Logo of Barbagianni Retreats featuring an illustration of an owl surrounded by a wreath. The words 'Barbagianni' are above the owl, and 'Retreats' is below.

Meet the Team

We are Jackie, Lorraine & Zadia; warmhearted, down to earth, fun- loving, yet wise women with decades of experience between us.

We bring you Barbagianni Retreats combining our skills in nutrition, holistic therapies, and food to nourish and nurture your mind, body and soul in beautiful Tuscany. A special time just for you, to retreat from the chaos, relax, destress, and go home with tools to improve your wellbeing.

Why Barbagianni? Owls symbolize wisdom and protection. We are here to guide you, help you, and envelop you in a peaceful, friendly warm hug during your time with us. We can’t wait to meet you!

Three women sitting on a sofa with an outdoor garden background. The women are smiling and dressed casually, with the woman in the center wearing boots and the other two women wearing socks. The background appears to be a lush garden or a decorative wall with pink flowers.
A woman with blonde hair and red glasses smiling while resting her chin on her hand, surrounded by assorted chocolates, pistachios, cranberries, and other dried fruits on a white surface.

Hi, I’m Jackie. From a young age, if I wasn’t reading or drawing I was experimenting with my family’s hair. At 16 it felt natural to pursue a career in hairdressing—a profession that allowed me to blend creativity with the ability to bring joy to others. Over 30 fun and exciting years, I dipped my toes into photographic work, took part in hair shows, funded my travels around the world and eventually managed 3 hairdressing training centres in Greater London.

Yet, alongside this fulfilling career, my curiosity about health and nutrition quietly grew. At 40, I decided to up sticks, move to the seaside and enroll in a degree course in nutritional therapy, graduating with honors in 2008. Since then, I’ve built an exciting career in health and nutrition. As well as writing blogs for food supplement companies, I also produce material for websites and social media and lead research for new product development. I have contributed to a successful European detox retreat, and authored regular features in popular health magazines. More recently I have extended my services to include online personalised nutrition and training workshops.

Marrying an Italian and living in Tuscany, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and incredible local produce, has inspired me to share my love of vibrant, nourishing foods and guide others toward living healthier lives. My goal is to equip you with practical tools and inspiring knowledge to create a foundation for lasting vitality. Let’s embark on this journey to wellness together!

A woman with short blonde hair and glasses, wearing a black shirt, sitting in a kitchen with white tiles and metal pots in the background, resting her face on her hand.

I’m Lorraine, originally from Waterford in the southeast of Ireland, but I’ve been living in Tuscany since 1998. As a mother of two young adults, food has always been at the heart of my life. I ran my own business for several years, where I kept sheep and goats, producing raw milk and artisan cheeses that I sold at a local farmers market. I’m deeply committed to using seasonal and local produce, which is why supporting small businesses and sustainable food practices has always been so important to me.

I’m currently working as a chef in a Tuscan restaurant specializing in traditional cuisine, and my passion for Italian food continues to grow every day. Over the years, I’ve also guided olive oil tasting tours and cultivated my own vegetable garden. Growing my own produce allowed me to prepare meals for my family that were as fresh and wholesome as possible.

I’m going to be the person on this retreat who will be cooking for you, and I hope to feed your body and give you an internal hug. Sharing my experience and love of authentic, sustainable food through retreats brings me so much joy. Whether it’s exploring the world of artisan cheese, olive oil, or Tuscan cooking, I believe that food connects us to the land and to each other in profound ways.

A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling and wearing a black top with a background of a blue sky and clouds.

Hi, I’m Zadia, my journey began while working in the music industry in Canada. Life was hectic, fun, but no two days were ever the same, and it was stressful. Randomly popping into a garage sale in Montreal, the owner told me she was a massage therapist and that those lovely smells I commented on were aromatherapy oils. I had my first ever massage and started going regularly. It was a transformative experience.

Inspired by the difference it made in me, I trained for my Diploma in Holistic Therapies while living in Scotland and opened my own practice, combining massage therapies, reflexology, neuromuscular relaxation and aromatherapy to individually tailor treatments for my clients.

I have also been practising Buddhism for almost 15 years and have taught meditation. I teach simple, yet powerful methods to help you tap into the ocean of peace that already exists within you, and beneficial ways of thinking that can transform your daily life, and reduce stress.

Having worked with clients in the UK, and Australia I have followed my dreams and now live in Tuscany Italy. I am so excited to be able to combine my life experiences and skills to benefit others at our retreats and look forward to sharing time with you.