Welcome to Il Chiostro Family

We started Il Chiostro in 1995 as a way to offer our artist friends an inspiring place to go to develop their creative ideas. That first season novelists, painters, dancers, cooks, singers, designers and musicians all came together to be inspired by

We started Il Chiostro in 1995 as a way to offer our artist friends an inspiring place to go to develop their creative ideas. That first season novelists, painters, dancers, cooks, singers, designers and musicians all came together to be inspired by Italy - and each other. We cooked and entertained and shared with them all of our stories about Italy.

Since then thousands of new "friends and family" have come to Italy with us seeking the same thing - a place to explore their creativity with others who share their interests.

Now we offer programs in Painting in Tuscany, Cabaret in Venice, Cooking, watercolor in Lake Garda, photography in Rome and Florence and plenty of personal development workshops at our new Tuscan Renaissance Center just outside of Siena.

We are both Italian-Americans with backgrounds in the arts. For us, there are many beautiful places in the world, but Italy has it all: food, wine, art, culture, history, music, fashion, language - and passion! We love to cook and entertain. We like bringing people together. We bring a diverse and dynamic staff with us each season as cooks, teachers, drivers and program managers to provide the most Italian-centric, inspirational week possible.

"Over the years, we came to realize that the real reason people came to our painting or photography workshops was to renew their spirit, to rediscover who they wanted to be," notes Michael Mele, co-director of Il Chiostro since 1995. "Sure, touring Tuscany and taking a class was part of it, but people were leaving different from when they came."


Wherever we go in Italy we like to make it our home. We get to know the locals and set up house so that when guests come it's like visiting friends or relatives in that place. We are thankful every day to have the opportunity to live in Italy for half of every year, introducing others to what we know and love about it. We hope you will join us - or come back - soon.

Linda Mironti and Michael Mele, Directors

About Il Chiostro

Il Chiostro
23 W. 73rd Street, #306
New York, NY
10023

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