Write your story.
Expand your perspective.
Move your body.
Nourish your spirit.
A life-changing experience.

A curated creative retreat for 14 women
Imagine a glorious getaway at an authentic centuries-old guesthouse in the magnificent rolling hills of a country property & winery just outside of Bologna, Italy.

Imagine a retreat experience that will allow you to connect with your creativity, nourish your mind and body, find your voice and feel seen, heard and inspired in the company of other like-minded women. 

Imagine a retreat that is specially curated with your needs in mind, led by seasoned leaders, where every detail has been taken care of so that you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Now imagine that this retreat takes place in glorious Italy, the land of art, passion, fine food and timeless beauty. 

Your Italian escape awaits.

Where You’ll Stay:

Al di là del Fiume (“Beyond the River”) guesthouse

Located just outside one of the most beloved cities in Italy, the “Beyond the River” guesthouse is situated on a 35-acre working farm and winery in the heart of the wild and densely forested Bologna Apennines in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. The property includes two terracotta and stone farmhouses dating back to the 1800s, vineyards, a winery and restaurant, a large organic vegetable garden, groves of fruit trees, a large dining area, yoga studio and 14 bedrooms with nine bathrooms.

The property is owned by Danila Mongardi, who has developed the site as a cultural and spiritual escape for those who want to slow down and connect with nature.

Get in touch and we’ll reach out about next steps!

Your retreat leaders

Writer Anne Bokma and actor/playwright Lisa Randall, both award-winning creators, invite you to rediscover your voice, invest in your next chapter and be supported in the company of an intimate, confidential and engaging group of women.

They are skilled retreat leaders who create a safe, supportive and confidential environment to feed your creative spirit, an environment where mutual respect and deep personal connections naturally flourish.

During our week together, you will be guided in inspirational memoir teaching and life-sustaining movement exercises (including daily morning yoga sessions). You will be nurtured in beautiful, soul-satisfying surroundings with delicious meals and the company of a caring community of fellow retreat participants. This is a week that will help increase your capacity for resilience, joy, movement and creativity.

3 things that make this retreat DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS

1. Affordability: You won’t find a similar weeklong retreat offered anywhere in Italy for less.

2. Personalized one-on-one direct feedback: Both Anne and Lisa will work with you to help you discover, develop and create your story.

3. Professionalism: This retreat is booked through a reputable travel agency in compliance with Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) guidelines, ensuring that your investment is protected. By booking through a TICO-registered agent, you have access to cancellation and travel insurance options, and your payments are safeguarded through the TICO Compensation Fund, giving you peace of mind in case of unexpected changes or issues. (More info in the Q & A below)

Write with Anne

Retreat participants will meet for daily workshops to receive expert guidance on developing a true story from their lives with a series of compelling writing prompts, instruction on the fundamental elements of memoir, and plenty of encouragement every step of the way to help you bring out the truth, emotion and authenticity of your story. Our goal for the week is to select, shape and share a story from your life during our time together. By week’s end, you’ll feel proud of completing a polished piece to share with the group—a meaningful experience that fosters connection, vulnerability and self-discovery.

Anne is a Hamilton, Ontario-based journalist, author, writing coach and retreat leader. Her memoir, My Year of Living Spiritually: One Woman's Secular Quest for a More Soulful Life, was published by Douglas & McIntyre and won the 2020 Hamilton Literary Award for Nonfiction and the Kerry Schooley Book Award. She is a recipient of the City of Hamilton's Arts Award for Established Writers.

Anne also writes The Other Side of Midlife, a biweekly column for The Hamilton Spectator that focuses on the unique experiences and current events affecting women in the third act of life. It was recently nominated for a Landsberg Award (named after trailblazing feminist journalist Michele Landsberg) by the Canadian Journalism Foundation. In addition, Anne is the founder of the 6-Minute Memoir event, which showcases storytellers sharing intimate tales on a theme and has run annually in Hamilton for the past decade.

Anne endorses the Amherst Writing Method (AWA), which holds that every person is a writer and every writer deserves a safe environment in which to experiment, learn and develop their writing.

Your story matters. Now’s the time to write it.

Move with Lisa Randall

Lisa Randall, a certified yoga instructor, will lead morning yoga sessions as well as workshops to build on your storytelling and help you find new ways to access your story. She has a background in acting, playwriting/writing, movement, singing and yoga. An experienced facilitator for schools and community groups, she uses solo, duo and group theatre and storytelling exercises to encourage fun, mutual support and playing toward your joy.

As an actor and playwright, Lisa’s play, The Sorauren Book Club received Patron’s Pick Award at the 2022 Toronto Fringe. Her original play, Sister Sophia Kicks the Habit, about an aging nun in crisis, was in the Hamilton Fringe in 2025. Lisa also acted in the sold-out run of Desperate Measures during Toronto Fringe in 2025, a play which won the critics’ pick new works award from Entertainment World. Lisa has acted in numerous commercials, TV/web series and films and recorded two albums of original music as a singer/lyricist.

She was a non-profit manager/leader for almost three decades, where she developed many inclusive activities and arts activations for newcomers and refugees. Lisa co-created She-Rites, a women's empowerment writing for healing program.

What retreat participants have to say about working with
Anne & Lisa

Savour chef-prepared meals

Classic Bolognese fare—regional dishes such tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, and lasagne alla Bolognese—are lovingly prepared by the in-house cook, Matilda, using only local organic ingredients, including vegetables from the farm’s garden and eggs from free-range chickens on the property. Each day will feature a full breakfast, a lunch buffet with a variety of homemade breads, meats, cheeses, soups and salads to sample from. Dinner will be a four-course meal of traditional local dishes topped off with homemade desserts such as tenerina al cioccolato, mascarpone cream, torta della nonna and tiramisu.
All dietary preferences (with the exception of celiac) can be accommodated.

SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDED DURING YOUR STAY

Cooking class:  Stir, knead, EAT

Immerse yourself in the flavours of Italy and deepen your connection to authentic Italian cuisine with a hands-on pasta-making class. Learn traditional techniques and culinary secrets passed down through generations— and then feast on a mouthwatering meal afterwards.

Wine tasting:  Sip & savour

Al di là del Fiume operates a nearby preservative-free winery with products made from grapes from the farm. We’ll learn the story of the winery, operated by owner Daniela Mongardi (pictured above), and enjoy several wine tastings and appetizers.

History hike: a walk through the past

Owner Danila Mongardi will guide us on a two-hour hike through the nearby Monte Sole Historical Park. During World War II, this area witnessed fierce partisan fighting until it was liberated by the Allies in April 1945. Today, the park preserves both its historical significance and its rich natural landscape, making it a compelling destination where history and nature come together.

Discover Bologna’s city centre (optional)

Al di là del Fiume is located less than an hour by train from Bologna’s city centre. Anchored by Piazza Maggiore, this is a vibrant hub of history, architecture, and culture.

A short walk from the square brings you to the Torre dell’Orologio (clock tower), a striking Renaissance tower where visitors can admire the panoramic views over Bologna’s red-tiled rooftops. Strolling the surrounding streets, you can explore charming porticoes, boutique shops, cafés serving traditional Bolognese cuisine, and bustling markets that showcase local life.

INTERESTED IN EXPLORING MORE OF ITALY?

Add on an optional pre- or post-retreat experience

Consider extending your stay to experience more of Italy, whether it’s the magical Renaissance culture of Florence (only 30 minutes from Bologna), the colourful clifftop villages of Cinque Terre, the ruins of Rome or the lemon groves of the Amalfi Coast.

GET IN TOUCH & WE’LL REACH OUT ABOUT NEXT STEPS

Your retreat experience includes:

The retreat fee does not include:
Airfare, alcohol & optional excursion into Bologna city centre

Pricing

$3,950 CDN for shared twin room (4 single beds available)

$4,250 CDN for private room, some double, some single (10 rooms available)
Rooms are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment plan available.

HOW DO I BOOK?

If you are interested in this experience, we will set up a short Zoom meeting with you to answer any questions you have and let you know about the rooms that are available. After our call, we will confirm your participation. 

A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 CDN is required upon confirmation of participation to reserve your spot. 

The balance of your retreat fee is due by Feb. 15, 2026.  

These retreats sell out quickly.
Get in touch to book your Zoom call. 

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

The best part of this retreat experience?

We’ve done all the work for you, including finding the best return flight from Toronto, arranging for transport and planning a wonderful week of meals and activities. All you need to do is pack your bag and show up.

GET IN TOUCH AND WE’LL REACH OUT ABOUT NEXT STEPS!