Umbria is an inspiringly
beautiful part of Italy. The colours, the light, the food and
the architecture all give our senses a feast. This makes it
a wonderful place for walking and eating, for reflection and
time out from a busy routine. It is a place to feel indulged
without excess and to recharge the creative spirit.
During this week we will walk, and experiment with sketching,
photography or collage to produce a personal visual diary
of the week. We stay at Villa Pia, where we are ideally positioned
to visit many of the wonderful paintings of Piero della Francesca
and where the hospitality is especially personal and informal.
Villa Pia
Kevin and Morag have made Villa Pia a home away from home
in the village of Lippiano. They moved to Italy in the ‘90’s
and have established a unique style of hospitality especially
catering for those who love good food. Espresso coffee is
available 24 hours a day and you may choose fruit from the
fruit bowl and drinks from the fridge whenever you wish. We
will be accommodated in twin rooms with en suite bathrooms,
and whether around an open fire or a laden table there are
multiple relaxed interludes.
Umbria
Umbria is dotted with small, fortified hill towns and is famous
for its food. Every season includes festivals for the regional
produce: olive oil, truffles, chocolate, celery, wine, smoked
hams and sausages all give occasion to feast and celebrate
in this region. Arezzo is known for its antique trade, Urbino
famous for the ducal palace and Assisi for being the birthplace
of St Francis.
Like neighbouring Tuscany the landscape continues to inspire
artists and photographers. We will enjoy the gentle autumnal
colours at the time the grapes are harvested and the itinerary
is designed to be easily adjustable around changes in weather
and the needs of the artists.
 Tour itinerary |
DAY 1: Fly to Pisa and transfer to Villa Pia
in time for the evening meal.
DAY 2:
A gentle excursion to Cortona or Gubbio.
Depending on the weather, we will walk, sketch, enjoy a picnic
lunch and observe the Italian evening passiagata. Dinner at
Villa Pia.
DAY 3: A all-day excursion to Urbino.
The ducal palace there is stunning, and this will be our first
encounter with the works of Piero della Francesca.
We will lunch at the best Pizza restaurant around and take
time to sketch before returning for dinner at Villa Pia.
DAY 4: The morning will include an excursion
to Anghiari, which is a perfectly positioned
hill-top village nearby, ideal for sketching. For those who
wish we can include a stop at an outlet for Italian shoes,
leather and knitwear. Lunch at Villa Pia. The afternoon will
be slow and free for those who want to walk, read and sketch.
Early evening we will take a 10 minute drive to see The
Pregnant Madonna, another Piero della Francesca painting,
in Monterchi.
DAY 5: In just over an hour we can be in Assisi,
where we will visit the newly restored Basilica, which suffered
so badly in the earthquake. The frescoes there are breathtaking.
After lunch we will take time to walk and explore further
before making the journey home. Dinner at Villa Pia
DAY 6: In the morning we will visit the Prada
outlet store before returning to Arezzo for lunch.
We will spend the rest of the day in this wonderful city,
in particular visiting the newly restored frescoes by Piero
della Francesca in the church of St Francesco and the magnificent
central piazza. Our evening meal will be in Monterchi.
DAY 7: After a short drive a little beyond Lippiano,
we will walk in the hills to find an abandoned village with
wild herbs underfoot, wild fruits for the picking and not
another person for miles. Sketching opportunity. If the weather
permits, we will have a picnic lunch before returning to the
villa. Late afternoon we will visit San Sepulchro to see perhaps the most famous of Piero della Francesca’s
paintings, The Resurrection. Dinner at Villa
Pia.
DAY 8: Transfer to Pisa for the flight home,
including a short visit to the Leaning Tower if time permits.
Tour Leader(s): Beverley Willcox
Useful Information |
For those of you who love life on the water we have a wonderful
itinerary based around the St Criox River, which is a Canadian
National Heritage River. Wildlife in the area includes Bald
Eagles, Osprey, Moose, Skunk, Fireflies, Racoons, Deer, Porcupines,
Salmon, Coyote and Black Bears
| Are you interested
in this tour? |
|
+44 1865 315 441 |
|
info@smaugabroad.com |
|
Smaug Abroad
Ltd., The Lodge, Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6SS |
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Fill in booking form and post
it. |
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