KNITALY! 2007 – A Trip of a Lifetime..
WHY KNITALY?
From the moment I stepped into Tuscany this summer, I knew I had to return with a small group of like-minded knitters. Everything in this country, from the lifestyle to the art, inspired my fingers to knit, my heart to express itself in color and texture, and to share that love with others.
I searched the countryside for right hotel-- a home base that would be an appealing destination in itself with a sense of history, a touch of romance, and every necessary creature comfort. Gargonza, operated by a count whose father's passion had been to preserve this little jewel, is the perfect backdrop to creative self-expression. Gargonza, will be our 13th century-hamlet-away-from-home. For art and literature buffs, know that you will sleep where Dante once laid his head, For those who don't care much about Dante, just know that this a great place to stay.
And, with the same sense of dedication and near missionary zeal that took me to Gargonza, I also researched countless other locations, scentic vistas, museums, art galleries, almost every hilltown, while nobly trying an assortment of pasta and wine, just for you. It was tough, as you can imagine, but I bore the task for the greater good. Yes, consider me your dedicated scout, plunging into Tuscany with you, the life-loving knitter, in mind.
But this trip won't just appeal to knitters. In fact, anyone who:
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appreciates art, history, beautiful scenery, fine food, wine, shopping, food (did I mention food?) while experiencing le dolce vita in the land of its birth will love this trip
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considers themselves a traveller rather than a tourist but who wants the details to be taken care of so they can relax and enjoy the ride
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does not want the herd mentality of a one-size-fits-all mega tour.
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sees that travel can be comfortable but still adventurous with a balance of activities for body, soul and mind.
So bring along those husbands, companions and friends!
ITINERARY
10 days, 11 nights
OCT. 7th (Sun): 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). Meet at hotel, which is a villa on the quiet side of the Arno, a mere 15min walk to the Ponte Vecchio, where we’ll have our welcome dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, a family-run trattoria that serves lovely food (oh, be still my beating heart when I think of the gnocchi, the lasagna, the best grilled vegetables in Tuscany…).
- That evening, we’ll all get to know one another better while taking a leisurely stroll through the streets of Florence. Mission numero uno: trek to the site of what is said to be the world’s best gelatto (ice cream) before turning in for a jet-lag busting sleep.
DAY 1, Oct. 8th. FLORENCE
- To start our introduction to a city that brews centuries of stories, history, and wonderments, we’ll begin today with a guided tour by a guide famous for sharing some of the most fascinating aspects of this enthralling city. Don’t expect this to be a dry old tour. Still in the process of working out a few details, I’m working to give us an inside view of city’s artisan workshops. More details to follow.
- Late afternoon, the Boboli gardens. By this time, we need to breathe in another kind of beauty—a genuine royal Florentine garden.
DAY 2, OCT. 9th FLORENCE
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Where to begin when a buffet of history, art, & shopping spreads at our feet? After breakfast, we're off to visit the Uffizi, one of the world’s greatest art museums. Here we’ll amble through a few choice galleries to feed our knitting inspiration, getting up close and personal with BOTTICELLI, among others, a Renaissance painter whose colors always inspire me with their fresh vibrancy.
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Expect to talk color and design among our gasps of appreciation. After this, we’ll head out for a little walking tour of our own, which includes the magnificent Duomo as well as other wonders.
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*While you click your photos, Colleen will be giving you tips to take clearer, more vibrant images.
- Next lunch, of course. Are you ready to try a pizza from the birthplace of this famous dish? How about any number of famous Italian foods that will take on a whole new meaning once you’ve tried the originals? Learning from the Italians means understanding the fundamentals of the dolce vita: good food, good wine, good friends, good knitting, and everything in moderation. Oh, and good shopping (more about that later).
- By afternoon, some will want to rest while others may choose to stroll around Florence on their own for awhile. Maps will be provided and we’ll all meet back at the hotel. Those with life still in their batteries might want to come with me to the Santa Maria Novella Pharmecia for a chance to buy brews and creams, perfumes and soaps, made from old and highly secret recipes from the Dominican monks.
Not your ordinary Pharmecia
- That evening, it’s off to supper at another yummy restorante.
DAY 3, OCT. 10th. OFF TO THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE: GARGONZA/ SAN GIMIGNANO
View from the tower -- San Gimignano
- Yes, I know: leaving Florence will be very hard but, just think, Tuscany awaits! Our bus will pick us up from the hotel and sail us off into the hills en route to our 13th century-hamlet-away-from-home but along the way we’ll be spending several hours at San Gimignano. There is no more perfect introduction to a medieval Tuscan walled town than Tuscany’s ‘medieval Manhattan’, an amazing town not just filled with historical wonders, but some very good shopping, too.
- Gargonza. To me, Gargonza is a destination in itself. Read all about it further on this site (on the updated posting before this one). Tucked high in a cedar forest, this 13th century walled hamlet has been transformed into a residence/hotel perfect for our knitting adventure. Accommodations are apartments with fireplaces, sitting areas and kitchenettes and, don’t worry, bathrooms are modern. Here, we’ll have our welcome dinner, complete with wine.
DAY 4: OCT. 11th WORKSHOP AT GARGONZA/ CORTONA
- Adventure knitting begins! Today, physically we may need a rest but our minds and imaginations are about to be challenged after this recent immersion into art and history. Time to get creative!
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- This half-workshop day is when I’ll be guiding you on the color blendings, free-range techniques, and so much more while you begin work on your special Tuscan knitting project using the hand-dyed yarns I’ve selected. We’ll be knitting a little piece of Tuscany to take home with us.
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- After lunch, we’re off to another walled town, Cortona, from Under the Tuscan Sun fame, where every street is on a slant and the ancient Etruscans built tombs into the hillsides. We’ll stroll the town with our guide, experience the area, which differs in so many ways from other places we’re going to see, and have supper at one of the town’s trattoria’s before returning to our hamlet home. I’m hoping for a glimpse of a sunset over the hills at one of the most stunning vistas in all of Tuscany.
View from the walls of Cartona
DAY 5: OCT. 12th: FULL-DAY WORKSHOP AT GARGONZA
· Today, we’ll take it easy physically while continuing to engage our imaginations in Tuscan-inspired knitting. I’ll be going into more in-depth instruction on knitting techniques while we do our knitalong project. We’ll be strolling the grounds in a leisurely manner seeking color combinations and textures within the fabric of the landscape. All meals will be served on site and there will be periods of free knitting time where you can try out new techniques either under the Tuscan sun (providing it’s cooperating) in the gardens around the property or gathered around the fire in the old converted olive press room which is perfect for such adventurings. If it’s warm enough, you might even like to take a dip in Gargonza’s pool.
· More feasting and fireside knitting that evening.
Gargonza Collage
DAY 6: OCT. 13th - MONTEPULCIANO & PIENZA
- Today, we’re off to Montepulciano, another perfect Tuscan hill town encircled by the traditional ancient walls. Filled with character, here’s a town with those little corners of discovery & revelation which so characterize Tuscany. And, I want to introduce you to a man who captured my heart, a craftsman who has worked with his hands as his family has done for centuries before and who, In many ways, typifies the true Tuscan.
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- Next stop, Pienza, Designated as a UNESCO World-wide Heritage of Humanity site, it was designed by Pope Pius 11 on the medieval castle of Corsignano.
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- On our way back to Gargonza, we’ll dip into the forests to visit Monte Oliveto Maggiore, an active Benedictine monastery with glorious frescos.
The monastery
DAY 6: OCT. 13th: TOUR OF CHIANTI
· Ah, the region of Chianti, home of some of the world’s most luscious red wines, olive groves, and breath-taking scenery. Today we’re off on another excursion with an English speaking guide who will take us deep into the heart of Tuscany, into little towns like Radda, where we’ll be strolling, wine tasting, and indulging our senses. We’ll have lunch and dinner at restaurants known for regional dishes.
Radda in Chianti
DAY 7: OCT 14th: WORKSHOP & SIENA
· Inspiration should be singing in our hearts by now, so we’ll give it room for another free expression in a morning workshop at Gargonza. Here, I’m expecting we will also get to meet a special guest, a former knitter and embroiderer of Prada!
· After lunch, it’s off to Siena, that famous city that gave its name to a color, a notorious horse race, and more fascinating stories that will unfold as we stroll the ancient streets. This is also where I found the most gloriously colored walls, some of which may serve as further inspiration for your knitting project.
The Campo: Siena
Volterra awaits...
DAY 8: OCT 15th: VOLTERRA &
MONTERIGGIONI
· Volterra, a town so old the Romans kind of moved in on top of the original inhabitants, the Etruscans. This city has a long history of stonework having been supported by the alabaster trade since ancient times. And, maybe because of the inhabitants love of stone, another area rich with fine semi-precious beads of every kind, both in jewelry and sold in strands for our own projects.
· But we’re going to head off to Monteriggioni for lunch, a gorgeous little town that will no doubt ensorcel you as it did me the day I arrived to find it sleeping in the sun, little shops open to sell the local wines and olive oils and lure us with a simply stunning meal.
· That night, our farewell to Gargonza feast.
Tuscan shopping
DAY 9: OCT 16th: LEAVE FOR FLORENCE VIA POPPI
· Every day is an adventure, and as sad as it is to be leaving our little Tuscan Hamlet, it's time to say goodbye and begin winding our way through the countryside towards Florence, but not without a few little surprises along the way!
A typical Tuscan street...
DAY 10: OCT. 17th: FlORENCE
- Being intelligent hunter & gatherers, of course we’ll want to shop the outdoor markets, which sell rich leathers and textiles in an amazing array of colors. Want a cashmere & silk pashima for a song? Start singing! And, of course, we must visit Beatrice Gallo’s yarn shop near the Ponte Vecchio. We’re knitters, after all.
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- That afternoon, you'll have another opportunity to choose from Florence's buffet of offerings that most appeal to you: a museum, perhaps? A chance to meet Michaelangelo's David up close? Maybe visit the archaeology museum? The choice is yours. Lunch on your own here.
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- That night, our final feast.
OCT. 18th – Arriverderci….Departure day
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please review the following terms and conditions for travel. These conditions reflect standard process for travel tours and you will be asked to acknowledge that you agree to them as part of the booking process.
Cost: $3,500 US double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Some appartments at Gargonza have two separate bedrooms. Contact me early with preferences.
Trip fees include:
· Accommodation
· Tuition for adventure knitting/photography workshops & guest speakers
· Project kit (yarn & pattern)
· Land transportation (except for airport transfers)
· Guided tours of Tuscan hill towns
· Entrance fees to museums
· Meals as stated
Not included:
Airfare, alcoholic beverages (except wine where stated), tips, travel & medical insurance and meals as stated
How to Make a Reservation:
Please use my online reservation form or contact me by phone 1-902-829-3457 or email jane@janethornley.com
Deposits
A $500 deposit is required when making a reservation. Deposits can be paid by check, money order, credit card, or Pay Pal, and all but $50 is fully refundable up until August 31st, 2007, except for unrefundable deposits for Italian arrangements.
Fees
Fees can be paid in installments at any time by August 31st when trip must be paid in full. Fees are refundable up until August 31st, 2007, after which they may not be returned if non-refundable deposits have been made to hold Italian arrangements. Within 1 month to 1 week prior to the trip’s commencement, 50% of the fees are non-refundable. There is no refund within 1 week of departure. Payment schedual will be emailed to those who book.
*A full refund of all fees will be paid if the trip is cancelled due to insufficient registration.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It’s critical that you purchase travel and health insurance to protect yourself against cancellation costs in case of a medical emergency. Also, medical insurance is a must for travel anywhere at anytime in case of mishaps or unexpected illness. One option is to purchase insurance when booking your flight.
Please click ITALY ICON on the upper right-hand side of the screen to reserve your place.
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