- Arts Sojourn in Umbria
The Green Heart of Italy
May 31 - June 15, 2008 - Arts Sojourn in Tuscany
The Walled City of Lucca
June 14 - June 25, 2008
Arts Sojourn in Tuscany : The Walled City of Lucca
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June 14 - June 25, 2008Click here for
Important
Trip Information
(including dates, cost and flight
info.)
LUCCA: A TREASURE IN TUSCANY
Our Tuscan Arts Sojourn for 2008 takes us to Lucca, a remarkable ancient walled city in the northwest region of Tuscany . In our ten years of operation we have never repeated a location two years in a row, but our 2007 Sojourn to Lucca was so enjoyable that we've decided that we could not wait to return. This Sojourn offers you “the best of the best” and will please any traveler who is seeking an unpretentious, yet high standard of luxury accommodation and fine dining.
The broad streets, grand piazzas, and massive defensive walls of Lucca tell of its historic wealth and political power. Opportunities for plein air painting abound here. Vehicular traffic is restricted within the historic center, making it a pleasant place for wandering. You can explore Roman excavations beneath the church of San Giovanni, or climb to the top of the Torre Giunigi. Spend a relaxing morning in the botanical gardens, or admire some of Tuscany's most impressive cathedrals, including the eleventh century, San Michele, the twelfth century San Frediano, and the Duomo di San Martino, with its fifth century carvings and works by Ghirlandaio, Civitali and Nicola Pisano. These are just a few of Lucca 's abundant historical sites. You will also have ample time to just stroll or ride a bike along the wide park-like walls that completely encircle the city - so much a part of the Luchesse experience. You can enjoy the evening passegiatta, and the animated night-life and café scene. The elegant shops along Via Filungo should be enough to satisfy even the most diehard shoppers. Our ten day Tuscan Sojourn will enable you to experience this great city in a way that a brief tourist stop never can.
While Lucca is very impressive in its own right, its prime location makes it an ideal home base for visiting many other important Tuscan towns. Pisa and the spas of Montecatini Terme, are practically next door, as is the famous beach resort of Viareggio on the Mediterranean coast. The great Renaissance city of Florence is only an hour and a half away by direct train – a very easy day trip.
OUR ACCOMMODATIONS IN LUCCA
Hotel Ilaria on the Via del Fosso
Our love for Lucca is due, in no small part, to the excellence of our hotel and restaurant partners. For years we had sought the perfect hotel in Lucca . In 2006, after some serious pavement pounding, we discovered Hotel Ilaria within the walls of the old city. We were immediately impressed. From its attractive garden entrance, to the luxurious bi-level suites in the fourteenth century hotel annex, Residenza dell'Alba, it is obvious that great care and attention has been given to the renovations and management of this elegant four-star hotel. Every room is sound-proofed and air conditioned with nicely appointed furnishings, including tiled private baths with hairdryers. There is a lovely outdoor terrace where we will host our evening “show and tell” meetings, as well as a spa and complimentary snack bar that is open all day for hotel guests. You will also have free use of the hotel bikes, wireless broadband internet point, and audio guides for planning your own walking tour of Lucca. You will enjoy a very extensive continental breakfast buffet at the hotel each morning – one of the best we have experienced in all our years of travel to Italy, and it is served outside in the hotel's winter garden. We are absolutely confident that the level of service and accommodations at Hotel Ilaria will meet the standards of even the most discriminating traveler.
DINING IN LUCCA
The New York Times proclaimed the food in Lucca to be “among Italy 's most compelling – almost certainly the best in Tuscany.” A rather lofty claim, but we won't dispute it! As a special treat, we have arranged for nine of our evening meals to be taken at “Gli Orti di Via Elisa,” a typical Tuscan trattoria, just around the corner from the hotel. “ Gli Orti” is a very well-regarded local place with a superb kitchen and friendly, courteous dining service. You may select full course meals from their varied menu of authentic Tuscan specialties as well as delicious pizzas made in their wood-fired oven. They make every night's meal a special experience. We have also arranged to have one special dinner at Ristorante Giglio , which the Times article declares has “the best combination of authentic food, pleasant surroundings and professional service” of the many fine restaurants in Lucca.
San Michele
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All breakfasts and dinners are included in our price of $2650 per person sharing a double room as well as ten night's luxury accommodations, hotel transfers to and from Galileo Galilei airport in Pisa, all art activities and our pre-departure and in-country orientation services. We also have a limited number of singles and luxurious bi-level suites available at extra cost.
When we receive your application we will you send an extensive information packet to help you prepare for your trip and we begin each Sojourn with an orientation session on location to help you acclimate to the area. You will be amazed at how easy it is for even first-time travelers to get around. Our goal is to help you feel comfortable in your surroundings so that you can get a true taste of this beautiful country firsthand and accomplish your own travel and artistic goals.
THE PAINTING WORKSHOP
The painting workshop will be conducted in an informal manner; as a group of friends, painting and sharing experiences in a supportive environment. There is no regimentation. You may paint when, where, and as little, or as much as you like. We meet together every evening as a group to discuss our work and experiences and always take our evening meals together. Matthew Daub is always available for those desiring to participate in a painting demonstration or for a one-on-one consultation. Participants may work in any medium of their choice; however careful consideration should be given to the material's portability and its practicality for international travel. Non-artists are always welcome and traditionally have enjoyed the Sojourns as much as the artists do.
Click here for
Important
Trip Information
(including dates, cost and flight
info.)