Any sketching/watercolor artists interested?

Thanks for sharing the link. This is something I would love to do some day as I am struggling to learn watercolours, also. I would love to hear how it went when you come back.

Anita, I will definitely share a trip report after I return, Now to figure out which city I would like to visit and get over jet lag before the class begins! : )

My personal favourite is Venice, it’s a good place to recover from jet lag because it’s small, and there’s no cars/traffic to deal with. Easy to get the train or even a bus to just about anywhere, also. Florence might be another good choice. Both have a lot of art to see, also.

Anita, those are both good choices, and I have loved the times I stayed in Venice!

My first thought is to try to attend a festival or two in the region. I’ve been to the Jousting Festival in Arezzo which is the first Sunday in September. But, I haven’t been in Montepulciano during their Barrel Uphill Race festival, so that would be fun to see. It’s the last Sunday in August.

I made a train map this morning of travel times between locations to quickly come up with a plan for the pre-class days since I looked at B&B availability last night. These are all cities where I’ve stayed previously and thinking some combo of them will work: Montepulciano, Siena, Arezzo, Florence, Perugia. I will do a round-trip flight to Rome.

Siena’s Palio will be Aug. 16, so they still should be in a festive mood late August.

I would love this! And, I am NOT a watercolorist by any means. Sounds like a fabulous week. Can’t wait for the trip report.

SJS, as a sometimes solo traveler, I love the idea of a small group of 12 centered around a theme I will enjoy, plus having some fun activities that I know won’t be cancelled on me last-minute because of too few participants signed up. : )

My husband & I were able to be in Orvieto briefly during the RS Best of Italy tour several years ago, so this will be fun to spend more quality time there, too.

Jean - You might check out TravelFeverTours.com. They do small-group (12) specialized tours in Europe and elsewhere: culinary, art (smile), hiking, others. Get on their email list to be sure you don't miss something! I've traveled with them and highly recommend.

Thanks so much, Janet! They have some very nice options as I hopefully improve my artistic skills in the next few years!

I've seen this class too. Good for you to sign up. I hope you tell us all about it when you come home!

Mo R, I will share a trip report when I return. Besides being helpful for others, it’s a good way for me to print out a summary to store with my few paper souvenir tickets, etc.

I am considering two options for the time before the class:
1. Attending two festivals - the Barrel Race at Montepulciano & the Jousting Festival at Arezzo with a travel stop night at Chiusi and nights at Florence & Siena, also.

2. Or, to go somewhere new and stay a few nights at Cortona with returns to both Arezzo for the festival & Perugia.

Option 1 adds two weeks; Option 2 adds one week. Option 2 is easier transportation - just trains, plus a link from Cortona to the nearest train station.