Spring has Sprung in Italy
Spring has Sprung in Italy
So many travelers visited Italy this spring, and it was wonderful seeing stores and businesses open and doing well. Yes, Spring Sprung in Italy in all her glory and welcomed everyone with open arms.
My first tour was a group of artists on “Rosemary Connelly’s Sketching in Umbria Tour”. The women sketched their way through Umbria’s quaint villages, vineyards, and a cooking class, and attended Callendimaggio in Assisi. I think it was the highlight of their tour. We managed to obtain choice seats in the viewing stand and watched the parades of men, women, and children dressed in Medieval costumes. The reenactment of medieval life and musical performances is truly a sight to see, celebrating the arrival of spring the first week of May.
Calendimaggio in Assisi
This little boy just finished beating his drums in the parade.
Museo Laboratoria di Tessitura Giuditta Brozzetti Weaving Studio
They visited the Museo-Laboratoria di Tessitura Giuditta Brozzetti Weaving Studio, one of the last remaining workshops weaving on jacquard looms in Italy. Hand-woven reproductions of authentic Umbrian and Italian medieval and renaissance designs in linen, cotton, silk, and cashmere are made on 18th and 19th-century wooden looms. If you’re ever in Perugia, put this on our “Must Do List” and meet Marta, Giuditta’s granddaughter. She takes such pride in continuing the ancient tradition of hand-weaving. Located in a 13th-century Franciscan Monastery, which makes this visit extraordinary..
Giuditta’s granddaughter, Marta, weaving a pattern on an ancient loom.
Cooking Class and Wine Tasting
They took a cooking class at a local vineyard. They enjoyed eating everything they made during the class with a selection of wines flowing on a beautiful terrace overlooking the vineyard and hills of Umbria.
The ladies adored Chef Luca
Sipping & Cooking
Bevagna
They visited the village of Bevagna and walked through the La Cartiero Museum of 13th-century Medieval papermaking, which was fascinating. Afterward, lots of sketching continued as they quietly concentrated on each drawing. Then on to lunch at a local trattoria and a scoop of gelato while walking the streets.
A Few Sketchings
An Impromptu Lesson in Sketching
My Very First Sketch
I can’t wait to add the watercolors!
It was a fantastic week with these women. If you want to put a group of friends, artists, yogis, or family or want to join a group of women for the week, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. We would love to host you. My groups are from 1 to 12 people for a more enjoyable experience.
Our philosophy is Slow Travel, Un-pack Once, and No Rush to enjoy your time in each village we take you to. A wonderful opportunity to spend time in Umbria and Tuscany in a beautiful villa with everything arranged for you to truly enjoy and live “La Dolce Vita” for the week you are with us.
Openings
Week September 16-23 (2 rooms)
Week September 23-30 (1 room)
 Former flight attendant Nedra Bottieri made a life-changing trip to Italy twenty years ago to re-discover her family heritage. Now with dual citizenship, she has a second home in Umbria. Through her company, Village Vacations in Italy, she organizes and hosts small group tours based in small villages in Umbria and Tuscany, normally customized tours for private groups. Groups have included yoga workshops, writing workshops, and groups of family and friends. Nedra draws on her extensive experience and relationships to plan special accommodations and activities to meet each group’s needs and dreams. Experience “La Dolce Vita” in Italy! To learn more about her tours, see www.villagevacationsinitaly.com Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries. |
Lovely article and travel sketches. Thank you, Nedra.
This was an absolutely magical trip for me! The locations you took us, the dining experiences you arranged for our group, the ease of travel, and the beautiful villa were perfect in every way! Can’t wait to do another trip with you! ??
Thank you so much. We would love to have you return someday soon. (-:
It was a wonderful trip. I have had people ask me what was my favorite part of the trip and I honestly can’t say just one thing. It was all so incredible, an unforgettable experience for me. Each town was so interesting and charming in its own way. The villa was very comfortable. And I loved meeting all of the women on the trip. Meal times with the group were such fun!
Great job with arrangements Nedra!
What a wonderful experience! The towns that we visited and the places we saw were perfectly chosen. The food was amazing. Such an easy way to travel – I would do it all again in a heartbeat (and certainly hope to one day). Thank you Nedra for investing your time and energy.
This trip was amazing all around—the food, sites, fellow travelers, the art. Nedra and Rosemary customized the trip for our group of urban sketchers and couldn’t have done a better job. Highly recommend, and would do it again in a heartbeat! Thank you, Nedra!