September 20-24, 2023

You are invited to join Hazel Soan's vacation workshop in glorious Florence, San Gimignano and Pisa.  Hazel will teach 5 art classes to a small group of 10-15 participants and together we will discover the food, architecture, culture and traditions of Florence. We are looking forward to making art in good company. The average temperatures for that week in Florence: high of 79°F (25°C) overnight low of 57°F (15°C).  

 Hazel trained at the Camberwell College of Arts and the Leicester College of Art. She has exhibited worldwide and is remembered well as an Art expert on Channel 4’s popular daytime television programme Watercolour Challenge and for her two series’ of Splash of Colour, made by Anglia TV. Hazel is a bestselling author of numerous highly regarded art tutorial books. Hazel resides in London and is currently exhibiting at the M1 Fine Art Gallery in London. Check out Hazel Soan on Wikipedia.

Arrive Tuesday September 19, 2023

Workshop participants who arrive early are invited to meet in the hotel lobby at 2:00 for a warm up sketch (optional). Hazel will not be teaching. This is just your chance to do a warm up painting before the first art class. All workshop participants and nonSketcher Companions are invited to a welcome reception at 6pm. Below is our proposed itinerary.

Day 1--Paint Ponte Vecchio + visit the Cathedral

Wed September 20, 2023

We will start our vacation by visiting the two most iconic landmarks in Florence: the Ponte Vecchio and the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

In the morning we will walk to the location of Workshop #1 near the Ponte Vecchio. After lunch we will visit the Cathedral, the museum, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, and the remains of the ancient Basilica of Santa Reparata. 

Day 2--Paint San Gimignano + visit a vineyard

Thurs September 21, 2023

Today we will travel by private coach to San Gimignano, an Italian hill town in Tuscany, encircled by 13th-century walls. It's known for its medieval houses and a skyline that features 14 medieval towers. Here we will enjoy Workshop #2. On our way back to Florence we will stop at a typical Italian vineyard for a winetasting.

Day 3--Paint in the Giardini Corsini + visit the Uffizi Gallery

Fri September 22, 2023

Today we will paint in the Giardini Corsini, a Renaissance garden built in 1620 by special invitation of the Corsini family! Here Hazel will teach Workshop #3. In the afternoon we will visit the Uffizi Gallery. Built in the mid-1500s, it is one of the most famous museums in the world for its extraordinary collections of ancient sculptures and paintings (from the Middle Ages to the modern).  

Day 4--Paint + visit Pisa

Sat September 23, 2023

Today we will travel by private coach to see the celebrated leaning tower of Pisa where Hazel will teach Workshop #4. After lunch we will visit the cathedral, the baptistry, the composanto and the museum.

Day 5--Paint in a Piazza + visit the Santa Croce Cathedral, Museum and Cloister

Sun September 24, 2023

On our last day we will paint in a piazza for Workshop #5 then visit the Santa Croce complex in the afternoon to see works by Cimabue, Giotto, Taddeo and Agnolo Gaddi, the Della Robbias, Brunelleschi, Donatello, Vasari, Bronzino, Canova and many more.

Departure

Monday September 25, 2023

It's time to say goodbye but you will never forget the friends you made or the skills you learned during this great week! Or extend your stay for a long relaxing holiday!  

PLEASE NOTE: THE ORDER OF EVENTS AND SUBJECTS PROPOSED IN THIS ITINERARY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Recommended Workshop Supply List

Click HERE.

FAQs

Click HERE for answers to frequently asked questions.

For more information about this vacation package contact Brenda Murray Studio56Boutique@gmail.com.

Tour Includes

• A welcome reception
• All art classes
• Admission to the museums and sites mentioned
• Full-day coach excursion to Pisa
• Full-day coach excursion to San Gimignano 
• Farewell dinner

Tour Excludes

• Flights to/from the area
• Hotel
• airport pick-up and drop-off
• Meals (except those listed above)
• Painting supplies
• City taxes payable by guest at check out
• Tips and gratuities
• Porterage/luggage handling
• Travel insurance
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Items not explicitly specified in the inclusion list

Early Bird Prices in USD

Book now before April 23, 2023 and save $200USD!

$1999.USD $1799.USD Workshop Participant

$899.USD NonSketcher Companion Participant (such as partner or travelling buddy)

NonSketcher Companion tickets include the same attractions and meals as the Workshop Participants with the exception of the art classes.

To reserve your spot in this workshop, a $500USD nonrefundable deposit is required for Workshop Participants and a $300USD nonrefundable deposit is required for nonSketcher Companions 150 days prior to the start of the workshop. The remaining balance is due 120 days prior to the start of the workshop.

To make a deposit, please scroll to the bottom and click BOOK NOW.

PLEASE READ OUR  REFUND POLICY.

Bring a Friend and Get a Discount

Here's how it works. You and your sketching buddy register for the workshop with your deposits. Then send us an email and tell us you are registering with a sketching buddy. You will each be sent a discount code for $50 that you can apply when you pay the balance of your tickets.

The small print: This discount code cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount code and it can only be applied to 2 Workshop participant tickets if the workshop sells out with 15 participants.

Accommodations

Hazel and Brenda will be staying at the Hotel Cellai, Via Ventisette Aprile, 52/R, 50129 Florence. This workshop is organized "convention style" meaning participants will need to find hotel rooms or Airbnbs near to the Hotel Cellai. All participants will meet in the lobby of Hotel Cellai at 9:00am every morning and head out for our workshop and cultural activities from there.

How to Make a Hotel Reservation

Before you make a hotel reservation, click the red BOOK NOW button below to ensure you have a spot in this workshop.

After you have secured your spot in this workshop, then you can book a hotel room or Airbnb near to Hotel Cellai.

 Travel + Medical Insurance

Last minute cancellations for any reason are nonrefundable therefore protect your investment in this vacation by purchasing travel insurance. Click HERE for a list of US travel insurance providers. Some credit card companies may also offer travel insurance if you paid for your trip using that credit card.

Covid-19 Vaccinations

The instructor and tour manager are fully vaccinated against covid-19. This tour will be following all locally recommended protocols. Please check the covid protocols required for Italy by clicking HERE and check back close to the date of departure as the protocols may change. 

Your Tour Manager

Participants will be accompanied by Studio 56 owner, Brenda Murray. Brenda is a Canadian artist and arts advocate, the founder of Urban Sketchers Waterloo Region and a former Urban Sketchers Board member. A seasoned traveler, Brenda has traveled to Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea (resident for 4 years), Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, UK, and the USA (35 states). Brenda will be on hand to assist the instructor and to ensure that everything runs smoothly. She has completed the St. John's Ambulance Emergency First Aid - CPR C - AED training. Learn more about Brenda HERE. 

For More Information

Email Studio56Boutique@gmail.com or call Brenda Murray at 519-572-1757.

How to Register for this Workshop

To guarantee your spot in this exciting vacation workshop, participants must pay a deposit by clicking the BOOK NOW button below.