WALKEUROPE
Small Group Escorted Specialty Tours with Concierge Service
Call: 626.616.3448
Email: tomharter@walkeurope.com
TUSCANY & FLORENCE
ART INSTRUCTION
& PAINTING TRIP
TUSCANY & FLORENCE
ART INSTRUCTION & PAINTING TRIP
with ARTIST EVA MARGUERIETTE
7 Days / 6 Nights
September 11 - 17, 2016
From $3,650
Tuscany Countryside
Florence's Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore
Arno River & Ponte Vecchio
Have you always wanted to try painting? If so, this is the perfect time and place to begin. Beginning and experienced artists are encouraged to join, as are non-artists, friends and spouses. Whether you have never painted before or you're a seasoned painter, renowned Southern California artist and instructor, Eva Margueriette, will guide you individually in capturing the Tuscan landscape en plein air in your own unique style. You will take home a painted journal filled with treasured memories of your European creative adventure.
Enjoy amazing Italy in autumn, the beautiful Tuscany countryside, picturesque ancient villages of Lucca, Siena, and San Gimignano, and the Renaissance capital Florence.
Each day we'll feed our creative souls. There will be daily painting sessions, individual instruction and demonstrations by Eva which will improve your skills and expand your art experience.
We’ll be based in Florence where we'll stay six nights in boutique hotels. We'll paint in Florence's historic city centre, along the picturesque Arno River with its beautiful bridges, and in Boboli Gardens with its lavish gardens of blooming flowers, magnificent fountains, grand sculptures, and shady lanes lined with towering cypresses.
We’ll take day trips through the Tuscan countryside for painting and exploring in UNESCO World Heritage site cities -- Lucca, Siena and San Gimignano. We'll paint in Lucca's ancient city centre with its Renaissance buildings and cobblestone streets.
We'll visit Siena's famous shell-shaped Piazzo del Campo where horse races are held twice a year, and see Siena's Duomo, a Romanesque-Gothic cathedral with Michelangelo statues and Bernini sculptures. We'll visit San Gimignano with its medieval architecture and 14 ancient towers.
There will be free time for personal sightseeing to visit the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery where Michelangelo's David statue is displayed, and the Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore, sampling delicious Italian gelato, and relaxing at sidewalk cafes, and shopping in Florence's fabulous boutiques.
We'll take an Italian cooking class learning about Tuscan cuisine and having a group meal with a local chef... and have a Tuscan wine tasting session with a local expert.
Optional before breakfast group pleasure walks through Florence's city centre, parks and gardens are organized for travelers who want some morning exercise before starting their vacation day.
The Tuscany Art Instruction & Painting Trip Is Designed To Provide:
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A fabulous vacation experience in Italy visiting Florence, the Tuscan countryside, and three beautiful historic UNESCO World Heritage site small cities – Lucca, Siena and San Gimignano
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Daily art instruction and painting with Eva Margueriette.
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Friendly and fun small group environment limited to 15 persons. Enjoy the camaraderie and begin friendships with like-minded travelers.
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Many activities for artist and non-artist travelers... day trips to Lucca, Siena and San Gimignano... visit to Boboli Gardens... Italian wine tasting session... and Tuscan cooking class. Special activities for non-artists include: escorted Florence city centre walks... visiting the Uffizi Gallery... the Accademia Gallery... and Florence's magnificent Duomo – Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore.
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Free time for personal sightseeing to visit Florence's numerous landmarks... shopping at Florence's fabulous boutiques and local markets.
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Optional group morning pleasure walks led by WalkEurope president, Tom Harter.
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Recommended restaurants provided should you want to explore on your own, yet everyone is invited to join Eva Margueriette for local-cuisine group meals.
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Trip support – fully escorted tour for a fun and worry-free vacation!​
What's Included:
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Daily sketching and painting with Eva Margueriette.
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Six nights in a choice of boutique hotels.
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Charming Boutique Hotel: Hotel Hermitage, quaint and romantic old-world style hotel with antique furnishings and a rooftop garden overlooking the Arno River.
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Premiere Signature Hotel: Hotel Continentale, contemporary up-scale designer hotel with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Arno River.
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Daily hotel buffet breakfasts.
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Welcome Reception – with local Italian wines and cheese hosted by Eva Margueriette and WalkEurope.
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Day Trip to Lucca - a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its well-preserved Renaissance walls encircling its ancient city centre and cobblestone streets. Lucca is considered to be one of Italy's most beautiful cities.
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Day Trip to Siena & San Gimignano - visit to two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Siena is known for its brick medieval buildings, shell-shaped Piazzo del Campo where horse races are held twice a year; the Siena Duomo, a Romanesque-Gothic art-packed cathedral with mosaic floors, Michelangelo statues and Bernini sculptures; and Torre del Mangia, the 14th -century tower. San Gimignano is noted for its medieval architecture and 14 ancient towers; and the town's famous Vernaccia white wine.
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Italian Wine Tasting Session – with region expert.
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Cocktail Hour Soirees – enjoy before dinner aperitifs and local wines hosted by WalkEurope
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Morning Pleasure Walks - optional before breakfast daily escorted group pleasure walks through Florence's city centre, parks and gardens... and along the Arno River.
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Farewell Dinner – featuring Tuscan cuisine and Italian wines hosted by WalkEurope.
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Cathedral, museum, palace & garden entrance fees for all group activities and day trips.
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Ground transportation for all group activities, including private vans for day trips to Lucca, Siena and San Gimignano.
Arrival & Departure City:
Florence, Italy
Trip Hosts:
Eva Margueriette, Artist
Tom Harter, WalkEurope President
Trip Cost:
Charming Boutique Hotel Option
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$3,650 – 7 days / 6 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room. For solo travelers, we will try to find you a roommate.
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$825 – Added cost for single room accommodation option (limited availability).
Tour cost does not include airfare.
Premiere Signature Hotel Option
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$4,950 – 7 days / 6 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room.
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$1,625 – Added cost for single room accommodation option (limited availability).
Tour cost does not include airfare.
Space Is Limited -- Reserve Early!
Limited to 15 persons.
Would you like a copy of the detailed itinerary? Just ask and it will be e-mailed immediately!
Combine Your Tuscany & Florence Painting Trip with...
The Amalfi Coast Painting Trip...
Join us September 18-24 on WalkEurope's Amalfi Coast PaintingTrip. Eva Margueriette will be hosting a painting trip immediately following Tuscany painting trip. The two back-to-back Italy painting trips are designed for travelers to combine trips to spend two weeks painting in beautiful Italy. We'll be based in Sorrento on the Gulf of Naples where we'll spend 6 nights along the stunning Amalfi Coast. We'll take day trips to Capri and Pompeii. We'll travel by train together from Florence to Sorrento on Saturday, September 17. Click here for trip description.
Rome...
Join us September 24-29 (following the Amalfi trip) on a special 5-night WalkEurope Rome Discovery Trip. We'll see Rome’s famous landmarks -- the Colosseum; the Forum; Vatican City with Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel; Pantheon; Spanish Steps; Borghese Gardens; Trevi Fountain; Piazza Navona; and Villa d’Este in Tivoli, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There will be lots of time for shopping and visiting Rome markets. Click here for trip description.