AOE Retreats
Soul Powered Retreats for Women
$200 OFF for a limited time code EARLYBIRD200
ALCHEMY of ELEMENTS – a women’s retreat in Italy for artistic exploration, embodied creativity, elemental ritual, and soul powered renewal through the 5 essential elements.
Rooted in the wisdom of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Metal, each day invites you to explore an element through intuitive painting, expressive movement, and ancient practices, all set against the breathtaking beauty of Tuscany. Rekindle your creative spirit, reclaim your vitality, and remember the magic within.
All inclusive retreat package:
Lodging in a 16th-century Tuscan villa
Nourishing farm-to-table meals
Daily guided painting & movement sessions
Elemental rituals & group integrations
Curated excursions & cultural immersion
Time for rest, reflection, and connection
Created and facilitated by:
Misa Terral & Mary McKinley
What is AOE?
(Alchemy of Elements)
Alchemy of Elements is a soul-centered method where the timeless wisdom of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Metal becomes a pathway for returning home to yourself. Each element serves as a guide and mirror, offering balance, insight, and renewal.
Through an alchemy of intuitive painting, embodied movement, and ancient wisdom, you’ll be invited to reawaken your creative spirit, release what no longer serves you, and align more fully with your authentic essence.
Be divine.
This is a retreat for women ready to soften, awaken, and alchemize—held in a private villa in Tuscany, nourished by locally grown meals, immersed in the beauty of the Tuscan landscape, and supported by a loving sisterhood.
Be inspired.
Each day we’ll move through an elemental energy with a blend of intuitive painting, expressive movement and embodiment practices designed to awaken your creative essence and ignite your vital energy.
Be moved.
Through guided, intentional practices, deep connection to our inner creative, and through immersive experiences with the natural splendor of Tuscany, we reconnect with our own harmony and rhythm, reclaim our spirit, and remember the magic we carry within. This experience offers time and spaciousness for relaxation, rejuvenation and reconnection to our essential selves.
Be in your essence.
Spend a full week in a private, 16th-century Tuscan villa—luxurious yet welcoming—perched high in the hills, with a saltwater pool and expansive gardens with stunning views. You won’t want to leave the villa but we also have some exciting excursions planned to some of the most breathtaking and inspiring locations. Experience the magic of Tuscany through the lens of your most authentic self.
Be nourished.
All fresh and locally sourced farm to table meals, including beautifully crafted brunches and lively dinners at the villa prepared by our private chefs plus several evenings out to dinner in the enchanting centers of Cortona and the surrounding hill towns. *All diets honored.
Be guided.
You’ll be lovingly guided by two (and a quarter) seasoned facilitators, each bringing her own alchemical medicine through art, somatic healing, and the ancient wisdom of the natural world… The magic is in THIS mix!
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Founder
Mary, an intuitive artist, leads our soul painting sessions, inviting you to express the unseen and reclaim your inner muse through color, texture, and sweeping gestures. Mary also has a home in Cortona and has been a part of the community there for 30 years.
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Founder
Misa, a somatic healer and movement guide, offers daily dance and embodiment practices to help you feel, release, and move with the wisdom of your body.
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Every retreat needs a guardian of joy for the pack, and we are thrilled to introduce Halo-Bibi, our beloved miniature schnauzer, as part of the facilitation team.
Hypoallergenic & Non-Shedding: Perfect for sensitive guests — she’s safe to love without worry.
As our Retreat Therapy Dog, whether she’s quietly curled up beside you during breaks, supervising group sessions, or just trotting through the gardens, Halo-Bibi brings a layer of comfort and sweetness to our shared journey. She reminds us that sacred community often happens in the most gentle and unexpected ways.
Be the vitality.
7:30 - 8:30 Breakfast at the Villa
9:00 - 12:00 Misa’s Embodiment & Meditation flowing directly into Mary’s Soul Painting
1:00 - Farm-to Table Healthy Lunch at the villa
2:00 - 6:00 FREE TIME -OR- Group Excursion
6:30 - 7:30 Group Circle and gentle movement
8:00 - Authentic & Organic Italian Dinner with Wine & Sisterhood * All diets honored
Evening (Optional) – Celestial rituals, ecstatic dance, sound healing, light body activation, grounding practices, group gratitude integrations, coronation ceremony, and so much more...
Here’s an example of the retreat flow. The week progresses with a natural arc that begins with arrival and orientation, moves through the five elements, and concludes with integration, celebration, and departure.
FAQs
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7 Nights in a luxurious 16th-Century Villa in Tuscany
Saltwater swimming pool and nature trails on a private 200 acres
Daily soul-powered movement and embodiment sessions
Daily intuitive painting sessions and ongoing works of art to take home
Sacred group ceremony, meditations & guided integration
Two guided excursions plus transportation to some picturesque and magical locations
One day at a geothermal bath and spa
All meals at the villa are included. All dietary needs will be honored. **Dinner during the two excursions are not included (dinner is free time on just these two evenings to choose your own dining experience. Recommendation lists offered for all budgets)
Plenty of time for spacious rest, relaxation and rejuvenation
Small group atmosphere of 14 women
Transportation to/from Cortona-Camucia train station to the villa at a scheduled time on arrival and departure
Gift bags on arrival and special creations throughout the week
All art supplies are provided but you are encouraged to bring any additional supplies
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Airfare to Italy is not included
Travel to and from airport to Cortona-Camucia train station is not included
Meals during excursions are not included (dinner is free time during the two outings to choose your own dining experience)
Tips for our excursion guides & drivers
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All food allergies, sensitivities, and requests will be honored. Our chefs are trained and prepared for all current dietary needs. Please let us know in advance what you require so that we can create daily menus to nourish everyone in the most accommodating way.
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All women of all ages, typically from age 30 to 75, who are able-bodied to move, create, connect, and join in group dynamics in a respectful and encouraging way.
Women who desire new and integrative experiences, and appreciate time to rest and reflect on their experience in quietude.
Women who are inclusive and can be in loving witness of other women while deepening their own inner knowing.
Women who are prepared to create a safe atmosphere to expand and to embody the beauty, expressive arts, and warmth of the Tuscan people and the Italian lifestyle.
Women who have any level of curiosity, interest and experience in the expressive and intuitive arts. We invite all to have a beginner’s mind and an explorer’s heart. No fine art skills necessary and all levels are welcome.
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There are International flights to either Florence or Rome. From either airport you can take a Regional Train to the Cortona-Camucia train station where we will pick you up and drive you to the Villa.
From Florence take the regional train south to Cortona-Camucia train station (about a hour and a half train ride). This station will be along a main train route, not the train’s final destination.
From Rome take the regional train north to Cortona-Camucia train station (about a two and a half hour train ride). This station will be along a main train route, not the train’s final destination.
2026 RETREATS
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2026 RETREATS ⋆
Be there.
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**MORE RETREAT DATES COMING SOON!