the team

Ongoing collaborations are born from a shared passion for the arts, food, beauty, conviviality, and hospitality.       

Rissa Miller: Founder of Rome Retreats, Chef, Artist, Teacher - Rissa teaches art and art criticism at the school of Art + Design at Montgomery College, MD, USA., and has worked at the intersection of the culinary & fine arts across North America and the Mediterranean for over 20 years. She started Rome Retreats in 2016 to share her passions and knowledge with fellow food and art lovers. Rissa’s inter-disciplinary work celebrates and explores Beauty in all its forms. As a yoga practitioner, and former yoga teacher, she incorporates bodily processes into the appreciation of art and beauty as a mode of well-being. Rissa is currently working on her PhD thesis in food culture in Lisbon, Portugal, and offers on-going online courses in art appreciation, creative processes, and annual workshop retreats in Greece and Italy.

Yiannis and Vassilis Kontakinos: Hospitality and Wine Experts. After decades of experience working in the luxury hospitality industry, Brothers Yiannis and Vassilis opened their own paradise retreat venue near Athens, Greece in 2022 - the Villa Amfiario. We are thrilled to be collaborating in 2024 for our third season.

Marnee Wong: Marnee will be co-teaching our 2024 Greece retreats to offer an immersive program of sonic, visual and theatre concepts for creatives to realize their creative potential and release blockages. As a gallery owner, art curator, playwright, theater director and lifelong traveler, she creates a space of courage, joy, and limitless possibilities for participants.

Johnny Madge: Tour Guide, Olive Oil Sommelier. Internationally acclaimed olive oil sommelier, naturalist and marble sculptor. When he is not traveling as a judge in global olive oil competitions, Johnny offers tours and guided olive oil tastings in both Italy and Spain to our retreat-goers.  

James Johnstone: Tour Guide. Award-winning historical walking tours guide, linguist, translator, story-teller and Canadian transplant to Italy. James gives inspiring and heart-felt historical tours to our guests. Read his wonderful blog about life and history in Sabina, Italy here.