Valpolicella Visit

How we enjoyed our day in the Valpolicella! Thank you to Susi for organizing the trip and visits and for her exceptional attention to detail!! Thank you also to her helpers: the drivers (Giuliana and Elena)!!!

View from San Giorgio Ingannapoltron

Masi cantina with their 2,600,000 litres of wine in their cantinas!! It was such a welcoming feeling to see our flag alongside the Verona flag upon entering the property!

The wine tasting was divine!!

The tour of the Serego-Alighieri vineyards was very interesting. We also were able to buy wine, honey and cherry jam, all from their property in Gargagnago.

Lunch at Susi's home...

Don't ask me how she spent the day driving
us around
and within 5 minutes of entering her house
she had an amazing lunch prepared!
IMPRESSIVE! 

and a guided visit at the Allegrini villa.

View from the villa

one of their amazing fireplaces

We were lucky. The weather was perfect!

Another Full Day- Day 4

We started today with a long walk up the "lasagna" to the Ad Maiora Studios for a fabric dyeing class with artist Marina Tavella.

She taught us several African techniques, in particular from Mali.

We worked till lunch and then walked up to the sanctuary for an amazing view of the city with the Adige river hugging the historical centre.

The official opening was this evening at the Castel Vecchio courtyard

I love the reflection in the window of the museum

and we got to see the exhibit of antique quilts from Jen Jones' collection.

We had a relaxed dinner at home.

Venice All Day- Day 3

We made it down to the train station by bus before they closed the streets for the marathon!

Venice

Off to Venice for the day!

Perfect weather too!

Exploring. Being inspired. Seeing beautiful colours...

Burano

...and letting all that stuff get into our heads.

We worried when a few got separated...

but we all arrived at the train station on time

to return to Verona for a nice dinner together.

A Tour and a Class and a Really Fun Time - Day 2

Today was our first full day in this gorgeous city!

houses on Piazza Erbe

and was it ever full!

the street where 6 of our travellers live

First thing- a walking tour!

Then food.

Food.

And more food!


Plus a visit to San Zeno Basilica.

inside the basilica

And an origami book spine we learned to make in a room inside Porta San Zeno, which dates back to 1540!!

Porta San Zeno, architect Michele Sanmicheli

inside where we were paper folding

The group is full of interesting people with lots of wonderful stories to share of past trips, art things, sewing and food.

Group picture in front of the sets for the opera Aida

I can see new friendships starting.

Everyone had their "AMAZING" moment today! Linda's moment was shopping for cheese and prosciutto at the local macelleria.

view walking back from San Zeno

I am glad things went well on our official first day.

The Canadians have Arrived! Day 1

I spent the better part of the day picking up the Canadian travellers at the airport and train station and checking them into their apartments in the historical centre!

We ended with a catered dinner at one of the apartments and a meeting about our itinerary.

bread stuffed with ham and cheese as appetizer

Everyone is geared up for tomorrow's walking tour of this jewel of a city!

Preparatevi

Get Ready!

We are everywhere in the city!

The official opening for Verona Tessile is next Monday!

Today, I helped with the Jen Jones' antique Welsh quilts at Castel Vecchio Museum.

Busy day- my last to prepare for the 10 Canadians arriving tomorrow!

Verona Tessile Prep

Everyone at Ad Maiora is lending a helping hand.

The tickets are assembled in packs of 50. It will help keep track of how many people visit the exhibits during this 3rd edition of the festival. The first year there were 3000 visitors in 6 days. This year there will be many more.

The works are arriving and being put in well-labeled corners of the studio to be delivered to the appropriate exhibit halls and galleries. We are doing that tomorrow!

Today I went to pick up the ribbons for the juried exhibit.

Tomorrow is my last day to finalize small things for the Canadians!

I have been working really hard. My goal for each traveller is that they have a "That's amazing!" moment every day. It could be a view, an art work, a new Italian friend, a great sleep (those apartments have amazing mattresses!)...

For one of the classes,  I have secured the room in the top of the Porta San Zeno, 1540-1542! THAT'S AMAZING!

(architect Michele Sanmicheli)

I took a day off yesterday to energize before the big week!

Lago di Garda

I went to Garda Lake and walked about 4 km.

I am psyched! It's going to be great!