“The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only one page.”
-St. Augustine of Hippo

 

Author Patricia Schultz, author of “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” wrote these profound words: “With travel, our minds become more curious, our hearts more powerful, and our spirits more joyous. And once the mind is stretched like that, it can never return to its original state. Always travel with a smile and remember that you’re the one with the strange customs visiting someone else’s country. The more time you spend coming to understand the ways of others, the more you’ll understand yourself.” Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.

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ITALY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 11 - 24, 2017

THIS TRIP HAS PASSED. Join me for twelve glorious days on my fabulous "Discovering Italy" trip. I work very hard to make my trips very affordable and you will see that my trips are half the cost of most although none compare with what I offer. A complete daily itinerary is available. The cost is $3,500, airfare not included but there are great prices through Airatlia Airlines. Your $1,000 non-refundable deposit will reserve your spot.

 

Our trip begins in Taormina, the highlight of Sicily, located on the slopes of Monte Tauro, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea with the majestic and spectacular Mt. Etna as a backdrop. Taormina is a beautiful quaint town built in the fourth century BC. Explore one of the most famous Sicilian monuments of the world, the Greek Theatre Teatro Greco built in the third century BC. Our hotel will be located in the heart of town where you can easily walk to everything, shopping, restaurants, Trevelyan Gardens, and so much more. Experience the dramatic coastline of Mazzaro, a seaside town neighboring Taormina. A cable car ride down the mountain conveniently whisks you up and down the mountain for about 6 Euros round trip. Enjoy a swim in the beautiful turquoise water or just bask in the sun.

 

On to Todi, a hilltop walled town in Southern Umbria. Our beautiful, private, spacious, restored Villa Santa Cristina is surrounded by olive groves and has outstanding panoramic views of the Tiber River Valley and Todi in the distance which dates back to 2700 BC. This less traveled and undiscovered region of Italy provides breathtaking vistas, rich in culture, enduring traditions and peaceful spirit. It is a region with hidden treasurers of art, architecture, food and wine.

 

Experience the sights and sounds of beautiful Italy, olive groves, vineyards, winding streets, ancient history and architecture. Experience the joy of painting en plein air in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with excellent instruction. Experience the camaraderie of a small group of friends. Anyone is welcome to paint along with Joan or work independently in any medium of your choice. Non-painters will easily fill their days with all that Italy offers. I have chosen these two location to please everyone. I promise this will be a fabulous adventure. This trip is planned and designed for everyone, painters and non-painters alike. Everyday is very relaxed and informal. How much or how little you do is entirely up to you.

 

While in Todi we will explore other neighboring towns such as Spoleto, Assisi, Orvieto and Montaicino. Also enjoy a day of cooking as we will have a cooking school experience right at our villa. This is just a brief outline of this trip.

 

Call today to reserve your spot for this amazing trip: 574.514.6006

 

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IRELAND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS TRIP HAS PASSED. I am so excited to inform you that the plans for my next adventure are coming together beautifully. I will be taking my group to the most beautiful part of Ireland. We will spend each week at two different locations. One week near Glenbeigh/Barralach and the last week in Dingle. National Geographic voted Dingle Peninsula as the most beautiful place on earth, and Dingle was voted among the top 100 destinations in the world by Trip Advisor.
 

A favorite of Rick Steves! Dingle has something for everyone; breathtaking views, sandy beaches, beautiful harbors, walking trails, and endless amazing sights to paint or photograph. Our other destination is in the beautiful Glenbeigh/Barralach area which is on the Kerry Way, high in the hills with stunning views.
 

Year after year I always have some repeating participants. Many have attended every one of my trips for over twenty years. They all tell me that I offer the very best and most reasonably priced trips they ever attended. I will be with you at all times. I want everyone to feel like family. No one will ever be left out on their own in any situation (unless you choose to go off on your own).

It is with great pride that I can honestly say that I offer the very best travel adventures. I do all the research, planning and arrangements myself. There is no middle man, so we can experience the most wonderful trips for much less cost and within a small intimate group of old and new friends.
 

My groups are small so I can give you the individual attention you each deserve. Each day will be tailored for your needs and wants. If you want to paint, you are welcome to paint along with me. There is no fee for painting with me. Non-painters are most welcome too and half of most groups are non painters. There will be days of discovering, exploring, relaxing and painting. You can choose how you wish to spend your time. If you want to go on the planned excursions or stay back and enjoy your private time alone, the choice is yours.
 

Our group will be comprised of only 10 people! If you are certain you want to go, I suggest you contact me immediately. My trips always fill up fast. At this writing, all the numbers are not in but I know for certain that it will be slightly less than $2,895 for fourteen glorious days in beautiful Ireland! A $1,000 non-refundable deposit will guarantee you a spot.
 

We will be staying at two very different, privately owned and fully equipped homes! We will be able to cook every breakfast and some of our own dinners. On past trips there always seems to be a great chef in our group. Buying everything fresh at local markets and cooking together is always a highlight. My adventures are carefully planned to experience off the beaten paths. We will eat out where the locals eat, enjoying great regional food at reasonable prices.
 

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