TUSCANY with Sandra Mollon

TUSCAN THEMED FUSED ART QUILT

JOIN SANDRA MOLLON in Tuscany

Infused with inspiration, Sandra Mollon’s Tuscany workshop is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! You’ll create a Tuscan themed fused art quilt, with Sandra’s expert instruction and guidance, while being surrounded by the stunning beauty of Italy.

Along with a Bachelors degree in Science, Sandra has as a background in teaching, so sharing her techniques in a classroom setting is very comfortable for her. She teaches throughout the USA, as well as internationally, and also hosts international quilt tours. In her new class, Tuscan Themed Fused Art Quilt, Sandra is leading an inspirational workshop in the spectacular setting of Tuscany, Italy.

MORE ABOUT Sandra

Sandra is a quilt and textile artist living in Northern California. She saw her first quilt magazine in the late 1980’s, and shortly afterwards began quilting in earnest. Sandra began making very traditional pieces and appliquéd quilts, many winning ribbons. One of her original designs, the “Seasons of Life” quilt won the “Outstanding Large Quilt” award in 2019 at Road to California, and went on to win a purchase award at the 2019 Spring Paducah show. It now is a part of the permanent collection of the National Quilt Museum. She is the author of the book “Seasons of Life Quilt, Techniques and Patterns for 13 Baltimore Album Quilt Blocks” published by C&T Publications, released in 2021.

More recently, Sandra became interested in art quilting and thread painting, and for several years many of her art quilts have been award-winners at major shows, including “Best Wall Quilt” at the 2021 and 2022 PIQF and Quiltfest Greenville in 2022. She was also interviewed about her work on her quilt “Toroweep Overlook” by the Grand Canyon Historical Society, and has written about her realistic style for “American Quilter” magazine (Jan. 2021 issue).

WHAT to Expect…

• With Sandra’s expert guidance, you’ll work to make a lovely, Tuscan themed fused art quilt while enjoying an immersive, Italian experience
• This  workshop includes your own kit with fabric, Misty Fuse (TM) adhesive and pattern, so you can easily learn the process of making a fused art quilt – while traveling to this iconic location!
• Sandra will walk you through the entire process, including:
  • selecting the right value fabrics
  • fusing fabric into place
  • adding media, such as, ink and color pencils for added realism
  • finishing techniques, such as, how to quilt and face an art quilt
• To help you prepare for the workshop, Sandra will host a Zoom meeting the month before the event.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival

• Welcome and orientation
• Aperitivo, dinner

Upon your arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, our private drivers will transport you to the Italian countryside, and your boutique hotel accommodations in the unspoiled village of Città della Pieve. After check in, you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic center of the village, then it’s off to the studio for a workshop orientation with Sandra.

Afterwards you’ll gather together with your fellow students for a friendly aperitivo, followed by a delicious, regional-style dinner prepared by Chef Vito. 

Day 2: Città della Pieve

• Instruction with Sandra, Renaissance walking tour, bruschetta
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, it’s time to join Sandra in the art studio for a full morning of instruction and creativity. After a mid-morning break, you’ll continue your session up until lunch – served at nearby cafe.

After lunch you’ll have some time to relax and recharge before once again joining Sandra in the studio. Then in the afternoon, we’ll join up for a fascinating Renaissance walking tour in the historic center of the village – including an up-close look at masterpieces by Renaissance artist, Perugino. This evening you’ll enjoy bruschetta and dinner cooked alle brace (over coals) at a local trattoria. 

Day 3: Montepulciano 

• Excursion to Montepulciano, wine tasting in 15th century cantina, saffron tasting
• Breakfast, lunch, aperitivo

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, our drivers will be taking you into the heart of Tuscany’s wine country, and the majestic hill town of Montepulciano – surrounded by vineyards that produce one of the world’s finest wines: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. After a brief walking tour of the historic center, you’ll have time to shop and explore on your own. Then we’ll meet up to continue to our friends’ 15th century wine cantina, where you’ll enjoy a delightful wine tasting with lunch.

After lunch, we’ll return to Città della Pieve, where you’ll enjoy some afternoon studio time with Sandra. This evening we’ll take a jaunt to Alessandro’s saffron shop where you’ll taste organic, locally grown saffron in a variety of dishes. Afterwards you’re free for the evening to shop (we have plenty of suggestions!), wander or explore the village on your own.

Day 4: Città della Pieve

• Instruction with Sandra, pasta-making class
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll get an early start in the studio with Sandra, then it’s off to our friend, Cristian’s, bistro, where you’ll don an apron for a lively pasta-making lesson (so fun!) as you learn the ins and outs of making pasta and sharing it with the right sauce. Plus you’ll get a peek at his private wine cantina. A delicious lunch follows, featuring your handmade pasta, of course.

In the afternoon it’s back to the studio space with Sandra. This evening we’ll stroll to our friend, Gianluca’s, restaurant for dinner featuring local specialties – including a variety of garden-grown vegetables. 

Day 5: Città della Pieve

• Stamping lesson, instruction with Sandra, pizza night
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’re in for a treat as you’re joined in the studio by our friend and artist, Gaetano, for a delightful stamp-making demonstration and lesson. Afterwards, you’ll continue your lesson with Sandra, followed by a break for lunch on your own.

In the afternoon, it’s back to the studio for a continued session with Sandra. This evening you’ll enjoy aperitivo in a private home for aperitivo, followed by a pizza dinner at our friends’ wood-fired pizzeria.

Day 6: San Casciano dei Bagni

• Archeological site, instruction with Sandra, farewell dinner
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning, after breakfast, it’s off to the charming village of San Casciano dei Bagni, situated on a hilltop teaming with hot springs. Here you’ll enjoy a private tour of a truly astonishing Etruscan and Roman archeological site (one of Italy’s most important new finds), followed by lunch at our friend, Daniela’s restaurant, nestled between the walls of the town’s castle.

In the afternoon it’s back to the studio for a final, wrap-up session with Sandra, followed by a celebratory aperitivo and farewell dinner served up by Chef Vito.

Day 6: Departure

Early morning transport to Rome Fiumicino Airport.

ACCOMMODATIONS ~ Boutique Hotel Vannucci

Hotel Vannucci began as a project of Vittoria Spinola, daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II, who fled Pisa (and an arranged marriage with her elderly husband) to start a new life with her lover in Città della Pieve. Here, she and her soon-to-be new husband, Paolo, built two villas that became luxurious holiday accommodations for wealthy Romans vacationing in the countryside. In 1903 one of the villas became Hotel Vannucci, and today it maintains the elegance and refinement of its inception, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. A stay here is truly special, nestled just outside the medieval walls of the historic, and unspoiled, village of Città della Pieve.

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WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Daily, individualized instruction with Sandra Mollon
• 7 days/6 nights stay at elegant Hotel Vannucci
• Private van service pick-up on arrival and departure days (Rome Fiumicino Airport)
• Private van service to/from all towns and sites included in the itinerary
• All breakfasts
• 4 lunches  
• 5 regionally inspired dinners, featuring local wines
• 1 aperi-cena (light dinner)
• Wine tasting in 15th century wine cantina
• Pasta making class
• Visit to archeological site
• Saffron tasting
• Bruschetta aperitivo
• Village walking tours
• Aperitivo in private home
• Pizza night!

Not included: Airfare, meals, alcoholic drinks, or transportation outside of that which is specifically listed in the trip package, gratuities for hotel staff and drivers

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: Sometimes unexpected things come up. If there is unscheduled closing or schedule change, we carefully pivot to include something that is equally as wonderful and interesting, so that the quality of your experience is never at risk. ☺️

DATES & DETAILS

• Dates:
  • April 28 – May 4, 2024 – SOLD OUT
  • October 13-19 2024 – OPEN!
• Trip Price: $3,390 USD – $3,970 USD per person (select room type upon booking)
• Room Descriptions:
  • Single: Single occupancy, single bed, private ensuite bathroom
  • Classic: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Superior: Single occupancy, double bed, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
  • Deluxe: Double occupancy, double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub and shower (specifically for couples or friends traveling together)
• A $700 deposit is required to book your space on this trip
• Arrival/departure airport is Rome Fiumicino
• View our Terms and Cancellation Policy

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