TUSCAN HOLIDAY 2015 - ITALY

TUSCAN HOLIDAY 2015 - ITALY 

with artist Trudi Doyle 

If you are interested in an all inclusive holiday with like minded people in friendly La Pia hotel Montecatini  Tuscany  ?- 
If you want to visit Italy and do some sketching and painting with  expert tuition and helpful advice in a relaxed friendly atmosphere  ? 
 Want to bask in the Tuscan sunshine, visit Florence  and view spectacular art and architecture ?
Do you enjoy dining on delicious freshly cooked dishes at a friendly Italian family run hotel  ?


If your answer is  YES . then   read on and check out further details of  my  
HOLIDAY  in  TUSCANY- ITALY - 20th -27th AUGUST 2015  

Montecatini Alta

 

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 ) -



Painting  in August  2011 outside La Pia Hotel Montecatini



Detailed Itinerary 

- August 20th -27th 

  

 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.

View towards Buggiani

 "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.

Lunch at a street cafe 

from the Fortress 

The fortress 

"View from Montecarlo" watercolour

Day 5  Monday 24th August  

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. 

"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

.

 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. 

-contact  trudiart@eircom.net  to book  or inquire further

 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.

 Anyone interested in going for a swim in the lovely pool at grottagiusti spa will be facilitated by a free bus shuttle service to the pool which is about 4 miles away. For more seewww.grottagiustispa.com 

Tuscan Landscape 

Olive grove 

Montecaatini Alta 

Plein air Watercolours  from Painting Holidays  in Tuscany  

Fig tree and Rooster 

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.