Our Program :
- 2 Nights FLORENCE
- 7 Nights SAN GIMIGNANO
Tuscany, arguably the most beautiful part of Italy. We will make our base the stunning hilltown of San Gimignano. The entire town has been claimed as a U.N.E.S.C.O. world heritage site for architecture. It began its life as a town in the 10th century taking its name from the Holy Bishop of Modena, St.Gimignano who is said to have saved te village from barbarian hordes. The town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the Middle Ages thanks to the “Via Francigena” (the trading and pilgrimage route between Paris and Rome).Known as the “City of Beautiful Towers” (14 of the original 72 towers built by the noble families to show off their wealth from the production of spices – in particular saffron – still exist!).
Florence - The Renaissance was a rebirth that occurred throughout most of Europe. However, the changes that we associate with the Renaissance first occurred in Florence and continued to be more pervasive there than anywhere else. The city’s economy and its writers, painters, architects and philosophers all made Florence a model of Rennaisance culture. A walk through this beautiful city can take you into the fifteenth century - so much of that time is still here!
Siena stands on three hills and preserves its original better than any other Italian city. Not only is Siena’s medieval character at the forefront of the city’s image it is still very much alive in its daily life through its ‘Contrade’- a series of parishes whose ancient rivalries are still acted out in the twice-yearly ‘Palio’ – Loyalty to the of one’s birth is fierce, as you wander the streets you will see the parishes’ symbols (of animals – Unicorn, Turtle, Goose, etc) repeated on flags, plaques and carvings.
Our hotel for 7 nights in San Gimignano is the beautiful Hotel Piazza della Cisterna facing onto the square of the same name right in the historical centre of town. Our rooms have balconies and a view of either the piazza or the valley below. We will paint on location in the town in the mornings and late afternoons. Due to its great popularity and unlike other provincial towns the shops do not close at midday.We will spend the middle of the day as tourists. There are so many nooks and crannies in this old town to explore, and we can enjoy long lunches in one of the piazzas. Late in the afternoon when all the tourists leave we have the town to ourselves to enjoy each evening.
Program -
Apr 23 - 24 FLORENCE
1 night in Florence. Florence shows its historic qualities beautifully. It is best to have the time to visit the famed Uffizi Gallery, David in the Academia, the Ponte Vecchio and the markets invite you to wander. It is easy to imagine Dante or Machiavelli walking beside you
Apr 24 - May 1 SAN GIMIGNANO
7 nights in San Gimignano. San Gimignano is one of the most important hilltowns in Tuscany and is visited everyday by tourists from around the world. As we have made our base here we can appreciate and enjoy the town in the mornings before the tourists arrive and later in the afternoon when they have all left. Each morning after breakfast we will go out on location in the town to paint in the morning light. Each afternoon after the tourists have left we will again set up in the town to paint, taking advantage of the afternoon light and shadows. Midday you are free to be a Tuscan, to enjoy long lunches in the Piazza and explore the nooks and shops of this amazing old town.
INCLUDED DAY TRIP TO SIENA
We will take one day to visit the medieval quarter of this ancient city. Siena was on the pilgrimage route from Paris to Rome and there are so many winding streets that it is easy to imagine pilgrims walking along in their robes with their staff and water gourds looking for an Inn for the night’s shelter.
May 1 - 2
FLORENCE
Today we will take you back to Florence to enjoy the last night of the program, which finishes after breakfast the next morning on April 30. We are also happy to assist with extending your holiday in Italy or Europe.
COST
- Price per person (based on sharing twin accommodation) $2689.00 CAD
- Early Booking Bonus - $75.00 CAD per person for deposits received by Oct 2, 2009
- Price is 'LAND ONLY' (We are also happy to assist with flight and
travel arrangements from anywhere to join up with this program.
- Single rate on request - Limited availability so be sure to book early!
DEPOSIT
- A $500.00 CAD deposit required upon booking of tour. Balance due 70 days prior to departure.
INCLUDED FEATURES
- 2 Nights accommodation in Florence
- 7 Nights accommodation in San Gimignano
- All transportation on tour (Airport transfers excluded)
- Breakfast each day
- Luncheon at an organic farm with views of San Gimignano
- Morning and afternoon painting sessions
- Day trip to Siena
- Fully escorted by painting instructor - Henry Vyfvinkel
- All taxes
EXCLUDED FEATURES
- All Flights and airport transfers (We are also happy to assist with flight and travel arrangements from anywhere to join up with this program.)
