Retreat with with Tony Conner
PUGLIA, ITALY
1st to 8th March 2028
ABOUT TONY CONNER
Tony Conner’s path as a self-taught artist has followed a serious and active course that has been dedicated to a single medium – watercolor - and an apprenticeship to its unique disciplines.
While primarily expressing and interpreting the landscape and seascape, his paintings reflect an interest in a variety of subjects.
He prefers working from direct observation. Whether it is a landscape, seascape, still life or figure model, he is attracted to a particular scene or viewpoint based on the pattern of individual objects, contrasts of color, value, or intensity and, most of all, the quality of light.
Conner’s paintings are widely exhibited in juried, group and solo exhibits. His work has been included in many national juried exhibits including the New England Watercolor Society National Biennial, Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, and the Hudson Valley Art Association Annual National Exhibition, among others.
He is a Signature Member of both the New England and Vermont Watercolor Societies and an Artist Member of the North Shore Arts Association.
PUGLIA, THE RETREAT LOCATION
Puglia is the southernmost eastern region of Italy. Its coastline, the Adriatic in the east, the Ionian south and west, is one of the most beautiful in all of Italy, with silvery olive orchards stretching all the way to the long sandy beaches touched by the one of the clearest and cleanest seas in the Mediterranean. It is an ancient land, and one which was invaded many times in its history. One can still see towers built to ward off invaders centuries ago.
MASSERIA SPECULA - THE VENUE
Masseria Specula was built in 1611 and was the powerhouse of the local town Specchiarica for more than four centuries. Originally a working dairy farm, its stables once housed goats and cows, whose milk and cheese was bought by the local community. Then, from the 1950s onwards, the Masseria fell into disuse and was abandoned for seven decades.
For Carlo, its current owner, the place has always held a special significance. He knew the Masseria from childhood, when he would play in the abandoned building with his friends. Years later, he bought it from from a childhood friend whose family had owned it for generations. In 2023, Carlo began an ambitious restoration project, transforming the once-loved farm into the retreat centre it is today. A year later, Masseria Specula opened its doors, welcoming its first guests in 2024.
THE ROOMS
Private bathrooms | Wi-Fi | AC & Heating | Double beds or single beds
THE FOOD
We have a kitchen team like no other, which is made of grandmas in their 60s. They have not gone to hotel school, nor had previous jobs, but they learned to cook over a lifetime of being in their home kitchens, from the recipes their mothers taught them. Their recipes bring the authentic flavours of Puglia to life. We are proud to share their stories and their meals, with every retreat group that joins us around the table.
THE PROGRAM
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![A white building with multiple stories and small windows, illuminated by sunlight, located near a stone wall and arched in the foreground, under a clear blue sky.]()
DAY 1 (1st March)
Arrivals
Welcome drink and introduction to the history of the venue
Dinner
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![A calm body of water with a few birds floating on it, bordered by green bushes and trees, with a distant hilly shoreline under a cloudy sky.]()
DAY 2 (2nd March)
Breakfast
Hike to the beach and salt lake where flamingoes live
Lunch
Workshop with Tony
Dinner
Bonfire
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![A corner of a room with a black wooden table, a small wooden chair, a basket, and a framed picture on the table. There's a bottled water and an upside-down glass on a tray on the table. The wall is white with textured stone details, and sunlight creates shadows on the floor and table.]()
DAY 3 (3rd March)
Breakfast
Workshop with Tony
Lunch
Workshop with Tony
Dinner
Bonfire
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![Historical stone church with round clock and dome, surrounded by colorful flowers and a courtyard.]()
DAY 4 (4th March)
Breakfast
Workshop with Tony
Lunch
Free time
Pasta making workshop
Dinner
Bonfire
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![Watercolor painting of a forest scene with trees, birds, a fox, and a sitting figure, created on a sketchbook page, surrounded by art supplies on a wooden table.]()
DAY 5 (5th March)
Breakfast
Excursion to Ostuni
Lunch out in Ostuni
Free time
Dinner
Bonfire
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![Scenic view of white cliffs with caves along a turquoise harbor, ocean with boats, and clear water revealing rocks beneath.]()
DAY 6 (6th March)
Breakfast
Workshop with Tony
Lunch
Workshop with Tony
Dinner
Bonfire
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![DAY 7 (7th March)]()
DAY 7 (7th March)
Breakfast
Workshop with Tony
Lunch
Free time
Wine Tasting
Dinner
Bonfire
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DAY 8
Breakfast
Goodbyes and departures
BOOK YOUR SPOT
Single room: € 3620 per person
Shared room at the main venue (shared with 1 other person): € 2750 per person
Reserve your spot with a €1000 deposit.
The remaining balance is due by the 31st December 2027
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS UNTIL WE CONFIRM THAT THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF GUESTS FOR THIS RETREAT HAS BEEN REACHED, AND THEREFORE THE RETREAT IS CONFIRMED TO TAKE PLACE. IF THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IS NOT REACHED, A FULL REFUND WILL BE ISSUED.
What’s included:
Art classes.
Exclusive use of the entire property including all common areas, workshop spaces and exterior spaces.
Accommodation at Masseria Specula.
All meals at the venue.
Complimentary fruit, water, coffee, tea.
Self guided hikes to the beach or to a natural salt lake where flamingoes live.
Day trip to Ostuni
Pasta making workshop at the venue.
Wine tasting at the venue.
Roundtrip airport transfer from/to Brindisi Airport (BDS).
All tourist taxes and fees.
What’s not included:
Airplane tickets.
Travel insurance.
Airport pick-up / drop-off from airports other than Brindisi Airport.
Meals outside of the venue, including in Ostuni.
Anything not listed in the “What’s Included“ section above.