The Italian Riviera: Sestri Levante and the Cinque Terre

Trip Info At a Glance: June 13 - June 20, 2013 Cost: Call for pricing $350.00 non-refundable deposit due with application. Balance must be received no later than March 15, 2013. Hotel: Hotel Vis a Vis Sign up Form Click here for Important Trip Information (including dates, cost and flight info.)

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Liguria is Italy’s Mediterranean coastal region stretching from just above Pisa all the way to France. It features some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Italy. Sestri Levante is a beautiful seaside resort ideally situated midway between Portofino and the spectacular Cinque Terre. This will be our fifth visit to Sestri and we consider it to be one of the great “finds” on our Arts Sojourn itinerary. Sestri Levante’s seaside promenade is lined with palm trees and outdoor cafes. It is an upbeat and picturesque vacation town with an exciting nightlife and the best beaches in this part of Italy, but Sestri has the soul of a Ligurian fishing village in its old center. The Bay of Silence, just below our hotel, is ringed with pastel-painted houses and hotels. Fishermen still pull their boats right up onto the sand amidst the sunbathers.

Sestri Levante is the perfect home base for plein air painting as well as sightseeing excursions along the coast. The magnificent Cinque Terre are five fabled towns built directly on the cliffs above the sea. They are rapidly becoming one of Italy’s most favored destinations. The Cinque Terre is easily accessed by either excursion boat or a very short train ride from Sestri. The ancient port city of Genova is also only a short distance away as are many very charming smaller coastal towns, such as Portofino, Rapallo, Santa Margherita, and Camogli. If you have not yet been to this part of Italy, you cannot imagine the combination of natural and man-made beauty.

OUR ACCOMMODATIONS IN SESTRI LEVANTE

Fishing boats on the beach in Sestri

Hotel Vis a Vis is one of our favorite luxury four star hotels. Sitting high above Sestri Levante on a mount overlooking two picturesque bays, Vis a Vis is surrounded by private gardens, but despite this tranquil location, the town below is easily reached via an elevator bored eighty meters down through the mountain. Every room in the hotel has individually adjustable air conditioning as well as its own private balcony or terrace. The spacious outdoor heated pool and solarium overlook the Mediterranean Sea and the beautiful Bay of Silence.

The cuisine and dining service at Hotel Vis a Vis are truly exceptional. The glass-walled panoramic dining room is on the top floor, offering magnificent views of both mountain and sea. You will savor your morning coffee while enjoying an extensive buffet breakfast as the mist rises from the inland mountains. You will watch the sun set over the Mediterranean Sea every night from your dining table. The menu features the freshest Ligurian seafood dishes and rivals any of the best restaurants in town. We think you will agree that this is a very special hotel in a very special part of the world.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Houses along the coast

All breakfasts and dinners are included in our price of $2465 per person sharing a double room as well as seven night’s luxury accommodations, ground transfers to and from Galileo Galilei airport in Pisa, all art activities and our pre-departure and in-country orientation services. See IMPORTANT TRIP INFORMATION for complete details.

When we receive your application we will you send an extensive information packet to help you prepare for your trip. We begin each Sojourn with an orientation session on location to help you acclimate to the area. Our goal is to help you feel comfortable in your surroundings so that you can get a true taste of this beautiful region firsthand and accomplish your own travel and artistic goals at your own pace.

THE PAINTING WORKSHOP

View from the Hotel Vis a Vis solarium

Our Ligurian painting workshop is 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 available for those desiring a painting demonstration or for a one-on-one consultation, but we try to keep the atmosphere of our Sojourn workshops laid back. 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 have traditionally enjoyed the Sojourns as much as the artists do.

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Important Trip Information
(including dates, cost and flight info.)