The Retreat is our art studio run by British Artist John W. Skelcher and his
German partner Jana. We moved to Le Marche in 2006afetr 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 daughter, our dog Phoebe and a 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....