The Team Behind
Breathe Tuscany
WOMEN’S WELLNESS RETREATS IN TUSCANY
Behind every detail of your stay, on our wellness retreats and private retreats alike, is a small team who have helped build this retreat centre over the years. Many have become dear friends. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise, and they genuinely love what they do, from the food on your plate to the stories shared over dinner. Here are some of the people you may meet during your time with us.
Shape the days however
you like
Why Tuscany
A Place That Already Knows How to Slow Down
Tuscany doesn’t need to be taught how to rest. Meals stretch for hours. Afternoons are meant for shade and conversation. The hills, the olive groves, the golden light — none of it is in a hurry, and neither will you be.
This isn’t a backdrop. It’s part of the medicine. When the pace of a place changes, something in you changes with it.
Five nights. One villa. A rhythm of life you’ll want to bring home with you.
MICHELA
Local Chef
Michela has lived in this part of Tuscany her whole life, and it shows in every dish she makes. Everything is prepared by hand, using techniques passed down through generations of local women before her. She's also a beekeeper, producing the local honey you'll taste throughout your stay.
“My mother taught me to cook this way, and her grandmother taught her. I’m just continuing the story.”
Ask me about the honey, and where the bees live.
ROY
Fine Dining Chef
Roy has cooked in some of the world's most celebrated kitchens, from The Nelson in South Africa to The Dorchester in London. These days, he brings that same precision and creativity to our retreat table, blending fine dining technique with the simplicity of Tuscan ingredients. He's also known for his homemade grappa, infused with Tuscan honey and saffron, a retreat favourite guests ask about long after they've left.
“Great food doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs care.”
Ask me about: the story behind the grappa.
Massimiliano
Logistics & Evening Host
Fluent in four languages and training as an elite athlete, Massimiliano keeps the retreat running smoothly behind the scenes and keeps the table entertained after dinner. As the host's son, he's grown up around this retreat property and knows every corner of it. He also happens to be a trained baritone, and very nearly sang for the King of England in 2026. Why he had to decline is a story best saved for the dinner table.
“Ask me over dinner. It’s a good one.”
Secret: At just 5'7", he once trialed for a GB national team. Not basketball, but bobsleigh, which raised a few eyebrows.
Antonio
Farmhouse Retreat Centre Manager
Antonio looks after the property inside and out, and looks after our guests too. As Joanna's husband, he brings a personal, hands-on care to everything at the farmhouse retreat centre. If you need anything during your stay, he's the one to ask.
“If something needs fixing, or you just need something, just shout.”
Secret: He's a padel and white-water rafting enthusiast in his spare time.
SHIRLEY
Beauty Therapist
Originally from Uganda and later based in London, Shirley spent years as a consultant and therapist for Elemis, working with high-profile clients including Princess Diana. She now brings decades of expertise to our guests, offering treatments designed to help you fully unwind during your stay in Tuscany.
“Wellness isn’t a luxury. It’s something everyone deserves to feel.”d doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs care.”
Ask me about: the most memorable client I've worked with.
CLAUDIO
Countryside Caretaker
Claudio works alongside Antonio to look after the olive groves, woodland and hillside around the property. He cuts the grass, keeps the paths and open areas clear, and cuts back unwanted brambles, so the walking routes and outdoor spaces stay open and ready for you to enjoy from the moment you arrive.
“The mountains looks after themselves, mostly. I just keep your spaces clear clean and open.”
Ask me about: the countryside, from the porcini mushrooms to flora and fauna.
Alessia
Cocktail Maker
Alessia has spent years behind the bar in local establishments, mastering the art of the traditional Italian cocktail. She brings energy and genuine passion to every drink she makes, turning happy hour into one of the highlights of a retreat evening.
“A good cocktail should feel like a little celebration.”
Favorite cocktail: Limoncello Spritz.
GIUSEPPE
Local Produce Provider
A retired woodcutter with a personality as big as his heart, Giuseppe supplies the farmhouse with everything from fresh eggs to seasonal vegetables. He also helps harvest the olives from the trees around the property, the very olives that become the organic olive oil you'll taste throughout your stay.
“Everything tastes better when you’ve grown it yourself.”