Tuesday, February 27, 2007

KNITALY! 2008 The Tuscan Knitting Tour with a sidebar trip to Venice

Dream your way into reality...

KNITALY! 2008 – Don't just dream it, do it!

Accepting Reservations Now

October 9th-18th (Tuscany), )October 19th -23rd Venice Extension

The Knitaly07 family gathers before our Tuscan hotel castle

KNITALY, THE OVERVIEW

 Here's a trip that will appeal to those who:

• appreciates art, history, beautiful scenery, fine food, wine, shopping and food while experiencing la dolce vita in the land of its birth 
• considers themselves a traveller rather than a tourist and is both concious of and interested in the culture of the land 
• does not want the herd mentality of a one-size-fits-all mega tour.
• sees that travel can be comfortable but still adventurous with a balance of activities for body, soul and mind.
• and, of course, a love of knitting and yarn helps, though is not a prerequisite

Bring along those non-knitting friends, husbands or companions. My husband, John,  will be joining me for Knitaly08 as will at least two other men as of this writing, so men will not be overwhealmed by we bevy of bodacious knitters. Male knitters are always welcome, needless to say. Some alternative activities are being considered for non-knitters according to interest.

I'm also excited to have designer and author of Dazzling Knits, Patricia Werner, as my co-instructor this year. Wait until you see the project we have in mind for Knitaly 08! Beyond stunning, 'Tuscan Tiles' will blend Patricia's modular style with my free range approach using gorgeous yarns some of which we'll provide and some of which we'll forage for together in the yarn shops.  Beautiful yarn, a truly drazzling project and the opportunity to put it all together in one of the most inspiring countries in the world. Does it get any better?

Your hosts: 

Me, checking out an eatery

John checking out a guide book

Patricia and I, your knitting workshop leaders 

ITINERARY

10 days, 11 nights

The Arno river floats in the autumn light

 OCT. 9th :  ARRIVAL DAY – 1st night in FLORENCE

• Arrive in Florence. We’ll all be arriving on different airlines, at different times, so this will be a travel day. Late afternoon, we'll meet at our hotels—three little hotels located close together in the center of Florence—before strolling to the Ponte Vecchio for our welcome dinner at one of my favorite family-run trattorias (think of gnocchi, lasagna, the best grilled vegetables in Tuscany...).

• In the evening, we’ll all get to know one another better while taking a leisurely stroll through the streets of Florence on our way back to our hotels. Maybe along the way a few of us will test out many gelato (ice cream) shops before turning in for a jet-lag easing sleep.

Florentine Markets

Day 1, Oct. 10^th. FLORENCE

• We'll begin our stay with a morning tour of Florence to help orientate travellers to this centuries-old center of art and history.  Don’t expect this to be a dry old tour, however. Our guide is so lively and informative, she will keep us (as well as every English-speaking tourist in her radius) enthralled.
• Afterwards, the afternoon will be given over to relaxation or the option to explore the sites of Florence individually or in small groups. Perhaps you'll choose to stroll the famous Florentine markets for pashimas or leather goods or even climb the 400+ steps up into the domed duomo (!). Whatever your choice, this city offers a feast of possibilities.
•  That evening we'll meet again for supper  at a neighbourhood trattoria.

Our amazing guide, Francesca Ermini

Day 2, OCT. 11^th FLORENCE

• Where to begin such history, art, & shopping spreads at our feet? After breakfast, we're off for a guided tour of the Uffizi, one of the world's great art museums, in the care of Francesca. There, we'll amble through a few choice galleries to feast our color inspiration on the great masterpieces of rennaissance art. 
• In the afternoon, you'll have more free time to explore Florence before meeting again for supper that evening.

Day 3,  Oct.12. OFF TO GARGONZA VIA SAN GIMIGNANO

San Giminagno—view from the tower

• Leaving Florence becomes easier when you know Tuscany awaits. Our bus will pick us up from the hotel to sail us off into the hills en route to our 13^th century-hamlet-away-from-home, Gargonza.  Along the way we’ll be spending several hours at the little walled town of San Gimignano. There is no more perfect introduction to a medieval town than Tuscany’s ‘medieval Manhattan’, an amazing place not just filled with historical wonderss along with very good shopping, too.

 

 



 

Knitalyers Explore San Gimiagno

 

 

• This little town, with only two main streets, has many shops that sell stranded stones, beads and leather goods at very good prices.  After a brief orientation tour, we'll have some free time to explore on our own before taking some lunch and boarding the bus for the trip to Mount Sorvino.

• Castillo Gargonza, our hotel, is a destination in itself. Tucked high in a cedar forest, this 13^th century walled hamlet has been transformed into a residence/hotel perfect for our knitting adventure. Dante entered these gates centuries ago but don't let it's great age and illustrious past deter you: these accommodations are very comfortable and modern in the places where modern counts like bathrooms. Some accommodations are apartments with fireplaces, sitting areas and kitchenettes, others are more standard. Check your options at the bottom of this page for preferences. The hotel describes itself thus:

"Upon entering the small village, you'll find yourself in the piazzetta with its tower and water well, followed by the city wall, the small lanes, homes and gardens. Even today, the village homes maintain the names of the original inhabitants: Fattore, Niccolina the seamstress, Celso the gamekeeper… Surrounded entirely by woods, grape-vines, olive trees, and rolling hills. This is Gargonza, a village that was brought back to life thanks to the love of Roberto Guicciardini Corsi Salviati.

Nestled in the heart of the Tuscany region, in Val di Chiana, near Arezzo and Monte San Savino, the Castle of Gargonza is today a bed and breakfast and residence vacation homes. It also offers a swimming pool, a restaurant and meeting rooms which have skillfully maintained the authentic character of the original antique village."

• After a rest, maybe to take tea in the garden, we’ll have our welcome dinner at Gargonza's fabulous restaurant, complete with wine.

Tea in Gargonza's garden upon our arrival

Day 4, OCT. 13th FULL DAY WORKSHOP AT GARGONZA

• Adventure knitting begins! Today, physically we may need a rest after the art and history fest of Florence but our minds and imaginations will continue the adventure. Time to get creative as Patricia leads the way on our Tuscan Tiles project, a vest we co-designed to meld Patricia's dazzling modular knitting with my free-range style. Expect stunning results with the three colorway options of yarns we'll offer for your selection (more information on the kits to follow). Patricia, an experienced and popular instructor known for her stunning use of color and design, will lead you through the first stage afterwhich I will guide you through towards the front and final stages.
• Though most of our 'formal' instruction will take place in Gargonza's lovely old stone meeting room, knitters well on their way with their  Tuscan tiles will have the pleasure of choosing many beautiful places to knit: in the garden under the grape pergola, in the chairs overlooking the Chianti valley, in any one of the hamlet's common rooms or in the comfort of their own rooms.
• Both lunch and supper will be in our home hamlet this day.

 

 



 Knitting in the garden

 

 



Workshop in progress...

 

 



 

Just another knitting room...

 

 

DAY 5, October 14th:  Chianti Cashmere Tour

 

Listed among Knitaly07's 'most favorite' destination, a morning's drive through the famous Chianti wine region with a stop off along the way will bring us to Nora's cashmere farm just in time for lunch under the pergola overlooking the valley. Yes, we'll have time to romp with the horny, incredibly cute cashmere kids, wander through the cashmere shop and maybe even buy some yarn. Quite a number of whisper-light cashmere shawls left with last year's Knitalyers, too.

 

 



Lunch awaits

 

 



Horny & cute

 

 



 

Local produce, fresh and fabulous

 

• We'll return early afternoon for tea and more knitting before dining at the Castillo restaurant that evening.

 

DAY 6, October 15   FULL DAY WORKSHOP WITH FORAY TO MONTE SAN SAVINO

 



Tuscan terracotta

 

 

Works in progress...

 

This last Knitaly, a few of our group bowed out of some of the tours for the pure pleasure of relaxing at Gargonza. This year, I've made sure to build in more time at our home hamlet with equal opportunity for both knitting and luxuriating in such a gorgeous Tuscan location. Today, while we continue our knitting, workshopping, relaxing and socializing (which may or may not include lounging by the pool or strolling through the cedar forest pretending to hunt for truffles) we will also take a short drive into the little town of Monte San Savino. Here, far from tourists (we are travellers, after all)  we can wander the town piazza, visit the amazingly well-stocked yarn store and otherwise experience a small town made more special by the very fact that it remains authentically rural Tuscan. Last year, not only did we come away with hoards of yarn but some members of our troupe found beautifully handknit items for VERY few euros.

 

 

Alberta shares life in Siena

 

DAY 7, OCTOBER 16th: SIENA AND VOLTERRA Full Touring Day

Two very different and extraordinary cities await today: Siena,  the glorious town of golden brown famous for, among other things, it's neck-breaking horserace that pounds the Campo piazza during August and Volterra, the austere Etruscan hilltown famous for alabaster. This morning after breakfast, our bus will take us into the heart of this ancient Siena where we will meet our guide, stroll the streets and gain insight as to a community that carves itself into districts named after some mythical emblem (our guide, Alberta, belongs to the Porcupines).

 



Torre Sienna

After a couple of hours, we will again board our bus to sweep through the extraordinary countryside towards Volterra, a city distinctly different from all the others. Noted for its alabaster since Etruscan times and famous for brilliant craftsmanship in both stone and goldsmithing, Volterra will enthrall you with its ancient streets featuring Etruscan foundations and the remains of a Roman forum. History visibly layers itself here, the ages traceable in its ancient stone walls. We'll have lunch on the road before heading back to Gargonza for supper.

 

 



Ancient Etruscan Gate

 

Day 8, October 17th: CORTONA AND WORKSHOP

 

 



 

Every street, a stroll through fascination

 

•  After breakfast, we're off to Cortona, a town made famous by 'Under the Tuscan Sun'. You may recall the movie or even the book in your wanders but the town itself far eclipses either in its beauty. We'll see it rising from the surrounding valley like a mythical land as we approach and will explore it's slanted streets with a guide, visiting the little nooks and crannies that bring a place alive to the visitor . At the end of the tour, you'll have free time to have lunch on your own and to either shop or explore more sites before returning to Gargonza.
• Back at Gargonza, we'll continue working on our Tuscan tiles and dine that evening at the restaurante.

 

 

View from the walls of Cortona

Cortona on a slant...

DAY 9: OCT. 18^th:  Return to Florence via Poppi 

We'll depart Gargonza after breakfast, heading back to Florence but along the way we'll stop at a sweet little hill town for lunch before heading on our way. Arrival in Florence will be late afternoon. Afterwards, I predict many of us will want a light supper and an early bedtime. By now, you will know the streets surrounding out hotels and will feel comfortable in dining in any of the small restaurants in small groups.

DAY 10: Oct. 19th: LAST DAY

Today Florence lies at your feet. The city is yours to explore as you wish, either in small groups or off on a solo mission. By now, you will have made new friends and had time to consider where in this city of wonders you'd like to return for a closer look. The basic routes will be familiar. So, feast away! That evening we'll gather together for our farewell supper. A few of us will continue onto Venice (check out details below) for the sidebar excursion. 

The Grand Canal Awaits

VENICE SIDEBAR EXCURSION: 4 Nights in the City of Liquid Light

Our journey to Venice will be an exploration of one of the most beautiful and fasinating cities in the world. Our itinerary:

• DAY 11, October 20th: Take the Eurostar train from Florence to Venice in the morning, a four-hour ride perfect for relaxing while Italy slips by beyond the windows.

Once we've transferred to our hotel near Saint Mark's Square, we'll have time to settle in before we meet for lunch and take an informal walking tour around the area. That day, as the sun dips into the lagoon, we'll stroll the magic water streets, inhhaling the beauty of this enhanted city while window shopping (or the other kind) on our way to dinner.

 

 

 

Water and light...

 

• DAY 12, October 21st: Venice 101—Fiona, our wonder guide will take us on a morning's overview of some of the historical and artistic marvels of the city. Saint Mark's Square alone is rimmed with wonders including museums, nearby art galleries and gorgeous shops. We'll want to see it all, of course, but we'll have to restrain ourselves just a bit.  That afternoon, we'll have time to ourselves in which to select specific interests from the city's floating buffet—shop? Visit a museum? Sail gondola beneath the Realto Bridge? Knitalyers may choose some alone time or jaunt off in clusters to explore.
• That evening, our feet will be weary though our imaginations will percolate with all we've seen and done. We'll chat about our treasures and the wonder of this city over dinner at a canal-side cafe.

• DAY 13, October 22nd: Have you ever heard of tales of intrigue that have grown up around this city-- wondered about the mysterious old palazzos or the famed artist and musicians who have helped give Venice her luster? This morning Fiona will take us on a storied tour of Venice to add yet another dimension to this incredible location.  
• After lunch, it's time to shop. We can't help ourselves. For one thing, I want to take you to a shop where the textile wizardry of Fortuny still lives, a store where shelf after shelf of silk and silk velvets capture the fluid colors of exquisite textiles the way the glass artists ensorcel light in beads. Other hunting and gathering treats await! I have a few choice locations, including a favorite bead artisan I want you to meet.

Fortuny-inspired treasures

• DAY 14, October 23rd: It can't be by accident that the city of liquid light is also the source of the world's most stunning glass masterpieces. Isn't glass but light enscorcelled? So, this morning we're off to Murano by boat, the island of glass, where artisans have fashioned some of the most beautiful glass art and beads for centuries. We'll take a tour of a glass creation site and spend a few hours wandering the town before returning back no doubt ladened with our purchases. Beaders take heed: you'll be drooling!
• By the time we return from the day's adventures, we'll want a bit of respite (tea at one of the cafes lining the square, a nap maybe?) before meeting that evening for our final Venetian feast.
• The next day, sadly, we part company...

The Venice Sidebar Excursion is separate from the main Knitaly event described above and is price separately also. It includes:

• Transportation by Eurostar to Venice
• 4 nights accommodation
• 4 dinners, 4 breakfasts and 2 lunches
• 2 city tours with a private guide and 1 tour to Murano
• My personal bead and textile lovers informal excursions

COST: $2,000 per person double accommodation (single supplement of $500 applies)

* Venice is one of the world's most expensive cities. Trust me when I say that I've tried to keep the cost down without sacrificing a certain level of comfort to which most of us have become accustomed.

MAIN KNITALY TRIP ACCOMODATIONS: OPTIONS

In Florence, we offer an option between a standard or more luxurious rooms. Standard rooms are located at the Hotel Giglio and the more luxe rooms are divided between the Antica Firenze and the Antica Dimora. All are a short distance from one another and offer clean, comfortable surroundings with private bathrooms with include continental breakfast but the two Anticas are better furnished (see photos).

At Gargonza, the standard rooms are also clean and comfortable with a refrigerator and shared seating area but the appartments include a refrigerator with private sitting rooms, fireplaces and kitchenette.

            Florence: Antica Dimora, luxe room

Florence: Hotel Giglio Standard Room

  Gargonza appartment room

Gargonza Standard Room

TERMS & CONDITIONS

*Please note: all prices in US dollars

Please review the following terms and conditions for travel. These conditions reflect standard process for travel tours and you will be asked to acknowledge that you agree to them as part of the booking process.

Standard room $3,750 US per person double occupancy. 

Superior room   $4,100 US per person double occupancy

*A single supplement fee of $950 applies. Travelling solo? Let us put you in contact with a potential roommate. 

Trip fees include:

·        Accommodation

·        Tuition for workshops & guest speakers

·        Project kit

·        Land transportation (except for airport transfers)

·        Tours of Florence and Tuscan hill towns

·        Entrance fees to Uffizi

·        All meals except one dinner and lunches where indicated 

Not included:

Airfare, alcoholic beverages (except wine where stated), tips, travel & medical insurance and meals as stated

How to Make a Reservation:

Please use my online reservation form or contact me by phone 1-902-829-3457 or email

Deposits

A $500 deposit is required when making a reservation. The deposit plus the first payment of $1000 is due June 1st. Deposits can be paid by check, money order, credit card, or Pay Pal. A payment outline based on these updated deposits will be provided to all registrants and upon request. 

Fees

All fees must be paid in full by August 31^st. Fees are refundable up until August 31st, 2007, with the exception of  the portion required to secure our Italian arrangements. Details available upon request. Otherwise, within 1 month prior to the trip’s commencement, 50% of the fees are non-refundable. There is no refund within 1 week of departure. Payment schedual will be emailed to those who book.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It’s critical that you purchase travel and health insurance to protect yourself against cancellation costs in case of a medical emergency. Also, medical insurance is a must for travel anywhere at anytime in case of mishaps or unexpected illness. One option is to purchase insurance when booking your flight.

 Please click ITALY ICON on the upper right-hand side of the screen to reserve your place.

Posted by Jane on 02/27 at 03:43 PM
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Monday, February 11, 2008

ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR KNITALY08!

JOIN PATRICIA WERNER AND I FOR KNITALY08!

 

 

Read on for details...

Posted by Jane on 02/11 at 10:30 AM
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From the entry 'KNITALY! 2008 The Tuscan Knitting Tour with a sidebar trip to Venice'. I’m already excited about the Knitaly trip. For anyone equally excited, I found a website http://www.italyguides.it/us/florence/florence_italy.htm where I could download iPod or MP3 player short audio podcasts about places we’ll see in Florence. I listened to the one on Michelangelo’s David and it was excellent. ==Mary

By Mary Bowman-Kruhm on 2007 04 18