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LAKE COMO & CINQUE TERRE 

PAINT EUROPE TRIP

with

BILL FARNSWORTH

LAKE COMO & CINQUE TERRE
PLEIN AIR PAINTING TRIP 
with ARTIST BILL FARNSWORTH

Includes

 Bellagio / Varenna / Portofino

7 Days / 6 Nights

June 12 - 18, 2022

$5,475

 "Thanks again so much Tom! You were the perfect tour guide... " Chris B

 "...BIG THANKS to you and Shelley for an amazing trip... I loved it ALL." Gail R

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Villa Balbianello

Cinque Terre

Bellagio on Lake Como

Italy's Cinque Terre on the rugged and colorful Italian Riviera and Lake Como set against the foothills of the Alps... two breathtaking locations for a plein air painting holiday!

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Whether you are a seasoned artist... or you have never painted before and have always wanted to learn... join award-winning artist and instructor Bill Farnsworth in June to the glittering turquoise Mediterranean Sea of the Italian Riviera to paint in the coastal villages of the Cinque Terre and Portofino with their steep hillsides and colorful houses... then travel to stunning Lake Como in Northern Italy's Lombardi Region to capture the magnificent beauty of Italy's famous lake, with its charming villages, grand villas and lush gardens... painting en plein air in your own unique style.

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Each day we'll feed our creative souls. There will be demonstrations by Bill and painting sessions in scenic locations... Bill will provide individual instruction to improve your painting skills and expand your art experience... seasoned artists are free to be on your own to paint and enjoy.

 

You will take home your Italian paintings along with many treasured memories of a wonderful painting holiday and creative adventure.

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Non-painter friends and spouses of artists are welcome to join as there are many non-painting activities.

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The first three nights we’ll stay in Santa Margherita Ligure, a beautiful and charming Italian Riviera resort town on The Mediterranean.

 

We'll take a day trip to Cinque Terre's souhern most village, colorful and picturesque Riomaggiore, for a demonstration and painting session with Bill, traveling by ferry if weather permits. After lunch we'll travel by ferry (weather permitting) visiting other Cinque Terre villages.

 

Another day we'll take a short ride to picturesque Portofino, a fairytale-like fishing village with , for a morning demonstration and painting session with Bill in one Italy's most beautiful seaside locations.

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Midweek we will travel 1st class by train to stunning Lake Como and stay in the quaint lakeside village, Bellagio. We’ll stay in a choice of hotels right on the lake. You can choose to stay in a charming boutique or premiere luxury hotel.

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We'll arrive to Bellagio in the afternoon. After checking into our hotel, Bill will lead a late-afternoon and "golden hour" painting session along the shores of Lake Como. 

 

We’ll take a day trip by lake ferry to Villa Balbianello, Lake Como's most magnificent villa with its enchanting gardens, where Bill will have a demonstration and lead a morning painting session. Afterwards, for those who would like, we'll take a guided tour inside Villa Balbianello. After lunch we'll take a ferry to see Villa Carlotta.

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Another day we'll take a short lake ferry ride from Bellagio to beautiful Varenna, set along the eastern shore of Lake Como, for an early morning demonstration and painting session with Bill. Those who choose can take a lunchtime/afternoon cooking class with a celebrated and very entertaining Lake Como chef. 

 

The Cinque Terre and Lake Como painting trip includes many Italian extras -- a welcome reception with regional hors d'oeuvres and wines... a Northern Italian cooking class... an Italian wine tasting session with a region expert... a gala farewell dinner with traditional Lombardy cuisine and wines.  

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There will be personal free time for... individual painting... exploring and shopping in village shops... taking leisure walks along the waterfronts... interacting with locals... relaxing at outdoor cafes... enjoying many delicious Italian cuisine meals.

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Optional before breakfast group pleasure walks are organized along the Mediterranean and Lake Como for travelers wanting some morning exercise before starting their vacation day.

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Bill Farnsworth

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Paintings by Bill Farnsworth

The Cinque Terre & Lake Como Painting Trip is Designed to Provide:

  • A fabulous vacation and painting experience in two of Italy’s most picturesque regions – Italian Riviera & Lake Como.

  • Painting technique demonstrations and individual one-on-one personal guidance with Bill Farnsworth.

  • Friendly and fun small group environment limited to 15 painters. Enjoy the camaraderie and begin friendships with like-minded travelers.

  • Many activities for artist and non-artist travelers.

  • Free personal time for added painting... exploring & sightseeing... shopping... relaxing.

  • Optional group morning pleasure walks led by WalkEurope president, Tom Harter.

  • Recommended restaurants should you want to explore on your own, yet everyone is invited to join local-cuisine group meals.

  • Concierge service & support – fully escorted tour, personal & customized service for a WORRY-FREE vacation!​ 

 

What's Included:

  • Daily demonstrations by Bill Farnsworth.

  • Daily sketching and painting sessions Bill Farnsworth.

  • Six nights in a choice of personally selected hotels.
    Charming Boutique Hotels:
  • Italian Riviera (3 Nights) - Stay in lovely boutique hotel located in the heart of Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy. The hotel is a short walk from the Mediterranean Sea. Cheerful, modern and delightful.
  • Lake Como (3 Nights) - Stay in a historic Bellagio family-owned hotel facing the lake, located in the old part of town by the ferry landing. Decorated rooms with antiques. Enjoy a meal or sip an aperitif on the hotel's wisteria-covered terrace with a view of the lake and mountains.

       Premiere/Signature Luxury Hotels Upgrade Option:

  • Italian Riviera (3 Nights) - Stay in a Santa Margherita prestigious and elegant resort luxury hotel overlooking the Liguerian Sea, built at the beginning of the twentieth century with an art nouveau atmosphere.
  • Lake Como (3 Nights) - Stay in one of Lake Como’s most prestigious and luxurious 5-star hotels overlooking Lake Como. The hotel garden offers guests one of the most stunning views of the world!  
  • Daily buffet breakfasts at the hotels.

  • Welcome Reception – with Lugurian hors d'oeuvres and local wines hosted by Bill Farnsworth and Paint Europe.

  • Day trip to Cinque Terre for demonstration and painting session with Bill in colorful Riomaggiore. Take an early morning ferry (weather permitting) along the Italian Riviera coastline from Santa Margherita to Riomaggiore. 
  • Day trip to Portofino for demonstration and painting session with Bill.
  • Afternoon demonstration and painting session in Bellagio along Lake Como with Bill. 
  • Day trip to Villa Balbianello on Lake Como for a demonstration and painting session with Bill... guided tour of Villa Balbianello... visit to Villa Carlotta.
  • Morning demonstration and painting session in Varenna on Lake Como with Bill.
  • Italian Cooking Class – Lake Como cooking lesson and lunch with celebrated Lake Como chef.
  • Italian Wine Tasting Session - with region expert in Santa Margherita.
  • Farewell Dinner – gala dinner with provincial Italian cuisine and wines.
  • Optional before breakfast pleasure walks along Santa Margherita's seaside promenade and Lake Como shoreline.
  • Entrance fees for villas, gardens and parks for all group activities and day trips.
  • Ground transportation, ferry and train tickets and group transfers between Santa Margherita Ligure and Bellagio.
  • 1st-class train travel from Santa Margherita to Lake Como.
  • Concierge service & support.
 

Arrival & Departure Cities:

Arrival City: Santa Margherita, Italy (Airports - Genoa or Milan)

Departure City: Bellagio, Italy (Airport - Milan)

 

Trip Hosts:​

Bill Farnsworth - Artist & Instructor - More About Bill

Tom Harter - WalkEurope President - More About Tom

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Trip Cost:

Charming Boutique Hotel:

  • $5,725 – 7 days / 6 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room. For solo travelers, we will try to find you a roommate. Tour cost does not include airfare.
  • $5,475 - Early-Bird Discount - Save $250 by Signing Up and Paying by November 1, 2021
  • Added cost for private single room hotel accommodation option - $1,600       

Premiere/Signature Luxury Hotel Option:

  • $7,140 – 7 days / 6 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room. Tour cost does not include airfare.
  • $6,890 - Early-Bird Discount - Save $250 by Signing Up and Paying by November 1, 2021
  • Added cost for private single room hotel accommodation option - $2,830

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Space Is Limited -- Reserve Early!

Reservations on 1st-Reserve Basis.

Please Note: Paint Europe strives to operate according to our published itinerary. However, in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or opportunities that would enhance the itinerary, adjustments may be necessary. Hotels and itinerary are subject to changes. Trip subject to eight person minimum participation.

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