Artists tour of umbria & tuscany

The tour starts at 3.30pm on Tuesday 10 June, at Foligno Station for our transfer to Montefalco.

The tour ends after breakfast on Tuesday 24 June, at Hotel Relais Il Chiostro di Pienza, Pienza.

Trains from Rome and Florence arrive at Foligno Station in the mid-afternoon, where arriving passengers will be met and transferred to our tranquil agriturismo accommodation, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards in the countryside just outside Montefalco. There is time to check in and relax, or perhaps join John for some warm up sketching before we all gather for welcome drinks and dinner under the stars at our accommodation. Overnight Montefalco (D)

As the location of our hilltop accommodation affords magnificent panoramic views over the Spoleto Valley below, after an early breakfast, John will lead our group to a prime spot on the estate for a morning of sketching and painting. Following lunch on the estate, we make our way to Montefalco to meet Walkley Award-winning artist historian and local resident Neil Moore, who will guide our walking tour of this lovely town. With a history reaching back to Roman times, the town flourished during the Renaissance. Our visit includes the 14th-century church of San Francesco where we see Benozzo Gozzoli’s renowned fresco cycle, as well as works by Perugino and the Umbrian School. This evening we enjoy an aperitivi and wine tasting with Neil Moore. Overnight Montefalco (B, L, A)

Today we travel to Casa Gola estate, located in the middle of sweeping olive groves in the hills above the small town of Bevagna. Take part in a cooking class, we learn to make local cuisine using freshly picked seasonal organic produce grown in chef Luciana Cerbini’s diverse vegetable garden. We also learn about the important differences in the types of Casa Gola award-winning olive oil and what to match the oil with. The painters can paint amongst the extensive olive groves whilst those in the cooking class help to prepare lunch. We then all sit down together for a long lunch, to share the cucina deliziosa, delicious cooking, that we prepared under Luciana’s guidance. We return to our hotel in the afternoon. Overnight Montefalco (B, L)

Today John will take us on a short trip to paint Trevi, one of Italy’s designated borghi più belli – most beautiful villages – made from local pink stone that glows in morning light. Trevi overlooks the fertile plain and fresh waters of the Clitunno Springs below. We then enjoy a lunch break in Clitunno, a town which retains many features from its Roman and Renaissance past. There is much to see and plenty of inspiration to be found during our visit, with time to sit and paint. Returning to Montefalco in the late afternoon, we’ll meet again for dinner al fresco at our accommodation. Overnight Montefalco (B, D)

Surrounded by walls, towers and gates, Bevagna is a classic medieval Italian town. Our visit today will provide plentiful opportunities and inspiration for sketching and painting through the day. We tour through an ancient paper mill and a medieval house learning the history from local guides, before free time for lunch and to explore – there are ruins of a Roman temple and theatre, and early Romanesque, later Renaissance and Baroque churches. You may like to visit the late 13th- century church of San Francesco, where the stone St Francis reputedly leaned on as he preached to the birds in the fields, now lies beside the altar. Returning to Montefalco, we’ll have dinner in our agriturismo. Overnight Montefalco (B, D)

After a leisurely breakfast, we have the morning to enjoy painting on the estate in Camiano with John. After lunch, we then make our way to the nearby hilltop home and studio of Neil Moore. There will be an opportunity to sketch, paint or just marvel at the home he has lovingly restored from a medieval ruin. He will show us around the property where we’ll see his studio and some of his superb oil paintings. Together we enjoy aperitivi in this magical setting before returning to our hotel, for an evening of leisure. Overnight Montefalco (B, L, A)

On the morning of our last day in Montefalco, you will have an opportunity to consolidate the work you have done to date. We will display our work and John will discuss, appraise and show any techniques needed to enhance paintings. Non- painters will visit Santa Chiara and the historical centre of Montefalco, and there will be free time for lunch in Montefalco, with time to wander around the shops. Then we amble back to Camiano Piccolo for dinner. Overnight Montefalco (B, D)

Departing Montefalco this morning, we make our way to Pienza, stopping enroute at Lake Trasimeno. One of the largest of Italy’s lakes, Trasimeno was the site of early Etruscan and Roman settlements. Thanks to its rich ecosystem the lake and its shores were declared a nature park in 1995. Here we take the local ferry to the island Isola Maggiore, where we have time for sketching and for lunch before continuing on to Pienza. Our hotel, Relais Il Chiostro – a converted 13th- century Franciscan convent – is situated in the heart of town. After checking in, you may like to relax and enjoy the breath- taking panoramic view from the hotel terrace “La Terrazza”, where we meet for dinner. Overnight Pienza (B, D)

The charming Tuscan town of Pienza is known as the “ideal” city of the Renaissance. Once known as Corsignano, the town was the birthplace of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, a local lad who rose to become Pope Pius II and subsequently rebuilt his hometown as Pienza – the city of Pius. Designed by Florentine architect Bernardo Rossellino, with the help of Leon Battista Alberti, the town was recognised as a UNESCO World-Heritage site in 1996 for its harmonious Renaissance architecture and city planning. We’ll enjoy time painting and sketching in town in the morning light and a walking tour of the historic centre with a local guide. Returning to our hotel later in the afternoon, there is time to relax or further exlplore Pienza’s shops before we meet for dinner this evening on La Terrazza. Overnight Pienza (B, D)

This morning we visit the Romanesque Abbey of Sant’Antimo, reputed to have been founded by Charlemagne, though all that remains from his time is the ancient apse. The grand abbey we see today dates from the 12th century, built in austere travertine stone. A small community of Benedictine monks still reside on site. Experience the soothing rhythms and harmonies of monks chanting prayers. A wonderful opportunity to paint the abbey or take the tour makes this a special experience for all. This area is famous for its wine production and very nearby is Tenuta Fanti winery. We’ll paint in the vineyards, tour the winery and enjoy an outstanding wine and olive oil tasting and lunch at Cantina Fanti, before making our way back to Pienza. The evening is at leisure. Overnight Pienza (B, L)

Today is at leisure to explore, sketch and paint in the many little back streets of Pienza and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Val Dorcia, with free time for lunch in the town. If you’re not painting, there is the option to visit Palazzo Piccolomini in the main square with our Tour Manager. Tonight we dine at an authentic Pienza pizzeria. Overnight Pienza (B, D)

This morning we head to the spa town of Bagno Vignoni, whose thermal waters have been appreciated since Roman times. The hot springs that bubble up into a pool serve as the town’s main square and was once a place for healing and refreshment for tired pilgrims on the Via Francigena. Today bathing is encouraged in more salubrious spas elsewhere in town, where you may choose to immerse yourself and relax in the hot springs or spend the morning sketching and painting with John. After a break for lunch, we make our way to San Quirico D’orcia on the way back to our accommodation. Etruscan in origin, San Quirico is a pleasure to paint, sketch or just stroll around. On return to our hotel in the late afternoon, there is time to relax before we meet for dinner this evening on La Terrezza. Overnight Pienza (B, D)

After a leisurely morning, our afternoon excursion takes us to La Foce, an historic 15th-century residence overlooking the beautiful Val d’Orcia. The house and magnificent gardens were restored by owner Countess Iris Origo, American by birth and author of the famous book War in Val’Dorcia. Here we have the opportunity for a guided visit and time to wander through the gardens, up the many terraces filled with cherry trees, pines and along the cypress lined avenues. We then continue on to the Church of San Biagio, near Montepulciano, to paint in the afternoon light. The location of the church also offers superb views across the countryside. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon and meet again this evening for dinner. Overnight Pienza (B, D)

Our last day in Pienza is the ideal opportunity to revisit and sketch your favourite Pienza spots, consolidate the work you have done to date with John on hand for guidance through the day, or go shopping in the unique local specialty shops. We’ll meet again in the early evening to celebrate our week’s works, followed by farewell drinks and dinner on La Terrazza as the sun goes down over the Val d’Orcia. Overnight Pienza (B, D)

Our tour ends after breakfast this morning. A transfer to Chiusi train station is available for those departing today. (B)