| Do you enjoy
the camaraderie of like minded friends?
The people on our tours have the patience to be painters,
sketchers, or they are discerning enough to appreciate the
value of extended time to absorb the essence of places of
great character and beauty.
They are also appreciative of good food
and good humour. Our groups are special and our leaders work
to enhance the social qualities of our time together.
Is your time valuable? Do you want to maximise your time away?
Do you appreciate being taken to the most picturesque locations,
do you anguish over missing a gem because of lack of time
or lack of knowledge?
 (Photo
left) Giovanna showing us
her characteristic home on the island of Salina, a white washed
home of many floor levels, many terraces and a thousand pot
plants. She is standing in the 'outdoor kitchen'. The modern
'indoor kitchen' is through to the right.
Do you want to wake up in an exciting
place rather than travel to it from afar. Do you want to live
in the exciting central locations which save you travel time?
Do you want to take advantage of our research to stay in the
best located hotels and visit some little known jewels of
history, landscape or art?
Do you want to concentrate on enjoyment and minimize your
fatigue and hassle?
 Do
you want to be able to stroll around the corner to the next
painting/photography opportunity, or the next gallery, and
allow a coach to sweep you into the countryside'?
 Do
you want a tour leader to sort out all the hassles of language
barriers, transport connections, directions, tickets, strikes,
banks, opening times, hotels and direct you to the best food
options within carefully selected restaurants with exquisite
food?
(Photo
left) In the shop of "Bitter
Almonds", the book by Maria Grammatico & M. Taylor
Simeti, Erice, Sicily.
Do you want the excitment
of being in the centre of major cities?
Wake up to the gentle noises of barges and lapping of water
in Venice, have breakfast on the timber deck by the Grand
Canal watching the varied water traffic, breakfast in Florence
gazing out at the duomo, or in Rome by the market of Campo
dei Fiori.
When hassles and fatigue are reduced, do you remember more
and enjoy more?
Research shows that the second most frequent illness reported
by travellers is fatigue – but they were not travelling
with us!
What do travellers say about us?
Susan and Maurice Bevan started to plan their own tour, then realised it was far better to come with us to take advantage of our years of experience/knowledge, have freedom from concerns of organisation and so have more time to take photographs. They are both lookers/photographers and Susan's work – advised by Maurice in a beautiful sense of partnership – can be seen at www.susanbevanimages.com
Connie W. former
President, Victorian Artists Society in the Society Newsletter,
May, 1997:
...I have been on many trips since the early seventies
but this was, without a doubt, the best yet. My thanks to
Margaret and Maggie who looked after us so well – an
unforgettable trip.
 from
Annette D., a "looker" (non-painter)
on the Cinque Terre tour
Please pass on my thanks to Margaret and Maggie and yourselves
for a wonderful trip. People are amazed when I say how fabulous
it was, and my rating is at least 110 out of 100. It was perfect
for me as a looker and Maggie was great company. I will encourage
my friends to think about it. My two friends and I had a great
time together and the rest of the crew were all fun. The food
was excellent, the choice of hotels very good and the smooth
running without any obvious hitches speaks highly of Marg's
and Maggie's ability and they look after everyone so well.
from Rosemary T.,
a painter on the Cinque Terre tour
Can't thank you all enough for organizing such a wonderful
trip –: for me, having a holiday, just doing my own
thing and something I enjoy so much was really special. I
do feel I learnt so much just practising every day and watching
the teacher in action ! I hope now to keep it up and I know
I can only improve. Thanks Marg. for your patience.
Maggie, I take my hat off
to you – your organisational skills are superb to say
nothing of your diplomacy and happy disposition in dealing
with so many different situations. You certainly left nothing
for us to worry about except getting on with our painting.
Thanks also Ray for your planning
– your choice of accommodation was perfect.
Additional assistance
We offer all our travellers printed
advice on successful luggage, clothing, photographic, laptop
computer (on request), insurance, money security and painting
solutions.
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