Reviews - Tuscany Mediation Retreat

Reviews of the Tuscany Mediation Retreat - 2012 -2025

“It was titled as a Mediation Retreat, not a workshop, not a seminar, not a conference, not a training course. There were no PowerPoints, yet the points made were powerful. There were no lectures, but there were extremely valuable lessons learned. There were no flipcharts, but preconceived perceptions were overturned. There were no tests, but the results were amazing. We reached beyond what we thought were the limits of our capacity”. Bill Holohan SC, Cork, Ireland 2025 Retreat

“I have just returned from an engaging week where our hosts Greg Rooney and Margaret Ross accompanied us on an introspective journey within ourselves, leaving us free to wander in our thoughts and personal paths. I return home new friends and with important baggage, probably still to be developed further in my everyday practice.” Sergio Fontana, Modena Italy 2024 and 2025 Retreat

“The retreat and the experience were beyond my expectations. We just went with the flow, discussed things deeply, discovered new things about ourselves, were willingly to reflect and think about them, all with a view of looking at mediation through a different and new pair of eyes.” Kevin Ng, Singapore, 2024 Retreat,

Thank you so much for the wonderful retreat experience. It was really great just to be able to talk about mediation with yourself and others and take a step back from the frenzy of always striving to do make things work for others. I am inspired to keep making that distance in the moment and have a few ideas of how to do so. My first post-retreat mediation is tomorrow so let’s see if I can put it into practice!” Martha Clarke, London UK – 2023 Retreat

“This was a real retreat where by your modelling being present helped us be present and learn much more than words can describe. You created a safe atmosphere where we could be our authentic selves. You allowed space for ’emergence’.” Nina Huhtinen, Kirkkonummi, Finland – 2019 Retreat

“We got just what we wished for: new viewpoints of mediation from different theoretical backgrounds. This retreat widened each of our thinking and strengthened our shared perspective of mediation as a human way to solve conflict” Janne Johansson, Helsinki, Finland – 2019 Retreat

“I had no expectations of this event! Little did I know when I booked how important this would be for me and how much I would gain. Each offered a part of ourselves to produce a collective understanding and shared experience that was certainly much greater than the sum of these parts.” Susan Hamilton-Green, Melbourne, Australia 2018 Retreat,

“I believe the retreat will color how I think about mediation from now on. I valued the experience level of the facilitators and the participants. It was an extremely valuable experience” Ali Ansell, Alberta, Canada – 2018 Retreat

“The Tuscany retreat is more content driven than your advertisement suggests. It is probing, thoughtful, enriching and forces reflective thought on all aspects of tangible and intangible mediator skills” Sandra Clemons, Tampa, Florida, USA – 2016 Retreat

“I am very glad to have participated in the retreat. The variety of approaches have allowed a deep reflection on my practice of mediation and especially a reflection of my presence in mediation. That reflection was sometimes addressed in a direct manner but most of the times the tools were more subtle.” Nathalie Croteau, Montreal, Canada – 2017 Retreat.

” It was a privilege to be part of the retreat. It was beautifully created as a space and time to reflect, renew and expand, to take in from others, to share my experiences both professionally and socially and to make use of my time to cherish my life as it is. There is a warmth of feeling that continues with me whenever I think of Lucolena. like a warm cloak over my shoulders that gives me security, solidarity and acknowledgment.” Maree Upton, Adelaide, Australia – 2017 retreat.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in this outstanding, interactive retreat. Each of the leaders has a unique approach to assessing important information and techniques useful to mediators. You will be exposed to mediation practice from different points of view. I would highly recommend this retreat” Dr Peter Maida, Washington DC, USA – 2017 Retreat

” I bring back the wonderful memories of the magical Lucolena, the thought provoking retreat and most of all the wonderful group of friends with whom it was both a privilege and pleasure to share the week” Ray Flaherty, Galway, Ireland – 2017 Retreat

“I really enjoyed the retreat and came home thinking that all my needs were met. What wasn’t covered in the content I was able to ask other members and presenters for answers. Thank you for putting so much effort into organising such an incredible retreat” Anne Sawtell, Brisbane, Australia – 2017 Retreat

“I really found the retreat to be greatly beneficial although the approach to teaching was different to what I expected. It was a wonderful inclusive experience” Nerida Child Dimasi, Doha, Qatar -2015 Retreat

It opened my mind to a more relaxed / less rigid way of thinking.
I think the venue is very suitable to support the relaxed approach of the workshop. It is much easier to practice the learning of unlearning in a beautiful, earthy laid-back environment without too much influence from outside.
The space to be, to consider, to reflect, to learn in a supported, supportive, enriched environment of peers.
It helped me to find ways of finding myself/ being authentic when being a mediator/conciliator.
Getting my head into the concept of ‘in the moment’. Role-plays were helpful. The Orchestra! (video).
The ‘intangibility’ of the content-the permission to explore; the ‘safe’ feeling of speaking up.
Group discussion, unity of presenters, gentle style of facilitation. Fishbowl group scenarios for learning. Videos were meaningful and visual media a refreshing tool. Nice balance of spiritual and practical skills-based content in workshop.
I really enjoyed the fourth day. This was a huge learning experience and insight into how I am able to adapt. I also loved the videos!!
The integrity and thoughtfulness with which this workshop has been prepared and presented. EXCELLENT!!
Opportunity to reflect, share with fellow professionals. The opportunity to learn, use space and the moment to explore.
Freeing my mind. Opening myself up to alternative viewpoints. Realizing you had to change yourself rather than others. Having awareness develop that one was on the right track even if your way forwards was different to people.
To be able to share experiences with the presenters and colleagues in a supportive, nurturing environment.
Having the chance to listen and to let others experience in similar circumstances wash over me. Realising that living in the moment or mindfulness has always been present in my practice – that there exist other ways of looking at it which further let one go deeper and be of greater help in situations of conflict.
Demystifying mediation, meeting and connecting with like-minded experienced and integrated people, reinforcing notion and practice of presence, light footprints, experiencing openness and generosity of all the facilitators. Sampling the delights of Tuscany!!
The total focus on the art of mediation in a group of fellow professionals.

It opened my mind to a more relaxed / less rigid way of thinking.
I think the venue is very suitable to support the relaxed approach of the workshop. It is much easier to practice the learning of unlearning in a beautiful, earthy laid-back environment without too much influence from outside.
The space to be, to consider, to reflect, to learn in a supported, supportive, enriched environment of peers.
It helped me to find ways of finding myself/ being authentic when being a mediator/conciliator.
Getting my head into the concept of ‘in the moment’. Role-plays were helpful. The Orchestra! (video).
The ‘intangibility’ of the content-the permission to explore; the ‘safe’ feeling of speaking up.
Group discussion, unity of presenters, gentle style of facilitation. Fishbowl group scenarios for learning. Videos were meaningful and visual media a refreshing tool. Nice balance of spiritual and practical skills-based content in workshop.
I really enjoyed the fourth day. This was a huge learning experience and insight into how I am able to adapt. I also loved the videos!!
The integrity and thoughtfulness with which this workshop has been prepared and presented. EXCELLENT!!
Opportunity to reflect, share with fellow professionals. The opportunity to learn, use space and the moment to explore.
Freeing my mind. Opening myself up to alternative viewpoints. Realizing you had to change yourself rather than others. Having awareness develop that one was on the right track even if your way forwards was different to people.
To be able to share experiences with the presenters and colleagues in a supportive, nurturing environment.
Having the chance to listen and to let others experience in similar circumstances wash over me. Realising that living in the moment or mindfulness has always been present in my practice – that there exist other ways of looking at it which further let one go deeper and be of greater help in situations of conflict.
Demystifying mediation, meeting and connecting with like-minded experienced and integrated people, reinforcing notion and practice of presence, light footprints, experiencing openness and generosity of all the facilitators. Sampling the delights of Tuscany!!
The total focus on the art of mediation in a group of fellow professionals.