Below are the details for our inaugral tour of Venice and Bay of Poets – Italian Painting Tour with Michael Goff. Painting times are an approximation only. To download the brochure – click here.
Date: Monday, 21 September – Monday, 6 October 2014
Day 1 – Meet & Greet at our accommodation in VENICE
Arrive at our accommodation and have time to rest before our official Meet & Greet at 6pm. Time for a short orientation before going for dinner nearby at 7pm.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals: Dinner at the discretion of individual
Painting: No workshop, just preparation talk
Day 2 – RIALTO – The Market Square
Meander through the streets of Venice to the Market Square near Bridge Rialto. Views of Grand Canal with gondolas, stately palazzi under shade arches. All day stay but opportunity to radiate to San Marco and other small corners in this bustling city.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals: Breakfast included. Dinner at the discretion of individual
Painting: 9am-4pm (includes a lunch break)
Day 3 – MURANO – The Island of Glass
Ferry to paint on this lovely island filled with shops and factories, where glassmakers live away from the main land to preserve their secrets. The main canal has lovely shops filled with amazing coloured glass to tempt the onlooker. If weather permits, we will arrive at St Marks Square approximately 5pm to have time to paint the sunset before returning to our accommodation.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals: Breakfast included. Dinner at the discretion of individual
Painting: 10am-1pm, St Mark’s Square Sunset Workshop 5pm-7pm
Day 4: Centre of VENICE – The Grand Canal
Walk or Ferry can be used arrive at the quiet location on the island to paint. You may even like to wander on and off the main canal to explore and experience. After lunch, we will travel to a new location for painters, while non-painters will have time venturing through the intricate laneways.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals: Breakfast included. Dinner at the discretion of individual
Painting: 9:30am-4pm (included a lunch break)
Day 5 – BURANO – Island of Lace
Travel again by ferry to find a delightful island where famous lace makers can be found. This island was a fishing village which still maintains its tradition of colourful houses which were used to distinguish the families who lived within. For non painters, a ferry trip to Torcello can be taken, with Janette, before travelling back to St Mark’s Square for more sunset painting.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals: Breakfast included. Dinner at the discretion of individual
Painting: 10am-1pm, St Mark’s Square Sunset Workshop 5pm-7pm
Day 6 – PADUA (PADOVA) – The Old University Town
We train to a lovely Medieval City. Visit the beautiful Basilica of St Antonio, which forms the focal point in the city as the most popular pilgrimage destinations Italy. It is filled with frescoes by great Florentine artist, Giotto (C13). Close by the medieval market place and the beautiful gardens called Orto Botanico is a beautiful place to sketch and take photographs.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals: Breakfast included. Dinner at the discretion of individual
Painting: After lunch, drawing and sketching session
Day 7 – VENICE – Jewish Quarter
Stroll to the old Ghetto area to paint. This interesting area is filled with shops, views of small bridges, narrow canals and chimneys, unique only to Venice. This is a good place for a Gondola ride and to walk and explore the many treasures.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals: Breakfast included. Dinner at the discretion of individual
Painting: 9:00am-4:00pm (includes a lunch break)
Day 8: TREVISO – The Walled City
We train to the walled medieval city of Treviso. Within the city walls, there are watermills and canals which are still used today. Explore the town with its high towers, Palazzo dei Trecento (C13) and because the town was built in the centre of the River Site, you can visit the ancient buildings of the old fish market. The Museo Civico is worth a visit as it depicts the artists of the region. There is time for exploring, shopping, photographing and drawing before returning to Venice in order to pack our luggage for our travel to Bay of Poets in the morning.
Accommodation: Venice
Meals: Breakfast included. Dinner at the discretion of individual
Painting: After lunch, drawing and sketching session
Day 9: DEPARTURE TO BAY OF POETS (Cinque Terre)
After breakfast, our tragretto will collect our suitcases for the train station as we take one last stroll through the canals of Venice. We will train and bus to the Bay of Poets. After settling in our new hotel , we will have an orientation of our new town.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets (Cinque Terre)
Meals: Dinner included
Painting: No workshop scheduled
Day 10: SAN TERENZO – Venere Azzura Bay View
Paint all day in one location under shady trees with views of the beautiful bay with a castle in the distance, boats and colourful buildings. This area became inspiration for many artists, poets and writers. Many admirable constructions still remain from the past. Non painters can walk to the ancient castle and explore the area, with time to relax with Janette. At sunset in San Terenzo will be the perfect way to close the day in one of café nearby.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets (Cinque Terre)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Painting: 9am-4pm (including a lunch break)
Day 11: PORTOVENERE – Cinque Terre
Ferry from Lerici to Portovenere to paint all day on one location. Time to wander to explore this picturesque village established in Roman times. The village was built on a rocky crag overlooking the emerald sea and framed by three islands: Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, which weave their cramming spell on everyone. From the castle on top of cliffs, there are superb views of the Cinque Terre and island of Palmaria. Let yourself enjoy the fresh seafood in one of the many restaurants located in the Quay. For non painters, there is opportunity to take an extended ferry to the other islands
Accommodation: Bay of Poets (Cinque Terre)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Painting: 9am-5pm (including a lunch break)
Day 12: TELADO – Hidden Bay of Lerici
After taking the local bus to this secret bay (Italians do not tell the tourists!), you will discover a lovely village to paint located on the sea edge, with a small pebbled beach with boats and under pass ways and steps twisting around the clinging houses. The church lighthouse is on the edge of a rocky formation facing the sea.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets (Cinque Terre)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Painting: 9am-4pm (including a lunch break)
Day 13: VERNAZZA – Cinque Terre
“Vulnetia” was its ancient Latin name. The web of “arrugi” (narrow lanes) and steep stairways converges in the main square overlooking the sea. This is the centre of the village, which opens up to a large bay. Nearby, stands the church dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch (1318), with its foundations in the sea.
Later, we take the ferry to Riomaggiore, the jewel of Cinque Terre. Along the charming road down to the “Marina”, you will find the typical coloured houses which seem to cling to one another, with the boat dock in the middle.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets (Cinque Terre)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Painting: Half Day Workshop
Day 14: LERICI – Vine Yards
Just a short stroll up behind our hotel are vineyards. The wine making season surrounds us and the chosen location will allow you to take advantage of the vines, which will have their autumn colours portrayed against the Azzurra Bay of Lerici. In the distance, the forbidding medieval Castello di Lerici, dominates the holiday villas below. Today, it houses a museum of geopaleontogy and is a venue for art exhibitions and concerts.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets (Cinque Terre)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Painting: Half Day Workshop
Day 15: LERICI – The Harbour
Just a short stroll in the morning near where we catch the ferries, there is a lovely place to paint under shade the quiet harbor of Lerici. You may want to purchase a ticket to catch a ferry to Portovenere to revisit that harbor before returning to prepare for your departure the next day. Time to enjoy and paint the last sunset on this lovely region of Italy.
Accommodation: Bay of Poets (Cinque Terre)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Painting: Half Day Workshop
Day 16: DEPARTURE
Departure by Taxi in the morning to LA SPECIA TRAIN STATION, where we bid you farewell.
Please note – to ensure you have the tour of a lifetime, the itinerary may be changed at anytime.