Strength, Sisterhood & Spritzes: Inside the First Jane DO Retreat
By Dani DeAngelo
Nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany, 22 strong, empowered women came together for the inaugural Jane DO retreat. This was my very first retreat and it far exceeded my expectations. Each morning began with a signature Jane DO workout, which gave us the opportunity to sweat out all the wine consumed the night before and set us up for strong start to the day. @rom.soulescapes curated unique daily Italian experiences, each led by remarkable local women. The days were full but the week flew by.
On the first day, Maijla and her incredible team welcomed us with open arms into a pasta-making workshop that quickly transformed into something deeper. As flour flew and dough took shape, so did the bond between all of us. We didn’t just make pasta—we shared stories, sang and laughed out loud. Mila reminded us that joy lives in the moments in between—the ones not scheduled on an itinerary.
Our culinary journey continued the next day with Priscilla @inthekitchenwithpriscilla—a true boss babe chef who infused every dish with fresh ingredients, creativity, and heart. Each meal she prepared felt like a love letter to Tuscany, connecting us to the land and its traditions in the most nourishing way. One of the most special moments was our lunch at Torre Cona, where we had the incredible opportunity to meet the author of Bella Figura, our Jane DO book club read, Kamin Mohammadi, @kaminmohammadi. She radiated warmth and grace and her presence deepened the meaning of the book and reminded us that living beautifully is an inside-out journey.
Later in the week, we tapped into our creative sides with Lisa, a talented local artist who guided us through a watercolor class that was equal parts relaxing and inspiring. Overlooking the golden Tuscan hills, we learned how to blend colors with patience and not fear making a mistake. With Aperol spritzes in hand, we painted our own versions of a lemoncello spritz, soaking in the sun and the serenity around us. Lisa’s gentle encouragement reminded us that creativity thrives when we let go, embrace imperfection, and have fun in the process.
What made this retreat unforgettable wasn’t just the setting or the experiences, but the community we created. Together, we celebrated each other’s strength, vulnerability, and individuality. We showed up for one another in every rep, every conversation, and every toast over Tuscan wine. These memories will last far beyond the retreat itself. They’ve become part of us—proof that when women come together with intention, magic happens.
