Verona Trip 2019

The adventures begin!

The group gathers and awaits the opening at the Gran Guardia

The 11 travellers arrived in Verona today trickling in at different times. I spent the day going back and forth from the airport to the Roman area of Verona.

Everyone seems very excited about the location of their apartments and the city itself. Verona is big enough to be interesting but small enough to be quaint.

Our appetizers before dinner. What a spread!

All went to bed early. We start tomorrow with a city tour at 10 A.M.!

Having dinner all together in one of the apartments.

Presents for all!

A very special hand made gift (and unexpected!!!)
from Clodine for all of us!
What a beautiful gesture!
THANK YOU

A bottle of wine for each of the travellers.
Welcome!!

Buona Notte.

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for all the latest adventures!!

Verona Trip

It's now official.

The trip to Verona, Italy, is FULL.

We have a few Canadians from Quebec, Ontario and Alberta who have signed up. We have two English women, one of whom lives in France. We have an American who lives in Germany.

What an international group!

The travellers quilt, create contemporary textile works, paint, knit...what talent!!

I can't wait to share this special place with them. I really love living in Verona!!

People who like my trips are open-minded people who love new experiences. They have no mobility issues (we do lots of walking). They love Italian food (who doesn't!) and have no serious food restrictions. They work well in groups.

I am disappointed I couldn't get everyone who sent me emails of interest registered for the trip but there is always the next time. Spring 2021. Remember it's first come, first served.

Please check back in April 2019 to see a visual diary of what we'll be up to in gorgeous Verona!

PS
I also have a trip to Umbria (the province in the middle of Italy). It focuses on journalling. Check it out here. You'll have to scroll down to see the Umbria info.

(All photographs of Verona are mine from past trips.)

Verona Trip ...One Spot Left!

I am happy to report that after only a few weeks the Verona trip enrolment is almost FULL- there is one more spot for someone who wants double occupancy.

Dear readers, please check this blog around April 24, 2019 and see the daily diaries I will be posting.

I'll put pictures of the group and the activities we'll be doing.

And maybe that will inspire you to join me on the next trip to Verona in the Spring 2021.

Keep in mind, the trips usually fill up before the December holiday season.

(My photographs of Verona)

Verona Trip Preparations

The Verona trip is filling up!!

View of Verona

So far, I have 9 people who have sent a deposit already, officially reserving their spot.

San Giorgio

The maximum size of my group is 12. That's a good number for the apartments, for making new friends, for sharing the activities with and for ambiance.

Verona is a gorgeous city; small enough to be quaint but large enough to be interesting.

Ponte Pietra

If you have been following the info about my Verona trip over the years, you know we also visit all exhibits in the textile festival, Verona Tessile. Preparations for that festival are well under way. The hosting group, Ad Maiora, is working very hard. Their 5th edition is going to be great. You'll see a variety of textile styles from an international group of makers and artists. The exhibits (so far 9 exhibits confirmed) are hung in historical buildings- very nice from an architectural perspective. This experience is added to my own itinerary of classes, touring, wine tasting, cooking class, gelato eating, aperitivo sharing...can't wait!!!

Ponte Scaligero

The juried show news is up for those wanting to submit a piece but I am afraid the rest of their site hasn't been updated yet. I am sure they will get to that over the next months as plans solidify.

Giardini Giusti

If you are interested in joining the trip then get in touch.

Verona Textile Trip

My post cards for the next Verona textile trip are out !!

I am really excited about it. It's going to be great!

Here are a few testimonials from past trips:

The Verona trip was amazing and I owe that all to you. Your
knowledge brought it to life and your passion was infectious. It was such a treat to meet all your friends, please say hi to Carla and Danny and also the lady who shared her quilts with us. Thank you, thank you. (B.H. Verona 2015)

Verona and the Adige River

I enjoyed the variety and quality of all the activities. The Verona trip ranks among the best trips I’ve ever taken. The places we visited, the exhibitions in historical venues (Verona Tessile event), the hands-on activities and the people I met will be in my memory forever. The Verona trip was an excellent and unforgettable trip and, in my opinion, the best way to experience Verona. Thank you, Sandra (Verona 2013)

Verona and the Adige River

The trip exceeded my expectations. It was a wonderful combination of exploring two lovely, historical cities (Venice, Verona) combined with seeing the works of other fibre artists and hands on learning experiences. (Verona 2013)

Day in Venice

The accommodations also exceeded my expectations. The apartment was well located to everything, clean and very comfortable. I can honestly say that in all my travels, I have never slept on a more comfortable bed and the pillows were perfect. I very much enjoyed having (some) meals catered there. Bringing the group together to share experiences and thoughts over delicious prepared food in the local cuisine was one of the many highlights. (Verona 2013)

The Arena in Verona

What did you like doing the best?!

I don’t even think I can answer that! The trip to Venice, the winery lunch, the amazing quilts in the most beautiful venues, the workshops were great as I don’t tend to take many and I can see what I am missing(!), the camaraderie among the group, just walking around by myself in Verona and the food not to mention the wine. For me personally I thought it was the right mix of sewing and other activities. Did this trip meet my expectations? Yes and more! (K.O. Verona 2011)

vineyards in the Valpolicella

If you are interested click here for images of past trips and more details.

Con Affetto

I sometimes give titles to my quilts.... a friend of mine thinks it is awfully pretentious!  :-) This one is called Con Affetto.

my latest scrap quilt

It means, with affection and comes from the note my Veronese friend wrote me. She is the one who gave me the hand-dyed heart I inserted in this quilt. Marina Tavella is an accomplished textile artist and teaches the dying workshop for my Verona Textile Trip.

The title also worked as over 100 half-square-triangles were 'by-products' from the Valentine's quilt...with affection. By 'by-products' I mean the secondary pieces that came out of making the X's and O's.

Con Affetto, 32" x 40"

The back will be "quiet". Simple.

I will be teaching triangles at Eweknit next weekend. (April 22, 2017)

The End

On Sunday the Canadians left Verona...

Linda's suitcase tag

....either to return to Canada ...

Two off to the airport

or continue travelling in Italy.

Getting ready to go to the train station

One last look out of Susan's apartment window.

Monday we took down all exhibits and Tuesday we packed up art work to be mailed out. I think I will write a blog about mailing work out to exhibits. I saw a few things today that didn't work.

No one is sewing at the studios this week.

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!