Travel Sketchbook Workshop in Italy
Karen Stamper teaches an art vacation workshop on the Italian Riviera and Lake Como Book Now
Colors, layers, texture. Laughter, walks, renewal.
Dates: April 14-21, 2024
Duration: 7 nights
Start: Milan, Italy
End: Lake Como, Italy
Sites: Milan, Rapallo, Portofino, Cinque Terre, Bellagio, Varenna, and Lenno
Cost: from $3795 USD based on double occupancy
Single Supplement: $745
Max Group Size: 14
All prices are in US dollars. Land only. Program subject to change.
Collage Travel Journal Workshop in Italy
Discover a perfect blend of small group travel and inspired art classes on Karen Stamper’s collage travel journal workshop in Italy. For those who want to experience a unique and authentic side of Italy, join us for Karen’s sketchbook-based art vacation in coastal Liguria and Lombardy’s Lake Como. Walk, sketch, and paint your way through Milan, Portofino, Cinque Terre, and Bellagio. Capture it all in your very own sketchbook travel journal.
Discovering Karen was a game changer for me and my art. I signed up for a sketchbook holiday not knowing anyone and slightly apprehensive what to expect. In no time she put us at ease and enjoying ourselves. Karen is a very kind and generous teacher, but also very professional. Her years of experience are evident. She knew exactly when and what guidance to give to whom. I treasure the book I filled that week. It is the exciting results as well as happy memories. Finding and signing up on the holiday was a sliding doors moment for me as so many wonderful connections and opportunities have come with it.
Overview
Collage Travel Journal Workshop in Italy
Art Program
In this 7-day collage travel journal workshop in Italy you will be immersed in equal parts travel and art program. Teaching artist Karen Stamper will lead daily on-site classes inspired by the places we visit. Your art journals will be made of the drawings, watercolors, and ephemera collected along the way. With Karen’s fun and friendly style, you will learn to create in a non-judgemental, spontaneous way. The practice is to be present and in the moment. Your collage travel journal will be a colorful, textured assemblage of the week’s journey together in beautiful Italy.
Students will work in an A5 concertina sketchbook. Over the course of the week, you may fill about 10-20 pages. Karen will introduce paper collage, inks, watercolours, gesso and drawing tools. There will be lots of guidance and help. There is also a lot of freedom to include your own style. Karen will provide inks, gesso and some collage papers, but you will also collect along the way. A short materials list of what to bring will be provided to students prior to departure.
Touring
The program begins with an arrival night in Milan. The next morning we will transfer by train to the harbor town of Rapallo on the coast of Liguria. First we visit pastel villages nestled into the coastline of Cinque Terre by foot and rail. Next we stroll the coastal path between Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino. Then it is time to transfer to the region of Lombardy at the base of the Italian Alps. There, during class you will sit and sketch overlooking peaceful Lake Como. Throughout, you can savor traditional Italian cooking with the finest regional ingredients. Experience an authentic Italy. Meet new friends. Capture it all in your very own travel sketchbook. This truly will be an art-filled travel adventure.
I so enjoyed my Italian painting holiday under Karen’s expert guidance and tuition. She is a relaxed tutor, approachable and great fun: the experience was a highlight of my year, enhancing my artistic practice at home.
What You’ll Love
Travel Sketchbook Workshop in Italy
1. Planning with Care
We take care of the details. You enjoy your vacation.
2. Small group classes
With a maximum class size of 14, expect quality time during art classes. Additionally, we travel places large tour groups can’t.
3. Movable studio
Develop skills and techniques to use whenever you travel. Specifically, learn to pack light and create as you go.
4. Capture Your Experience
Your sketchbook will evolve into a personal travel journal filled with memories to last a lifetime.
Itinerary
Collage Travel Journal Workshop in Italy
Program subject to change
Day 1
Arrive at our hotel in Milan near Centrale Station. Prior to setting out, a welcome meeting gives an overview of the week. Then, we take the metro to visit the famous Piazza Duomo.
Day 2
To begin with we travel to Rapallo by train. Then, an orientation walk ends with a panoramic funivia ride. Later, enjoy an art class and our welcome meal looking over Portofino.
Day 3
Start the day sketching at the colorful farmer’s market in Rapallo. In the afternoon and into the evening we will explore the ancient fishing villages of the Cinque Terre.
Day 4
Walk the spectacular coastline between colorful Santa Margherita Ligure and famous Portofino. When you are ready, return to Rapallo by a scenic ferry ride. Later, we’ll gather for a food and wine tasting of local specialties.
Day 5
After breakfast a private transfer brings us to Lake Como at the base of the Italian Alps. First, an orientation walk will help you get your bearings. Afterwards stretch your legs with a walk to Villa Monastero. Then sketch while sitting beside the pristine lakeshore.
Day 6
Some may start the day early with a cooking class. Others will enjoy a stroll along the lakeshore. In the afternoon a short ferry ride carries us all to Bellagio. Then Karen will lead you through a lesson. After, wander Bellagio at your leisure.
Day 7
Start the day with a beautiful walk along Lake Como’s ancient Roman road. In a small village by the lake we’ll gather for a final class. Later enjoy our farewell meal at an intimate lakeside trattoria.
Day 8
Finally it is time to say goodbye. There are no group activities planned on this day. You may depart at any time. The hotel will hold your bags if your depature is after checkout.
Collage Travel Journal Workshop in Italy
Create memories that last a lifetime.
Inclusions
Travel Sketchbook Workshop in Italy
- Assistance of your host / guide throughout the program
- Karen Stamper’s Daily Art Program
- 1 night at 4-star hotel near Milano Centrale
- 3 nights at our 4-star hotel in Rapallo’s waterfront
- 3 nights at select boutique hotel on Lake Como
- All hotel taxes and service fees
- Daily full buffet breakfast
- All transport per the itinerary (start Milan Hotel and end at Lake Como Hotel)
- Metro trip to Piazza Duomo and gelato
- Transfer from Milan to Rapallo
- Rapallo orientation walk
- Round trip funivia to the hills above Rapallo
- Welcome lunch or dinner (depending upon arrival time to Rapallo)
- Guided walk along coast to Portofino
- Ferry return to Rapallo from Portofino
- Cinque Terre train and park admission to visit the villages
- Optional self-guided hikes between Cinque Terre’s famous seaside towns
- Transfer from Rapallo to Lake Como
- Orientation walk to get to know your neighborhood
- Informal wine and cheese tasting
- Mid-lake ferry passes on Lake Como to visit neighboring villages per itinerary
- Guided walk along the Lake Como Greenway
- Admission to Villa Monastero
- Optional cooking class
- Programs are subject to change.
Where in the World?
Italy has left a powerful mark on Western culture and cuisine while remaining utterly true to its traditions. Our walking or art workshop vacation will tour Italy's northern regions. First, our small group meets in Milan, the center of global fashion and design. Next, we explore the sunny Italian Riviera in Liguria. Finally, our vacation ends in the serene foothills of the Alps and stunning Lake Como.
Airport Information
Three international airports serve Milan: Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo. Malpensa Airport (MXP) is the largest. It usually has the best connections for North American cities. Also, MXP is well connected to Milano Centrale Station by both train and airport busses. You may find information on how to get to Milan from the airport on our blog.
Linate Airport (LIN) is the closest airport to the city. It is located just 7km away from Milano Centrale. From LIN an airport bus can bring you directly to the station.
Bergamo Airport (BGY) is a great choice for anyone traveling on low cost, regional airlines. Specifically, Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air offer regular flights to and from Bergamo. Bergamo is also served by shuttles and public transport to Milan’s center.
For departure, Malpensa is located closer to Lake Como than Linate. From Como, Malpensa enjoys more frequent and better connections than Bergamo.
Generally speaking, you will find it most convenient and cost effective to fly in and out of Malpensa Airport.
Important Notes
Travel Sketchbook Workshop in Italy
Deposits
Your place on a tour is secured once we have received and confirmed your deposit payment. Before the final payment date, a non-refundable deposit of $500 for walking vacations and $750 for art vacation workshops is required. After the final payment date, the entire tour amount must be received to hold a space on a program.
You may cancel for any reason up to 90 days prior to departure and your non-refundable deposit may be forwarded to a future tour. Any balance on your account will be returned. For complete details please see our Terms and Conditions.
Solo travelers and single supplements
For our guests who are traveling solo... We offer a single supplement for an additional fee if you wish to guarantee a private room.
If you do not request a private room, you will share a twin room with another trip participant of the same sex (Roomshare). When you sign up, if no Roomshare is available, a 50% single supplement will be included on your invoice and is due at final payment. However, if a roommate is found before your trip departs, you will be matched and the single supplement will be removed or refunded.
A single supplement guarantees a private room. Whenever possible singles will be placed in the same room type as our double or twin rooms.
Twin / Double Rooms
Please be aware twin beds in Europe may have very little or no space between beds. Also, for double beds, instead of a king or queen mattress, double beds are often two adjoining twin mattresses secured together and made with double bedding.
Fitness
Walking is a part of this program. It is both a means of visiting locations and a way to immerse yourself in a place. Our scheduled walks are usually 1-2 hours long at a casual pace. We provide a general description of our walks here. It is your responsibility to know your own physical and medical condition with respect to the advisability of participating in a chosen trip. We suggest you prepare by doing at least 1 hour of walking several times per week, and a longer walk at least once per week. Ideally, include walks with elevation change and stairs. (There are always stairs.)
As with any exercise program, we recommend you consult with your physician prior to your arrival regarding the suitability of a walking tour.
Some of our guests find trekking poles helpful on steep or uneven terrain. In Europe they are quite common. Before using them on a vacation, please practice at home. We strongly advise you get comfortable using trekking poles on familiar paths first.
For additional information on these topics and more, please see our FAQ page.
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