Our Trip - October 2005
Central Italy (Tuscany) is so bewitching: breathtaking panoramas, ancient hill towns, old castles and fortresses, delicious food and outstanding wines. The romantic history of the area is an inspiration for all, but together with a unique and unusual quality of light, it is especially attractive to both artists and photographers.
We will visit (and paint) medieval hilltop towns and picturesque hamlets on the rocky seacoasts, with esteemed watercolor artist Beverly Golembeski as workshop leader. Each day, we will drive to a scenic location to paint and just enjoy our surroundings. Ellen Santucci will be our driver and guide. Ellen has lived in the area for over twenty years, studied medieval art and history, and is extremely competent to take care of our needs.
Package prices include hotel accommodations (double occupancy), transportation in Italy, and breakfasts daily. Airfare is not included (travelers can arrange their own flights or use their frequent flyer miles). Our workshop coordinator, Ellen Sharfenberg, can make travel arrangements for you.
Our Itinerary
October 10
Fly to Rome, Italy – (Continental has reasonable non-stop flights from Newark, NJ).
October 11 - 14
Arrive in Rome, Italy. Our guide will pick us up at the airport, and drive us to the outskirts of Florence. We will be staying four nights at a restored fifteenth century villa estate, Villa Il Paradisino, a B&B.
Our villa is a 20 minute city bus ride from Florence, so you can choose to shop or visit museums. We will make daily outings to paint scenic vistas and medieval towns nearby. We can shop for ingredients for a tasty Italian picnic lunch. Dinners will be at local restaurants, and are each traveler’s responsibility.
October 15 - 16
Depart for the seacoast northwest of Florence. It is a 2 ½ hour drive to the town of Lerici, located in the region called the “Italian Riviera”.
We will spend two nights at the Hotel Doria, located on the cliffs overlooking the harbor. It is a short walk downhill to shops, the fortress and the rocky coast.
You can opt to take the ferry or train to the five picturesque towns on the cliffs up the coast, the Cinque Terre, depending on weather (photos on right). Hotel Doria Park has a fantastic breakfast and a beautiful view. Excellent food is served in restaurants nearby, and we can “take out” and eat informally.
October 17 - 18
We will head south to the town of Porto Ercole, a harbor located on the coast of Monte Argentario, known as the “Silver Coast”. It was once an island, but is now connected to the mainland by two narrow causeways.
There are rocky beaches at the base of cliffs. Porto Ercole has 3 fortresses and was known for its smugglers and pirates. The islands of Giglio and Giannutri can be seen in the distance.
We will travel to many local sites for sketching, painting and photographs. We will spend 2 nights in the Hotel Don Pedro, with views of the Mediterranean.
October 19
We will leave this lovely place very reluctantly and head south for about two hours drive to catch our return flights from Rome airport. You can choose to experience a few days in Rome on your own and return home later.
Our workshop coordinator, Ellen Sharfenberg, can assist you with reservations, give you maps, and make suggestions and advice. Think about visiting the Vatican, the Coliseum, Fontana di Trevi, Spanish Steps and just absorbing the atmosphere of glorious Roma!
Logistics and Price
Price $1,700.00 per person, double occupancy.
The price is based on the current exchange rate of €1 Euro = $US 1.32. The total price is subject to adjustment, based on the exchange rate, prior to departure.
Price includes: Hotel accommodations, all local transportation in Italy, our local guide and driver, pickup and drop off at Rome airport and workshop instruction fee.
Airfare is the responsibility of each traveler, and is not included in the price.
Lunches and dinners are the responsibility of each traveler, and are expected to total around $US400 for 9 days, and we’ll eat in the Italian tradition (very well!).
Deposit of $850.00 is required May 15th, 2005.
The balance (subject to exchange rate adjustment) is due August 15th , 2005.
Arrangements are for 6 student artists, traveling by van in Italy, with Beverly Golembeski, Ellen Scharfenberg and Ellen Santucci. Additional students/artists can be accommodated up to 15 students, traveling by mini-bus. A waiting list will be established if more people are interested.
You’ll need to bring: your passport, camera & film, funds for lunches, dinners and local tours, and your painting supplies. We’ll be informal most days, so dress will be ‘classy casual’ and comfortable walking shoes are a must.
For additional information about arrangements, contact our workshop coordinator: Ellen Scharfenberg, 732-255-6671 (phone) or Contact Beverly to make arrangements.
Daily workshop instruction will include sketching, use of color, transparent and opaque watercolor technique, composition and design.
Students are encouraged to make arrangements for many photographs to use for future painting. Be prepared for excellent instruction in watercolor technique, and we’ll have some good fun, good food and great painting in Tuscany!
