Friday, April 24, 2026

TUSCANY 2026

Tuscany Art Holiday with Trudi Doyle September 2026

 Eight days and nights in Tuscany Italy  ! 

                                Tuesday 15th  to Wednesday 23rd September  2026


Maybe this is your year to experience this wonderfully relaxing four star hotel break in Tuscany where everything is laid on and all trips included !

'I am very happy to once again organize this holiday in Montecatini  in the heart of Tuscany and offer a worry free eight  day break  for painters and non painters. I have hosted this annual holiday for over ten years and  arriving in Tuscany still thrills me !  The spectacular Apennine mountain range fading to fragile blue in the heat haze, the sky an azure dome above terracotta roof tiles and ancient architecture in historic villages making way for vineyards and ancient olive groves, fields of sunflowers and lavender, gardens with fig trees and pomegranates.

 Non painters enjoy this holiday and artists find an abundance of inspiration: 


FLY TO PISA ; I have organized the rest - Airport transfers ( Dublin /Pisa flights ) 

  Four star Hotel & Spa , guided tours and day excursions by taxi to quiet medieval villages steeped in history, Return train tickets to Florence, taxi to Pitti Palace galleries plus guided tour and access to the famous Boboli gardens .
This year I've added an extra day to visit the coastal town of Livorno 
including an afternoon guided tour by boat in the ancient canals.


         Summary of what is included in this unique package .

Tuesday 15th September
  Transfer taxi to Ariston Hotel in Montecatini will meet our flight from Dublin to Pisa at 21.30. 
 (If organising your own journey or travelling from other countries please inform Trudi of your expected time of arrival so that the Hotel will expect you )  
Wednesday 16th September  
Morning -A guided tour of Montecatini ending with a visit 
to magnificent Tettuccio Spa building and gardens ( a world heritage site )and a complimentary  welcome drink and light repast inside the historical Café .  
Afternoon free to settle in and explore Montecatini. A short introductory watercolour lesson  before dinner with Trudi at the Hotel for those who wish to avail of it.   Dinner at hotel

Thursday 17th September 
Departure by taxi for Buggiano.
  Buggiano and Massa are two beautiful medieval
villages near Montecatini Terme.
opportunities to paint / sketch)  
 We will spend the morning there then drive 
to Massa by taxi where we have delicious lunch at 
the local bar & cafe and spend time exploring the village or sketching . 
Return by taxi in the late afternoon.

Dinner at the hotel.

Friday 18th September Free 
Watercolour lesson in the morning.  
The rest of the day is free
( may I suggest a trip to
 Montecatini Alto, the old town,  by cable car-
wonderful views for painters and cafes to sit
 and watch the world go by !  ) 

Saturday. 19th September  -Florence
Departure by train for Florence - return tickets provided. A guide will be waiting
for us on arrival at the train station in Florence . A taxi will be provided to take us to  Pitti Palace where our guide will  begin the tour. 
  The afternoon is free to explore magnificent Florence. 
Return at your leisure by train to Montecatini.  Dinner at the Hotel


Sunday. 20th September

A day exploring in Montecarlo fortress town. Departure at 10.00 am by taxi.
 Entrance tickets to the fortress at 10:30 am. Enjoy exploring
 and painting inside this historic fortress 
Lunch and free time in this charming historic medieval town,  return by our taxi in late afternoon.  
Dinner at the hotel.

 Monday 21st September
Free day . Time to explore Montecatini. shops/ markets or just relax . Watercolour lesson in the late afternoon, optional . Dinner at the hotel.

 Tuesday 22nd September  - Livorno  
An absorbing day in the coastal town of Livorno. Departure by taxi from the hotel at 9:30 to visit historical Villa Mimbelli and its exhibition in Museum Fattori.
 At 13:00 we will have time for lunch and enjoy the view from Mascagni Terrace, breath the sea air and perhaps do some sketching. At 15:00 the taxi will take us to where we'll board a boat  to begin a guided  45-minute boat tour which offers an enchanting perspective of Livorno, revealing its historical past and cultural  treasures.
At 17:00 we will depart from Livorno and return to the hotel for dinner . 

Wednesday 23rd September . 
Transfer by taxi to Pisa airport  for 11.25 am flight FR5020 to Dublin

The cost of this unique 8 day holiday package  (flights not included )

€ 1.650 per person sharing a double /twin ensuite room 
   (Non painting person sharing a double room €40 reduction =€1,610 )
€ 1.800  per person in a single ensuite room                                                                              {Non painting person in single room €40 reduction = €1,760)
€ 2.100  per person in a double ensuite room as single use
     {Non painting single person in a double room €40 reduction = €2,060)

You don't need to be a painter to enjoy this  holiday  -all Tuscany lovers are welcome join 
us on the trips and events or do your own thing ,  €40 reduction for people not requiring tuition..      To check availability   Contact  trudidoyleart@gmail.com . 
               Or text 087 6658500 

To book your place   -Contact Trudi at    trudidoyleart@gmail.com   

               Deposit of €500 or full payment  will secure your place 

                                  by Tuesday 19th May 2026  

Payment by direct bank transfer    

                   I will email you my bank details to facilitate the transfer .

                 

                         ----------------------------------

Hotel cancellation policy

 Penalty of 50% for cancellation  30 to 15 days before the arrival

Penalty of 100% for cancellation from 14 days before the arrival

Please take out your personal travel insurance .

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TUITION I will provide demonstrations /basic lessons in using watercolours and painting outdoors. Sketching using pencils / pen and ink / water soluble crayons or Watercolours is the norm - Using a sketchbook to record your holiday is a lovely way to remember your holiday - capture the magic of Tuscany with plein air paintings.
The amount of time you spend painting is up to you, there are opportunities on our many trips and excursions.

"Olive Grove in Buggiano" watercolour 
"Swallows in Tuscany " watercolour sketch 

When you book this holiday and include tuition I will email a very short  list and advice on basic supplies suitable for travelling and for painting outdoors.

 FLIGHTS   If you are travelling from Ireland these Ryanair Dublin / Pisa return flights  will be facilitated by a transfer taxi to and from Montecatini .

Flight from Dublin - Ryanair  to Pisa FR5021  on Tuesday 15th September

 departure time 17.50 Arrival time 21.30

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Flight from Pisa to Dublin FR5920  Wednesday 23rd Sept 

departure time 11;25am arrival time 13;15 pm

N.B.  - Oil Paints are NOT allowed on flights. even in checked luggage,-They are considered as flammable liquid in the dangerous goods regulations .Breaching the regulation carries serious penalties!

The Ponte Vecchio , Florence 
" Montecarlo , view from the Square" watercolour 

More about Tuscany  -Average weather in September 

26 °C ( 78 ° Fahrenheit )  max day temperature
12 Hours of Daylight    7 Hours of sunshine 
14°C ( 57°  Fahrenheit ) min night temperature
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Sunday, March 30, 2025

Tuscany with Trudi Doyle September 2025

 A week in Tuscany Italy  ! Art Holiday with Trudi Doyle 2025

Saturday 27th September 2025 to Saturday 4th October  

Monday 6th May -UPDATE - this holiday is now fully booked .

Maybe this is your year to experience this wonderfully relaxing break in Tuscany where everything is laid on and all trips  included !

'iIm very happy to once again organise this holiday in Montecatini  in the heart of Tuscany and offer a worry free week.  Besides visiting Florence and its artistic wealth in Pitti Palace, I include opportunities to experience hidden gems off the beaten track ,villages steeped in history where you can  absorb the quietude and  forget your worries. 


Non painters enjoy this holiday and artists find an abundance of inspiriation, ancient architecture, terracotta roofs, sweeping landscapes, gnarled olive groves, grapevines, gardens with fig trees and pomegranates.

 I have hosted this annual holiday for over ten years and  look forward to returning to a place where I always find fresh subject matter 





 






Painting sessions to suit all abilities, demonstrations, professional tuition and helpful advice in a friendly non competitive atmosphere. with a small group to ensure that everyone benefits from tuition.



 In Hotel Torretta you will taste delicious food and wine and experience excellent service and 4 star accommodation.

Deposit of €500 or full payment  will secure your place before Friday 16th May 2025. 

 

  Full Balance  must be paid by  Friday July 4th  2025



.  FLY TO PISA -  I have organised the rest - airport transfers, -4 star Hotel, half board , guided tours and day excursions to quiet medieval villages to experience the mystique of rural Tuscany at a leisurely pace, train tickets to Florence and taxi to  Pitti Palace  galleries guided tour and the famous Boboli gardens.  Non painters welcome 

Summary of  what is included in this unique package .

1  Seven nights at 4 star  Hotel Torretta   https://www.hoteltorretta.it/
with half board - 7 breakfasts & 6 dinners with drinks and wine included.  Single en suite room . Twin room or double room  for sharing  and Single in double room if required.  
 
 2. Transfers to and from Pisa airport  arranged for Dublin to Pisa return flights only -( flights are not included)

3. Half day guided tour of Montecatini  and the Tettuccio historical Spa, a world heritage site, with complimentary  welcome drinks and light lunch /snack  in the spa cafe.. 
 
4. Two full day excursions by mini bus taxi to paint/explore in medieval villages  of Buggiani and Massa the charming  and historic fortress town of Montecarlo.
5.  Entrance ticket to explore  Montecarlo fortress Rocca del Cerruglio  .

6.  Return train trip tickets to Florence. and taxi in Florence.
 
7.  Pre-booked  guided tour and entrance ticket for all Palazzo Pitti collections in  Florence ; Gallery of Modern Art,  Palatine Gallery (artists from the Renaissance and the Baroque)  Your ticket will give you the option to  choose to further explore all of  the Galleries  without the guide, plus the  Boboli Gardens. 

 8. Professional guidance and tuition sessions  in watercolour to suit your requirements from  artist Trudi Doyle with demonstrations.  




What it costs for this unique holiday package  ( flights not included )



Deposit €500 or Full payment  before  Friday  16th  May to secure your place please.

 € 1,343 per person in a single ensuite room    Booked out-  

 {Non painting person in single room €40 reduction =€1,303)

  €1,498  per single person in a double ensuite room   Booked out 
 - (Non painting person in a double room €40 reduction  - €1,458 ) 

€1,148  per person sharing twin/double ensuite room     Booked out 
 2 friends /partners  or a couple   (Non painting person  -€40 reduction -€1,108 each ) 
  
You don't need to be a painter to enjoy this relaxing holiday  -allTuscany lovers  are welcome- join  us on the trips and events or do your own thing ,  €40 reduction for non-painting people /partners /friends  or artists not requiring tuition..                   

    To check availability  and secure a place Contact  trudidoyleart@gmail.com   or to make inquiries.  Or text 087 6658500 

To Book your place   -Contact  Trudi at  trudidoyleart@gmail.com   and make  your payment by direct bank transfer.   I will send you  my bank details to make the transfer 

(Alternatively pay by credit card via PayPal. If you decide on this method  I will email an invoice to you with a link to make a secure payment ( you don’t need a pay pal account- just a credit card ) However there is an extra 3.5% charge incurred on PayPal card  transactions but it is a very safe method of payment.)

Deposit of €500 or full payment  will secure your place before Friday 16th May 2025

   Full Balance  must be paid by  Friday 4th July 2025

Hotel cancellation policy

 Penality of 50% for cancellation  30 to 15 days before the arrival

Penality of 100% for cancellation from 14 days before the arrival

Please take out your personal travel insurance .


Full Holiday Itinerary - 2025
Saturday 27th September   Arrival on the flight from Dublin to Pisa airport at 22.40.Transfer to Hotel Torretta https://www.hoteltorretta.it/  in Montecatini Terme in the center of Tuscany. ( If organising your own journey,travelling from other destinations please inform Trudi so that the Hotel will expect you  )   Hotel Torretta is a 4 star hotel located in the green setting of a park with private swimming pool and hydro massage tub.

Sunday. 28th September.  Morning -A guided tour of Montecatini ending with a visit to magnificent Tettuccio spa building  ( a world heritage site ) and a complimentary  welcome drink and light repast inside the historical Café in the Spa.   Sunday afternoon free to settle in and explore Montecatini. A short introductary watercolour lesson  before dinner with Trudi at the Hotel for those who wish to avail of it.  

Monday 29th September  - Montecarlo fortress and town.

Departure by taxi  in the morning to Montecarlo  not known to many and delightful to visit.  (about 15 km from Montecatini).  Entrance to the fortress at 10:30 am. The Rocca del Cerruglio  fortress belongs to a private family who open to the public between May and October. Tickets are included ( We may meet the owner as we gain access –a very affable gentleman ) We can remain  inside until 1 o clock.  The fortress takes it’s name from the hill on which it is located, and which was once the site of much older fortifications representing an important strategic garrison between two valleys both visible from the fortress; –

 The Plain of Lucca and the poetically named Valley of the Clouds ( Valdinievole) -   Oppertunities to paint the vistas from the vantage of the fort .  Then enjoy lunch in one of the many excellent cafes in the town.  In the afternoon you have free time to explore, relax and people watch or sketch or paint . The taxi will pick us up and take us back to Hotel Torretta.  Dinner at the hotel

Tuesday 30th September.  Florence   Departure by train from Montecatini for Florence.  at the train station in Florence a taxi will take us  to the Palazzo Pitti; where a guide will meet us   https://www.florence-museum.com/pitti-palace.phpto view the chosen collections. The Pitti Palace houses collections of sculptures, paintings, art objects, costumes and porcelain, in a monumental complex that includes several museums:

I have chosen  the Modern Art Gallery: and the Palatine Gallery for a guided tour .

 Modern Art Gallery: is a  magnificent collection of paintings and sculptures from the 18th century until the World War I, also Italian artists of the 19th and the 20th century. Palatine Gallery: is a spectacular gallery that exhibits works by Raphael, Titian, Rubens, Correggio and other artists from the Renaissance and the Baroque.        

Afternoon will be guide free to spend  however you choose; explore Florence or remain in the Pitti for lunch and perhaps view more collections or the famous Boboli Gardens.Your ticket will include all Galleries in the Pitti Palace including the newly restored Royal Apartments .

***  Return at leisure to Montecatini by train ( ticket included)   Dinner at Hotel Torretta

Wednesday 1st October.  Free day .  A basic lesson in painting outdoors using watercolour will be arranged at a time to suit . Dinner at Hotel Torretta.

 ( )Perhaps may I suggest this is the day for an excursion via cable car to Montecatini Alto hill town. for lunch -the old town  red cable car is  a few minutes from the hotel -The  cable car up the hill  runs every 20 minutes - an experience not to be missed. ! )    Dinner at Hotel Torretta.

Thursday 2nd October. villages Buggiano and Medieval Massa. A glorious day out and the perfect way to experience rural and medieval Tuscany ! We will travel by taxi bus through Olive groves and vineyards to visit two beautiful villages Buggiano and Medieval Massa. Spend the morning in Buggiana, wander undisturbed through the cobbled streets and lanes limd with flower gardens  and pots of aromatic citrus fruits. At the highest point of the village in the quiet ancient square is Palazzo Pretorio which was once a seat of power and still bears the carved crests of past rulers on its exterior walls  next to the Church of the  Madonna Della Salute. There , wonderful paintable landscape views spread across the valleys and hillsides of Tuscany with convenient places to sit and place your painting gear. Advice and tuition for painting outdoors will be available when required. 

Then on by taxi to Medieval Massa ,one of the oldest villages in Tuscany for an Italien lunch at the only local café, spend the afternoon as you like, watch the world go by or wander the charming lanes or up to a viewing point to draw or paint the rooftops or vistas en plein air.     "Massa  has a population of about 300 people. It is a stone stronghold that dates back to the third century, is surrounded by chestnut groves, olive trees, vineyards, and fields of grain. This medieval village retains the charm and mystery of the old world . The old city gates which once were closed at night and in times of peril for protection, are still intact - Porta ai Campi and Porta Fontanta -once the only routes in and out the village". The taxi will pick us up in the afternoon and bring us back to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.


Friday 3rd October   Free day.  Morning painting session, optional. Dinner at the hotel

 

 Saturday 4th October Departure for Pisa airport in the afternoon.


TUITION Over the week I will provide demonstrations and basic lessons in painting outdoors using watercolour.The amount of time you spend painting is up to you, there are oppertunities on our many trips and excursions.Sketching using pencils / pen and ink / water soluble crayons or Watercolours is the norm - Pieces can be competed back at the hotel or later at your leisure. Using a sketchbook to record your holiday is a lovely way to remember Tuscany.

N.B.Oil Paints are NOT allowed on flights. even in checked luggage,-They are considered as flammable liquid in the dangerous goods regulations.Breaching the regulation carries serious penalties!


( When you book this holiday and include  tuition  I will provide a short  list and suggestions /advice on basic painting equipment suitable for travelling and for working outdoors.)

                                           *** ********- - - - - - - -*************

Suggested flights - will be facilitated by a transfer taxi to and from Montecatini both ways .

Flight from Dublin with Ryanair  Sat 27th  departing at 19.15  flight no FR 5308 arriving at Pisa airport 22.55 

Flight from Pisa with Ryanair  Sat 4th Oct at 17.00 flight number FR 5309 arriving at Dublin airport at  18.15


This return flight suggestion is currently costing €120.87 ( Basic travel light fare)







More about Tuscany  -Average weather in September 

26 °C max day temperature
12 Hours of Daylight    7 Hours of sunshine 
14°C min night temperature
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REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK

 Comment from a happy painter 2019  "I am looking forward to joining Trudi Doyle on her Art Holiday to Tuscany - my fourth time in 7 years. It's a wonderful experience each time. I find inspiration in watching Trudi produce exquisite paintings "en plein air" and in the variety of the Tuscan scenery, mountains and villages with their timeless charm.     Trudi adapts her tuition and coaching to meet the needs of each student. The pace is relaxed and outings are well organised. The locals are friendly and welcoming. A nice camaraderie develops in the group, enhanced by sharing the gorgeous food ."  Pauline Jones,Dublin, Ireland 

"I had a wonderful art holiday in Tuscany with Trudi -it  was fab -- well recommend to anybody interested in going". Susan M. Ireland 
"I have been with Trudi at La Pia Hotel  Tuscany on four trips so far and have enjoyed every minute - would return in a heartbeat -  Fabulous food -  - great company - a relaxed and efficient holiday  . J.B.D. Ireland 

"Don't hesitate to book - I had a stimulating and fun week  in Tuscany  with Trudi - food, trips, Hotel la Pia, company  and wine -all superb.."   J.E. California .USA 

I've been with Trudi for her holiday in Tuscany twice and have enjoyed each trip. One of my favourite aspects of the holiday is that I have no worries about arrangments as it's all taken care of.  I had great painting tips from Trudi and help with my watercolour technique.. I loved the food too. I hope to go back  again ..Jenny D. Ireland
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