Art and Soul
An Artisan Retreat in Monterosso, Calabro, Italy
February 15-22, 2020
Maximum attendees: 12
Airfare not included
Breakfast: every day at Villa Velia
Lunches: On your own in Monterosso or daily location
Dinners: 6 at Villa Velia / 2 on your own at local restaurants
Transportation (mini bus) provided for dinner or walk to lunches in town
Artists visits, gratuities and 2 museums included.
Weather is mild but not too cold, not too warm, so pack some layers and comfortable walking shoes. Be sure to bring a camera!
For a full schedule go to: https://www.artandsoulitaly.com/print-schedule
Too keep up with news go to: Art and Soul Italy
We will be putting pictures and updates on our Facebook and Instagram pages
Saturday, February 15: Arrive in La Mezia
AM: We will pick you up in a mini bus at LaMezia airport and bring you to Villa Velia
PM: Settle in at Villa Velia
and enjoy a relaxing dinner with a view from the mountain overlooking Monterosso
Sunday, February 16: Walking Tour Monterosso
AM: Breakfast at Villa Velia
Sightsee leisurely in Monterosso. Stroll the streets and bring your camera.
Visit the churches (attend a service if you wish)
PM: Visit the Farming and Handicraft Museum.
Learn about olive pressing, wine, chairmaking, pottery, traditional Calabrian costumes, woodworking, blacksmithing and more
Return to Villa Velia for Dinner
Monday, February 17: Woodcarving with Pasquale / Tour Pizzo
AM Breakfast at Villa: Velia
Woodcarving with Pasquale. Learn how to carve with local indigenous woods and create a small carving.
Lunch on your own in Monterosso
PM: Discover Pizzo and enjoy Tartufo (a local ice cream delicacy)
Visit local museums and shops.
Dinner on your own in Pizzo
Tuesday, February 18: Clay Sculpting / Visit Tropea
AM: Breakfast at Villa Velia
Clay sculpting classes with Pasquale. View a demo or try your hand at it yourself.
PM: Afternoon Excursion to Tropea, the most famous medieval town in Calabria.
Dinner at Villa Velia
Wednesday, February 19: Dyeing with Natural Graphite / Cooking Lesson at Villa Velia
AM: Breakfast at Villa Velia
Learn to dye with graphite and natural materials with Nella Morano, following the ancient tradition dating back to Roman times.
PM: Cooking lesson with Velia; learn ancient recipes of her family. Then enjoy the dinner you made, complete with local homemade wines and aperitifs.
Thursday, February 20: Blacksmithing / Tour of Filadelfia
AM: Breakfast at Villa Velia
Visit Maestro Ciccio, 5th generation blacksmith for a demo on the ancient craft of forging with iron. He will also demonstrate turning on a wood lathe.
PM: An excursion to Filadelfia 8 (a new city of the 17th century, a replica of our own Philadelphia)
Visit an ancient water wheel that is still working.
Dinner at Villa Velia
Friday, February 21: Sightseeing in Tirolio / Free time in Monterosso
AM: Breakfast at Villa Velia
PM: Sightseeing in Trilio, an ancient town famous for the handicraft and the most beautiful costumes of Calabria.
Saturday, February 22: Excursion to Serra San Bruno
AM: Breakfast at Villa Velia
Excursion to Serra San Bruno. See the ancient monastery and visit the museum
PM: Return to Villa Velia for a farewell dinner.
Sunday, February 28: Bus to La Mezia…farewell!
AM: Breakfast at Villa Velia
Transfer to airport, Fly Home
Grazie!
Arrivederci!