Tuscany

We offer Da Vinci Capers in Tuscany in the most western part of Tuscany - near Lucca - a walled and wealthy town that managed to skirt wars, famine and the plague. This gem is rich in history, culture and generations of craftsmen. We are close to the wild Garfagnana -- home of wild boars, mushrooms, chestnuts and Barga, an artist colony and one of Leonardo da Vinci's favorite little villages. And in the other direction near the sea, we experience sculpting and visit the studios in Pietrasanta.

Our teachers are waiting to inspire you! Come experience the Lessons of Leonardo with us in this beautiful region!

Amazing experience - a whole new way to experience Tuscany.

MC Hutchinson, Washington, D.C.

Sample Itinerary

Sunday / la domenica – Shedding Light on Leonardo

Sfumato – (root word "fumare," means to "go up in smoke, evaporate") The ability to embrace the unknown – the key to discover one 's creative abilities.

A mystery surrounds Leonardo da Vinci. Was he a scientist who studied art, or an artist who studied science? What were the principles he lived by?

We immerse ourselves into the Italian spirit, by learning from our mentor, Leonardo da Vinci. We will meet Joan Reifsnyder on the terrace of the Hotel Silla in Florence. A Leonardo aficionado, Joan will take us back 500 years to his stomping grounds. We will learn about Leonardo's concept of sfumato and how this technique holds the secret of unleasing one's creativity.

We board a small Mercedes van and travel to our home for the week near the sea. We stretch our legs and walk the grounds, then enjoy a luscious meal with superb local wines.

Barbara Hardesty, creator of Da Vinci Capers, will go over the week's itinerary.

A time to get acquainted with new friends, then off for a sound slumber.

(Remember, if there is an activity that you would rather observe or skip, just let Barbara know - there's no problem!)

Magical, stimulating, liberating, great conversations, learned more about who I am and how fascinating the world can be.

S. Hotham, Boulder, CO

Monday / il lunedì – La Bella Lingua (The Beautiful Language)

Dimostrazione — The commitment to test knowledge through experience, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

Leonardo would proudly refer to himself as uomo senza lettere (“man without letters”) and discepolo della esperienza (“disciple of experience”).

The best way to learn a language is to jump in with both feet and speak it!

With the help of Stefano Allegrini, Director of Centro Koinè language school in Lucca, we divide into two small groups and learn practical expressions (You will receive a language book and CD prior to departure to help tune your ear!)

In our groups, we continue the language experience by practicing on native Italians to purchase items in the market. Great fun and laughter is had by all watching the quizzical faces! There is time on your own to buy a panino, explore the town and to bike or hike the famous walls.

Our Lucca tour guide Gabriele

In the afternoon, we walk the history of Lucca with our tour guide Gabriele, and hear the tales of strength, riches, and furberia (foxiness). We will see Lucca's most revered Volto Santo, believed to have been carved by Nicodemus at the time of the Crucifixion.

Lucca is an important gem for both commerce and textiles. Built in Roman times and the capital of Tuscany until the 11th century, this pedestrian, walled city is a microcosm of Italy – the spirit and friendliness (molto simpatico) of the locals, the art and architecture and the purity of the Italian language.

Lucca has a long history of craftsmen – masters of stonework and of wood and iron, the silk and wool workers, the goldsmiths and paper and leather workers. As we walk through the streets, we will see many of the trades still existing after being handed down through the generations.

Tuesday / il martedì – In Search of Truth and Beauty

Curiosità – An insatiably curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning.

The desire to know is natural to good men. – Leonardo

Art historian Kenneth Clark called him “undoubtedly the most curious man who ever lived.” Leonardo’s quest for truth and beauty was revealed in the thousands of pages in his notebooks – his observations, illustrations, plans and inventions, doodles, jokes and puns ...

We stay home and meet Julio Monteiro Martins, Honorary Fellow in Writing, University of Iowa, professor at the University of Pisa, and founder of the creative writing school Scuola Sagrana in Lucca. Julio speaks five languages and has written 16 books, screenplays, short stories, plays and poetry - all in differrent languages.

Today, we experience how writing opens our mind to create space for reflection and imagination (Leonardo was the father of brainstorming - a way to create new ideas).

We dive into our own depths as we experience Bohemian banter, only to surface like the flying Icarus! We are not in a seventh grade composition class! We learn the art of creating a character - always central to any story. This is truly a magical moment!

Il Teatro dei Differenti

Early evening, we depart for Barga, one of Leonardo’s favorite villages located in the rugged Garfagnana region. On our own, we explore this artist colony – the Duomo, art galleries, and the amazing Teatro dei Differenti.

Swietland (“Nick”) Kraczyna

We have a private invitation into the printmaking studio of Swietland (“Nick”) Kraczyna. Nick developed the multi-plate color etching technique, and is represented in the Uffizi Gallery Prints and Drawing Collection. Students from around the world petition to study with Nick.

Wednesday / il mercoledì – The All-Senses Cooking Lesson

Leonardo felt that the average person looks without seeing, listens without hearing, touches without feeling, eats without tasting …

A good morning to sleep in, write in your journal, or take a hike in nature. Perhaps you have an interest in playing a round of golf, horseback riding, or doing some spa treatments - you choose!

In the afternoon, we take a short drive to Fattoria Villa Maionchi, famous for their red and white wines and extra virgin olive oil.

We return home for a hands-on, nose-alert cooking lesson. In the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci, we learn to cook as an artist – using all senses of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting and smelling, plus the sixth sense of intuitive instinct. Great fun is had by all as we use an artist's palette of sauces and herbs, and chop and stir like the great chefs of Florence!

Thursday / il giovedì – The Mystery of Nature – Tuscany by the Sea

Connessione– A recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena.

For Leonardo, connessione began with his love of nature and intensified through his investigation of human and animal anatomy. Curious observations noted in his journals: "Observe how the movements of the surface of the water resemble that of hair ..."; "Swimming in water teaches men how birds fly upon the air."

Leonardo said, "Nature is full of infinite causes that experience has never demonstrated." It is said that when Leonardo was dumbfounded by these mysteries he could contemplate but not penetrate, that he would set down the scalpel, compass and pen and pick up his paintbrush.

Through the chestnut forests, we make our way to one of nature's wonders, Pietrasanta (Holy Stone). Huge mountains of white marble form the backdrop to Pietrasanta, home to more sculptors than anywhere else in the world, from Michelangelo to Botero. There is truly no other place on earth like this region!

Keara McMartin, a founder of Studio Sem, will explain to us the process of sculpting in marble. In keeping with our theme of experiencing, we will have the opportunity to take a whack or two at the marble. In an instant, we have a new appreciation for this art form.

It is market day in Pietrasanta and we'll have time to explore the town, buy an espresso, and pick up last-minute gifts.

A short drive from Pietrasanta will take us to the beautiful hamlet of Peralta high on the hills overlooking a nature preserve, with views stretching out to the sea. This was the studio and home of the famed sculptress, Fiore de Henriquez. (See www.peraltatuscany.com.)

Sem Studio - Now Our Turn!
Sem Studio - Keara explaining

As a child, Fiore dreamt that one day she would own a minature village for people to come and practice their art. As a young woman, she was visiting her mentor, Jacques Lipchitz, who owned a villa below Peralta. Fiore looked up and spotted her dream. Over years she rennovated the broken-down buildings, stone-by-stone. And, Peralta was born. She became so well-known for her sculpture, that she sculpted busts from HRH Queen Elizabeth to Igor Stravinsky.

We are perched on the hillside surrounded by olive groves, lemon trees, jasmine and purple bougainvilleas. A calmness blankets us as we dine with the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. It is easy to understand how Peralta is the perfect respite for Da Vinci Capers participants.

After lunch on the terrace, we try our hands at sculpting in terra cotta. Stefania Brandinelli will be our guide as we get messy using carving tools, sponges and spritzers to create our masterpieces. If you have never worked in clay before, this may become your next true love!

A wonderfully fun and very special learning vacation. A chance to try new things in a warm and supportive environment with great people.

J. Stiller, Brookline, MA

Friday / il vernedi – New Ways of Seeing through Drawing and Painting

Sensazione– The continual refinement of the senses, especially sight.

For Leonardo, drawing was much more than illustration, it was the key to understanding creation and creativity.

Stefania Brandinelli returns to give us an introduction to both drawing and oil painting, in the spirit of Leonardo. She will help us quiet our critical left brain as we learn to see shapes, draw soft and sharp lines, use shadow, light and values, understand warm and cold colors and learn about composition.

We will break for "A Taste of Regional Fare" – foods from Lucca, the Garfagnana and coastal ragions – peppery oil, porcini mushrooms, a variety of grains and cheeses. A table of stunning colors and tastes!

The Slow Food movement began in Italy. They honor the regional farmers and their efforts to retain the authentic taste of foods. We are the fortunate ones to experience the fruits of their labor. Let's not forget about the wine! (This will also help us when the paints come out!)

In the afternoon, we play with color using oil paints. As Winston S. Churchill said, "Happy are the painters, for they never shall be lonely: light and colour; peace and hope will keep them company to the end."

In the evening, we wear our bow ties and silk scarves and gather for a farewell dinner and celebration.

As we put our heads on the pillow tonight, we feel a little sadness that the week has come to an end; but also a tinge of excitement knowing that we have just started on a personal journey of creativity – maybe not tomorrow... but, one day.

A delightful and enjoyable experience; a gourmet sampling of creative experiences in a fascinating variety of methods and medium that massage the imagination and feed the soul.

M. Crossen, Boulder, CO

Saturday / il sabato – Arrivederci a Lucca!

Breakfast in the country kitchen.

Depart for the Hotel Silla in Florence.*

You have spread your wings by experiencing new artistic activities, have made new friendships from around the world, discovered a new appreciation for art, and have become inspired on a new creative journey!

*For those who would like to extend their stay in Florence, Da Vinci Capers has negotiated discount room rates with the Hotel Silla. Please inquire if you are interested.

Fantastic! Unique! Would never had such experience had we not been with you all of your guides.

M. Huthinson, Newport News, VA