Paint Sicily – Art Tour 2016
14 Nights: 26 April – 10 May
Presented by Pamela Fairburn Art in conjunction with Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre P/L
We invite you to join this small-group tour of spectacular Sicily. Our 2016 Tour is designed for those looking to paint, draw, photograph and to just enjoy this stunningly beautiful Mediterranean island. Sicily has been a crossroads of cultures for 3,000 years, its history reflected in its diverse architecture, cuisine and ancient ruins from the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish.
Non painters are equally welcome as our comprehensive itinerary includes cultural excursions, historic tours, gallery visits and more.
Our exciting journey begins in Baroque Catania, Sicily’s second largest city and gateway to the eastern region of this ancient island. Rich in history, archaeology, culture & art – and not forgetting the splendid regional food and wine – Catania is the perfect start to our Sicilian explorations.
Leaving Catania we’ll travel first to Ragusa where our home is a unique 12th century rural estate. As well as enjoying ample painting opportunities in the hotel grounds, we will also explore nearby archaeological sites and be amazed by exceptional Roman mosaics, well preserved Greek Temples and Baroque architecture.
From Ragusa we head to the coast to enjoy ancient Syracuse, described by Cicero as “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all”. Today Syracuse is a UNESCO designated ‘World Heritage Site’ and we stay right in the heart, on the island of Ortigia. With its labyrinth of narrow streets packed with over 2,500 years of history we have a sensational backdrop for your paintings! Syracuse is also home to a staggering number of well-preserved Greek (and Roman) remains as you will discover on our tour of the nearby Archaeological Park.
After Syracuse we move to Taormina, Sicily’s best preserved hill town, with enchanting alleyways, cafes, shops, and superb views of volcanic Mount Etna. Our hotel is in a converted 15th century Dominican monastery overlooking the Ionian Sea and surrounded by exotic gardens, full of vivid colours and citrus scents. Inspiration abounds in Taormina where there will be ample time for en plein air painting with Pamela’s personal tuition.
Our Art Programme offers you spectacular locations to paint & draw and includes Pamela’s art workshops, demonstrations, positive critiquing & exhibitions.
Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre has secured fabulous accommodation for the tour. Our hotels are stylish, full of character and wonderfully located! You will certainly enjoy great stays but also appreciate convivial company and delicious food in places we know to be very special.
This bespoke tour builds on the wonderful painting tours we enjoyed in 2012 and 2014 to France and Spain and our recent 2015 Colours of America Tour. Come with us to explore spectacular Sicily. Perfect for new and repeating guests.
Itinerary
Catania (1 Night)
We begin our exciting art journey in the bustling city of Catania in eastern Sicily where Baroque architecture and art abound.
Spend your first day in the historic city centre, where grandiose palazzi and churches were built in baroque style out of the local black volcanic rock.
Tonight, meet your fellow tour companions at a welcome dinner
Ragusa (5 Nights)
We leave Catania and coach to the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage province of Ragusa. Here we will stay in a stunning rural property, dating from the 12thcentury, surrounded by untainted nature, amongst carob groves and dry stone walls. Here is the perfect place to indulge your preference for painting or gentle walks within the grounds.
Excursions include ‘Villa Romana del Casale’, with the world’s richest and most colourful collection of Roman mosaics (and the famous ‘Bikini Girls’) and Agrigento’s ‘Valley of the Temples’, where you can step back 2,500 years in the largest, best-preserved collection of ancient Greek buildings outside of Greece itself.
An excursion to the nearby hill town of Ragusa Ibla will immerse you in its ornate Baroque architecture and its beautiful parks. You will enjoy painting in its Hyblean Garden with its panoramic views of the town.
Ortigia, Syracuse (3 Nights)
Farewelling the Ragusa region we coach northwards toward Syracuse, taking in the views over Modica town. With the geometric stacking of its medieval buildings on steep slopes and its spectacular baroque cathedral, Modica is one of southern Sicily’s most atmospheric towns.
Near Syracuse we will enjoy a tour of the vast Neapolis Archeological Park with its Greek and Roman amphitheatres and remarkable Ear of Dionysius.
Late today we will arrive at our hotel in Ortigia, an ancient Greek city that is birthplace of Archimedes, and later rivalled Athens in importance. The island of Ortigia is the historical heart of Syracuse. For an artist Ortigia is a real gem: the warm yellows and apricots hues of the historic buildings contrast with the blues of the surrounding Ionian Sea and Mediterranean sky. Its tight-knit lanes are a pleasure to stroll, and much of the island’s charm lies in wandering down these narrow medieval alleyways, past Baroque palaces and churches.
Painters, even Caravaggio, cannot but be inspired by this city!
Taormina (5 Nights)
Taormina is spectacularly perched on the side of a mountain overlooking nearby Mt Etna. With plentiful delights – expansive vistas, narrow laneways, abundant shops and cafes, a laid-back vibe, citrus trees & bright bougainvillea – it is obvious why Taormina is now a leading tourist destination. Despite such charms the city manages to preserve a sense of history and culture, whilst retaining an air of exclusivity.
We will journey to nearby majestic Mt Etna, along the way exploring fascinating hill top villages, overlooking the coast far below. Our stay in Taormina will allow you to stroll out – to the ancient Greek Theatre, to find your painting location in the luxurious hotel gardens or the botanic park overlooking the blue Ionian Sea.
After 2 weeks of inspiring art workshops and excursions our tour ends with a celebratory Farewell Dinner and an exhibition of our creations.
We hope you will join us to Paint Sicily.
Prices
Per Person, Twin Share: from € 4,590 Per Person, Single: from € 6,700
(An Earlybird Discount of € 200pp applies for bookings confirmed by 30 Sept 2015)
Inclusions
- 14-night’s accommodation as specified, on a single or twin share basis.
- Meals: breakfast daily, 4 lunches or lunch boxes, 9 dinners including the welcome & farewell dinners.
- Coach transport.
- Art tuition: workshops, demonstrations & critiques.
- Sightseeing entries & gratuities.
Not included
- Travel Insurance (MANDATORY).
- Airfares, either International or within Italy.
- Other meals not noted.
- Any drinks.
- Art materials & equipment.
- Items of a personal nature.
Pamela Fairburn is a Sydney watercolour and mixed media artist and art teacher who has been working in the Visual Arts and Art Education arena for over 40 years. Her love of travel combines with her painting expertise and tutoring in this Art Tour, ‘Paint Sicily’.
She has previously led many inspiring art tours both overseas and within Australia.
Pamela holds a Bachelor of Education (Art) and a Graduate Diploma in Professional Art Studies.
Ross Fairburn is a recently retired commercial builder who is now acting as a tour assistant. With a Bachelor of Architecture, Ross has a keen interest in both art and architecture.
Tour leaders Pamela & Ross
For more Booking Information please contact:
| Pamela Fairburn | pamela@pamelafairburnart.com.au | M: 0408 801 104 |
| Adrienne Witteman | adrienne@trendsettertravel.com.au | T: (02) 9428 5900 |
| Website: | www.pamelafairburnart.com.au |
