The Art of Travel in Umbria With Debbie Mackinnon Join artist Debbie Mackinnon in Umbria for a 7 day art adventure in the Umbrian countryside, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and quaint Medieval villages (October 4 - 10, 2019) ABOUT THE ARTIST Debbie Mackinnon is a contemporary artist based in Sydney and the Central Coast of NSW. Her paintings are an exploration of the connection between the natural and constructed worlds. Debbie trained as an illustrator and followed a profession as an art director for London publishers Dorling Kindersley and Frances Lincoln and then as an author/designer of a series of award winning children’s books. Moving to Australia 22 years ago, she was inspired by the light, texture and colour of our rugged coastlines to take up her easel and paints once more. Debbie lectured at Billy Blue College of Design for 15 years and now paints full time. She founded ME Artspace, an artist run initiative in North Sydney, where she works and exhibits. Debbie’s work is in private collections around the world. THE ART OF TRAVEL | ART WORKSHOP Artist Debbie Mackinnon’s love of travel is recorded in her beautifully executed travel sketchbooks. While travelling, she sketches and paints every day. Whether it’s sitting in a café sipping on her morning coffee, exploring a new city or enjoying a glass of wine at the end of the day, Debbie captures her travel experiences with the immediacy of her artwork. She collects memorabilia in the form of gallery or theatre tickets, drinks coasters and an image torn from a magazine. All are incorporated in her fascinating and eclectic artworks. “Looking back at your travel sketchbooks unleashes a flood of memories that a photo will never do!” Join her for a sketching and painting adventure in the idyllic Umbrian countryside. Wake up to misty Autumnal mornings, stunning views of olive groves and vineyards and the promise of a day exploring the countryside, quaint medieval villages and ancient catacombs. The adventure doesn’t stop there. Experience the delicious traditional cuisine of the region, an al fresco lunch in an olive grove and a wine, olive oil and pizza tasting evening and much more. ACCOMMODATION AT POGGIO DELLA VOLARA A peaceful oasis in the heart of the green province of Umbria, Poggio della Volara is surrounded by 50 hectares of vineyards, olive groves, truffles, large meadows and forest. It is only 15km from the town of Orvieto and close to many other quaint, medieval villages, castles, archaeological sites and other jewels of Italian culture. Poggio della Volara’s produce includes extra-virgin biological olive oil, Orvieto Classico wines, homemade marmalade, honey and products typical of the various seasons. The bedrooms in the farmhouse are all beautifully furnished with antique furniture and have ensuite bathrooms. ITINERARY - THE ART OF TRAVEL - UMBRIA (OCT 4 - 10, 2019) DAY 1 - 11.45AM GUESTS PICKED UP FROM ORVIETO STATION Arrive at the glorious Poggio della Volara, an agritourismo retreat set deep in the Umbrian countryside, surrounded by vineyards and their own organic olive groves. Autumn will be in its full glory with stunning colours, misty mornings across the valley below, and the promise of truffles in season. Guests have time to check into their rooms before lunch and an introduction and demonstration from Debbie. In the afternoon wander around the gorgeous grounds, admire the Umbrian scenery and soak up the atmosphere in preparation for beginning our travel sketchbooks. Dinner and drinks at PdV. DAY 2 - MONTECCHIO After breakfast Debbie will do another demonstration and guests will continue to explore and experiment in their sketchbooks inspired by the local countryside. Mornings are often misty and evocative, which gives you the opportunity to explore colours and the benefits of a limited palette. Coffee and early light lunch in the local village Montecchio, will be followed by drawing the village square from the bar. Then we’ll wander through ancient Medieval streets to sketch in the narrow cobbled laneways. Rest and recuperate back at PdV, before a delicious dinner at la Perla in Montecchio. People come from as far as Rome to eat at this well known local restaurant. Real Italian cuisine for locals! DAY 3 - ORVIETO After breakfast we head to the hilltop city of Orvieto - one of the most striking towns in Umbria with its incredible fortress city walls. The views from the old town at the top are stunning. The city centre is traffic free and we arrive by funicular. Its just a ten minute walk from here to the Duomo Di Orvieto, dating from 1290, with its glittering mosaic facade. The gargoyles and amazing striped marble are further delights to enjoy. Time for coffee or gelato in the square while drawing. Later we head to Mezza Luna for the best Spaghetti Carbonara ever! hopefully you’ll save a page in your sketchbook to record this occasion… Orvieto sits atop a vast underground network of Etruscan-era caves, wells, and tunnels. After lunch we will head down for a guided tour of the medieval caves - a glimpse into how these ancient Italians lived. Orvieto is also home to some of Italy’s best wine and there chance to try Orvieto Classico tonight at dinner at the Agritourismo (or another local restaurant near Montecchio). DAY 4 - PAINTING IN AN OLIVE GROVE Today we visit an Umbrian olive grove, set high in the hills, outside the village, where you’ll be greeted by chickens and dogs! Our hosts, Sally and John have offered you the chance to sit in their beautiful hillside and draw the olive trees, the little white roads and admire the distant views across the valley to Medieval Montecchio. Sally will prepare a rustic picnic lunch out in the fields, so we can enjoy the total calm and tranquility of the area after the bustle of Orvieto. In the late afternoon, we return to PdV for some R&R, followed by dinner at a little trattoria where they serve local, freshly prepared authentic pizza. DAY 5 - CIVITELLA DEL LAGO Today we drive up to stunning hilltop town of Civitella Del Lago, standing 470m above sea level and overlooking Lake Corbara. Grab a coffee, get out your sketchbook, then wander around the little streets and squares to find inspiring views or a house or even an old car or bike to sketch. We may even have some locals join us for a sketchup. We will later be rewarded with a gourmet lunch at Trippini. Paulo, the chef, will cook us a sensational lunch using fresh, local produce. Later we will return to PdV for a quiet late afternoon in the country, where you can add colour to some of your sketches. Light dinner tonight back at PdV. DAY 6 - POGGIO DELLA VOLARA Today you will have the opportunity to really expand on your sketches in the quiet and lovely surroundings of Poggio della Volara and an in-depth discussion with Debbie about your work. We will have a light lunch at the PdV, followed by a wine and olive oil tasting with pizza, cheeses and different spreads in the evening with our host Marco. DAY 7 - MONTECCHIO After breakfast we will spend the morning in Montecchio where you can sketch, either the countryside and misty valley, cloaked in autumnal colours or wander back up to the medieval quarter - whichever appeals. Lunch is back at PdV to review your work. In the afternoon, you will be dropped back to station at Orvieto, to continue your journey. Not far is the the breathtaking Civita di Bagnoregio (“the dying town”) set in a dramatic landscape. Other jewels of Italian culture close by are Spoleto, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Venice and Rome. TWIN SHARE PRICE $3,348.00 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $250.00 NON PAINTING PARTNERS $2,823.00 Cost based on a maximum of 8 participants Fully supported tour, with one-on-one tuition INCLUSIONS: • 7 DAYS TUITION & DEMONSTRATIONS BY RENOWNED ARTIST/EDUCATOR DEBBIE MACKINNON • WORKSHOP ON DRAWING & PAINTING INTO THE LANDSCAPE BY GUEST ARTIST, MIKE STANIFORD • 6 X NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION AT POGGIO DELLA VOLARA • TRANSFERS TO & FROM ORVIETO STATION • PRIVATE DRIVER & MINIVAN • 6 X BREAKFASTS (POGGIO DELLA VOLARA) • 3 X LUNCHES (POGGIO DELLA VOLARA) • 3 X DINNERS • WINE & OLIVE OIL TASTING EVENING WITH PIZZA • PICNIC LUNCH IN AN OLIVE GROVE • INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS IN THE EVENINGS OVER DRINKS • GROUP CRITIQUE • ENTRANCE TO ETRUSCAN TOMBS • WORKSHOP HOSTED BY KERRI AINSWORTH (ART TRAVEL ADVENTURES FOUNDER) EXCLUSIONS: • MEALS NOT SPECIFIED IN INCLUSIONS ( 3 LUNCHES & 2 DINNERS) • BEVERAGES INCLUDING ALCOHOL • ART MATERIALS • TRAVEL & HEALTH INSURANCE (COMPULSORY) • SERVICES NOT MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY • TIPS ART MATERIALS LIST: a full list will be provided with final detailed itinerary on booking A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT OF $500 IS REQUIRED TO CONFIRM YOUR BOOKING Art Travel Adventures Pty Ltd www.arttraveladventures.com.au Phone: +61 (0) 417 033233 [email protected] .