We have reached full capacity for the 2024 Mercatello Leadership Retreats and appreciate the excitement about travelling to Mercatello sul Metauro for the Leadership Retreats.
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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 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.
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.
Creativity, Community and Context:
Embracing Expressive Languages in Life & Work
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Explore your own creative process with different kinds of materials - no artistic background required. Creativity is part of our shared human nature.
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Discover the “grammar” and full potential of materials through hands-on experiences, discussion and reflection.
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Learn how to make more intentional choices when offering materials to others.
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Experience a shift from linear to circular ways of thinking, bringing new energy to your work as educators and to living with greater meaning and coherence.
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See with fresh eyes and welcome wonder, curiosity, and renewal, as you settle into the rhythms of Mercatello, where place and community nurture insight and become our teachers.
Our 2026 Facilitators
I can't recommend this transformative retreat enough. This opportunity was masterfully crafted to enhance every facet of my professional and personal self. The retreat’s emphasis on self-care, self-awareness, best practices, and building collegial relationships among esteemed colleagues was incredibly rejuvenating.
Learning from the best in the field, the insights gathered are priceless. The innovative approaches and the chance to collaborate at such a high level truly set this retreat apart. I am empowered to lead with inquiry and intention and to embrace my truth as an educator (not just my capacity). Don't miss out—sign up today and experience this extraordinary journey for yourself!
- Hilary Odoy Attended June 2024 in Mercatello
Accommodations
In partnership with Borgo Metauro we offer a variety of accommodations perfect for solo travellers or colleagues attending together.
In addition to rooms at Palazzo Donati and Palazzo Ducale, our thoughtfully selected apartments are also conveniently located around the town's vibrant main piazza, enabling participants to fully engage with the local community.
Please Note: Our retreats are intentionally kept small, limited to a maximum of 16. Sleeping arrangements, group transportation, shared meals and local excursions are also designed for this small group size. If you plan to travel with family or friends, we kindly ask that you arrange to meet before or after the retreat so you can fully immerse yourself in this shared experience.
Activity Level
To fully enjoy this retreat, it’s important to feel confident in your mobility. Activities include walking, sometimes on uneven terrain, stairs, and getting in and out of a mini-bus. While the pace is never overly strenuous, you must be able to keep up with the group unassisted. Please inform us of any mobility issues before signing up. You will be assisted with transporting your luggage, but our accommodations are located in apartments and two former Palazzi with no elevators, so getting to your room will involve using stairs.
What’s Included
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Accommodations for 5 nights from check-in on Saturday, June 6, 2026 to check-out on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
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All meals beginning with lunch enroute from Florence to Mercatello on Saturday, June 10th.
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Round trip ground transportation to Mercatello from Florence on June 6th and return to Florence Airport on June 11th.
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All local excursions.
Cost: $2,975 USD per person
Register soon to secure your space as group size is limited. Registration closes on April 1, 2026 or when group is filled.
Daily sessions will be held in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces throughtout Mercatello including Palazzo Donati and Palazzo Ducale
Our setting
Daily Itinerary
Access to local sites, artisans and regional cuisine is possible through a partnership with Italy travel expert Luisa Donati along with Nicoletta Amicizia, local resident and tour guide. Together with Angela Ferrario, series organizer, they will introduce you to everyday life in Mercatello and the surrounding area.
Accommodations are arranged in collaboration with Borgo Metauro
Itinerary may be subject to slight changes.
Saturday
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Transportation by bus from Florence to Mercatello
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Walking tour of Mercatello with local resident Nicoletta
Amicizia -
Welcome dinner
Sunday
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8:00-9:30: Breakfast
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Lunch at local agriturismo.
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Evening: Opening session
Mon, Tues, Wed
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8:00-9:30: Breakfast
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8:00–8:30 Pilates/morning stretch
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Daily group lunch and dinner
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Blocks of time for professional development sessions,
excursions and meetings with local artisans including:
ValdericArte Creative Residence, Mulino della Ricavata,
and Antica Stamperia
Thursday
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Morning Departure after Breakfast
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Transportation by bus from Mercatello to Florence Airport
All U.S. Citizens require a passport that is valid a minimum of 6 months from their return date to the U.S. (For example, if you are departing from Italy on June 1, 2026 your passport must be valid through December 1, 2026.) 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.
Required Documents
Round trip Ground Transportation between Florence and Mercatello is included in the Program Fee.
Transportation by bus from Florence to Mercatello is provided on Saturday, June 6. (Pick-up time to be determined.)
Pick-up location: Holiday House Borgo Pinti Florence
Address: Borgo Pinti, 15, 50121 Florence
Transportation by bus from Mercatello to Florence Airport is provided on Thursday, June 11. Please plan your flight/train departure times carefully, allowing enough time before your flight or train + 2.5 hour drive.
If you suffer from motion sickness, let us know so we can place you up front in one of the mini-buses.
Other Ground Transfers:
Any other ground transportation between Mercatello and airports or train stations is not included in the Program Fee. Arrangements can be made independently and we will provide price quotes according to individual requests.
Please Note: Mercatello does not have a train station. The train stations closest to Mercatello are Arezzo and Pesaro.
Getting to Mercatello
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: Florence (2.5 hours) and Bologna (2.5 hours)
All have car rental services.
Flight Arrangements
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.”
