A Southern Italy Beadventure with
Gail Crosman Moore
September 18 - 29, 2010
Naples - Puglia Region
Day 1. Saturday, September 18 - Arrive in Naples
You will be met at the Naples airport by tour leader Maggie Meister and taken to Villa Giulia, our home in Naples. After settling into our rooms, there will be a brief overview of the week ahead and introduction to the project. It will be a relaxing day as Maggie meets people at the airport. Enjoy the villa grounds and a welcome dinner. Giulia is a fantastic cook and the meals are enjoyed in her gardens (weather permitting).
Day 2. Sunday, September 19 – Workshop Introduction and Cuma
This morning after our Italian breakfast, we begin our workshop with Gail. Our project is coloring metals and woods and is inspired by the reliquaries found throughout Southern Italy. After a light lunch, we meet our bus and head to the ancient ruins of Cuma (a 2-minute ride) to visit one of the first Greek settlements in Southern Italy with our guide, Aldo. Then it is back to the villa for dinner.
Day 3. Monday, September 20 – Naples
After breakfast we head to downtown Naples to visit the National Museum to see the treasures from Pompeii and Herculaneum. We meet Aldo at a local pizzeria for lunch (included). After lunch, Aldo will take us on a tour of the sites in the center of the city. We will visit the church of Santa Chiara with its cloister made entirely of majolica tiles. We return to the villa for dinner.
Day 4. Tuesday, September 21 – Shop in Naples and Workshop
Once again, we head to downtown Naples to shop for metal and wood pieces at some of the great little shops. We head back to the villa after a light lunch (on your own) for our workshop until dinner.
Day 5. Wednesday, September 22 – Amalfi Coast
Off for a drive along the world-renowned Amalfi Coast with Aldo. The views are spectacular! We stop at an inlayed wood studio to watch the master work and have lunch (included) at a lovely family-owned restaurant overlooking the coastline. We return to the villa after a full day for a light dinner at the villa.
Day 6. Thursday, September 23 – Pompeii and Workshop
This morning we have a guided tour of the ancient city of Pompeii in the morning and workshop in the afternoon until dinner.
Day 7. Friday, September 24 – Travel to Puglia, “the New Tuscany”
We say goodbye (for now) to our home in Naples to get an early start to the region of Puglia. This region is often called “the new Tuscany” but it has its own distinctive qualities. It is home to the whitewashed trulli homes and untouched beaches. The land is scattered with olive groves (in my opinion the best olive oil in the world) and rugged fields. Our home will be in a villa/farmhouse setting. The ride is approximately 5 hours and we will be visiting sites along the way. Dinner at the villa (included).
Day 8. Saturday, September 25 – Workshop
A full day for our workshop and perhaps a trip to the beach after our workshop ends.
Day 9. Sunday, September 26 – Alberobello
Today we visit the town of Alberobello, a UNESCO site, known for its whitewashing homes with stone roofs. Many of the homes are painted with symbols on the roof. This is a free day after an orientation to the area for shopping, exploring, and eating (meals not included).
Day 10. Monday, September 27 – Lecce
This morning we visit the town of Lecce, known as the Florence of Puglia, to see its Baroque architecture with our guide.
Day 11. Tuesday, September 28
Return to Naples We return to Naples and Villa Giulia for our last evening and farewell dinner.
Day 12. Wednesday, September 29 – Departure
Depart from Naples airport
Project Designed by Gail for Beadventures
For this Beadventure, Gail is planning a workshop that builds on her her work that uses several techniques to add faux finishes to vintage stamped-metal pieces. Without a kiln, some traditional verdigris finishes will be achieved as well as adding any-color-goes to beautiful old findings.
About Gail Crosman Moore . . .
According to Gail:
"The one common denominator in all of my work is me, so I thought that I would take a minute to tell you a little bit about my passion....I need to make things. Things out of fiber, glass, clay, metal, paper, no material is safe! My other need is to get whatever I am working on out of the second dimension and into the third. Color, form and texture are what make my heart sing."
Trip Cost
Price 3,300 Euro (convert to US dollars)
Includes: all lodging, most meals (all breakfasts, four lunches, 8 dinners), workshop tuition, kit fee, entrance fees to sites, guide fees, private bus, local transportation, trips.
Not included: airfare to Italy, a few meals as noted in the itinerary, alcohol in Puglia (wine included with meals in Naples)