Casa Cares is defined in various ways, including an organic farm, a practical taste of eco-friendly life, an international experience, a Waldensian presence in the Tuscan countryside, life in historical buildings. Of course our first task is that of hospitality, but even for this there are several definitions. Technically we are a Casa per ferie, literally a house for holidays but actually something particularly Italian in that the term was created to define Catholic guest facilities. Our dozen or so Waldensian and Methodist centers placed ourselves under the umbrella of our Roman colleagues.
But we also call ourselves a meeting and retreat center. The usefulness of Casa Cares as a center for meetings is confirmed by the fact that the great majority of our overnights comes from groups to whom either we offer programs or who, much more frequently, conduct their own, whether church, school, art, therapy, music, reunions or some other reason for persons to come together.
The retreat part has been less evident. From our experience in Oikosnet (Association of Academies and Laity Centres in Europe), which includes global partners, we have come to realize the diversity worldwide in the approach to retreat. Spiritual retreat has been a heritage of Italy for centuries. With the exception of the British Isles, however, otherwise in Europe one does not often find structures for spiritual retreat, especially of laity, along the lines of what one finds in the United States and Canada.
Perhaps the nature of the Waldensian expression of faith, and that of Protestantism in general, has not valued enough the dimension of spiritual retreat. There is more commitment to action, to activity than to stopping or at least slowing down. But in the hectic, never-a-dull-moment world of today the need to retreat is becoming more important and valued, maybe often urgent. The interest in Western culture for yoga and meditation might be considered signs of this need.
Despite being one of the best months to be in Tuscany, September for us typically has been a slow month. So this year we combine our room availability with a discount offer, which we believe will appeal especially to persons who want or need to step back or step out for a moment from their routine or pace. The offer is one extra free night with breakfast every two nights booked (3 for 2, 6 for 4, etc.):
Room with bath, double occupancy, breakfast – 3 nights at 2 x € 34= € 68
Room with adjacent bath, double occupancy, breakfast – 3 nights at 2 x € 29= €58.
Main meal availability at € 13 will depend upon the number of guests at the moment.
But we also call ourselves a meeting and retreat center. The usefulness of Casa Cares as a center for meetings is confirmed by the fact that the great majority of our overnights comes from groups to whom either we offer programs or who, much more frequently, conduct their own, whether church, school, art, therapy, music, reunions or some other reason for persons to come together.
The retreat part has been less evident. From our experience in Oikosnet (Association of Academies and Laity Centres in Europe), which includes global partners, we have come to realize the diversity worldwide in the approach to retreat. Spiritual retreat has been a heritage of Italy for centuries. With the exception of the British Isles, however, otherwise in Europe one does not often find structures for spiritual retreat, especially of laity, along the lines of what one finds in the United States and Canada.
Perhaps the nature of the Waldensian expression of faith, and that of Protestantism in general, has not valued enough the dimension of spiritual retreat. There is more commitment to action, to activity than to stopping or at least slowing down. But in the hectic, never-a-dull-moment world of today the need to retreat is becoming more important and valued, maybe often urgent. The interest in Western culture for yoga and meditation might be considered signs of this need.
Despite being one of the best months to be in Tuscany, September for us typically has been a slow month. So this year we combine our room availability with a discount offer, which we believe will appeal especially to persons who want or need to step back or step out for a moment from their routine or pace. The offer is one extra free night with breakfast every two nights booked (3 for 2, 6 for 4, etc.):
Room with bath, double occupancy, breakfast – 3 nights at 2 x € 34= € 68
Room with adjacent bath, double occupancy, breakfast – 3 nights at 2 x € 29= €58.
Main meal availability at € 13 will depend upon the number of guests at the moment.
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