Thursday, March 30, 2023

Painting in Tuscany Italy June 2023

A week in Tuscany Italy 
 Thursday 15th June to Thursday 22nd June 2023
 With Artist Trudi Doyle  

It's been four long years  !  

I'm so happy to once again offer this holiday in the heart of Tuscany . Its been four very long years since I touched down in Pisa airport and headed into the heart of the Tuscan countryside towards beautiful Montecatini to spend a worry free week.  I can't wait to see the spectacular Tuscan Apennine mountain range fading to fragile blue in the heat haze, the sky an azure dome above terracotta roof tiles and ancient architecture in historic villages making way for vineyards of gnarled grapevines and ancient olive groves, for fields of sunflowers and lavender.  To experience the taste of delicious food and wine and enjoy days out in rural Tuscany and in Florence.   Bring it on !   


FLY TO PISA -  I have organised the rest - airport transfers, -4 star Hotel, half board , guided tours and day excursions to quiet medieval villages to experience the beauty and mystique of rural Tuscany at a leisurely pace, train tickets to Florence and tour of the Pitti Palace with its many galleries and the famous Boboli gardens.  Watercolour painting sessions with expert tuition and helpful advice in a friendly non competitive atmosphere. 

(the Palatine Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art, Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Museum of Russian Icons and Palatine Chapel)


The Ponte Vecchio Florence

What is included 
1  Seven nights at 4 star Hotel Ariston Montecatini  http://www.ariston-hotel.com 
with half board - 7 breakfasts & 6 dinners with drinks and wine included. Single en suite room .   Twin room or double room for sharing if required.   
 2. Transfers to and from Pisa airport  -( flights are not included)

3. Half day guided tour of Montecatini Tettuccio historical Spa with complimentary  welcome drinks and snack. 
 
4. Two full day excursions by mini bus taxi to paint/explore in medieval villages  of Buggiani and Massa including  a day in the charming  and historic fortress town of Montecarlo.
5.  Entrance ticket to Montecarlo fortress

6.  Return train trip tickets to Florence.
 
7.  Pre-booked  guided tour and entrance ticket for all Palazzo Pitti collections in  Florence ; Palatine Gallery,  Gallery of Modern Art,  Treasury of the Grand Dukes, Museum of Russian Icons and Palatine Chapel plus  Boboli Gardens.

 8. Professional guidance and tuition sessions  in watercolour and drawing to suit your requirements from  artist Trudi Doyle with demonstrations.  


What it costs  ( flights not included )

Full payment  to secure your place is required before  Friday 21st April 2023  please.

€1,165.00   per person in a single ensuite room

€1,025.00   per person sharing twin ensuite room

 I  can offer a €50 reduction for non-painting people /partners /friends .

You don't need to be a painter to enjoy this relaxing holiday  -all  Tuscany lovers  are welcome- join  us on the events and trips and do your own thing.                                     To check availability  and secure a place Contact trudidoyleart@gmail.com   or to make inquiries.  Or text 087 6658500 

  To Book your place   - Make your payment by direct bank transfer.   I will send you bank details to make the transaction. Contact trudidoyleart@gmail.com .

Alternatively pay by credit card via PayPal. If you decide on this method  I will email an invoice  you with a link to make a secure payment ( you don’t need a pay pal account- just a credit card ) However there is an extra 3.5% charge incurred on PayPal card  transactions but it is a very safe method of payment.

Full payment  to secure your place is required before  Friday 21st April 2023 .

... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . ..

I will publish a full daily itinerary  for the  holiday week in early May and for  painting participamts a brief list of art materials needed for painting sessions .

TUITION Over the week I will provide basic lessons in painting outdoors using watercolour - the principles also apply to other mediums .eg.Pastels or Acrylics. I will demonstrate techniques. The amount of time you spend painting is largely up to you as there are many trips and excursions. Sketching on the go using pencils / pen and ink / water soluble crayons or pencils is advised- Pieces can be competed back at the hotel or later at your leisure.

N.B.Oil Paints are NOT allowed on flights. even in checked luggage,-They are considered as flammable liquid in the dangerous goods regulations.Breaching the regulation carries serious penalties!

Suggested flights from Ireland 

Dublin to Pisa  15th June  Ryanair flights departing at 17.45 arr. Pisa at 21.25  FR5308

Pisa to Dublin on 22nd June  Ryanair flight departing 15.30 arr Dublin 17.20   FR5309

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Photos from previous painting holidays in Tuscany. 


An Italien scarecrow 


REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK

 Comment from a happy painter 2019   "I am looking forward to joining Trudi Doyle on her Art Holiday to Tuscany - my fourth time in 7 years. It's a wonderful experience each time. I find inspiration in watching Trudi produce exquisite paintings "en plein air" and in the variety of the Tuscan scenery, mountains and villages with their timeless charm.     Trudi adapts her tuition and coaching to meet the needs of each student. The pace is relaxed and outings are well organised. The locals are friendly and welcoming. A nice camaraderie develops in the group, enhanced by sharing the gorgeous food provided for the evening meal by Maria in Hotel La Pia."  Pauline Jones, Ireland 

"I had a wonderful art holiday in Tuscany with Trudi -it  was fab -- well recommend to anybody interested in going". Susan M. Ireland 
"I have been with Trudi at La Pia Hotel  Tuscany on four trips so far and have enjoyed every minute - would return in a heartbeat -  Fabulous food -  - great company - a relaxed and efficient ( not a contradiction ! )  approach from both Maria at La Pia Hotel and Trudi"   . J.B.D. Ireland 

"Don't hesitate to book - I had a stimulating and fun week  in Tuscany  with Trudi - food, trips, Hotel la Pia, company  and wine -all superb. Thank you Maria La Pia and Trudi ." J,E California .USA 




 








 



Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Painting in isolation 2021

 It's 2021 -and it is  over a year since Ive posted here on my blog for many reasons .. 2020 was a life changing year for everyone on the planet and for each one of us personally. It will without doubt  live on in our memories.

My lovely painting holiday in Tuscany 2020 was cancelled due to C19 ~ I have been unable to arrange one for 2021 for the same reason -but we have high hopes for 2022 !  

Despite  many changes in my life I have continued to paint -always a source of solace  ..and here are a few of my 2020 watercolours - some of which are available in  My Etsy Shop I hope to continue to write my thoughts and musings here and post my artwork  as time moves into a hopeful  summer.

Good wishes to all who read this - I hope you will click the follow button  and perhaps add a comment  below 💚💬

Chasing the Moon  Watercolour 




                                                 Homage to  the Autumn Moon ~ watercolour 


                                             Hens in the Garden  watercolour (A commission) 

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Relaxing Art Holiday in Tuscany June 2020

 A week in Tuscany 

  Tuesday 16th June to Tuesday 23rd June 2020

 with Artist Trudi Doyle

Maybe this is your year to experience this wonderfully relaxing break in Tuscany where everything is laid on and all trips  included ?


When I touch  down in Tuscany each year for my painting holiday and we drive from Pisa into the countryside I relax into a worry free week. 
 Senses  are  heightened by the heat of the sun, the scents of  flowers and  herbs,  the spectacular Tuscan Apennine mountain range fading to fragile pale blue  in the heat haze, the sky  a constant  azure dome above warm terracotta hues of homes and ancient architecture.
Driving through historic villages making  way for vineyards of gnarled grapevines and olive groves, for fields of sunflowers, herbs and lavender, the  planet instantly seems a lot more beautiful.





One week -Tuesday  16th to Tuesday 23rd June  2020

FLY TO PISA and I will organise the  rest - Hotel - airport transfers, food, wine, painting excursions visits to Florence and the Uffizi Gallery and much more - Italy will charm you


!


Visit quiet medieval villages and  experience the beauty and mystique of  the Tuscan countryside  at a leisurely pace.  Bask in the Tuscan sunshine. visit FLORENCE   for  spectacular art and architectureEnjoy dining on delicious freshly cooked dishes at a friendly Italian family run  hotel 

An all inclusive holiday with like minded people in La Pia hotel Montecatini.  Relax and do a little  sketching and painting with  expert tuition and helpful advice in a friendly non competitive  atmosphere 






What is included -

1.Seven nights  stay at La Pia Hotel   Montecatini - 7 breakfast buffets and 7 delicious four course dinners with wine included  . single room or  double rooms for sharing if required. 
All rooms with bathrooms ensuite. 
 2. Transfers to/from Pisa airport  are included -( flights are not included)
3. Half day guided tour of Montecatini  and  Tettuccio historical Spa and complimentary drinks and snack.. 
4.Two full day excursions by mini bus taxi to paint/explore in medieval villages including  a day in the charming  and historic fortress town of Montecarlo.
Botticelli's "Birth of Venus"
5. Train trip to Florence  with guided city tour  and tour of the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most famous Art Galleries in the world (included Pre-booked  Tickets  -to skip the queue and free time to explore and shop in  this historic and beautiful city.
 6. Professional guidance, lessons and tuition in watercolour and drawing  to suit your requirements  from artist Trudi Doyle  with demonstrations.
7. Free  days with options to visit Lucca by train / avail of Spa treatments and a swim or  travel a short distance  via cable car to Montecatini Alto hill town- a place not to be missed.
Fee €895 per person 

Reduction €30  if  you pay before March  or are a repeat participant  €865 

  
 REDUCTION also for non painting partners/ friends / family /artists not availing of tuition-€30 off -  ( one reduction per person ) 


(No Single payment supplement applies to all bookings = everyone has  their own room with bathroom )

   You don't need to be a painter to enjoy this lovely relaxing holiday in Tuscany -all comers are welcome - join  us on the trips and do your own thing .  
Contact trudiart@eircom.net  to secure a place  or simply to make  inquiries. 
  To Book online with Credit card  contact trudiart@eircom.net   You can pay via Paypal   (€400 deposit secures a place-  full fee required by May 16th )  or Send a cheque by post payable to Trudi Doyle  
to Trudi Doyle Ballyconnell, Tullow, Co Carlow R93R123

PLEASE NOTE -

Flights are NOT included.  -Ryanair have  flights at convenient flights times Dublin  to Pisa on the 16th June and  Pisa to Dublin on 23rd June and 
Transfers to and from these flights  and hotel ARE provided
. 
Ryanair flights from Dublin return to Pisa on the appropriate dates  are currently  €159 return inc. taxes and charges ( as checked  on January  2020 )
Ryanair  Dub to Pisa on 16th FR9908   AND  Pisa to Dublin on 23rd FR9907
 HESEARE THE FLIGHTS TO Pisa FR9908
Dublin T1 - Pisa Tue, 16 Jun 2020 If travelling from the UK ,  USA  or elsewhere please let me know as I will arrange transfers ( which are included ) from Pisa airport for you to the hotel. 

Balance of fee payable on or before 16th May 2020

   -=--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TUITION Over the week I will provide some basic lessons in painting outdoors using watercolour - the principles also apply to other mediums ...Pastels or Acrylics as well as watercolours. i will demonstrate techniques. The amount of time you spend painting is largely up to you as there are many trips and excursions. Sketching on the go using pencils / pen and ink / water soluble crayons, Watercolours etc. is the norm - Pieces can be competed back at the hotel or later at your leisure.

N.B.Oil Paints are NOT allowed on flights. even in checked luggage,-They are considered as flammable liquid in the dangerous goods regulations.Breaching the regulation carries serious penalties!


When you book this holiday I will provide a short  list and suggestions /advice on basic painting equipment suitable for travelling and for painting /sketching  outdoors.

                                                                      ------------------------------------

REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK

 Comment from a happy painter 2019   "I am looking forward to joining Trudi Doyle on her Art Holiday to Tuscany - my fourth time in 7 years. It's a wonderful experience each time. I find inspiration in watching Trudi produce exquisite paintings "en plein air" and in the variety of the Tuscan scenery, mountains and villages with their timeless charm.     Trudi adapts her tuition and coaching to meet the needs of each student. The pace is relaxed and outings are well organised. The locals are friendly and welcoming. A nice camaraderie develops in the group, enhanced by sharing the gorgeous food provided for the evening meal by Maria in Hotel La Pia."  Pauline Jones, Ireland 

"I had a wonderful art holiday in Tuscany with Trudi -it  was fab -- well recommend to anybody interested in going". Susan M. Ireland 
"I have been with Trudi at La Pia Hotel  Tuscany on four trips so far and have enjoyed every minute - would return in a heartbeat -  Fabulous food -  - great company - a relaxed and efficient ( not a contradiction ! )  approach from both Maria at La Pia Hotel and Trudi"   . J.B.D. Ireland 

"Don't hesitate to book - I had a stimulating and fun week  in Tuscany  with Trudi - food, trips, Hotel la Pia, company  and wine -all superb. Thank you Maria La Pia and Trudi ." J,E California .USA

Photos and paintings 
from previous years in Tuscany































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