LDianeJohnson
05-10-2001, 04:06 PM
Hi All,
As most of you know I have returned from my first excursion to Tuscany. While awaiting my photo processing, I'll fill you in on what I saw and tips on where to go if you have the opportunity to visit...
Since Spring was just starting, no leaves were out yet in the vineyards. But the stark beauty of the delicate, well groomed and shapely trunks were a sight nonetheless. The olive groves were full of their lovely light blue-green leaves, other deciduous trees were loaded with early green foliage -- the pine and cypress...what can I say?
I was struck by the infinite vistas of rolling hills each topped with a uniquely shaped house outfitted in the same local earth-toned stone. I could only imagine how it will all look in just a few more weeks and into the harvest. Tuscany is loaded, LOADED with landscape to paint. From rocks, architecture, water and land...it has everything.
My first 8 nights were spent in the middle of Tuscany near Castellina in Chianti, on a hilltop vineyard 2 miles up a dirt road just outside the village. Only 4 hours of hot water and heat a day (which was welcomed in the 35-40 degree and wet weather of the first several days). The trip was led by Carol Bonow, a renowned personalized trip consultant (If anyone is interested in securing her services, I'll pass along her info. I've been using her for 3 years, particularly for France).
Here are my recommendations for traveling/painting in Tuscany:
1. For painting go in May, late September, or October.
2. For rustic historic medieval architecture in the middle of Tuscany, visit Volterra, San Gimignano, Volpaia, Siena, Radda, Montalcino, and Sant Antimo is a must see.
3. Roads with vistas: Rt. 222, Rt. 2 (part of the old Appian Way but now paved), Rt. 68, Rt. 429, and any/all roads shooting off from these routes. You will not be disappointed.
4. For museums, Florence is tremendous and if you like coastlines visit...
5. Lerci on the Riveria. Rustic, wonderful town complete with castle, churches and sailboats. From there you can take a ferry to Portovenere (and the most classic Italian port view imaginable) and on to the 5 famous, historically preserved coastal villages of Cinque Terre. Oh my. I only spent 1.5 days here and it would take more than a lifetime to paint it all.
6. It was easy to paint most anywhere. People were very respectful and kind.
7. Had no pick-pocket problems; I wore an under-the-shirt neck-type pack with credit cards/cash/passport, and fanny pack.
8. Take an umbrella and a Dollar Store plastic parka and hat. At least in April...the showers can come and go all day. Layering is the name of the game. By late May you won't have to worry about staying warm.
9. Wisteria painters...the last 3 weeks of April are for you...everywhere, and on everything.
10. Clothesline painters...anytime is a good time. Beautifully clad lines are everywhere. I could not believe how the clothes matched the buildings and landscape.
11. Fields of yellow mustard, same as #9.
12. The film is reasonably priced. So if you don't take much with you, you can get it there.
I have only been to Italy once, just this last January to Rome...and that was great. But oh...all that has been written recently about Tuscany is true...not to mention the food!
I will be posting the small sketch paintings I paint in a few days...waiting for a new digital camera to be delivered.
Diane
As most of you know I have returned from my first excursion to Tuscany. While awaiting my photo processing, I'll fill you in on what I saw and tips on where to go if you have the opportunity to visit...
Since Spring was just starting, no leaves were out yet in the vineyards. But the stark beauty of the delicate, well groomed and shapely trunks were a sight nonetheless. The olive groves were full of their lovely light blue-green leaves, other deciduous trees were loaded with early green foliage -- the pine and cypress...what can I say?
I was struck by the infinite vistas of rolling hills each topped with a uniquely shaped house outfitted in the same local earth-toned stone. I could only imagine how it will all look in just a few more weeks and into the harvest. Tuscany is loaded, LOADED with landscape to paint. From rocks, architecture, water and land...it has everything.
My first 8 nights were spent in the middle of Tuscany near Castellina in Chianti, on a hilltop vineyard 2 miles up a dirt road just outside the village. Only 4 hours of hot water and heat a day (which was welcomed in the 35-40 degree and wet weather of the first several days). The trip was led by Carol Bonow, a renowned personalized trip consultant (If anyone is interested in securing her services, I'll pass along her info. I've been using her for 3 years, particularly for France).
Here are my recommendations for traveling/painting in Tuscany:
1. For painting go in May, late September, or October.
2. For rustic historic medieval architecture in the middle of Tuscany, visit Volterra, San Gimignano, Volpaia, Siena, Radda, Montalcino, and Sant Antimo is a must see.
3. Roads with vistas: Rt. 222, Rt. 2 (part of the old Appian Way but now paved), Rt. 68, Rt. 429, and any/all roads shooting off from these routes. You will not be disappointed.
4. For museums, Florence is tremendous and if you like coastlines visit...
5. Lerci on the Riveria. Rustic, wonderful town complete with castle, churches and sailboats. From there you can take a ferry to Portovenere (and the most classic Italian port view imaginable) and on to the 5 famous, historically preserved coastal villages of Cinque Terre. Oh my. I only spent 1.5 days here and it would take more than a lifetime to paint it all.
6. It was easy to paint most anywhere. People were very respectful and kind.
7. Had no pick-pocket problems; I wore an under-the-shirt neck-type pack with credit cards/cash/passport, and fanny pack.
8. Take an umbrella and a Dollar Store plastic parka and hat. At least in April...the showers can come and go all day. Layering is the name of the game. By late May you won't have to worry about staying warm.
9. Wisteria painters...the last 3 weeks of April are for you...everywhere, and on everything.
10. Clothesline painters...anytime is a good time. Beautifully clad lines are everywhere. I could not believe how the clothes matched the buildings and landscape.
11. Fields of yellow mustard, same as #9.
12. The film is reasonably priced. So if you don't take much with you, you can get it there.
I have only been to Italy once, just this last January to Rome...and that was great. But oh...all that has been written recently about Tuscany is true...not to mention the food!
I will be posting the small sketch paintings I paint in a few days...waiting for a new digital camera to be delivered.
Diane