The Retreat
The Retreat is run by British Artist John W. Skelcher and his German partner Jana. We moved to Le Marche
three years ago. We bought a derelict farm in 2004 after stumbling across it by chance on our first visit to Le Marche. 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 food and wine has inspired us to share The Retreat 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 now live here with our young daughter, our dog Phoebe and some cats.
The Retreat is an old farm consisting of 2 buildings, a
"Casa colonica" overlooking the Mountains and an old
"Rustico", an stone building overlooking Le Marche and
the Adriatic. It is set 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. The Retreat
will house a working painter's studio and dining facilities with a lovely garden to sit and paint and enjoyal fresco meals on warm summer evenings. Until our own restoration is finished, we will be running the Retreat painting holidays from Casa Quinzano which is located in a stunning nearby hill-top village. In coming seasons we will also be able to have guests staying at our own traditionally restored rustico.
three years ago. We bought a derelict farm in 2004 after stumbling across it by chance on our first visit to Le Marche. 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 food and wine has inspired us to share The Retreat 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 now live here with our young daughter, our dog Phoebe and some cats.
The Retreat is an old farm consisting of 2 buildings, a
"Casa colonica" overlooking the Mountains and an old
"Rustico", an stone building overlooking Le Marche and
the Adriatic. It is set 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. The Retreat
will house a working painter's studio and dining facilities with a lovely garden to sit and paint and enjoyal fresco meals on warm summer evenings. Until our own restoration is finished, we will be running the Retreat painting holidays from Casa Quinzano which is located in a stunning nearby hill-top village. In coming seasons we will also be able to have guests staying at our own traditionally restored rustico.
The early days at The Retreat and there was lots to do....
