Monday, February 18, 2013

Italy for Solo Travelers


Do you love to travel?

Is Italy one of your favorite destinations?

Interested in being more than a tourist?

 

Think about joining one of these adventures while traveling in Italy....  meet Kelly Medford, American artist living in Rome.

I met Kelly on my December trip to Rome and she graciously agreed to let me follow her while she painted  in the  streets of Rome.  Thanks to a post by BrowrowsingRome.com http://www.browsingrome.com/    I learned that Kelly was doing a 120 project:   a painting a day.  
Thinking, if she can paint an entire picture in ONE day, I can do a blog a day on my 30 day trip.
Well that didn't happen and I am still writing about the adventures I had on my Solo Christmas trip to Italy.....

Kelly  just sent me a list of all the workshops she will be doing this year.    Reading the list brings out the artist in me even though I only express myself with photos......I think a workshop with Kelly would make a difference.     Below is a brief outline on events a Solo Traveler will enjoy.    One of the BEST talents Kelly possesses is her open mind.   She had never met me before, nor do I think she knew I was twice her age but she treated me as a 'real person' and shared her idea and philosopy on paining in Rome.   She was kind to answer the endless questions a non resident asks without laughing or judgins.     Thank you Kelly.

It shall be difficult to selct which class to take.......



Art of the Painted Sketch: August 21-28, 2013
Umbria, Italy


Join us for a week of sun, wine, Italian home cooking and painting in a in a restored villa tucked away in the wooded hills of Umbria.

In this intimate and relaxed setting you will gain a new ease and confidence in capturing  the light and feel of a place by learning the Art of the Painted Sketch

Your instructor, an American painter who has been living and painting in Italy for the past 9 years, will guide you effortlessly through the process.

Not just for painters, this setting is the perfect getaway for non painting partners.       Complete with swimming pool, 80 acres of grounds and close to several small Italian villages, this is the perfect chance to relax and enjoy an authentic Italian holiday.

 Details:

• Cost for single participant in private room is £985 or $1,530.
• A non-refundable deposit of 25% is required upon registration with full payment due June 26
• All art materials, meals, airport transfers and local transport during the course is included in your tuition/ just bring yourself and be ready to relax and paint!
    *Cancellation policy details can be found by clicking here
To learn more about our hosts at Arte Umbria go to www.arteumbria.com

To learn more about your instructor Kelly Medford click here
To register and join us  click here

The Light and Life of Venice: October 12-20, 2013
Venice, Italy
 

Spend 10 days in Italy's most magical and mysterious floating city, Venice. We will stalk the streets, alleys and canals with our easels to capture the most intimate and fleeting views of the city.

Venice is full of light, color, gondolas, open piazzas and intimate hidden places. To capture them in paint is exciting, fun and the chance of a lifetime.

This workshop will be filled with adventure, exploration and give you a new confidence to capture the life around you quickly en plein air.
You will learn to capture fleeting light quickly in paint and have a wide range of completed paintings or studies that you can work from and take back to the studio. This experience, through guided instruction, will grow your speed and confidence no matter your skill level.

With 10 days we will have time to enjoy  the local wine, food and scenery as well as paint in 2 daily sessions with time for breaks. We will also have a day painting in the unique local fisherman's Burano island to capture local life there.

All levels and mediums are encouraged to join us as well as non painting partners. We will be staying as locals in furnished apartments in the heart of the city.

Working as a team, Helen Beacham will be instructing all levels in both drawing and watercolors, while Kelly will be working with painters in oil and acrylics.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Solo Travelers: would you be interested in a creative break

CREATIVE BREAKS:

 

If you enjoy traveling, learning, meeting the locals and immersing yourself in a culture than you need to know about a special series of programs offered by yltour.com in Italy!

 

Yle Sambati will be offering a great assortment of 'adventures' that solo travelers can enjoy.

 

Check back soon to hear about her photography, cooking or wine events! 

 

yltourconressi.com   

Monday, February 4, 2013

Worry about traveling solo?



I have traveled solo for the past 15+ years from necessity and then from the sheer joy of doing whatever I wish.

Many other solo travelers write about adventures they take in countries I have to search a map to find.  I stopped reading many of their posts and books since it only made me think I was too timid, shy and had no sense of adventure on the trips I undertake.

But I just read the very sad tale of a solo traveler to Turkey.
American's death in Turkey puts spotlight on solo travel


As countries are crossed off my list of places to visit, because of wars, political unrest or their attitude towards woman, must I now cross Turkey off the list too?

Last year I read about a company in the USA that (for a fee) would keep track of you when you are traveling on a date or just off on your own.    Unfortunately they do not work outside the USA.

What precautions do you take when you solo travel?     Telling your hotel where you are going is useless.   I have left notes in my room but in many countries the staff does not read English.  
Does the American consulate have a system to track us?   They wouldn't let me the embassy in Rome or the consulate in Florence,  and I believe my taxes pay the rent on those buildings.