Painting Tours: Italy – Tuscany
For centuries artists have drawn their inspiration from the Tuscan landscape. This trip not only conjures paintings of superb Renaissance art and landscapes famous for its rolling hills, olive groves, cypress trees, winding vineyards and grand estates but also tastings of local products like wine and olive oil in the Chianti region. The cherry on the cake will be the visit of the superb Renaissance town of Siena.Day 1: Welcome Reception
We will pick you up at the Florence airport. Upon your arrival at our hotel located in the sublime Chianti countryside, you will have time to settle in, explore the private park around the villa, take a walk in the hills or even dive in the pool.
In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome reception followed by a delicious dinner.
Days 2, 3 & 7: Under the Tuscan Sun from our Homestay
The Chianti area in Tuscany is one of the most beautiful in the whole region. It offers a unique landscape, with green, gentle hills covered with wide fields of vineyards and olive groves, small stone villages, characteristic parishes and counrtyside homes in stone.
You can view it all from the estate where we are staying. No need to drive anywhere. You will have endless painting vignettes to paint. 
Wine is one of Italy’s delights.
Our agriturismo is a wine and olive oil producer. We will have a chance to visit the cellar and of course taste wine and olive oil.
This domain is an exquisite location, so characteristic of the Chianti region.
Day 4: Medieval and Renaissance Town of Certaldo
Certaldo is one of Tuscany’s most evocative hill towns enclosed in its 13th century walls.
The city still retains traces of its majestic past which gradually unfurls as you wander through the narrow streets to discover a palace, a church, a cloister, a convent,
Away from the tourist crowd, you will enjoy the peace and quiet of this wonderful medieval village. Numerous painting vignettes await you in this gem of Tuscany.
Certaldo’s charm lies in its historical patrimony. At the end of the day, why no visit the palace of Certaldo? Or you may prefer a glass of wino with gelato.
Day 5: Spectacular City of San Gimignano
San Gimignano is one of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany: gorgeous walled medieval architecture with 14 towers tall enough to be visible from miles around.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990, San Gimignano will offer you endless opportunities for painting.
We will paint the village from the countryside, surrounded by grapes and olives and no other tourists around. We have found the perfect spot! 
Lunch: We will have the chance to have lunch in a cellar in the middle of Chianti region. In addition to the fabulous food, you will have the opportunity to taste 3 different local wines.
Afternoon: You can choose to paint in the village or do some shopping: leather, gelato and local products including safran and the famous white wine, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
Day 6: Enchanting City of Siena
Siena is one of the principal cities of Tuscany, known throughout the world for its famous horse race, Il Palio.
Since we will be spending the day in Siena, you will have time to do some painting and some visiting of this beautiful city.
We will start the day with a guided tour of the city: Piazza del Campo, the Duomo in Siena, or the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, one of the most outstanding examples of Romanesque-Gothic church in Italy. The Duomo was built to impress and it does.
You will then have free time to explore on your own: the Palazzo Pubblico contains many works of Sienese art. The Torre di Mangia provides a breath-taking view of the city. Inside are an astonishing number of busts, statues, frescoes, and painting. The octagonal marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano is amazing, as are the works by Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo.
Day 8: Departure
It is time to say Arrivederci! But don’t worry – you’ll be back. We just know it! After our last breakfast together, we’ll drive you to the Florence airport.
| 2018 Dates-Italy | Teachers-Italy | Painting Medium | Booking Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25-June 1 | Iain Stewart | Watercolor Painting Workshop | Full-Wait List |
| Sept 21-28 | Brenda Swenson | Watercolor Sketching Workshop | 1 last spot |
| Sept 29-Oct 6 | Brenda Swenson | Watercolor Sketching Workshop | Full-Wait List |
| 2019 Dates-Italy | Teachers-Italy | Painting Medium | Booking Status | Price: $200 off before Jan 31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept 17-24 | Shari Blaukopf | Travel Sketching in Watercolor | 2 spots left | $3,190 before 1/31 |
| Sept 25-Oct 2 | Shari Blaukopf | Travel Sketching in Watercolor | 1 spot left | $3,190 before 1/31 |
| Sept 26-Oct 3 | Judy Salleh | Watercolor Sketching Workshop | Full-Wait List | $3,190 before 1/31 |
| Oct 3-10 | Cindy Briggs & Theresa Goesling | Watercolor Painting & Journaling | 1 spot left | $3,190 before 1/31 |
| Oct 4-11 | Kirah Van Sickle | All medium Painting Workshop | Open | $3,190 before 1/31 |
Accommodations: Stunning Estate in Tuscan Countryside
Nestled in the marvelous Tuscan countryside, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and lush blooming meadows, the estate is the perfect place for our painting workshop.
The estate boats an excellent location, in the heart of Tuscany, 25 miles from Florence and Siena, allowing us to become acquainted with the artistic, historical, natural and oenogastronomical wonders of this region without having to drive long distances.
The estate houses rooms and apartments with timber ceilings with exposed beams, “cotto” floors; they are also furnished with rural art decor, according to the country style of the tuscan tradition and perfectly respectful of the atmosphere of the place.
The apartments have a full kitchen, a living room and 2 bedrooms with either shared bathroom or en-suite bathroom.
The rooms in the main villa all have en-suite baths.
We will allocate either rooms or apartments based on availabilties.
The estate is an active olive oil and wine producer overlooking the unforgettable landscape of Valdelsa crossed by vineyards, olive-groves and regular rows of cypresses.
It offers many terraces, one swimming pool and a productive wine cellar.
Gourmet Food and Possibility of a Cooking Class
The Estate has its own chef, Frederica. She has has been cooking in well known cooking schools.
The estate is an agriturismo, meaning proponent of 100% local and organic. The chef makes a special effort to create recipes made from the ingredients supplied mostly on the estate or by producers located less than 100 miles away. The refined cuisine of Frederica based on fresh, seasonal and organic local product is an invitation to take a culinary journey into the Tuscan cuisine.
If you are interested in learning some Tuscan recipes, Frederica will be more than happy to give you a cooking class (2 persons minimum, 75 euros per person).
How to Book
To Make Your Reservation for a French Escapade Tour please follow the steps below and review our Cancellation Policy:
1
Check Availability
Send us an e-mail to check availability. Include the dates you are interested in and the number of people you will be reserving a spot for.
2
Submit Registration Form and Send $600 Deposit
After receiving confirmation of availability, complete and submit the Reservation Form and send your $600 deposit check to:
French Escapade LLC
2389 Blackpool Place
San Leandro, CA 94577
If you live in the US:
- pay by check, payable to French Escapade (if you live in Canada, it needs to be a money order)
- or by wire transfer (let us know and we will provide you with our account number)
If you live outside the US please contact us for other payment options.
3
Receive Confirmation
We will send you a written confirmation of your reservation along with an information package for your trip (info about pick up and drop off, recommended insurance, name of a travel agent, what to bring, etc…).
4
Submit Remaining Balance
Your remaining balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
Cancellation Policy
| If you cancel the trip: | Cancellation Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| If French Escapade cancels | You get a full refund |
| More than 90 days before departure | The $600 deposit is forfeited (however $500 can be either transferred once to another trip or refunded if replacement is found) |
| 61-90 days before departure | 50% of total cost forfeited |
| 31-60 days before departure | 75% of total cost forfeited |
| 0-30 days before departure | 100% of total cost forfeited |