About the Renaissance Retreat at Castello di Postignano
Join me for an enchanting seven-day getaway at the Castello di Postignano, a medieval borgo (hamlet) in Umbria!
The painting theme varies from Retreat to Retreat: sometimes we’ll work to make a Renaissance Portrait, a portrait in a landscape, while for others we’ll focus primarily on landscape.
If you are enthusiastic about portraiture and landscape or landscape only as a subject, and are a beginner or advanced painter in pursuit of adventure and community, this is an experience for you!
Time not painting is dedicated to special activities enjoyed by all painters and accompanying family/companions: learning to cook, tasting wines, swimming in the glorious outdoor pool, touring the beautiful city of Spoleto, visiting the enchanting city and church of Assisi or horse-back riding on the plains near Casteluccio.
Our Partners
All traveling and excursions operated by Tasting Travel di D. Cittadoni
Via III settembre snc
06049 Spoleto (PG)
p.i 02874870542
Tour operator e Guida Turistica Autorizzata regolarmente iscritta CCIAA PG-248310
About Castello di Postignano
Castello di Postignano is an historic medieval fortified hamlet, located in Valnerina in the heart of Umbria, that had languished abandoned for decades.
A passionate and dedicated team has given it a new lease of life, as multi-building hotel, implementing this remarkable restoration project paying meticulous attention to every single detail.
The Food & Wine
La Casa Rosa is the real heart of the Postignano castle. Its cuisine is simple, and its philosophy is based on great care, respect for local traditions and excellent quality of the fresh ingredients. The welcoming staff will make you feel at home even if you just drop in for a coffee.
The Tavola Rossa finds its place in a universe defined by Art, Culture and Beauty. It’s a place where pleasure and taste are masterfully guided by award-winning Chef Vincenzo Guarino, who will be the one leading the guests through an ever changing and surprising journey between inspiration, knowledge and source ingredients of the highest quality. An all-round sensory experience, more than a simply culinary one.
Video Highlights from Past Retreats
2019 – October
2018 – October
Location of Castello di Postignano
What to See and Do While Staying at the Castello?
The Castello di Postignano website has a great feature that presents all of the sites and cultural experience in and around its location, and makes it even possible to filter the location according to means of transport: by foot, by bike, by car, etc.
The Apartments, Spaces and Spa
Special Excursions
The 7-Day Renaissance Retreat Schedule and Painting Program – Landscape Only
We strongly recommend that you arrive in Rome at least the day before the scheduled pick-up and transfer from Rome to Castello di Postignano… and schedule your return flight for at least the day after the transfer from Castello di Postignano to Rome.
Day 1
Morning
9:00 am: Meet in Rome. Exact location TBA.
- Transfer to Castello di Postignano. Estimated time of arrival: 13:00
Afternoon
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch
14:00 – 16:00 : Free time
- Rest / Swim / Spa* / Massage* / Yoga* Other*
16:30 – 18:30:
- Tour of Castello di Postignano
- Introduction to the Painting Course
Evening
19:00 – 20:00: Aperitivo
- Slide Show in the Chiesa
20:00 – 21:30: Dinner at Castello di Postignano
Day 2
Morning
8:00 – 9:00: Breakfast
9:15 – 10:30: Painting the Landscape
- Scouting our first location
10:30 – 12:00: Cooking Lesson
Afternoon
12:00 – 13:00: eat what you cooked!
14:00 – 15:15: Free Time
- Rest / Swim / Spa* / Massage* / Yoga* Other*
15:30 – 18:30: Painting the landscape
- 5 masses / 5 values
Evening
19:00 – 20:00: Aperitivo
- Slide Show in the Chiesa
20:00 to 21:30: Dinner
- Dinner at Castello di Postignano
Day 3
Morning
7:00 – 8:00: Breakfast
8:15 – 9:00: Transfer to Monteluco
9:15 – 15:30: Visit the sacred woods of Monteluco, then travel to Piatrico to hunt for truffles and enjoy a robust lunch.
Afternoon
15:30 – 16:15: Transfer to Spoleto
16:15 – 18:30: Tour of Spoleto, including the museum of archaeology, the ancient Roman theatre, museo del tessuto e del costume
Evening
19:30 – 21:00: Light Dinner in Spoleto
21:15: Return to Postignano
Day 4
Morning
8:00 – 9:00: Breakfast
9:30 – 12:30: Painting the Landscape
- Developing composition: pictorial space and illusional space
Afternoon
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch
14:00 – 15:15: Free Time
- Rest / Swim / Spa* / Massage* / Yoga* Other*
15:30 – 18:00: Painting the landscape
- Developing composition: atmospheric perspective
Evening
19:00 – 20:00: Wine Tasting
20:00 – 21:30: Dinner at Castello di Postignano
Day 5
Morning
7:00 – 8:00: Breakfast
8:30 – 9:45: Travel to Assisi
10:15 – 11:15: Guided visit of the Hermitage (1 hour)
11:30 – 12:30: Visit the city, free time (1 hour)
Afternoon
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch in Assisi
14:30 – 16:00: Guided visit of the Basilica (1.5 hours)
16:15 – 17:30: Return to the Castello
19:00 – 20:00: Wine Tasting
Evening
20:00 – 21:30: Dinner at Castello di Postignano
Day 6
Morning
8:00 – 9:00: Breakfast
9:30 – 12:30: Painting the Landscape
- Putting things together
Afternoon
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch
14:00 – 15:15: Free Time
- Rest / Swim / Spa* / Massage* / Yoga* Other*
15:30 – 18:00: Last round of plein air… then pack up paintings!
19:00 – 20:00: Aperitivo
- Drinks on the Terrace!
Evening
18:30 – 21:30: Farewell party and dinner
Day 7
Morning
7:00 – 9:00: Breakfast
9:30: Departure – Transfer to Rome. Estimated time of arrival in Rome: 13:00
Note: activities indicated with an asterisk (*) are extracurricular activities and are not included in the package price of the Retreat and must be booked in advance. If you are interested in these activities, please let us know in the Registration Form below.
What Does it Cost?
The Renaissance Retreat at the Castello di Postignano is…. The total cost varies according to room choice and the number of people in the room.
The total cost for a single Participant with his or her own room starts at €6,111.
The total cost for two Participants sharing a room is €11,049.
The final price is calculated once we know:
- How many in the group.
- How many want single apartments vs. how many want to share an apartment
The cost does NOT include all the extra-curricular activities (marked with an asterisk *) like yoga or massage. These are booked once you are at the Castello. Airfare and/or travel to Rome is also not included.
We strongly recommend that you arrive in Rome at least the day before the scheduled pick-up and transfer from Rome to Castello di Postignano… and schedule your return flight for at least the day after the transfer from Castello di Postignano.
We also strongly recommend you buy travel insurance in the event you have to cancel. Please read carefully our Terms and Conditions prior to booking.
Transfer to and from custom locations is possible at an additional charge.
How Do I Register?
Registration is a 3-step process. Using the Registration form below, you can:
- Indicate the total number of people and the room category.
- Provide your Contact Information
- Confirm your Registration Information
Very important:
- Payment is NOT due at the time of Registration.
- After we have received and reviewed your information, we will send you a Request for Payment for a Deposit of 30% of the total cost per Painting Participant and Non-Painting Companion.
- Once we have received the Deposit, your reservation and participation is secure.
- The Deposit is non-refundable.
- The remaining amount is due 60 days prior to the start of the Retreat.
- Please read carefully our Terms and Conditions.
Ready to Register?
Should the above dates not work for you and your group, Custom Retreats are possible. Please contact me using the Questions form for details.
For any and all questions that you don’t find an answer to on this web page, please use the Questions form to contact me or send a message via WhatsApp: +39 347 263 1033.
—Timothy Joseph Allen
Your Painting Teacher and Renaissance Retreat Organizer
Questions Before You Register?
Please send us any questions you may have using the Questions form below and we’ll be happy to reply as soon as possible.
Meet the Painter and Organizer, Timothy Joseph Allen

Tim working on a recent portrait in his studio in Rome.
Greetings! My name is Tim. I’ve been a figurative painter since 1992, I’ve lived in Italy since 1998, I’ve taught at The American University of Rome since 2006, and I have managed and directed my own painting school in Rome–The Painting and Drawing Art Studio of Rome–since 2010.
I’ve been doing the Renaissance Retreats now for over two years. There is nothing quite like it: the locations, the landscapes, the people, the food, the wine and the painting all combine for an extraordinary experience.
I hope you’ll join me in Umbria at the Castello di Postignano!
–Tim
For more about Tim and his paintings, please visit his website.
Meet the Tour Operator and Your Guide through Umbria, Daniela Cittadoni
Daniela Cittadoni, a native of Spoleto, Italy and an experienced and licenced travel director and tour guide, is the vital force behind Mother Umbria. For over fifteen years, Daniela has been involved in all aspects of the Italian tourism business with a focus on her home region of Umbria. Daniela has helped individuals, couples, families, and specialty groups achieve their goal to experience the life-affirming vacation of their dreams. Her extensive knowledge of Umbrian history, art, and Italian cuisine is second to none.
Mother Umbria also collaborates with many experts in various fields, including chefs at selected restaurants, sommeliers at well-known wineries, and authentic olive oil producers.
Specializing in custom-tailored tours and the above-mentioned services, Daniela is today one of the best and most knowledgeable tour leaders in the tourism industry today, the perfect choice for your unique traveling experience throughout Umbria.
For more about Daniela and her travel company, please visit her website.
Painting the Landscape – What Can You Expect to Learn?
Painting en plein air, our primary considerations will be:
- Composition – consideration of scale and the arrangement of the subject(s) within the frame.
- Light and Contrast- management of light in connection to the specific subjects vs. management of light of the whole (the light pattern).
- Color and Atmospheric Perspective – discussions on color strategies: to what extent should the palette serve the local color versus the use of the subject in the service of the palette? How should color function in the service of atmospheric perspective?