Tuesday, February 27, 2007
KNITALY! 2010 Knitting the Tuscan Dream
Knitaly08 gathers for a wine tasting
Dream your way into reality…Knitaly 10 Unfolds
"I was privledged to be part of the group in 2008. All I can say is beg, borrow or collect deposit soda cans to pay for this trip. It is beyond wonderful. As a knitter it was a fabulous treat to be with like-minded folks but there is sooo much more to this excursion. Jane and Company are supurb hosts, accomodations great and AHHHH the food! Do what you must to get there!" Diana Tagley
OCTOBER 14th to Sunday, October 24th, inclusive
This year's Knitaly will begin with two nights in Florence before moving into the Tuscan countryside.
This trip will appeal to those who:
- consider themselves a traveller rather than a tourist and are both concious of and interested in the culture of the land
- appreciate art, history, beautiful scenery, fine food, shopping and more fine food with lots of knitting (or not) on the side.
- do not want the herd mentality of a one-size-fits-all mega tour but prefer to join up with like-minded voyagers linked by common interests.
- enjoy a balance of touring with big dollops of dolce vita with food and relaxation amid the touring, shopping and knitting.
- see that travel can be comfortable while still adventurous with a balance of activities for body, soul and mind.
- and, of course, a love of knitting or beading helps, though is not a prerequisite. As you can see from the itinerary, multiple activities exist for all interests so bring your companions. No husband or non-knitting companion has been known to complain. My husband will we joining me.
Below, you'll find the story of the first two Knitaly tours to give you the flavor of these unforgettable excursions where small groups of like-minded people explore one of the world's most beautiful places.
NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR OCTOBER FOR KNITALY'10. This year's excursion will follow a similiar itinerary to that outlined below with specifics unfolding:
The story so far : Knitaly 07 & 08:
The essence of Tuscany, despite the illustrious history, the immense cultural influence of the Renaissance, is all about living simply and well. It's about savoring every nuance of flavor and beauty and about finding such pleasures in everyday things. For this very reason the name 'Tuscan' ends up being applied to everything from restaurants to home products and why I can't get enough of Italy's most famous region. Despite the romanticism behind all things Tuscan, in truth, Tuscans are realists: they know that life is short and take steps to live every minute to the fullest. Live well. Live now. Shouldn't we all strive to live that way?
If you've never been, maybe 2010 is your year to immerse yourself in an excursion into the meaning of le dolce vita. Whether as a single knitter seeking comfort and companionship in the company of like-minded new friends or as part of a pair where even a spouse who blanches at the thought of a 'knitting tour' can find delight, this trip is for you.
Your hosts:
Me, checking out an eatery
John checking out a guide book
ITINERARY
09 days, 10 nights
The Duomo in Florence, centuries old but will still take your breath away
OCT. 14th : ARRIVAL DAY – 1st night in FLORENCE
- Arrive in Florence. We’ll all be arriving on different airlines, at different times, so this will be a travel day. Late afternoon, we'll meet at our hotels—three little hotels located close together in the center of Florence—before strolling down the street to a neighbouring trattoria for supper (think of gnocchi, lasagna, the best grilled vegetables in Tuscany…). (cost of this meal not included in price)
- In the evening, we’ll all get to know one another better while taking a leisurely stroll through the streets of Florence on our way back to our hotels. Maybe along the way a few of us will test out many gelato (ice cream) shops before turning in for a jet-lag easing sleep.
Florentine Markets
Day 1, Oct. 15th. FLORENCE
- We'll begin our stay with a morning tour of Florence to help orientate travellers to this centuries-old center of art and history. Don’t expect this to be a dry old tour, however. Our guide is so lively and informative, she will keep us (as well as every English-speaking tourist in her radius) enthralled.
- Afterwards, the afternoon will be given over to relaxation or the option to explore the sites of Florence individually or in small groups. Perhaps you'll choose to stroll the famous Florentine markets for pashimas or leather goods or even climb the 400+ steps up into the domed duomo (!). Whatever your choice, this city offers a feast of possibilities.
- That evening we have the option of meeting again at one of the neighbouring tratorrias (cost of supper not included).
Our amazing guide, Francesca Ermini
Day 2, OCT. 16th Head for Gargonza via San Gimiagno
San Giminagno—view from the tower
- Leaving Florence becomes easier when you know Tuscany awaits. Our bus will pick us up from the hotel to sail us off into the hills en route to our 13th century-hamlet-away-from-home, Gargonza. Along the way we’ll be spending several hours at the little walled town of San Gimignano. There is no more perfect introduction to a medieval town than Tuscany’s ‘medieval Manhattan’, an amazing place not just filled with historical wonderss along with very good shopping, too. Lunch will be take on your own or in small groups at the cafes. Try the pizza—for the equivelent of $5.00 you can feast.
- This little town, with only two main streets, has many shops that sell stranded stones, beads and leather goods at very good prices. After a brief orientation tour, we'll have some free time to explore on our own before taking some lunch and boarding the bus for the trip to Mount Sarvino.
Wall art
- Castillo Gargonza, our hotel, is a destination in itself. Tucked high in a cedar forest, this 13th century walled hamlet has been transformed into a residence/hotel perfect for our knitting adventure. Dante entered these gates centuries ago but don't let it's great age and illustrious past deter you: these accommodations are very comfortable and modern in the places where modern counts (like bathrooms). Some accommodations are apartments with fireplaces, sitting areas and kitchenettes, others are more standard. Check your options at the bottom of this page for preferences. The hotel describes itself thus:
"Upon entering the small village, you'll find yourself in the piazzetta with its tower and water well, followed by the city wall, the small lanes, homes and gardens. Even today, the village homes maintain the names of the original inhabitants: Fattore, Niccolina the seamstress, Celso the gamekeeper… Surrounded entirely by woods, grape-vines, olive trees, and rolling hills. This is Gargonza, a village that was brought back to life thanks to the love of Roberto Guicciardini Corsi Salviati.
Nestled in the heart of the Tuscany region, in Val di Chiana, near Arezzo and Monte San Savino, the Castle of Gargonza is today a bed and breakfast and residence vacation homes. It also offers a swimming pool, a restaurant and meeting rooms which have skillfully maintained the authentic character of the original antique village."
- After a rest, maybe to take tea in the garden, we’ll have our welcome dinner at Gargonza's fabulous restaurant, complete with wine.
Tea in Gargonza's garden 08
Day 4, OCT. 17th FULL DAY WORKSHOP AT GARGONZA
- Adventure knitting begins! Today, physically we may need a rest after the art and history fest of Florence but our minds and imaginations will continue the adventure. Time to get creative as I lead us on a free-range project of knitterly self-expression. Forget patterns but expect amaxing results. Though most of our 'formal' instruction will take place in Gargonza's lovely old stone meeting room, knitters well on their way will have the pleasure of choosing many beautiful places to knit: in the garden under the grape pergola, in the chairs overlooking the Chianti valley, in any one of the hamlet's common rooms or in the comfort of their own rooms.
- Both lunch and supper will be in our home hamlet this day.
- We'll return early afternoon for tea and more knitting before dining at the Castillo restaurant that evening.
- After breakfast, we're off to Cortona, a town made famous by 'Under the Tuscan Sun'. You may recall the movie or even the book in your wanders but the town itself far eclipses either in its beauty. We'll see it rising from the surrounding valley like a mythical land as we approach and will explore it's slanted streets with a guide, visiting the little nooks and crannies that bring a place alive to the visitor . At the end of the tour, you'll have free time to have lunch on your own and to either shop or explore more sites before returning to Gargonza.
- Back at Gargonza, we'll continue working on our Tuscan tiles and dine that evening at the restaurante.
Knitting in the garden 07
Workshop in progress 07…
Workshop 08
Patricia, my guest designer, leads Tuscan Tiles
Cortona…it really is this lovely
DAY 5, October 18th: Chianti Cashmere & Wine Tasting Tour
Listed among Knitaly07's 'most favorite' destinations, a morning's drive through the famous Chianti wine region with a stop off along the way will bring us to Nora's cashmere farm just in time for lunch under the pergola overlooking the valley. Yes, we'll have time to romp with the horny, incredibly cute cashmere kids, wander through the cashmere shop and maybe even buy some yarn or maybe just spend time looking across the valley to where Sting has his little home. Quite a number of whisper-light cashmere shawls left with last year's Knitalyers, too, but you might be happy with the sop and bath products.
Lunch awaits
Local produce, fabulous and unberlievably delicious at Chianti Cashmere
DAY 6, October 19 FULL DAY WORKSHOP WITH FORAY TO MONTE SAN SAVINO FOR YARN SHOPPING(!)
Tuscan terracotta
October 20th—Arezzo Half-day tour and workshop
October 21st - Half Day Tour Assisi
October -
Free range feather & fanning
Our project for 2009 is any one of my feather&fan designs. I'll provide a starter kit of colors upon which you can build at home and through the yarn store forages we make during our travels. Foraging is half the fun, especially in Tuscany!
Works in progress Knitaly07
This year, I've made sure to build in more time at our home hamlet with equal opportunity for both knitting and luxuriating in such a gorgeous Tuscan location. Today, while we continue our knitting, workshopping, relaxing and socializing (which may or may not include lounging by the pool or strolling through the cedar forest pretending to hunt for truffles) we will also take a short drive into the little town of Monte San Savino. Here, far from tourists (we are travellers, after all) we can wander the town piazza, visit the amazingly well-stocked yarn store and otherwise experience a small town made more special by the very fact that it remains authentically rural Tuscan. Last year, not only did we come away with hoards of yarn but some members of our troupe found beautifully handknit items for VERY few euros.
Alberta shares life in Siena, Knitaly07
DAY 7, OCTOBER 20th: Morning tour Sienna
Two very different and extraordinary cities await today: Siena, the glorious town of golden brown famous for, among other things, it's neck-breaking horserace that pounds the Campo piazza during August and Volterra, the austere Etruscan hilltown famous for alabaster. This morning after breakfast, our bus will take us into the heart of this ancient Siena where we will meet our guide, stroll the streets and gain insight as to a community that carves itself into districts named after some mythical emblem (our guide, Alberta, belongs to the Porcupines).
Torre Sienna
October 21st - Morning Tour Volterra
After a couple of hours, we will again board our bus to sweep through the extraordinary countryside towards Volterra, a city distinctly different from all the others. Noted for its alabaster since Etruscan times and famous for brilliant craftsmanship in both stone and goldsmithing, Volterra will enthrall you with its ancient streets featuring Etruscan foundations and the remains of a Roman forum. History visibly layers itself here, the ages traceable in its ancient stone walls. We'll have lunch on the road before heading back to Gargonza for supper.
Ancient Etruscan Gate
Day 8, October 22th: CORTONA AND WORKSHOP
Every street, a stroll through fascination
Tuscan hills…
Cortona on a slant…
DAY 9: OCT. 23th: LAST DAY AT GARGONZA
Today is our last day at Gargonza and one of down time for relaxation and unobstructed knitting. For the last two trips, voyagers so craved a day like this that the opted out of day trips so this time I've build a free day right into the schedual. We'll finish off our stay with a farewell dinner at the castillo.
DAY 10: Oct. 24th: Leave for Florence and last night
Today we'll arrive in Florence roughly at noontime, giving you the rest of the afternoon to explore as you wish, either in small groups or off on a solo mission. By now, you will have made new friends and had time to consider where in this city of wonders you'd like to return for a closer look. The basic routes will be familiar. Many of us will opt to meet in small groups for supper.
*If you'd like to contact someone from last year's trip to hear participants' reference, just email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
TOUR INCLUDES
- 10 nights accommodation with 3 nights in Florence (two upon arrival and one at the end of the trip) and 7 nights at the Castillo de Gargonza, Monte San Savino (check pricing options)
- all breakfasts, 7 dinners and 3 lunches ( all suppers provided while resident at Gargonza plus two lunches at Gargonza during workshop days with one el fresco lunch at Chianti Cashmere). Cost of lunch during other day outings and while in Florence not included.
- Tour of Florence with our wonder guide including entrance to the Uffizi Gallery plus guided tours of Sienna and Cortona. Informal walking tours of Volterra, San Gimiagno and Chianti.
- Three 'formal' free-range, evocative knitting workshops plus pattern and plenty of free-range knitting support on the side
- All bus transportation within Tuscany on tour days. Travellers are responsible for transportation to and from Florence and any taxi rides they may elect to take on their own.
- A copy of my KNITALY book
PRICE PER PERSON standard accomodations (Gargonza and in Florence) double occupancy= $3, 750 US
PRICE PER PERSON standard accommodations (Gargonza and Florence) single occupancy = $4, 450 US
PRICE PER PERSON SUPERIOR for appartment with kitchenette and fireplace (Gargonza and superior accomodations in Florence) = $4,200 US pp double occupancy
PRICE PER PERSON SUPERIOR for appartment with kitchenette and fireplace (Gargonza and superior accomodations in Florence) = $4,700 US single occupancy
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights to Florence
- Travel and health insurance
- Meals where not specified
- Alcholol and wine unless specified
- Yarn and knitting supplies. I'll be providing everyone with suggested yarn types to bring along with expectations that you'll all want to further supplement on our yarn-foraging sprees in Italy.
Posted by Jane on 02/27 at 03:43 PM
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From the entry 'KNITALY! 2010 Knitting the Tuscan Dream'.
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| By Mary Bowman-Kruhm on 2010 02 06 |
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From the entry 'KNITALY! 2010 Knitting the Tuscan Dream'.
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| By Diana on 2010 02 06 |
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From the entry 'KNITALY! 2010 Knitting the Tuscan Dream'.
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| By Helen on 2010 02 05 |
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From the entry 'KNITALY! 2010 Knitting the Tuscan Dream'.
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| By Brandy on 2008 06 03 |
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From the entry 'KNITALY! 2010 Knitting the Tuscan Dream'.
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| By Mary Bowman-Kruhm on 2007 04 18 |
