Brochure – 21 May – 4 June 2024 Painting Workshop with Sue Hibbert
Itinerary – 21 May – 4 June 2024 Painting Workshop with Sue Hibbert
Dates: 21 May – 4 June 2024 (14 nights/15 days)
PAINTERS OF ALL LEVELS
Take an inspirational journey through the beautiful Tuscan/Emilia Romagna Hills regions. An experience you won’t soon forget. Our tours cater for artists to paint buildings, people and scenery off the typical tourist trail.
Many cultural experiences and activities for non-painters too.
EXPERIENCE CULTURE
Museums, markets, galleries and tasting local cuisine are just some of the activities that you will find on this tour. We will give you insight to the unknown areas, not generally found by the general public. If you are in no hurry, this tour also allows you time to relax and simply soak in the atmosphere (ideally with a glass of vino in hand!).
WALKERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS
An excellent way to explore the countryside with like-minded people. You have the choice of being in a guided group or you have the ability to explore the area in your own time. We have varying activities suitable for novice or experienced walkers.
ALSO FOR NON-PAINTERS
While Sue is tutoring, Janette Garbuio will be chaperoning the cultural enthusiasts. There is never a dull moment exploring the winding alleyways of Venice or the unique buildings of Cinque Terre. Janette is fluent in Italian and will show you the beautiful area. Enjoy the time and energy of immersing yourself in the Italian culture.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at our accommodation time to rest before our MEET AND GREET at 5pm. Time for a short orientation before going for Dinner nearby at 7pm.
Accommodation: Venice Dinner at the discretion of individual
Painting: No workshop. Preparation talk.
Day 2: Canal of Venice
A short meander through the streets of Venice to our location to paint views canals, bridges and stately palazzo under shady arches. Afternoon to visit another quiet location close by to capture the afternoon light before having time to explore this vibrant city.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals Included: Continental Breakfast
Workshop: 9:30-4pm
Day 3: Murano – The Island of Glass
Ferry to paint on this lovely island filled with shops and factories, where glassmakers live away from the main land to preserve their secrets. You will have time to walk the main canal where lovely shops filled with amazing coloured glass will tempt the onlooker. If weather permits, we will arrive at St Marks Square approximately 5pm to have time to paint the sunset before returning to our accommodation. Everyone will be given a three day ferry pass for their personal use.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals Included: Continental Breakfast
Workshop: 9:30-4pm including 2 hour lunch break
Day 4: Center of Venice – Rialto/The Grand Canal
We ferry to the RIALTO to paint this ancient beautiful centre. Views of the Grand Canal , boats and gondolas, markets stalls and the vibrancy of Venice will embrace you while you capture it while painting. After lunch, we will travel to a new location for painters, while non-painters will have time venturing through the intricate laneways. You will have time to travel by ferry on the main canal to explore even by evening.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals Included: Continental Breakfast
Workshop: 9am – 4pm (includes a lunch break)
Day 5: Burano – Island of Lace
Travel again by ferry to find a delightful island where famous lace makers can be found. This island was a fishing village which still maintains its tradition of colourful houses which were used to distinguish the families who lived within. After lunch time you will have time to explore this colourful island and maybe fine a special gift to bring home. For our non painters can ferry to Torcello to explore Janette, before returning to Burano and travel back to our accommodation.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals Included: Continental Breakfast
Workshop: 10.30am – 4.30pm (includes a lunch break)
Day 6: Free Time Or Option Bus Trip To The Alps
This is a Free day but you also have the opportunity to travel by bus with Janette to the Alps. You will have time to explore the alpine city of Cortina, surrounded by the majestic mountains before returning to Venice in the late afternoon. Whether you are in Venice or at the Alps, it will be a fine opportunity to draw in your sketchbook during your wanderings.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals Included: Continental Breakfast
No Workshop – FREE DAY
Day 7: Venice – Jewish Quarter
Stroll to the old Ghetto area to paint. This interesting quite area which has synagones and a large square with trees and canals. Yet just a short walk and turn, you will be in the hustle and bustle of the shopping lane. After lunch a short walk to Magdalena square for views of small bridges, narrow canals and chimneys, which are unique only to Venice. This is a good place for a Gondola ride and to walk and explore the many alley ways which will lead one to exciting venues.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals Included: Continental Breakfast
Workshop: 9am to 4pm (includes a lunch break)
Day 8: Departure to Bay of Poets
After breakfast, a private taxi will collect us to take us to Tragetto where my bus will be waiting for us. We will bus to the Bay of Poet, stopping along the way for lunch. The views on the way across Italy are beautiful and will fill us with anticipation of our next destination. After settling in our new hotel, we will have a short orientation of our new town and have time to take La Passegata (the walk) before our delicious meal at our hotel. Bring your swimming gear if you want to go for a swim because there is a lovely beach opposite our hotel.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets
Meals Included: Continental Breakfast and Dinner
No Workshop
Day 9: San Terenzo – Venere Azzurra Bay View
Paint all day in one location under shady trees with views of the beautiful bay with its castle in the distance, boats and colourful buildings. This area became inspiration for many artists, poets and writers. Many admirable constructions still remain from the past. Non painters can walk to the ancient castle and explore the area, with time to relax with Janette. At sunset in our hotel or a nearby café will be the perfect way to close the day with a refreshing Aperitivo before enjoying our evening meal.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Workshop: 9am to 4pm (includes a lunch break)
Day 10: Vernazza
A lovely morning walk to our ferry to explore the Cinque Terre by boat. Ticket is included. We will ferry all the way to Monterosso and will have time to explore before returning to get the next ferry for Vernazza for our lunch break. “Vulnetia” was its ancient Latin name. The web of “arrugi” (narrow lanes) and steep stairways converges in the main square overlooking the sea. This is the centre of the village, which opens up to a large bay. Nearby, stands the church dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch (1318), with its foundations in the sea. After lunch, we take the ferry to Riomaggiore, the jewel of Cinque Terre. The towns of the Cinque Terre are settled along a charming road down to the “Marina”, you will find the typical coloured houses which seem to cling to one another, with the boat dock in the middle. Then catching the last ferry to return to our port of Lerici where we can stroll back to our hotel with our drawings.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
NO WORKSHOP
Day 11: Tellaro
We will take the local bus up and over a mountain with breathtaking views of the sea and cliffs to TELLARO. This secret bay (Italians do not tell the tourists!), you will discover a lovely fishing village to paint located on the sea edge, with a small pebbled beach with boats and under pass ways and steps twisting around the clinging houses. The church lighthouse is on the edge of a rocky formation facing the sea. So beautiful and quiet.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Workshop: 9:30am to 4pm (includes a lunch break)
Day 12: Lerici – The Harbour
Today will be market day as we stroll through the stalls to our views. It is a lovely stroll or you can use the local bus to Lerici. I will provide the bus tickets for you. Above the port is the forbidding medieval Castello di Lerici, which dominates the holiday villas below.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Workshop: 9:30am to 4pm (includes a lunch break)
Day 13: Portovenere
We will take the local bus up and over a mountain with breathtaking views of the sea and cliffs to Telado. This secret bay (Italians do not tell the tourists!), you will discover a lovely village to paint located on the sea edge, with a small pebbled beach with boats and under pass ways and steps twisting around the clinging houses. The church lighthouse is on the edge of a rocky formation facing the sea. On our return by bus to Lerici , there will be time to stroll through the shops before returning to our hotel
Accommodation: Bay of Poets
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Workshop: 9:30am to 4pm (includes a lunch break)
Day 14: Sarzana – The rebel town
There are many locations which will temp you but today we will go to the town of Sarzana. It has lovely buildings surrounded with a defence wall and a greatly fortified castle which protected the territory for Pisa. We will take time to sample the coffee house filled with beautiful petit cakes before we settle to paint. We will catch the bus and return after lunch for time to prepare for your departure the next day.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Half day workshop
Day 15: Departure
Departure by shared Taxi in the morning to LA SPECIA TRAIN STATION for departure.