Itinerary Summary:
Explore Italy with this small group tour! We will be living like a local for 11 days. You will spend 3 nights in Venice, a day in Florence, and 7 nights at the Verrocchio Art Center in Casole d'Elsa.
This retreat promises an immersive Italian experience like no other. You will walk the canals of Venice, visit St. Marks Square, go on a guided tour of the Doge's palace, and float down a canal on a gondola ride!
After two nights in Venice, we will ride the bullet train to Florence spend the day in the market and visit the Santa Maria Cathedral and Basilica.
That evening we will be picked up by a hired driver to take us to the Verrocchio Art Center in Casole d'Elsa. This magical medieval village is known for its art and beautiful views and we will be staying in a historic building that was renovated and turned into an art center in 1980. It was built for retreats with 9 bedrooms, two painting studios, a sculpture studio, a terrace, a library, and a commercial kitchen to host small classes that want to visit Italy from all around the world! We will spend the next 7 nights here exploring the stone-paved streets of Casole D'Elsa, enjoying the beautiful landscapes, playing with paint, learning to make pasta and so much more! (Please download the itinerary for a full breakdown of each day's plans.)
Dive Into your Artistic Journey:
Our beginner art class will open your eyes to the beauty around you. Art is for everyone and everyone should experience creating something from nothing. Learn essential drawing skills, color mixing, composition creation, and even photography tips to capture your explorations. Enjoy five art sessions during your stay at the Verrocchio Art Center, complete with all necessary art supplies. We will be keeping a creative journal for all of our artwork that we are inspired to make while we are here. There is no pressure and no stress with my art classes. This is your chance to open up and just see what you create.
Cultural and Culinary Delights:
Indulge in wine and food tasting experiences, including a day trip to local agriturismo, Erta, with a private four-course meal. Participate in guided tours of art museums, city tours, and savor catered dinners by local chef, Loredana Russo at the Art Center. You will also get hands-on experience in a pasta-making class where you will make the tagliatelle noodles and sauce from scratch!
-April 21-May 1
-Transportation to and from the Verrocchio Art Center via private shuttle and driver
-Tickets for Bullet Train round-trip ride from Venice to Florence
-4 Catered Dinners by in house italian chef Lora Dona Russo
-1 Italian Cooking Class with Catered Dinner
-Florence Guided Tours: Fountain and Architecture Tour, Santa Maria Cathedral and Duomo.
-Erta Agriturismo tour, wine tasting, 4 course dinner, and wine pairing
-5 Art Classes (Includes materials)
-3 nights shared accommodations in an Air BNB in Venice (We are renting an entire apartment!)
-7 nights accommodations with a private room (single and double occupancy rooms available.) at the Verrocchio Art Center in Casole d'Elsa
1. Italian Art Retreats in the Tuscan countryside (workshops with accommodation and meals) are offered by Art Retreats by Jamie G to the Lead Client (hereinafter the Client). Airfare and travel expenses are not included.
2. Terms of Booking
a) To reserve your place on an art retreat in the countryside, the Client should complete the booking registration online. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due upon registration.
b) The full balance of the art retreat must be paid at least 4 weeks before the start date.
c) For bookings made less than 8 weeks in advance of the start of the art retreat, the full amount must be paid at the time of the booking.
d) If payment is not received by that 4-week date, AEI reserves the right to give notice in writing that the reservation is cancelled and the $500 deposit will not be refunded.
e) For cancellations made up to 12 weeks before a retreat start date, the total retreat balance (minus the $500 non-refundable deposit) is refunded to the Client.
f) For cancellations made less than 12 weeks before the retreat start date, no refunds will be issued.
3. If for any reason the workshop or retreat is cancelled by Art Retreats By Jamie G the full payment, including deposit, will be 100% reimbursed to the client. We only refund our own retreat fees, we do not refund the cost of travel or other third party costs.
4. If an instructor has to withdraw at the last minute due to illness, incapacity, or circumstances beyond our control, the full payment, including deposit will be 100% refunded.
5. The Client is required to arrange comprehensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation and liability cover, full cover for their (or their party’s) personal belongings, accident and emergency cover, etc., since these are not covered by Art Retreats by Jamie G insurance.
6. Any chargeable expenses arising during the workshop/retreat period (e.g. taxis, shopping, medical or hospital appointments, prescriptions and medications etc.) shall be settled by the client with Art Retreats by Jamie G before departure.
7. Clients shall take all reasonable and proper care of the property and its furniture, pictures, fittings and effects in or on the property, and leave them in the same state of repair as they were found at the start of the holiday period. Any damage to the property resulting from the Client’s negligence will be charged for by Art Retreats by Jamie G.
8. Art Retreats by Jamie G shall not be liable to the Client for:
a) Any temporary defect in the supply of public services to the location of the retreat/workshop, nor in the respect of any equipment, machinery or appliance in the property or garden.
b) Any loss, damage, illness or injury which is the result of adverse weather conditions, riot, war, strikes or other matters beyond their control.
c) Any accident, damage, loss or inconvenience the Client or any member of the Client’s party may suffer arising out of, or in connection with, the retreat/workshop or resulting from any cause whatsoever.
d) The use of amenities and equipment, where offered, such as barbecues, swimming pool, etc. is entirely at the user’s risk and no responsibility can be accepted for injury, loss or damage to persons or property.
e) No responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage to any motor vehicle or trailer belonging to or rented by the Client, or for loss of or damage to its contents.
f) Personal belongings are at the Client’s risk at all times.
9. The Client shall accept responsibility for the safety of their person and all members of their party at all times. Art Retreats by Jamie G is not responsible for the safety of guests.
10. Under no circumstances shall Art Retreats by Jamie G liability to the Client exceed the amount paid to them for the retreat/workshop.
11. It is with regret that Art Retreats by Jamie G is unable to fully accommodate guests with wheelchairs or those who require the use of lifts due to the nature of the retreat and workshop locations.
12. At Art Retreats by Jamie G, the last-minute cancellation of a scheduled instructor is extremely rare. In such rare instances where it's too late to feasibly cancel the retreat, we will endeavor to provide a qualified substitute instructor to ensure the retreat proceeds as planned. This measure is only taken in exceptional, last-minute circumstances to maintain the quality and continuity of our retreats. Participants will be notified promptly of any such changes.
13. Complimentary transfers are offered by Art Retreats by Jamie G on the first and last day of the retreat. If the Client needs to arrive or depart outside of the designated pick-up times, or if a transfer from a different location is required, private transfers can be arranged at extra cost.
14. For the comfort of all guests, smoking is not permitted inside the accommodation.
This contract shall be governed by US & Italian law in every particular including information and interpretation, and shall be deemed to have been made in Italy. Any proceedings arising out of or in connection with this contract may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the US or Italy.
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