Late Offer ends on 30th April -only 2 places
5% off - reduced to €850
Art in Tuscany Holiday Package May 2018 with Artist Trudi DoyleOne week -Tuesday 22nd to Tuesday 29th May 2018
The planet instantly seems a
lot more beautiful when I touch down in Tuscany
each year for my painting holiday. Senses are heightened by the heat of the sun, the scents
of coffee, herbs, gelato, figs. Driving
into the countryside historic villages make way for vineyards of gnarled
grapevines and olive groves, for fields of sunflowers, herbs and lavender.Old world atmosphere blends with modern Italian sophistication.
Cars manoeuvre through cobblestone
alleys and ancient streets. The spectacular Tuscan Apennine
mountain range fades to fragile pale blue in the heat haze, the sky is a constant azure dome
.
Maybe this is your year to experience this wonderfully relaxing break in Tuscany where everything is laid on and all trips included !
One week -Tuesday 22nd to Tues 29th May 2018
Visit quiet medieval villages and experience the beauty and mystique of the Tuscan countryside at a leisurly pace.
Bask in the Tuscan sunshine visit FLORENCE for spectacular art and architecture
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| Beautiful FLORENCE |
Enjoy dining on delicious freshly cooked dishes at a friendly Italian family run hotel
An all inclusive holiday with like minded people in La Pia hotel Montecatini Relax and do a little sketching and painting with expert tuition and helpful advice in a friendly non competative atmosphere
What is included -
1.Seven nights stay at La Pia Hotel Montecatini - 7 breakfast buffets and 7 delicious four course dinners with wine included . single room or double rooms for sharing if required. All rooms ensuite.
2. Transfers to/from Pisa airport are included -( flights are not included)
3. Half day guided tour of Montecatini historical Spa and complimentary lunch.
4.Two full day mini bus excursions to paint/explore in medieval villages including the charming and historic fortress town of Montecarlo.
5. Train trip to Florence with guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery (Booked Tickets to skip the line included )one of the most famous Art Galleries in the world and free time to explore and shop in this historic and beautiful city.
6. Professional guidance , lessons and tuition to suit your requirements from artist Trudi Doyle with demonstrations.
7. Free days with options to visit Lucca by train / avail of Spa treatments and a swim or travel via cable car to Montecatini Alto hill town- a place not to be missed.
Fee -€895
No Single supplment applies to all bookings
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| The View |
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| Painting the view |
Some watercolour paintings from my previous trips - extracting the essence of the landscape - simplfying the view .
Deposit of €400 secures a place. Balance of fee payable by April 21st 2018
Full Itinerary 2018
Day One -- Tuesday 22nd May Arrival at Hotel .
Ryanair Flight at 9.45 from Dublin to Pisa Tue 22nd May 09:45 - 13:30 FR 9908 arrives at 13.30. 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. You have the option to take part in this INTRODUCTORY CHAT and painting / sketching lesson with me (Trudi ) by the Hotel fountain in the afternoon .
If you have the energy and inclination I will hold this optional short class with some basic techniques and hints An introduction to painting outdoors and demonstration.
( When you book this holiday I will provide a short list and suggestions /advice on basic painting equipment suitable for travelling and for working outdoors.)
Delicious freshly cooked dinner menu at the hotel.
Day 2. Wednesday 23rd MAY - Montecatini tour - and Art
Breakfast at hotel Morning -To introduce you to Montecatini - After breakfast we will have a guided half day tour and a visit to Tettuccio spa with its fabuous gardens , fountains,sculpture, striking art-nouveau architecture. Enjoy the beauty of its interor and art galleries and a welcome drink and complimentary light lunch /snack in the historical café, situated inside the Tettuccio building .
Afternoon .A painting / sketching lesson in the afternoon .
Another chance to recieve some hints on painting outdoors including a demonstration by the Hotel fountain .
Over the week I will show you how to capture the beauty of a landscape in watercolour or acrylic. Whether you are a beginner or have experience this will be suitable for you as I will provide demonstrations and one-on-one feedback. As well as some fundamental tecniques of painting, my aim is to enhance your ability of see with an artist's eye and to understand the importance of a basic knowledge of colour.
Delicious freshly cooked dinner menu at the hotel.
Day 3 Thursday 24th May- Painting in Medieval villages
There are many beautiful medieval villages near Montecatini . We will travel by taxi to Buggiano and spend the morning painting, sketching or just relaxing or walking - your choice -then travel on by taxi to another historic Medieval village Massa where we have lunch time snack at a local cafe . More time to relax enjoy the afernoon sightsee, walk, relax, paint or sketch . Fold-up artist chairs provided. The taxi will pick us up later in the afternoon. We return to Montecatini with time to freshen up before dinner at the hotel.
Day 4. Friday 25th May A day in Florence !
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - Departure for Florence by train from Montecatini . In Florence we skip the inevitable queue - our guide will take us to world famous Uffizi Gallery to provide a short guided visit to view works by artists I have selected from the extensive collections of pricless art 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 .
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| The Birth of Venus is by Sandro Botticelli probably1480s. |
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 and unusual shops , cafes and historic buildings !
Meet up and return to Montecatini by train for dinner at the hotel - choose your own time to return - ( train tickets included )
Day 5 Saturday 26th May Painting day/free day
Free day or painting in Montecatini Alto –the historic upper old town . A visit via cable car with spectacular vistas and medieval streetscapes should not be missed - a painters paradise.
Have lunch in one of the charming cafes in the square - your choice – continue painting / go shopping for quirky souvenirs , browse or just relax and people-watch in the cafes Dinner at Hotel (OR take the day to visit the beautiful city of LUCCA - a short train trip away - this is a optional extra .and can be arranged for you if you choose when you arrive.
Also it is possible to arrange a Spa treatment and swim
Day 6 Sunday 27th May. Montecarlo
Breakfast at hotel . Departure by taxi for Montecarlo in the morning - a charming medieval town situated about 15 Km from Montecatini.
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| the fort Montecarlo |
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| lunch al fresco at MonteCarlo |
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| from the fort Montcarlo |
Plenty of small shops and cafes, walks and interesting vistas and streets, Inspirational views , nooks and crannies interesting streetscapes .
Included -At 4:00 we have an Entance Ticket to visit and explore the picturesque fortress where you can also paint if you wish .Return by Mini bus / taxi.
Dinner at the hoteL
Morning - Optional Painting in the by the Hotel fountain
Tuition from Trudi .
Afternoon - free to shop do your thing.
Also it is possible to arrange a Spa treatment and swim. Just ask and it can be arranged.
Departure day Tues 29th May
Breakfast at Hotel Departure for Pisa airport by
taxi by mini-bus to arrive in time to check in for Ryanair flight to Dublin.
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Late Offer - last 2 places -ends on 30th April
5% off - reduced to €850
COST OF FULL PACKAGE €895 per person -(No single supplement )
-Included - Hotel -Breakfast and lavish evening meals with wine, all Taxi/Mini bus trips and train trip and guided tours in FLORENCE . Professional guidance -painting in Watercolours, and on the spot plein air demonstrations and advice at all times if required.
REDUCTION €30 for non painting partners/ friends / family
You don't need to be a painter to enjoy this lovely relaxing holiday in Tuscany -all comers are welcome - join us in the trips and do your own thing
€400 deposit secures a place . To Book on line via email with Credit card Contact Trudi will invoice you via Pay Pal
or Send a cheque to Trudi Doyle Ballyconnell, Tullow, Co Carlow R93R123
Balance of fee payable on or before 21st April 2018
Please include postal address for a paper receipt also your contact details (email and phone )
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!
Over the week I give some basic lessons in painting outdoors using watercolour - the principles also apply to other mediums. Pastels Acrylics as well as watercolours. The amount of time you spend painting is largely up to you as there are many trips and excursions so sketChing on the go using pencils / pen and ink / water soluble crayons, Watercolours etc. etc. is the norm - Pieces can be competed back at the hotel or later at your leisure.
