Art in Tuscany May 2018 with Artist Trudi Doyle

  Late Offer ends on 30th April -only 2 places 

5% off    - reduced to €850

                                                                      contact Trudi

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

A

  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

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 

The View 

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   . 

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.

the fort Montecarlo

lunch al fresco at MonteCarlo 

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

 Day 7   Monday 28th  May 

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.

             ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

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.