OVERVIEW

This is one of our classic painting and drawing courses, but this time we’ll be staying at a stunning and historic villa, beside the beautiful medieval Umbrian hilltop town, Panicale. Still on the border of Tuscany, our daytrips will allow us to explore both unique regions during our week together. We’ll find plenty of inspiration in the sprawling vistas, quaint hilltop towns, and historic sites. Plus we’ll have time to enjoy this beautiful 18th century palazzo with our on-site studio.

ACCOMMODATION

Our Villa, located in a small hamlet just on the outskirts of the picturesque Umbrian village of Panicale, is called LeMura and it offers sweeping views across the hills and Lake Trasimeno. The property contains various common spaces, a large entrance hall, several salotti (salon rooms), a limonaia which is now an ample sunroom with exterior kitchen, an outdoor terrace on the first floor, spacious gardens and park, a private chapel, olive grove and, of course, a swimming pool hidden amongst the olives.

Designed and decorated in the ecelctic Empire Style, the exterior boasts its warm, glowing hues of apricot and melon and the interior invites you in with a mix of international antiques, playful pastel colour schemes and original frescoes. The villa is filled with interesting vignettes, corner scenes and contemplative vistas wherever you look.

From a noble country home worn away and forgotten in time to the careful and loving restoration a few hundreds of years later, Villa LeMura shares its story with each visitor and guest who walks through her doors. Originally the summer residence for a noble family from Perugia, Villa LeMura started out in 1690 as a working farm and over the years was gradually transformed into the stunning villa you can still experience today with many of its original features painstakingly restored.

The surrounding land was used mainly for tobacco, silk , wine and grain and in the tower of the villa it is still possible to see where the tobacco was dried and where the silk worms hatched. The interior frescoes were painted by Mariano Piervittori who worked on many of the historic buildings all over Umbria and also on the most important residences in Perugia. The current owner discovered this forgotten gem in sad repair 20 years ago and set out to bring it back to its former glory, transforming it back to a place of beauty and comfort, somewhere to experience Italy at its finest.

CUISINE

The food is simple, delicious and Italian, using fresh ingredients from the local markets and prepared by the onsite chef in the hotel’s restaurant. We will enjoy the tastes of locals wines, as well as the seasonal bounty of local produce. We will be enjoying our meals in several locations throughout the week. Breakfast is provided at the villa each morning and our dinners and lunches will be split at various restaurants in town as well as out on our daytrips. There are a few occasions during the week where guests are free to explore on their own.

SURROUNDING AREA

Guests will not only enjoy the house and encompassing estate, but also the richness of the Italian cities in nearby regions. Day trips will allow students to add arts, culture, adventure, and natural beauty to their retreat experience. Trips include visits to see smaller villages that few tourists get to enjoy, and get a true education and taste of Italy with stops at some of our favourite cafes and "trattorias".

ART

Our courses are carefully designed for complete beginners with no previous experience as well as intermediate artists who would like to improve their skills/techniques, and, of course, practicing artists looking for a new challenge.

JULIAN HYZLER - HOST

Julian, your host and instructor, has more than 30 years of experience teaching students of all ages and abilities, and always strives to create a friendly and relaxed studio atmosphere. Read more about his story on the ABOUT page. We offer a variety of custom-made art courses in order to build confidence and inspire you across a range of themes and disciplines. These unique courses also reflect the culture and history of the area and are interwoven with art-history excursions, providing inspiration, variety and interest throughout the week. Above all, this is a real opportunity for developing artists to work in small groups alongside an experienced teacher.

DETAILS / PRICING

• 7 days / 6 nights

• Inclusive Retreat Price £2495/pp for SHARED ROOM
  + £200/pp for SHARED SUITE (separate sleeping rooms)
  + £450 for SINGLE ROOM
  + £750 for SINGLE SUITE

• Deposit to hold space = £850

• Max # Guests = 14
  * Final balance due 4 weeks before retreat start date.
  Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.
  

INCLUDED*:

Accommodation
Daily breakfast
Use of villa site
Selected lunches and dinners
Wine during provided meals
Transfers from Chiusi railway station to the villa
Transportation to/from day trips
Daily on-site art classes
Guided tours of area
Various trips to regional towns
Private olive oil tasting
Wine tasting
Use of art supplies
Tips & taxes

* airfare not included, selected meals during day-trips not included

LOCATION:

Countryside on border of Umbria / Tuscany
Nearest town: Panicale, Umbria
Nearest major airports: Fiumicino Airport (FCO - Rome), Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA - Pisa)
Nearest local airports: Sant'Egidio Airport (PEG - Perugia), Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR - Florence)
Nearest train station: Chiusi-Chianciano Terme
Complimentary transfers will be available from Chiusi station between 2:00-5:00pm on arrival day, and one transfer will be offered on departure day at 10:30 am from villa to station. For guests arriving or departing outside of these times, taxis are available. Single and group airport transfers are possible and pricing discussed upon request. Train transfer from all airports is quite easy, and we will help guide you on the directions.

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.
ART SUPPLIES ARE PROVIDED but feel free to bring any personal supplies you prefer
Comfortable shoes
Plug adaptors / converters (standard EU plug)
Hat / Sunscreen