Hello!

We wanted to let everyone know more about the watercolor art lessons and painting portion of the amazing Italy trips.

Besides seeing breathtaking sites while touring Italy, there will be some painting lessons provided and some time to try out the new techniques you’ve learned. The painting will be mostly journal painting (small paintings and sketches in a journal notebook) with 10-20 minute lessons and instruction on location. Sessions are interspersed with the travel and will not be labor intensive. You will also not have to pack around much for supplies and materials, see the included picture for an example of the painting supplies provided and used. For people who’d like to sit and paint for an hour or so, there will be time to do that while we’re visiting the different locations. For example, while at Pisa it doesn’t typically take 2-3 hours to see the tower and accompanying buildings so there will be extra time to sit and paint. If you’d rather focus on taking pictures or sketching for later use, that’s fine too.

Additionally, in between site seeing, Kathy Rae Wood will be available to answer questions and provide impromptu support on your journal paintings. The art lessons are meant to enhance the trip to see incredible Italy. It’s not meant as just lessons, or meant as just traveling… it’s about learning, traveling and bringing home the memories.

Register for one or both trips today at http://adventureontravel.com/italy

We look forward to seeing you in Italy,

Ciao!



Buon Giorno,

We want to tell you about two exciting watercolor art retreats we have coming up in Italy in 2011. The first one starts in Northern Italy in Venice and travels south through Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre and Rome. The second incredible trip starts where the first trips ends, in Rome then travels south to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast with stops in Pompeii, Naples, Capri and Ischia. During these not to be missed trips, you will not only enjoy delightful food, beautiful landscapes, and ancient architecture you will also be receiving water color lessons from well known artist Kathy Rae Wood.

Art in Italy: Venice to Rome – Experience a trip of historic art, rich culture and exquisite cuisine. This 11 day (11 night) trip takes you on a watercolor journey starting on the island city of Venice with its beautiful canals and famous art galleries. From Venice, travel to Florence and Pisa to visit Michelangelo’s David and the Leaning Tower. The next stop finds you nestled in the small, scenic, ocean-side terraced towns of Cinque Terre before finishing your trip in a villa overlooking the Colosseum in the heart of Rome where we will tour the best the city has to offer. This trip is October 2-13, 2011 and will be a trip of a lifetime.

Art in Italy: Rome to Amalfi Coast – The second trip through Italy starts you in Rome painting and touring places like the Vatican and the Colosseum. You will also tour back in time while visiting the ancient ruins of Pompeii at the base of Mt. Vesuvius. In Naples you will see the world famous National Archeological Museum, while Sorrento is the beginning of your Amalfi Coast tour. This tour rounds out with two one-day trips to the islands of Capri and Ischia. This trip is October 16-27, 2011 and while different than the first trip, will also be the trip of a lifetime.

On both trips we will be seeing all the “Can’t Miss” main attractions (some with guided tours) as well as some lesser known but still incredible sights. You will have free time to shop and explore on your own in all towns. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided at restaurants and cafes that I have eaten at before or have been recommended by close friends and locals. Most of the accommodations will be in amazing private villas with a few stays in hotels where villas are simply not available.

How is this trip different than say Rick Steve’s or other major touring companies?

1) Small Group Size – maximum of 12 people (over 16 years of age) vs. 30-60 people, so no huge tour buses or difficult children

2) Illustrated Watercolor Journaling – with Northwest watercolorist, Kathy Rae Wood

3) All Inclusive – includes all costs except flight and shopping this way you don’t have hidden costs later and more work to do on your own to set up your trip – price is still very comparable

4) Smaller Unique Accommodations – ability to eat and stay at smaller more unique and cultural places to get a real feel for the local culture

Why attend this trip vs. traveling on your own?

1) Trip Planning Done – The entire trip is planned which will save you the time and effort of finding places to stay or eat, best sites to see, travel planning, getting best prices for everything, et al.

2) Illustrated Watercolor Journaling – with Northwest watercolorist, Kathy Rae Wood

3) All Inclusive – includes all costs except flight and shopping, this way you know how much it costs up front with no risk of additional unexpected costs later

4) Smaller Unique Accommodations – will be staying in primarily upscale villas vs. hotels, which gives a real flavor of the Italian culture and villas would not be as cost effective if rented individually.

5) Multiple Payment Options – you can make monthly payments so you don’t have to pay for entire trip up front

We would love to have you attend one or both incredible Italy trips.

For complete details about each trip or to purchase go to http://adventureontravel.com/italy/ to pick your trip. Remember because of the small group size space is limited so make sure to reserve your spot soon.

Interested in both trips?

We would love it if you choose to do both trips and offer you more than just a discount, we will cover the accommodations between the trips (valued at $500) as well as give you a discount of $500 off the second portion of the trip. Total $1000 savings! If you do both trips you will be in Italy for an amazing 25 days! Imagine a month in Italy in the fall, what a wonderful experience.

What does the watercolor portion entail?

Since we will be moving from city to city we will carry portable supplies small enough not to be cumbersome, and paint wherever we are in a watercolor journal, remembering our trip with watercolor “sketches” of places we visit. This method of sketching and journaling is also called Arts Afield. Kathy Rae will be helping with the journal sketches as we go.

Check out the website and let us know if you have any questions about the trip. We look forward to seeing you in Italy!