The Retreat is an art studio run by professional British artist John W. Skelcher and his
German partner Jana.

"We moved to Le Marche in 2006 after having bought a derelict property a few years
prior after stumbling across it by chance on our first visit to Le arche. It's breath-taking unspoilt views made us fall in love with it on first sight and we have since been
working on lovingly restoring it. Our passion for Italian art combined with a love for this most charming part of Italy, it's warm summers and fresh food and wine has
inspired us to share it with guests who want to experience this wonderful part of
traditional Italy. In 2006, we moved out here permanently to be able to set up a
holiday business and John's art studio, and we now live and work here with our young daughters, our dog Phoebe and Blossom, the cat.

Villa San Taddeo is an old farm consisting of 2 buildings, a Casa colonica
overlooking the Mountains and housing the The Retreat Studio as well as an old
Rustico", an stone building overlooking Le Marche and the Adriatic. It is set in an acre of land 700 meters above the sea in beautiful surroundings and a short drive from
the hill-top town of Force in Le Marche's Ascoli Piceno region.
Villa San Taddeo houses three guest rooms as well as The Retreat, a painter's studio and plenty of outdoor space with pergolas and gazebos where to sit and paint, or
simply relax and enjoy al fresco meals on warm summer evenings.

Your hosts: John and Jana

The early days at the house and there was lots to do....