Learning Together in a Special Place: Perspectives on Leadership
Mercatello sul Metauro, Italy
The charming town of Mercatello sul Metauro, with a population of 1500, is located in the Marche region in east-central Italy. Learning Together in a Special Place: Perspectives on Leadership is organized through International Study Tours, LLC, which was founded by Angela Ferrario, who works in collaboration with retreat facilitators.
Each retreat within the series offers small group professional development complemented by sightseeing excursions and encounters with local artisans and townspeople, taking you inside village life.
Session 1
May 28 - June 2, 2022
Educational Leadership:
Embracing A Strong Image of Children and Adults
Andrea Sisbarro
School Director
Boulder Journey School boulderjourneyschool.com
Biography
Alison Maher
Executive Director
Boulder Journey School
boulderjourneyschool.com
Biography
Session 2
June 17-22, 2023
Onward!
Reigniting Your Leadership Journey
Susan MacDonald
This retreat is designed to inspire educational leaders to refocus, recharge and reconnect with their professional aspirations.
Learning becomes a travel journey where:
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Sharing ideas, challenges and experience is encouraged.
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Educational exchange is balanced with time to pursue moments of solo discovery.
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A comfortable retreat setting and outdoor environment bring energy to the dialogue.
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Engaging with other participants and the local community engenders new friendships and relationships.
Educational travel designed for:
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Emerging to seasoned leaders, who work or have worked in the field of education.
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Those seeking an authentic and transformative program .
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Travellers who appreciate the slower rhythm of small Italian towns.
What’s Included
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Accommodations at Palazzo Donati for 5 nights from check-in on Saturday, June 17, 2023 to check-out on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
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All meals beginning with welcome dinner Saturday evening
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Walking tour and local excursions
Our accommodations overlook Mercatello’s main piazza where we will have exclusive occupancy at Palazzo Donati, a family owned historic residence with modern amenities.
Accommodations
EARLY BIRD RATE: $2,250 USD per person
After March 1, 2023: $2,400 USD per person
Based on shared accommodations in double twin-bedded rooms.
Single room supplement available upon request.
Register soon to secure your space. We intentionally limit the group size to 15.
Registration closes on May 15, 2023 or when group is filled.
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Daily meetings will be held in one of the large common areas at Palazzo Donati.
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We will have access to the entire property, which includes two kitchen areas, one modern near the dining room and the other rustic with a charming open fireplace.
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The entrance leads to a large walled outdoor area where we can relax or dine in the private garden. As you walk out the front door to the main square, you can enjoy a morning cappuccino or an evening aperitivo at the outdoor tables of the local café.
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Around the piazza are the former palazzi of the founding families and the town hall and shops under an arcaded walkway.
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There will be time to enjoy our immediate surroundings and wander around the small medieval streets of the town.
Our setting
Daily Itinerary
Access to local places, artisans and regional cuisine is possible through a partnership with Nicoletta Amicizia, resident and tour guide along with local expert Luisa Donati, whose family owns Palazzo Donati. They are available to make sure our days run smoothly while introducing us to everyday life of the town and the surrounding area’s hidden treasures.
Itinerary may be subject to slight changes.
Saturday
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Arrival at Palazzo Donati
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Walking tour of the town
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Welcome dinner at Palazzo Donati
Sunday
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8:00-9:30: Breakfast
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Guided hike and late afternoon lunch at local agriturismo. Those who do not wish to hike will be driven
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Evening: Opening session
Mon, Tue, Wed
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8:00-9:30: Breakfast
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Daily group lunch and dinner
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Blocks of time for professional development sessions and local excursions, including a special pasta making lesson with Anna at Mulino della Ricavata
Thursday
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Morning: Departure after Breakfast
Ground Transportation
Participants are responsible for booking their own flights. Assistance will be provided.
From the U.S., Italy’s main international airports are Rome (3.5 hours from Mercatello) and Milan Malpensa (5 hours from Mercatello).
From inside Europe, airports with suitable connections to Mercatello are: Ancona (1.5 hours), Bologna (2.5 hours) and Florence (2.5 hours).
All have car rental services.
Flight Arrangements
Ground transfers between Mercatello and airports or train stations can be arranged. Pricing will be provided according to individual or group requests.
Mercatello does not have a train station. The train stations closest to Mercatello are Arezzo and Pesaro.
Required Documents
All U.S. Citizens require a passport that is valid a minimum of 6 months after their return date to the U.S.. (For example, if you are departing from Italy on November 1, 2022 your passport must be valid through May 1, 2023.) Routine U.S. passport processing times are estimated to be 8-12 weeks. If you are applying for or renewing a passport, plan accordingly and apply well in advance. Non-U.S. citizens should check entry and visa requirements
I wouldn’t be the educator/administrator/human I am today without the serendipitous life lessons you facilitated during our time together in Mercatello. I am forever grateful and am confident our paths will cross again soon.”
It was the most applicable, life-altering, engaging and beneficial professional development I've ever attended and would highly recommend it to anyone in the field of Early Childhood Leadership!
We have reached full capacity for the June 2023 Mercatello Leadership Retreat, Learning Together in a Special Place: Perspectives on Leadership and appreciate the excitement about travelling to Mercatello sul Metauro for the Leadership Retreat.
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