Casale Di Clio is a hidden gem! We can't wait to go back.
Thank you for such a lovely review Chiara - it was great having you here, and we look forward to seeing you here again someday!