10 Day Workshop

Day 1: Pick up at Milan (Malpensa) airport at 3.00pm: Travel to our home base of Bellagio, where you will have time to relax and freshen up Informal evening to meet the tutor and the rest of the group, talk about the workshop and what you wish to achieve in the week ahead, Relax and enjoy dinner on the lakeside at our hotel.
Days 2 & 3: Bellagio lake side : After breakfast our tutor talks about some of the techniques you may use during the course of the week and gives a short demonstration. We will then take you to Bellagio lake shore promenade with views of Bellagio, hillside pastel coloured buildings and the port of Bellagio. Choose your ideal composition, Picnic lunch on location. Continue workshop through the afternoon. Return to hotel for relaxation and evening meal.
Days 4 & 5: Varenna Harbour & Villa Monastero : We take a short ferry trip to Varenna painting around the harbour in the morning. After lunch, the gardens of Villa Monastero, built in the 13th century by Cistercian monks. Breathtaking views of the gardens with endless varietys of plants stretching along the lake shores will truly inspire you. Return to hotel, for relaxation before your evening meal.
Day 6: Free Day : Morning free for you to discover the fascinating back streets, cafes and shops of Bellagio. In the afternoon we take you to a lakeside location for a barbecue and, if you like a swim in the lake (weather permitting)
Day 7 & 8: Pescallo: A small fishing village with a quiet picturesque harbour. This is an opportunity to capture beautiful reflections of fishing boats with an imposing mountainous background. Lunch at the local trattoria. continue in the afternoon, early finish to return to hotal for relaxation and evening meal.
Day 9: Create and develop your own fresco. A once in a lifetime opportunity to create your own frescos as did the masters, under the instruction of Andrea Massara, a specialist in frescos.
Days10: Villa Melzi: Iand gardens. Late afternoon meet (with tutor) for appraisal of your work, and feedback of your workshop and experience with Tuscany in the Frame. Celebratory evening meal.
Day 11: Transfer to Milan (Malpensa) Departure by minibus from Ballagio at 8.00am to arrive at Milan at 9.30am approx

7 Day Workshop

Day 1: As above
Days 2 & 3 As Days 4 - 5 above
Day 4: Pescallo: As days 7 & 8 above.
Day 5: Free day : Free day as day 6 above
Day 6 & 7: Villa Melzi: And gardens. Lunch and early finish for appraisal of your work with tutor, and feedback of your workshop and experience with Tuscany in the Frame. Celebratory evening meal.
Day 8: Transfer to Milan (Malpensa) Departure by minibus from Ballagio at 8.00am to arrive at Milan at 9.30am approx

Feel free to use the pools (where available) during breaks and after daily workshops.
If at any time during the workshops you wish to take time out please feel free to do so. All listed excursions are optional (some may prefer to stay at the villa to continue painting)