On the Apennine side of the Garfagnana and Mid-Serchio Valley, at an altitude of 1,525 metres, lies the village of San Pellegrino Alpe, the highest village in the Aapennine mountains, once a stronghold for the territories defence system. It’s there, in Il Santaurio di San Pellegrino, a sanctuary for pilgrims who came to pay homage
When we go to Florence at Christmas time it seems like a different town. We are not there to run our art vacations in Italy, that’s in April, when the hills are covered in apple blossom and the spring sun glows yellow across the river Arno. We go there every December to celebrate our wedding
Our dog Teddy had his first wash and brush up. Well, it took three hours for Manuela to comb through every part of him, shower, shampoo and condition him, and then dry him with the hair dryer before a final comb through. Teddy can look forward to another grooming in May before our guests at
I often stand on the little bridge at the end of our lane mesmerised by the Corsonna river. In summer, it is nothing more than a rivulet, where the sunlight peeping between the branches of the overhanging trees, sends silver darts into the water dancing among the rocks. Our guests at Art Toscana, painting holidays
This derelict mill is a wonderful example of the many early twentieth century flour mills which lined the banks of the Corsonna river. They were used for grinding sweet chestnuts to make flour, the chestnuts having been smoked for weeks and then shaken rigorously to remove the shells. In September when we run the last
This spectacular persimmon tree is so Christmassy; the leafless branches with orange fruits like baubles on a Christmas tree. At Art Toscana painting vacations our guests would love to paint this scene but when they are here in summer the tree is verdant green with no baubles.
Our new venue for our Sicily painting and drawing course is just perfect for our painting holidays in Italy. Here is the evening view from the restaurant which is located by the side of the pool and the view from the terrace across the Gulf of Castellammare.
Back to food again. I think one could say, from this picture, that a lot of fennel is eaten in Sicily because the next day, it had all gone. On the subject of fennel, they do a great starter at the Sicilian fish restaurant in Balestrate where we take out guests at Art Toscana painting
This is a picture of the salt marshes at Trapani (Le Saline di Trapani) in Sicily where our Art Toscana painting in Italy guests develop their oil paintings. It is truly an inspirational place especially for artists. The salt pans have a pink hew due to the prawns that live there. This attracts flocks of
This picture, which looks like blue bubble wrap, is one I took on a boat ride in Sicily this year. I was with our guests on our first October course of Art Toscana painting holidays in Italy. After throwing ourselves into the crystal clear water with our snorkels and masks, to admire the marine life