What is included -
1.Half Board at La Pia Hotel Montecatini www.lapiahotel.it - breakfast buffet and four course dinner. Rooms ensuite.
2. Transfers to/from Pisa airport, courier on arrival.
3. Half day guided tour of Montecatini historical Spa.
4.Two full day excursions to paint/explore in medieval villages including the charming and historic fortress town of Montecarlo
5. Train trip to Florence with guided tour in Ufizzi Gallery and free time to explore this historic and beautiful city.
6. Professional tuition, with demonstrations.
€890 per person (No single supplement ) -
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| Painting in August 2011 outside La Pia Hotel Montecatini |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1. Thursday 20th August
Arrival at Hotel .
Ryanair Flight at 12.25 from Dublin to Pisa arrives at 16.10.
If you are travelling on this flight you will be met by a courier and taken to your hotel by taxi. Settle in to the hotel and meet informally with fellow guests and your tutor before our first freshly cooked dinner menu at the hotel.
Day 2. Friday 21st August - Montecatini -
Breakfast at hotel Morning -To introduce you to Montecatini - We will have a guided half day tour entrance ticket to Tettuccio spa. and welcome drink. in the historical café, situated inside the Tettuccio building.
You have the option to do some painting alone or with me ( Trudi ) in the afternoon.
I wil give an introduction to painting / sketching outdoors and a Watercolour demonstration in the Piazza by the fountain.
Delicious freshly cooked dinner menu at the hotel.
Day 3 Saturday 22nd August - Painting
After
Breakfast at hotel. A perfect introduction to Tuscany.
Travel by mini bus /taxi to
Buggiano and Massa, two beautiful medieval villages near Montecatini , with guidance by Trudi , you will spend the morning in Buggiano painting, sketching or just relaxing or walking - its your choice -
Then reach Massa by taxi where we can have at lunch at a local cafe.
More time to paint or sketch . Fold up artist chairs provided. The taxi will pick us up in the late afternoon. Return to Montecatini for a siesta and freshen up before dinner at the hotel.
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| View towards Buggiani |
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| "Towards Buggian" Watercolour by Trudi Doyle |
Day 4. Sunday 23rd August Montecarlo
Breakfast at hotel . Departure by taxi for Montecarlo in the morning - a charming medieval village situated about 15 Km from Montecatini. Plenty of small shops and cafes, walks and interesting streets, Inspirational views , nooks and crannies and streetscapes .Included -At 4:00 we have an opportunity to visit and explore the picturesque fortress where you can also paint. .Return by Mini bus / taxi. Dinner at the hotel.
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| Lunch at a street cafe |
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| from the Fortress |
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The fortress  |
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| "View from Montecarlo" watercolour |
Day 5 Monday 24th August
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Red Cable Car to Montecatini Alta
Breakfast at hotel Free day or optional painting in Montecatini Alta –the historic upper old town . A visit via cable car with spectacular vistas and medieval streetscapes should not be missed - it's one of my favourite places on this holiday – a painters paradise. I will be there to give advice and guidance
Have lunch in one of the charming cafes in the square. Afternoon - Free afternoon - your choice – continue painting / go shopping for quirky souvenirs , browse or just relax and people-watch in the cafes .
Dinner at the hotel.
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| "Birth of Venus " by Boticelli * |
Day 6
Tuesday 23rd August FLORENCE
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - Departure for beautiful Florence by train from Montecatini . The guide will be waiting for us at the train station and will take us to world famous Uffizi Gallery to provide a short guided visit in the morning to view works by artists I have selected from the extensive collections such as Sandro Botticelli (who gave art history two of its most sublime masterpiece"the Birth of Venus" and "Primavera" ) Michelangelo, Giotto, Cimabue and Leonardo da Vinci .
Lunch break.-Afternoon free to do your own thing – visit famous landmarks or trust your artist's instincts and wander around.... the best way to experience Florence -a place I love to get lost in - its full to the brim of beautiful shops ,cafes and historic buildings , !
Meet up and return to Montecatini by train for the delicious dinner menu at the hotel - choose your own time to return by train - ( tickets included )
Day 7 Wednesday 276h Free day Breakfast at hotel
Morning - Optional Painting in the piazza by the hotel fountain and Montecatini.
Afternoon free – time for yourself -your choice - continue painting or go shopping - or relax - take the opportunity to swim or avail of curative and pampering treatments in the spa Dinner at the hotel
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Day 8 Thursday 27th. August
Early Breakfast at hotel.
Departure for Pisa airport by bus .
Arrive at Pisa airport in time to check in for Ryanair flight at 10.10. to Dublin arriving 12.00.
* Booking open until AUGUST 10th €890 per person (No single supplement )
Booking now extended to August 1st -
4 places available
Late Booking REDUCTION of €30 until 1st August NOW €860
* Full payment now required by AUGUST 10th to secure a place.
Book on line via email- it is possible to pay with Credit card via Pay Pal or if you prefer- pay by cheque in the post.
or text Trudi 087 6658500 for information.
Hard copy of above available on request
(N.B. Flights NOT included - but a taxi transfer is included and will be provided for the Ryanair flight from Dublin to Pisa on 20th and return on 27th August )
Ryanair flights- Dublin T1 → Pisa Thursday, 20 Aug 2015 12:25 - 16:10
Return via Pisa →to Dublin T1 -Thursday, 27 Aug 2015 10:10 - 12:00
Montecatini is a spa town known for its natural curative springs. Many conditions from arthritis to respiratory problems benefit from the famous natural thermal grotto. Curative and pampering treatments in the spas can be booked and availed of during the holiday.
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| Fig tree and Rooster |
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| View from Montecarlo |
"The Birth of Venus " by Sandro Boticelli *A hint of the riches on view at the Uffizi - Surely one of the most recognisable images in art history-"the Birth of Venus" is probably Botticelli's most famous painting with "Primavera" - both in the Uffizi . Venus rises from the sea, looking like a classical statue and floating on a seashell.
On Venus' right is Zephyrus, God of Winds, he carries with him the gentle breeze Aura and together they blow the Goddess of Love ashore. The Horae, Goddess of the Seasons, waits to receive Venus and spreads out a flower covered robe in readiness for the Love Goddess' arrival.
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5."Season of Mists " 
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