Our program–
- 8 nights San Gimignano
- 2 nights Florence
- Day visit to Siena
Tuscany, arguably the most beautiful part of Italy. We will make our base the stunning hilltown of San Gimignano. The entire town has been claimed as a U.N.E.S.C.O. world heritage site for
Its architecture. It began its life as a town in the 10th century
taking its name from the Holy Bishop of Modena, St.Gimignano
who is said to have saved te village from barbarian hordes. The
town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the
Middle Ages thanks to the "Via Francigena" (the trading and
pilgrimage route between Paris and Rome).Known as the "City of
Beautiful Towers" (14 of the original 72 towers built by the noble
families to show off their wealth from the production of spices - in
particular saffron - still exist!).
Our hotel for 8 nights in San Gimignano is the
beautiful Hotel Piazza della Cisterna facing onto the
square of the same name right in the historical
centre of the town. Our rooms have balconies and
a view of either the piazza or the valley below.
We will paint on location in the town in the mornings
and late afternoons. Due to its great popularity and unlike other provincial towns
the shops do not close at midday. We will spend the middle of the day as
tourists - there are so many nooks and crannies in this old town to explore, and
enjoy long lunches in one of the piazzas. Late in the afternoon when all
the tourists leave we again have the town to ourselves to enjoy for the
evening.
Siena stands on three hills and preserves its original
character better than any other Italian city. Not only is
Siena's medieval character at the forefront of the city's
Image it is still very much alive in its daily life through its
'Contrade'- a series of parishes whose ancient rivalries
are still acted out in the twice-yearly 'Palio' - Loyalty to the
contrada of one's birth is fierce, as you wander the streets
you will see the parishes' symbols (of animals - Unicorn,
Turtle, Goose, etc) repeated on flags, plaques and carvings.
Florence - The Renaissance was a rebirth that occurred
throughout most of Europe. However, the changes that we
associate with the Renaissance first occurred in Florence
and continued to be more pervasive there than anywhere
else. The city's economy and its writers, painters, architects
and philosophers all made Florence a model of Rennaisance
culture. A walk through this beautiful city can take you into
the fifteenth century - so much of that time is still here!
After previously teaching painting in Tuscany, Henry Vyfvinkel's favourite place to paint and stay is San Gimignano. For inspiration, comfort, and just the joy of revelling in 'Tuscan life' a stay of 8 nights in this beautiful hilltown is every painters' dream.
ITINERARY
May 5 - 13 - 8 nights in San Gimignano
San Gimignano is one of the most important hilltowns in Tuscany and is visited everyday by tourists from around the world.
As we have made our base here we can appreciate and enjoy the town in the mornings before the tourists arrive and later in the afternoon when they have all left.
Each morning after breakfast we will go out on location in the town to paint in the morning light.
Each afternoon after the tourists have left we will again set up in the town to paint, taking advantage of the afternoon light and shadows.
Midday you are free to be a Tuscan, to enjoy long lunches in the Piazza and explore the nooks
and shops of this amazing old town.
May 13 - we leave San Gimignano to visit Siena
Siena's Fortezza, the Piazza del Campo, medieval alleys and streets
are all there for us to wander.
May 13 - 15 2 nights in Florence. Florence shows its historic qualities beautifully. It's important
to have the time to visit the famed Uffizi Gallery, David in the Academia, the
Ponte Vecchio and the markets invite you to wander.
It is easy to imagine Dante or Machiavelli walking beside you.
May 15 - the program finishes after breakfast in Florence - we are happy to assist with any
further arrangements you may need.
COST AND INCLUDED FEATURES
Cost
Cost per person (based on sharing twin accommodation) $2489.00 Cad. / $1659.00 USD
Single rate
on request
with limited
availability.
Included Features
- Transportation from Florence airport to San Gimignano on May 5
- 8 nights accommodation in San Gimignano
- 2 nights accommodation in Florence
- Breakfast each day
- 7 morning painting sessions,
- 7 afternoon painting sessions
- Transportation and visit of Siena on route to Florence
- Fully escorted by Henry and Juney Vyfvinkel
NOTE: We are also happy to assist with flight arrangements from anywhere to join up with this program.
