Buy the Ticket First: Art, Italy & the Courage to Stop Waiting

Aug 14

Think an Italian art retreat is only for “real artists”? Think again.

In this episode of Bucket List Retreats: The Podcast, Kelly Morgan Merly travels—at least conversationally—to the heart of Umbria, Italy, with Cynthia Morgan of Umbrian Art Retreats for Italy Lovers.

Cynthia shares how a love of travel, an Italian villa, a printing press, and creative synergy grew into immersive art retreats where guests don’t simply visit Italy—they leave feeling like they have friends there.

We go behind the villa doors to talk about:

• What makes an Italian art retreat so special
• Why you don’t need to consider yourself an artist to attend
• Creating alongside artists from around the world
• The magic of experiencing authentic everyday life in Umbria
• Traveling solo and finding the courage to try something new
• Turning retreat guests into future retreat teachers
• The reality of profitable, break-even, canceled, and money-losing retreats
• Why a large following doesn’t guarantee a sold-out experience
• What Cynthia has learned about collaboration, marketing, and trusting her instincts

Cynthia is refreshingly honest about both sides of the retreat dream: the creativity, community, food, wine, and beautiful Italian setting—and the business behind making it happen.

Her message is simple: stop waiting until everything is perfect. Buy the ticket, make room for the experiences that feed your soul, and don’t let “I’m not an artist” keep you from exploring your creativity.

Cynthia from Umbrian Art Retreats for Italy Lovers

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/spritzandsatire

Facebook Group:
https://facebook.com/groups/umbrianartretreatsforitalylovers

EXPLORE CYNTHIA’S 2027 & 2028 RETREATS AT THE VILLA

Medieval Illumination Retreat:
https://tinyurl.com/BookIlluminationRetreat

Gelliprint & Collage Retreat:
https://tinyurl.com/GelliprintandCollageRetreat

Lino Print Retreat:
https://tinyurl.com/LinoPrintRetreat

Printmaking Retreat:
https://tinyurl.com/PrintmakingRetreat

FOLLOW BUCKET LIST RETREATS The Podcast on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Visit https://bucketlistretreats.com

COME WITH US THIS WINTER TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
BucketListRetreats.com/Dominican-Republic

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, subscribe on YouTube, and share this episode with someone dreaming of Italy.