Folk & Fungi
31 October - 4 November 2024
Join the Meadowsweet family over this Samhain for Folk & Fungi, an intimate gathering of maximum 14 people exploring the mysteries of mycology and the magic of folk music. Enjoy intimate performances from Sam Lee, whose folk songs and ancient tales will transport you to a world of old. Gather around the crackling fire for evening rhythm and song jams, celebrating the season with music that connects us to our roots. Wander through the woods on foraging and mushroom hunts with expert guide Foraged by Fern, exploring the underground wonders of the mycelium and discovering the interconnectedness of nature.
“Meadowsweet embodies everything I could have dreamt of for a retreat. The Folk and Fungi was curated with so much thought and brought together by the wonderful family, there is a deep connection to the beautiful land, sensational ego breaking workshops, deep relaxation, hot and cold therapy and delicious food from their own soil. I couldn’t have asked for more. A truly magical place.” Benjamin Cooke, Folk & Fungi 2023
What’s included at this gathering?
Four Nights of Luxury Accommodation: Stay in a beautiful Tuscan villa in a 2000-hectare nature reserve in the Tuscan mountains.
Morning Meditation and Movement: Begin each day with rituals of movement, yoga, and guided breath work for participants of all levels.
Full Board of Organic Nourishment: Indulge in abundant feasts of organic meals, lovingly crafted by Chippy of Trewhitts. Experience the primal joy of cooking in the forest, with dishes prepared over open flames, and communal banquets that bring everyone together to share in the sacred nourishment of fire-cooked meals, homemade snacks, and wildcrafted healing elixirs.
Intimate Live Performances: Be transported by the cosmic soundscapes of award-winning folk singer Sam Lee, whose soul-stirring melodies will weave through the night, awakening the timeless within.
Daily Mushroom Foraging: Embark on guided foraging adventures with Fern Freud of ‘Foraged by Fern’, as she opens the doorway to the hidden realms of the forest, revealing the symbiotic magic of mushrooms.
Seasonal Wildcrafting Workshops: Use ancient skills to create art with nature.
Voice Activation and Group Singing: Awaken your voice and join the harmonic current in group singing, tuning into the subtle vibrations of the universe as you unlock your inner frequency.
Nature Hikes and Wild Swimming: Wander into the woods and plunge into crystal-clear waters, reconnecting to the wild pulse of the earth through forest bathing and refreshing wild swims.
Daily Sharing Circles and Earth-Honoring Rituals: Gather in sacred circles to share, reflect, and honor the cycles of nature, deepening your connection to the earth and each other in ceremonies rooted in ancient wisdom.
Wood-Fire Sauna: Enter the warmth of a wood-fired sauna hidden within the forest, a space where fire, steam, and spirit blend to rejuvenate your essence.
Free Time for Self-Reflection: Enjoy ample free time to slow down, reflect, and recharge, whether by wandering through the meadows, relaxing by the saltwater infinity pool, or journaling in solitude.
Cosmic Evening Rituals: As the sun fades, journey with native plant medicine in transcendent evening music sessions, crystal bowl sound healing, and Samhain celebrations that will carry you into the stars.
Samhain Celebration: Gather in ceremony to honor Samhain, a time of reflection and release, as we celebrate the cycles of life and the bounty of the earth.
Thoughtful Meadowsweet Gifts: Receive special Meadowsweet gifts as tokens of gratitude for your presence, honoring the deep connections formed during this sacred gathering.
Not included: Airfare, transportation outside of that listed in the trip itinerary, alcoholic drinks, massages, gratuities for drivers and staff
Meet your hosts
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Amanda, affectionately known as "The Wild Tea Lady," brings over 30 years of rich experience in foraging, tea making with wild plants, and intuitive herbalism. With a deep, heartfelt connection to nature, Amanda has devoted her life to understanding and honoring the wisdom of the plants that surround us. Her passion and expertise have guided countless individuals on a journey to reconnect with the earth’s bountiful gifts.
In this retreat, Amanda invites you to join her in the beautiful ritual of making flower essences. With her gentle guidance, you will learn to capture the spirit of the plants, honoring their essence in a way that is both respectful and profoundly enriching. Through her teachings, Amanda fosters a deep appreciation for the delicate art of creating these powerful botanical elixirs, imbuing each moment with a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world.
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Phoebe Maria is a multifaceted healer and artist, known for her roles as a sound healer, yoga teacher, female empowerment photographer, singing coach, and ceremonialist. With six years of dedicated work with indigenous communities in South America, Phoebe has honed her skills in sharing the profound gift of music in nature and ceremony. Her deep connection to these ancient traditions and her vibrant, soulful approach create transformative experiences for all who work with her.
In this retreat, Phoebe will guide our minds, bodies, and spirits through a harmonious blend of movement, sound, and ceremony. Drawing inspiration from the wild flowers, she will lead us in a journey that intertwines the beauty of nature with the healing power of music and ritual. Through her gentle yet powerful guidance, Phoebe invites us to explore and embrace our inner landscapes, fostering a deeper connection to ourselves and the natural world.
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Sam Lee is a renowned British folk singer, song collector, and environmental activist whose deep connection to nature, especially mushrooms, plays a significant role in his work. With a passion for reviving traditional British folk songs, Lee has traveled extensively, gathering music from the Romani and Traveller communities, which he reinterprets through his unique voice and modern folk sound. His music is often infused with themes of nature and the environment, reflecting his commitment to conservation and the natural world.
Sam Lee’s connection to mushrooms goes beyond foraging; he sees them as symbols of interconnectedness and transformation, much like the folk traditions he works to preserve. His deep love for the wild manifests in his storytelling and his immersive "Singing with Nightingales" events, where participants gather in natural settings to listen to birds and sing in harmony with the land. Through his music and his love for foraging, particularly mushrooms, Lee encourages others to reconnect with nature, understand its rhythms, and protect its biodiversity.
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Fern Freud is a passionate forager, herbalist, and educator with a special love for the world of wild mushrooms. Based in the UK, she runs Foraged by Fern, where she shares her deep knowledge of fungi through workshops, guided foraging walks, and seasonal events. Fern teaches people how to identify and harvest edible mushrooms sustainably, emphasizing the connection between humans and the natural world. She is known for her ability to make the complex world of mushrooms accessible and inspiring, helping others reconnect with the earth through the ancient practice of foraging.
Pricing and Rooms
Standard accommodation is based upon shared twin rooms with another person joining the retreat, however if you prefer your privacy there are various rates for your own double room or the Fig Tree Cottage, with its own living room and kitchen.
Our retreat provides double rooms and a cozy private cottage for those attending as couples or friends. Dive into an unforgettable summer experience dedicated to immersing yourself in nature, exploring sustainable methods, and savoring delicious farm to table cuisine—a journey sure to deepen your knowledge of the natural world.
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Our cosy Clover room with a single bed and ensuite shower room. Views over the forest.
£1200
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Light spacious twin rooms with a shared ensuite bathroom with rain shower and bathtub. You’ll be sharing with another guest of the same gender on the retreat.
Olive Tree is a 5 minute walk from the main retreat house with views over the vineyards.
£1300
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Light spacious twin rooms with their own private ensuite bathrooms with rain shower. You’ll be sharing with another woman on the retreat.
£1500
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Light spacious double room with a beautiful floor to ceiling window overlooking the forest with a shared ensuite bathroom with rain shower and bathtub.
Olive Tree is a 5 minute walk from the main retreat house with views over the vineyards.
£1700
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Fig Tree cottage is nestled next to the retreat house and the nature reserve. It has it’s own private living room, kitchenette and king size bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Fig Tree is a retreat within the retreat.
£2000
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Beautiful private double rooms with their own private ensuite bathrooms with rain shower.
Each room is designed uniquely with panoramic views over the valley and vineyards.
£2000
If you would like to share any of these private rooms with a partner, family or friends you will be charged an additional £800 per person.
All prices are in £ GBP
Bursary Places
Our bursary offerings are available at a reduced rate of £1250 for a space in one of our villa twin rooms shared with another guest of the same gender on the retreat. In some cases we will accept a 3 part payment plan, or a pay what you can bursary.
Our bursary places are favouring but are not exclusive to musicians who are willing to share their music during the retreat, understanding that life as a musician can come with financial constraints. These bursaries provide a chance to immerse in the enriching experiences of musical workshops, intimate performances, finding solace in nature, and exploring the wild Tuscan mountains. It’s crucial that folks interested in this opportunity personally submit their applications, as we do not accept third-party submissions. This is a unique chance to connect with like-minded individuals and enrich the retreat atmosphere with your music.
FAQ
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Meadowsweet will organise a shared minibus to and from Pisa airport for at 1pm on the arrival day of the retreat and departing the villa at 11am on the final day of the retreat. Transfers are £75 per person and the journey takes just under 2 hours.
If you require a private taxi from Pisa or Florence airport at another time we can assist in booking a driver for you for £150.
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if you have not organised a payment plan, we require you to pay the full amount upfront to secure your spot.
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We are able to offer payment plans, please e-mail us to find out more. As our retreats are small and intimate, every spot on the retreat is incredibly important to us so please book with intention to make it.
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Refunds for the remaining amount depends on when we receive the cancellation. Should you need to cancel with more than 6 weeks until the retreat date, we charge a £250 cancellation fee and you will be refunded the remainder of your payment. Should you need to cancel between 6 and 2 weeks of the retreat date, you will forfeit the £500. Finally, under no circumstance will there be any refunds given for cancellation requests made within 2 weeks of the retreat date.
*Due to current COVID restrictions and the unpredictability of what the next months will hold, we will continuously monitor the COVID situation in the Italy. Should we have to cancel the retreat, we will notify you as soon as possible and issue a full refund.
**All guests must obtain their own medical insurance before attending Meadowsweet Retreat as we are in a very wild location with mountainous terrain and there is the possibility of seeing snakes.