The Curiosare Experience
Curiosare Italia is a family-owned passion project that combines decorative painting and the Italian lifestyle. Conceived as a luxury "day camp" for adults, this one-of-a-kind escape is a true adventure for individuals who seek an incredible and unique lifestyle experience.
Curiosare Italia was founded in 2020 by San Francisco-based Decorative Artist Caroline Lizarraga and her husband, Doctor, and Italian ex-pat Riccardo Sibilano. It combines ancient painting techniques, cooking classes, and a curated exploration of the Puglia region with Caroline and Riccardo and their extended group of experts.
The goal is for guests to shed the weight of their daily lives and fully embrace the Italian lifestyle by relaxing their minds, body, and soul. The entire experience is all-inclusive, with all your needs anticipated and met for a true luxury getaway. Guests are only responsible for getting to and from Puglia.
As the post-pandemic world reopens and travel returns to normal, Curiosare Italia will expand its classes into wellness and spirituality to refresh guests on every level, reenergizing them for their everyday lives. As our children get to escape during school breaks and summer camps, we as adults should also be able to experience new adventures curated to enlighten the spirit and engage our senses.
Over the last several years, Italy's magic has been shifting, and all eyes are now on Puglia. With its expansive olive groves, the majestic Lecce valley, and historic towns like Bari and Brindisi, its laid-back style and rustic charm have catapulted the region to the top of the international destinations lists.
Caroline and Riccardo have separated Curiosare Italia into two semesters: Spring in the South, teaching guests about faux stone and marble techniques, and Fall in the North, focusing on the lush landscape and olive groves with landscape painting at its core. As a native of Puglia, Riccardo engages with his family and friends across the region to curate day trips and excursions.
A Week With Us...
Sunday: Arrival from 3pm onward, tour of the villa, meet guests and relax, aperitivo, dinner.
Monday: Painting class starts at 9:30 in the morning at the villa.
Breakfast will be out and ready by 7am. After we paint, we will have a light lunch.
3pm Visit to the beautiful baroque city of Lecce for an architectural tour, aperitivo, dinner in the city center at our favorite spot and night passeggiata.
Tuesday: Painting class starts at 9:30am. Breakfast will be out and ready by 7am.
After painting, we will have a light lunch.
3pm: visit to the pottery town of Grottaglie for private visits to local artists and craftsmen. This is the town of all ceramics, so shopping is encouraged.
6pm we will drive to the “white” city of Martina Franca for dinner.
Wednesday: This is our day to stay at the villa. Breakfast is out at 7am.
Painting starts at 9:30am and will go till 3:30pm.
4pm: chef and teacher arrives for cooking class! Class starts around 5pm and you will be learning secrets to the Apulian menu such as making local pasta.
Thursday: Painting class starts at 9:30am. We will have a light lunch before leaving for the rest of the day.
4pm: Visit to the white town of Locorotondo for aperitivo. Visit to World Heritage Site town of Alberobello where we will have dinner in a trullo.
Friday: we leave the villa 9am to attend the studio of renowned stone sculptor. He will be teaching us the art of limestone sculpture. He is considered one of the greatest artists in Italy today. We will return to the villa and either paint or relax.
7pm: Aperitivo and dinner in a historic palazzo/masseria in the Lecce city center.
Saturday: 9:30am class and visit to local ceramic artist for a class.
5pm leave the villa and drive to the Apulian countryside. Our special farewell dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant.
Sunday: Check-out by 11am.
