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Carpe Diem...
Seize this opportunity to travel, sketch & paint in Italy
with art instructor Glenn Vilppu!!
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes your tours so special? Many
participants have asked "Roberta, how can tomorrow be as much
fun as today was?" Our attention to detail is what
sets us apart from other tour groups. Personalized Travel was
founded in 1985 on the premise that we should address the concept of
"small group travel at its best", and we do just that
with a passion! The participants have the daily opportunity to
work personally with Glenn to hone their artistic skills.
Glenn is most generous with his time on the Italy tour. Many
of those who attend find their travels with Glenn a big boost to
their artistic careers, and return year after year for more!
What is the skill level of the artists? We often
hear questions from "I'm not sure if I am good enough yet" to "I am
not sure if I will get anything out of it since I am already very
accomplished, a professional, or a teacher". Just as in
Glenn's regular classes, there is a wide range in the experience and
training of the artists attending the tour. Glenn will give
his lectures and demonstrations and then help each artist at their
own level. There is usually a mix of students of all ages and
skill levels as well as professionals and teachers. While
Glenn's method is ideal for beginners, he is also known as the
"teacher's teacher". No matter what your skill level, you will
find it very comfortable to be in this supportive, non-competitive
environment.
How many are in the groups? For the optimal
experience, we limit our group size to 15-20 participants, including
both artists and non-artists.
Will my non-artist friend enjoy the tour?
Roberta and Henry, with Personalized Travel, are the Tour Designers
Extraordinaire! They make sure that there are activities for
the non-artists to enjoy while others are sketching. There are
optional field trips, shopping, etc, or they may decide to stay with
the artists and take photographs. Some even decide to pick up
a pencil or brush and sketch!
What is the age group of the
participants? We have a wide range in ages from college students to older adults.
Younger travelers are also welcome if accompanied by a parent.
The mix of ages and skill levels makes for very dynamic and
interesting groups.
How much instruction is there?
What is the average day like? Most days will
include a demo either after breakfast at the hotel or on location at
one of the sites that we visit. The rest of the days will be spent
between sketching, personal instruction and sightseeing, as well as
some museums. It is up to you how much time you would like to
dedicate to each activity.
How much time does Glenn spend
with the participants? Glenn is very
generous with his time. Basically, you can spend as much or as little
time with him as you like. You can watch him and work right next to
him all of the time, or as he says: “you are free to
totally ignore me”. Glenn will
participate in all of the events on the scheduled itinerary,
including meals, and is always happy to critique your work and
answer questions. You will often see him even sketching at meals!
What if I do not want to join
the group sometimes? You are welcome to “do
your own thing”, just make sure to let us know.
Where are the participants
meeting up with the Group? Depending
on the itineraries, which change from year to year, the group will
meet at the airport closest in proximity to our first hotel
location. There will be one pick-up at the airport for those that
arrive on the designated schedule. The participant should look for a
representative of Personalized Travel carrying a
large sign marked “Roberta”.
We also
provide special luggage tags that will enable participants to
recognize other members of our group.
What kind of hotels do we stay
in? All hotels
on Personalized Travel’s tours have personally been selected and
checked out by Roberta Kritzia & Henry Dalgart, our tour designers. The hotels
must meet the high aesthetic standards that have been established. In
general they are Italian owned, top of the line, 3-star or 4-star
hotels. Participants choosing to have a private room, will be given
the opportunity with a "single supplement" (additional fee).
How many meals are covered on
the tour? Sixteen
(16) meals are covered. That includes 10 buffet breakfasts and 6
complete meals. All restaurants have been personally selected and
are “tried and true”, chosen
for their ambiance, local cuisine & great service.
Are the Museum Admission
Charges covered?
All
museums and general admission fees that are covered will be
designated in the detailed itinerary provided to each participant,
one month prior to departure.
How do we travel from place to
place?
Our
primary mode of transportation while traveling in Italy is
our professional, modern, air
conditioned coach seating 30-40 people. We limit our groups to
15-20 people so there is ample room for comfortable seating on the
bus plus room for art supplies.
Does Glenn have a tour every
year?
Yes, we are planning
tours for future years. That being said, every year the itinerary is
different and you never know what the future holds. So, if you like
this itinerary and you are able to go this year, please join us. If
that is not possible, please sign up to be on our update list for
future tours. Each year is a new adventure! We have many repeat
participants; both artists & non-artists and we consider this our
greatest compliment!!!
Details from the June 2008 tour:
The Cinque Terre is a protected
stretch of rocky coastline on the Riviera di Levante, which extends from
Monterossa al Mare to Romaggiore at its southeastern tip. The name
referrs to five dramatically situated villages that apparently cling to
the very edge of vertiginous cliffs: Monterossa al Mare, Vernazza,
Corniglia, Manorola and Riomaggiore. the villages were once only
accessible by sea, and today there is still no road that links them all.
Portovenere
named after Venus herself, Portovenere is one of the most romantic
villages on the Ligurian coast with its cluster of narrow streets lined
with pasted-colored houses. In the upper part of the village is
the 12th century chutrch of San Lorenzo.
Portofino is the most exclusive
harbor and resort town in italy, crammed with the yachts of the wealthy.
Above the town is the church of San Gorgio. Portofino is truly a
painter & photographer's paradise.
Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, named after a 3rd century saint
whose followers were shipwrecked here, and, according to local folklore,
protected by three lions.
The
white abbey buildings set among pines and olive trees, date mostly from
the 11th century. The Ligurian Sea, at the harbor cove of San
Fruttuoso, is truly "cerulean blue" and crystal clear.
The Island of Giglio
was inhabited by the Etruscans, 800 BC, as witnessed by several
archeological remains. A special lunch of local island cuisine
will be prepared for our group.
Pitigliano seems to be
out of a fairytale and is spectacularly perched on a plateau high above
cliffs carved out by the Lente River. The stone houses seem to
grow out of the rocks, which are riddled with Etruscan caves cut oout of
a soft limestone called "volcanic tufa"
Published writer Carlo Rosati
will be our guide while we are visiting the Maremma area.
"The Italian sketchbooks of Fragonard, Lorrain &
the many artists of the past are the inspiration for this trip.
The sketchbook is the artist's most intimate expression, be the work in
pencil, pen, or watercolor. Join us in an Italian sketching tour
and see Italy with the eyes of an artist. I will be demonstrating
sketching using a variety of techniques & subjects both landscape &
figure. The methods & traditions of the Masters have been a
lifetime study of mine and I look forward to presenting them in this
exciting and enchanting environment. A once in a lifetime
experience that can become an annual passion." - Glenn Vilppu, Your
Art Instructor
(airfare not included)
A deposit of $300 will hold your space
for the 2009 tour.
Early registration is your only guarantee
of a space on this trip!
