We are trees with deep roots, sometimes invisible or forgotten.
Through various explorations, we will transform our story into an illustration rich in symbols and personal meanings, a map that will give us a broader view of our entire family system.
From 21th to 24th of May 2026, we will gather in the Tuscia region of Center Italy, betweeb Lazio and Tuscany, to reconnect and expand, to pay tribute to our lives and destinies and those of our ancestors, without whom our present would not exist.
To remember the value of those we have forgotten, to include and find peace with those who have erred, to strengthen our sense of belonging to our origins and connect with the flow of love.
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PROGRAM
Together, from a seed of light that helps us connect with the beauty of our inner garden, we will become trees. We will look at our trunk, our leaves, and our branches. We will dig into our roots and expand upward, as far as our canopy, our destiny, and our dreams desire.
Each artistic work will be preceded by a short meditation and a moment of inner listening.
The morning will be a time for processing, mainly devoted to research, activation, and investigation.
The afternoon will be a time for expression and artistic research to continue exploring through drawing the form we feel is most suitable, to freely compose our family tree.
Day 1
Blooming:
listening to one’s inner self
Day 2
Receiving from the past:
working on family history; searching through the traces left by our ancestors or discovering new stories.
Day 3
Giving to the future:
turning towards the gifts received and the fruits of our labour, but also towards new projects, dreams and mystery.
Day 4
Integrating:
we will take the time to let the seeds and fruits of our work fall, protecting them from the noise we will find outside this safe space.
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THE GUIDES
LAURA CONTINI, art therapist, family constellation practitioner, lecturer in editorial illustration and sahaja yoga practitioner, I have spent the last few years exploring how artistic expression can become a means of healing, listening, expansion and lightness
‘Without roots, you cannot fly.’ This simple phrase written on a school wall struck me deeply. I didn’t know it was by Bert Hellinger, the father of family and systemic constellations. It struck me so much that shortly afterwards I dreamt of a beautiful tree reaching towards the sky, pulsating with energy, colour and delicacy. Beneath the trunk, however, at ground level, there was a sort of trapdoor. Opening it with a movement that lifted the entire tree with extreme ease, I was surprised to find nothing inside. It was empty. This was the beginning of my journey into the world of family constellations, guided by various teachers, which allowed me to look at that emptiness. Little by little, everything found its place in my heart: what existed before and who I am today, with gratitude and fulfilment.
FRANCESCA SIDONI, co-founder of Salte Trusche, sociologist, creativity facilitator and art therapist in training, permaculturist and sustainability explorer, vegan chef, mum
I will nurture our group through simple yet powerful games and activities that connect us with nature, as well as through my healthy and delicious cooking. I am organising this retreat because I have found that just a few days of mindfulness and focus are often enough to give us the momentum to tackle everyday challenges and to unleash our energy and creativity to the full; and because I myself have benefited greatly from the programme we are now offering.
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THE PLACE
Salte Trusche, meeting point of volcanic landscapes, ancient cultures and wild nature, is the perfect place to get in tune with your true rhythm and ancestors.
Here we know how to welcome and to make our friends at ease...
...open to all form of living creatures and biodiversity.
The tree, a universal symbol of the family, will also become our teacher and the subject of our… immersive study.
Before and after your stay, if you’re travelling by car, we recommend taking the opportunity to explore the local area, starting with the water: lakes, rivers, thermal springs, waterfalls, the sea...
Hermitages carved into the rock, medieval villages, traces of the past hidden in the woods....
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INFOS
WHAT: We will create and explore our family tree through art therapy, family constellations and connection with nature during a dedicated residential retreat
WHY: Connecting with our roots helps us to reach out into the world
WHEN: 21–24 May 2026
WHERE: Salte Trusche, Farnese (VT), Tuscia, Italy – free accommodation in your own tent or B&B options nearby
WITH: Laura & Francesca with a group of up to 10 people
INFORMATION: saltetrusche@gmail.com / 3292144056
REGISTRATION: by 30 April