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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• In Pallanza, on Lake Maggiore, we will visit the lush Garden's of Villa Taranto. It will be particularly appealing to the artists who want to work on location, as well as exploring for the non-artists.
  
  An optional daytrip will be offered to take the hydro-foil boat to Locarno, (the most northern tip of Lake Maggiore). At that point, we will catch a Funiculare to Madonna della Rocca at the foot of the Italian Alps, then onto a Cable-Car that will take us up into the Swiss Alps.
  
  Of course, Roberta & Henry have scheduled a great lunch at a charming chalet, high in the Swiss Alps. The panorama of Lake Maggiore is spectacular. There will be ample time for the artists to sketch and paint while the non-artists take an easy walk through the forest, with Roberta & Henry.
  
  Our 2009 Tour with Glenn will also take us to Lake Como to paint, sketch & photograph the tiny lakeside village of Bellagio and to visit the Villa Manzi Gardens.
  
  Glenn and the artists will spend the day in this stunning garden. The non-artists will also want to see & photograph the incredible green sweeping landscapes along the shore of Lake Como.
  
  While the artists are sketching & painting we will also take the non-artists into Bellagio for shopping. (Bellagio is world famous for its silk production).
  
  We found a fabulous little restaurant just outside the gates of the Villa Manzi Gardens — our participants will be able re-enter the gardens after their lunch.
  
  In Pallanza, there are great gelaterias, patio gourmet dining, swimming facilities as well as easy access to boat-crossings to nearby islands.
  
  We came across a private art collection in Pallanza that literally dropped Roberta to her knees. It was of the Italian Impressionism (Macchiaoli at its best), done by local Lake Maggiore painters circa late 1800’s. The art collection also included a huge figurative painting, floor to ceiling.
  
  Oh … we could go on and on about Lake Maggiore & Lake Como.
  
  Hope you’ll join us when we take a private boat to one of the Borromean Islands to have dinner at the finest ristorante on the tiny island of Pescatore.

• PADUA AND … VENICE!
  We are traveling to Padua especially to see Giotto’s cycle of paintings in the Scrovegni Chapel and the Eremitani Museum. (A sensual collection of paintings, for sure).
  
  Then we will walk into the historical center of Padua to have lunch at Café Pedrochiwhich was the center of intellectuals in the Poet Petrarch's time (14th Century). The ambianceof this café will inspire artists to do some table-top sketches during our lunch.
  
  Speaking of Venice … we have found some new ristorantes that we will put on our 2009 Vilppu itinerary; one in particular will be for the final dinner party, (perched above one of the canals).
  
  Venice is always magical and there is no end to the hidden & quiet little walkways to sketch, paint & explore, plus the shopping forays on the Rialto Bridge.
  
  We are scheduling a guided tour of St. Mark's square and the Doge's Palace.
  
  On our annotated map of Venice you’ll find the listings of a Venetian art store & a fabulous mask-making studio plus many more points of historical interest.

The Program Includes the Following:

• All accommodations include personally selected first class hotels with private bath/shower
  
• Bus & Private Water-Taxi transfers to & from the airports will be provided to those who are arriving & departing at the designated times
  
• Single room supplement is available
• Private Motor Coach
  
• 10 Buffet Breakfasts & 6 Lunch/Dinners are included
  
• Informative Travel Portfolio including maps
  
• Daily painting, sketching, photographing
• Painting/sketching demonstrations & critiques by Glenn Vilppu
  
• NON-ARTISTS will enjoy "Shop-Till-You-Drop " with Roberta Kritzia.
  
• Final Gala Dinner Party
  
• A detailed itinerary will be provided to all participants

EARLY REGISTRATION IS YOUR ONLY GUARANTEE OF A SPACE ON THIS TRIP

A Deposit of $300
Will Hold Your Space

Mail checks payable to:

Personalized Travel
4618 E. Tumbleweed Drive
Cave Creeks, AZ 85331

Phone: (480) 907-7436
Fax: (480) 907-7482

Prices shown reflects payment by check or cash.

Shop-Till-You-Drop:

For the non-artists, the Shop-Till-You-Drop tour runs concurrent with this tour.

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The sketchbook is the artist's most intimate expression, be the work in pencil, pen or watercolor. Join me in an Italian sketching tour and see Italy with the eyes of an artist.

I will be demonstrating sketching using a variety of techniques & subjects both landscape & figure. The methods & traditions of the Masters have been a lifetime study of mine and I look forward to presenting them in this exiting and enchanting environment. A once in a lifetime experience that can become an annual passion."

- Glenn Vilppu, Your Art Instructor

Visit Glenn Vilppu's Website