Destination

Italy

Italy holds a special place in The Blue Walk's story. It's where we, Jeannette and Suzy, first moved to Europe, over a decade ago. Our trips here offer the kind of deep cultural immersion that only comes from years of local relationships, and Italy remains one of our most loved destinations. Programs move between sketchbook, painting, and mixed media. Each workshop is shaped by the region, the season, and the artist-teacher leading it, inspiring the travel journal you'll build along the way. Art workshops in Italy range from a week on serene Lake Como to the baroque hill towns of Sicily.

Destination

Italy

Rapallo & the Italian Riviera

Programs on the Italian Riviera are based in Rapallo, a low-key harbor town, usually preceded by an arrival night in Milan. From here, groups visit Portofino's pastel harbor, the cliffside villages of Cinque Terre, and other small towns along the Ligurian coast. A tasting at a family grocery, five generations in, and lunch at a hidden pension above the Portofino peninsula are usually part of the week. Terraced hillsides, narrow lanes, and small harbors give our art workshops in Italy plenty to work with.

Lake Como

Alpine light, lakeside villas, and towns that have drawn artists and writers for centuries set this region apart. Programs are based in Varenna, Lenno, or Bellagio, depending on the itinerary. Days move between creative sessions, walking along ancient Roman paths, and visiting manicured gardens overlooking the lake. When not on foot, ferries carry the group between towns, and our farewell lunch is often on a shaded patio, steps from a small harbor.

Northern Italy, from Seaside to Lakeside

This is actually where the Italy program began — a night in Milan, a few days in Rapallo, and on to Lake Como. That original combined trip is still offered for guests who want the fullest taste of northern Italy in a single week.

Padua & Parma

Padua offers an authentic, more lived-in side of northern Italy. It's a university city with centuries of artistic heritage, colorful daily markets, and frescoed chapels tucked into unassuming streets. Programs begin here, with day trips into Venice and Murano for sketching along the canals. It's the intimacy of a smaller Italian city paired with the storied beauty of one of the most painted places on earth.

From Padua, the program moves to Parma, a food-forward city known for its culinary traditions, Romanesque architecture, and walkable historic center. Day trips into the countryside bring visits to a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese maker and a traditional balsamic vinegar producer, along with a cooking class in a private villa.

Sicily

Sicily brings a different character to our Italian programs entirely. Programs begin in Palermo with a market tour and a visit to the mosaics of Monreale. Then we move to Ragusa Ibla, with day trips to Modica for a chocolate tasting, and to Scicli and Sortino, including a visit to an olive oil press during harvest. Arab-Norman architecture, baroque hill towns, and centuries of Mediterranean cross-currents give the island a visual richness all its own.

The Dolomites

Launching in 2027 as a private walking vacation, with plans to offer an art workshop version semi-annually in the years ahead. Programs are based in Ortisei, in Val Gardena, with walking and creative time across Alpe di Siusi, Seceda, Passo Gardena, and Val di Funes. Alpine light, dramatic peaks, and meadow trails that shift with the seasons make this a striking setting.

Amalfi Coast, Sorrento & Capri

The coastline south of Naples offers terraced villages, lemon groves, and light that changes hour by hour. Programs move between the Amalfi Coast, the Sorrento Peninsula, and Capri, with the base varying by itinerary. The terrain is steep, more hiking than walking, so these programs are offered as private and semi-private tours only. Walking routes like the Path of the Gods still reward every step with views you won't find from a road.

A Note on Pace

We walk together at a group pace, with some flexibility to adjust the route as the day unfolds. For a full breakdown of pace and fitness expectations, see our Walk Levels page.