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This is a preliminary itinerary and will be altered to accommodate seasonal activities, local festivals or the availability of guides or lecturers. However the essential content of the itinerary will remain the same. B L D means that breakfast, lunch and/or dinner will be included that day.
Day 1
ROME TO MONTEFALCO
L D
You will be met at Spoleto railway station to be transferred to
your accommodation at the Fabrizi estate near Montefalco. Time to
settle in before we stroll into Montefalco for an afternoon orientation
before returning to Camiano for a welcome dinner and relaxing evening.
Day 2
MASTER CLASS B
L D
This morning we travel
first to Foligno to the local art supply shop to stock up on any
materials you might be needing. In the afternoon we travel to
the tiny hilltop village of "Colle del Marchese", home to renowned artist
Neil Moore and Carol Searle. Neil and Carol renovated the ruins of a
13th century castle turning it into their home and Neil's studio. In
our first master class Neil will introduce us to his work, style and
techniques which have been influenced by 20 years immersed in the rich
history and artistic heritage of Umbria. Having been called an" Aussie
Renaissance man", Neil describes his paintings as "magic realism" a
combination of ancient and modern - like Italy itself with its lively
culture grown out of the wonderful past that is ever - present. His
work can be viewed on his website at
www.neilmoore.it.
Day 3
CHARACTERISTIC UMBRIAN PATCHWORK LANDSCAPE
B L D
A little known part of
Umbria, tucked away in the nearby countryside provides us with a
breathtaking landscape lost in time. We position ourselves in a
panoramic and peaceful setting overlooking the quintessential view,
castles, medieval walled villages immersed in a patchwork of natural
patterns formed by the vineyards and olive groves of the region. Once
we are ready to trade the solitude of our setting, we step back in time
to explore some of these glorious smaller villages, off the tourist
track. Old entrance gate ways, turrets, towers, merlins and broken
walls provide subject in these sleepy little places. Lunch is on a local
wine estate.
Day 4
SPELLO
B D
Today we head to the
stunning medieval town of Spello, dressed in fairytale pink and cream
stone and home to a great treasure of art, "The Annunciation" by Pinturicchio. The essence of Spello however are the tiny laneways
lined with flower clad balconies and tended with great devotion by the
local people. There is great choice of subject matter today as you
may be inspired by toga clad Roman sculptures standing guard over the
entrance gates or perhaps
capturing the spirit of the cobblestone laneways with all their
beautiful detail unchanged for centuries. A break for lunch at a local
enoteca to try the delicious extra virgin olive oil and hot toasted bruschette allows us to come together before we return to Montefalco visiting
the studio of a local artist on the way.
Day 5
SCULPTURE GARDENS
B D
Today we travel to the
nearby region of Lazio to visit two special gardens. The magical,
mystical gardens of “Bomarzo” or “Sacred Woods” is our first visit.
Created in the 16th century by the hunchback Duke of Orsini for the love
of his wife, the garden has a surreal flavour which inspired Salvador Dali who
made a film here. Fantasy and horror mixed with art’s triumph over
nature as mossy sculptures provide wonderful material to feed our
imaginations. Next and in complete contrast, we travel to the gardens
of “Villa Lante”, where we enjoy lunch first, before we enter a garden,
considered to be a masterpiece of renaissance garden art. Waterfalls,
lakes and fountains decorate terraces in true mannerist style, where
allegory and architecture merge with the four elements of nature,
representing the perfection of heaven brought to earth. Wonderful
patterns, with fine decorative detail in a panoramic and peaceful
setting beckons us to lose ourselves for the rest of the afternoon .
Day 6
DERUTA & FRESCOES
B D
In the morning we travel to Deruta, to
watch the artists of Deruta working on the
dramatically colourful maiolica ceramics designs which are
characteristic of the town. Under the guidance of Neil
Moore, we meet this afternoon at the church of San Francesco in
Montefalco. With special permission we are able to set up in the apse
of the choir under the gaze of the beautiful 15th century frescos by Benozzo
Gozzoli. In what is considered to be his best work, we enjoy his
version of the “life of St. Francis” Italy’s most beloved Saint.
Inspired by the revolutionary frescos attributed to Giotto in Assisi,
Gozzoli indulges in his favourite cityscapes, especially the
background view of Montefalco painted over 500 years ago. We
are able to emulate the skill of the renaissance master as we work under
the watchful eye of Neil in this unique setting.
Day 7
SPOLETO / BASS RELIEF
B L D
The special qualities of
the morning light are captured as we travel to the beautiful town of
Spoleto. Our first stop is the church of "St. Pietro Fuori le
Mura"
situated on the beautiful forested Monteluco, or Spoleto's holy
mountain. The facade dating from the days of the Dukes of Spoleto
inspire us to sketch rich abstract patterns and Romanesque details
sculptured as bass relief. Later, we head into Spoleto where we begin
with a short orientation stroll entering the town over the dramatic "Ponte delle Torri",
a medieval aqueduct bridge with 10 towering arches to the main square.
With the rest of the day free, the beauty of Spoleto will not disappoint.
Departing in the afternoon, we return via the studio of Neil Moore.
Day 8
LOCAL ARTISTS
B L D
Morning
and afternoon visits to
a selection of the homes and studios in our network local artists
*Link to a list of artists in Umbria
Day 9
MARKETS
B D
This morning is market day
in Montefalco. All the drama of a traditional farmers market comes
alive with a smorgasbord of fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables
enticingly displayed against the medieval walls of the city. We
are free to browse and seek a quiet spot to enjoy the theatre of life
with the locals coming and going and the farmers selling their produce.
Rich colors in a lively setting, allows us to capture a traditional day
in the
life of Umbria.
Day10
BEVAGNA
B D
Our drive to nearby Bevagna
winds along the edge of a hill where we can clearly see the cities of
Spello and Assisi across the broad valley. It is the piazza in Bevagna, considered to be one of the most evocative in Umbria which
draws us today. Decorated with two of Umbria's most splendid
Romanesque churches built with Roman ruins believed to be taken
from the pagan temple of Isis, recycled with subtle geometry,
incorporating muscular stone interiors and unusual Egyptian capitals. There is much more to the walled town of Bevagna however, with a
delightful main shopping street displaying traditional crafts that makes
for great diversion as we find a special place to set up easel for the
last time. Lunch is on a local wine estate. This evening we enjoy a final farewell dinner.
Day 11 DEPARTURE
[PLEASE NOTE THIS CORRECTION TO BROCHURE ERROR.
CORRECT DEPARTURE DAYS ARE AS
FOLLOWS: 10 MAY, 9 JULY & 27 SEPT 2008]
Transport to/from Spoleto station at
the end of the tour (Rome transport provided if taken
as tour extension) |
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