SPECIAL NOTE BEFORE YOU READ ON: La Romita is offering an early registration discount. Beginning 15 Aug through 30 Sept, you can save on your booking! Details are under the pricing below.

  DARLA'S ART ADVENTURE ABROAD to ITALY MAY 2023                                                    

Each year a group accompanies me for my Art Adventure Abroad to a new destination--past trips include Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Denmark, Germany and France. Non-artists/spouses are welcome to come along so bring a friend, or just plan to make new ones! It's a small group. Early registration discount offered 15 August-30 September through La Romita.

WHAT IS AN ART ADVENTURE ABROAD WITH DARLA?

Ten days are planned for your pleasure in the lovely Umbrian region of Italy. Stay at a renovated centuries old monastery and enjoy the local Umbrian meals prepared on site!

Come live in Italy, if only for ten days! Enjoy the company of other artists as we visit charming villages. You may snag a quick photograph or sketch or wait until we return to the comfort of our studio. Simply stroll the markets and shop a bit all as your gather reference photographs to use later. We are staying in one place to call home, so no need to manage bags daily. May in Italy means landscapes dotted with poppies and moderate temps! The photo at the top of this page shows La Romita at the top of the hillside.

Simply put, my Art Adventure is just that. We are a small group of artists (and non-artists who desire the encounter) who experience the culture, sites, foods of another country as we gather photographs and sketch/paint our impressions of the place we visit! I will show you how to make a fun art journal. We use our cameras to gather images and our time to see the area. This art travel holiday will provide time for both sightseeing and painting/sketching, etc. The monastery chapel has been converted as our private studio!

Having traveled to 75+ countries, I have experience planning trips. In May 2015 I realized my dream to travel abroad with artists. Since then my annual Art Adventures Abroad have included Spain, Portugal (with added river cruise), Ireland, Denmark, Germany and France. BUT only FUN people can come...if you can't walk a mile during the day, pack light and manage your own bags, this is not for you! The terrain in Europe can be a challenge with stairs and cobblestones where elevators/escalators are rare! If you require walking assistance you should consider not joining us for this experience.

In the evenings we relax with a tasty meal and add to our ongoing art journal, paint, catch up on emails or settle in with a book...even our non-artists in the group can learn to art journal! There are photo challenges and art ideas daily to use in your journal.

You are invited! It's a VERY small group but we must have 12 register to qualify as a “group" (with 19 as the maximum).” Bring a friend, bring a spouse for a memorable experience! 

Darla is flying from the DFW airport and will send flight info to those interested in traveling along on the same flights.

There are tabs on the upper left corner of this page to view scrapbooks of past Art Abroad Adventures! We are easy to spot---we are the ones with smiles!

Make plans to join us MAY 2023 in the Umbria regions of Italy!

The Nitty Gritty:

The rates include your workshop, transport from airport, excursion transport, lodging and home cooked meals.  (It does not include your airfare).

Once you arrive in Rome, you’re home. Everything has been arranged, and all you really have to think about is setting your morning alarm--there’ll be sights to see before lunch – and the morning light is worth it!

For the duration of our retreat/workshop we will be staying at a renovated 16^th century monastery. On sight are plenty of areas to explore, a beautiful chapel to use as our studio, gardens and a sense of peace. The cloister, with its trimmed hedges and fountain, the Chapel/Studio with its frescos, the gazebo overlooking the valley, the olive orchard – all of this is yours to enjoy for your stay.  Each day we will travel in the comfort of our private bus to beautiful local villages. Intimate streets winding up the hillside, secret gardens with figures carved from rock, vistas with fields of poppies and sunflowers stretching off into the distance--all calling you to grab your sketchbook and paints and explore!

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

The price is all-inclusive except for airfare to/from Italy. The timing is planned to secure airfares before the summer rates escalate. Darla is flying from the DFW airport in Texas and will send details if you wish to travel along with her. We will be picked up and later returned at Rome International airport, all meals (with one or two lunches excepted), room, board, full access to the property including the chapel/Studio, and all the daily excursions are covered. 

HOW DO WE GET THERE? 

Plan to arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino airport (FCO) in Rome, no later than 10:30 am  3 May and ensure that your return flight departs no earlier than 10:30 am 13 May   IMPORTANT:  When booking your flight, remember since our program begins on 3 May, the flight will leave the US one day earlier.  Be sure of your dates!   A passport valid for six months beyond the length of stay is required for entry into Italy.  If yours is about to or has expired renew it immediately. 

The La Romita bus driver usually arrives at the airport around 10am. Your student packet will contain further details on the transport. You may choose to spend one night extra in the Rome airport area either before our workshop/retreat begins to just rest and acclimate or stay one night extra after our workshop/retreat to accomodate an early flight leaving the next day.

Darla can send details if you wish to fly with others in the group! 

WHERE WILL WE VISIT?

This itinerary includes only a sample of all Umbria has to offer. With so many incredible possibilities to choose from, the challenge is to find a good balance between excursions and studio time. We have found that an AM-Excursion, PM-Studio schedule with a few all-day trips gives partcipants a rich experience and stll provides the critcal downtime necessary to absorb it.

DAY 1 - Arrival Pickup and Orientation 3 May Following arrival at Leonardo Da Vinci airport in Rome you will be greeted by Antonio, La Romita’s bus driver. A 90 minute drive and you’re at La Romita in time for a delicious hot lunch, followed by an orientation. There’s time to rest and unpack before a 5PM trip down to

Terni to pick up art supplies and personal items. The day ends at 7:30 with dinner.

Here are places we can choose from to visit.

San Gemini AM excursion PM Studio-- After breakfast (usually 7 - 8:30) the group boards the bus for a quick 20 minute ride to their first real taste of plein air in Umbria. San Gemini features beautiful architecture and great panoramic views, and is full of people who appreciate artists visiting the town. It is a great introduction for the trip: large enough for real exploration with plenty of great subject matter for sketching or painting, but not so big that it overwhelms you with choices. It is very good for plein air and sketchbook work, with few cars and plenty of places that are restricted to foot traffic. At 12:30, the bus takes the group back to La Romita for lunch, followed by personal  time (many choose to catch a quick nap). The normal afternoon schedule at La Romita is demo/instruction in the chapel/ studio from 3:30 until 6 or so, with dinner served at 7:30. After a leisurely meal, the group might disperse, or move to the Gazebo for a presentation on the following day’s destination.

Villa Lante and Lake Bolsena AM excursion PM Studio-- Less than an hour away from La Romita is the gorgeous classic mannerist garden of Villa Lante. Attributed to Vignola, the gardens are a fantasy painter’s destination with terraces, sculptures, gargoyles, and cascading waterways. Subject matter abounds from the grand views up or down the terraces, to the individual sculptures and features. From there, it’s 20 minutes to Lago di Bolsena - Lake Bolsena - for a picnic lunch and painting. The lunch typically includes sandwiches, salad, fruit, desert, but always wine! Though Lake Trasimeno to the north frequently gets more attention, Lago di Bolsena is classified by the EU in the top rank of clean water and is locally known as the prettier of the two. Between the open water, the sandy beaches with umbrella-like pine trees, the classic boats, and the mix of medieval and Renaissance architectures, something will capture your artist’s eye - though you could always forgo painting in favor of a dip!

Todi AM Excursion, PM Studio-- Todi - about 40 minutes from La Romita – has one of the most beautiful piazzas in Italy and is recognizable from the exterior shots in “the Agony and the Ecstasy”. A fantastic park on the way into town has a dramatic view of the town itself but also great panoramas of the valley stretching of towards Perugia. Todi is a favorite stop as it has a bit of everything: great external architecture, intimate alleyways, fountains, and scenic views. There are some shopping opportunities and good food options, and though usually Todi is only a half-day trip, the group sometimes stays through lunch to sample restaurant fare.

Assisi & Deruta Full Day Excursion-- Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis, is the most famous city in Umbria. For painters, there are a wealth of beautiful sights and many places to work in comfort. The majestic double basilica of Saint Francis anchors the bottom of the city while a great fortress, the Rocca Maggiore, commands the view from above. Of particular note in the Basilica are the number and beauty of frescos by the artists who gave birth to Renaissance painting…GioIo, Cimabue, Martini, Lorenze V, and dozens of others. There are several great site-lines to the Basilica and other noteworthy scenes around the town, as well as great views down the hill and across the plains from the fortress above. With plenty to paint and to explore, a trip to Assisi is an all-day event and an opportunity for participants to have a lunch at one of the many restaurants or cafes. On the way back to La Romita, we frequently detour through Deruta to give participants an opportunity to shop for Umbrian Maiollica pottery. The unique, ancient designs make excellent gifts or souvenirs.

Studio / Marmore Falls AM & PM Studio Studio day –time for review and sharing what we have done, lessons, and a rest. We’ll take a quick trip over the hill to Cascata Delle Marmore, Europe’s second largest waterfall. The Cascata was originally created by Roman hydro-engineers in the third century BCE and modified over the centuries to give it its current majestic form. We are free to explore the network of paths that wind around (and behind) the falls and capture sights with sketchbook or camera. It is a dramatic sight with many excellent views, white of the violent water against the lush green of the ravine, close enough to feel the spray. A brief trip, but memorable.

Carsulae AM Excursion, PM Studio-- Ancient Rome is in evidence throughout Italy, but Carsulae offers the artist a more intimate and poignant experience of that civilization. 20 minutes from La Romita lie the remains of a Roman town, abandoned in the 4th century and now an active archeological site. Carsulae offers an unusual space for the artist, secluded yet open, the outlines of the ancient town discernable by the walls and few structures that stand. Its central axis is the ancient path of the Via Flaminia, one of the great Roman roads that ran from Rome to Rimini on the Adriatic coast. To one side is a forum and amphitheater, to the other are the remains of public buildings, and at the furthest end of the site, an archway marks the edge of the town.

Montefalco AM Excursion, PM Studio-- Montefalco is the classic example of an Umbrian hill town. It sprawls across the top of a hill overlooking Val D’Umbra, a site continuously inhabited since ancient times. Because of the gorgeous panoramas, it is known as the “La ringhiera dell'Umbria”, (Balcony of Umbria). Its unique circular central piazza and quiet streets are an artist’s dream. This town is the center of the “Sagrantino di Montefalco” wine district and also known for its intricate linens. In addition to exteriors of particular beauty, Montefalco also hosts one of the most beautiful church/museum in Italy, featuring a famous cycle of the life of St. Francis by Florentine Renaissance painter Benozzo Gozzoli. A popular choice for painters is to visit the Arnaldo Caprai vineyard and to paint from their shaded terrace. Depending on the time of the visit, they offer wine-tasting and vineyard tours.

Orvieto Full Day Excursion-- Dramatic Orvieto, perched on a butte of volcanic tufa, is known for its white wine and the architectural marvel of its cathedral. The location was a major center of the Etruscan civilization, and the source of a richness of artifacts from the time. The jewel of Orvieto is without question the Cathedral, designed by Arnolfo di Cambio (who is also credited as the architect of the Florence cathedral), with its alternating stripes of travertine and basalt and fronted by a façade of amazing golden mosaics and pilasters covered in relief sculptures. That, and many other beautiful buildings and views make Orvieto a rich destination for artists, and worth a whole day’s exploration. 

Bevagna AM Excursion, PM Studio-- Less than an hour away is the beautifully preserved medieval town of Bevagna, one of Umbria’s few “non-hill Hilltowns”. In addition to picturesque piazzas and streets, Bevagna has a millpond with a waterwheel, and a path along the river that affords many special opportunities to paint. Bevagna is also known for its ancient artisinal workshops. You can see a demonstration by master paper maker Francesco Proie in his ancient studio (and purchase some of his artisanal paper if you like…) or see demonstrations of coin making, rope making, and many other crafts. Or if you’re in a more gastronomic mood, Bevagna is home to a shop with a Porchetia sandwich that the New York Times declared a “must eat”.

DAY 10 - Departure 13 May With clothes, gear, souveniers, and many new works carefully packed, the group boards the bus back to Leonardo Da Vinci.

Of Note: We hope to work in a visit to the famous Tarot Gardens built by Niki de Saint de Phalle in the second half of the last century. The Garden is the result of Niki's idea of a "small Eden where man and nature meet". She took inspiration from the beautiful Park Guell by Gaudì in Barcellona, Spain. She created and personally built the great statues for the Garden. The 22 Major Arcana have a steel soul covered by concrete with mirrors, colored glass and ceramics. She worked at this colossal work for over 17 years.     https://www.discovertuscany.com/maremma/capalbio-tarot-garden.html

WHO CAN COME?

Enjoy the company of other artists as we visit charming villages with time to sketch, paint and photograph or simply stroll the markets and shop a bit. Not an artist yet? Give it a try! New or wanna-be arties are welcome! 

WHAT KIND OF INSTRUCTION SHOULD I EXPECT?

This art trip revolves around the idea of seeing and recording as much as possible. Each morning we venture out to investigate a different village—places the average tourist misses. There will be a daily challenge to meet using your camera as well as in your art journal. We will use mornings to capture colors, architecture, unique landscapes and people’s daily lives using a simple camera or quick sketches on site. Darla will show you how to translate your impressions of a place as a visible record in your journal.  Our afternoons in the studio will be used for motivation, demonstrations and sharing. Ink, watercolor, acrylic, collage and more will be used with many other media to insure you take home an art journal that helps you relive the experience many times over! 

ART MATERIALS:

A trip to a local art supply store on the arrival day of your workshop is generally scheduled. Darla will bring a lot of materials to share so we don't all have to carry as much. Our 10 days will involve a lot of different materials, but primarily watercolors and ink. You will receive more info on this after registration.

WHERE ARE WE STAYING?   

La Romita, situated on a mountainside above the city of Terni, Italy, in the region of Umbria, was established in 1548 as a monastery by the Capuchins friars.  It remained an active monastery until the early 19th century.  After the friars left La Romita, it was purchased by the ancestors of the Quargnalis and was used as a guesthouse and summer home.

For more than half a century, La Romita has been used by art groups interested in painting the picturesque hill towns.  It provides a unique experience to live and work in an authentic 16th century monastery in the heart of the beautiful Umbrian hill country, and to visit and paint in an area whose radiant golden light has charmed artists since the days of Perugino and his famous pupil Raphael.

La Romita was considered a poor monastery because the Capuchins were a reformed order of the Franciscans.  They took the vow of poverty as understood by Saint Francis. The most important friar to serve at La Romita was Alessandro who was born Marquis Castelli.   When he died there on September 30, 1572, he was considered saintly.

The residence building was originally one story with rooms opening directly into the cloister.  The present kitchen and refectory, with some modification, are in the same place they used to be.  In the floor of the kitchen was the entrance to a tunnel said to have been a secret passage to the front of the hill--possibly an escape route in case of attack.  This opening has been closed and only a short length of the passageway still exists.

The church now serves as the art studio and library.  Inside the church, on the floor near the holy-water font, there is a stone with a carved "S" on it to indicate where the friars were buried.  Previously over the main altar and now on the north wall was a 17th century painting of the Trinity with side figures representing St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony of Padua. In the summer of 1993 when the painting was taken down for restoration, a fine fresco dated 1563 was discovered behind it.  The original wood door to the church has been removed to protect it and can now be seen on the inside.

Outside there is a cloister garden surrounded by boxwood hedges with the traditional well in the center.  Down the slope there was a garden where the friars cultivated their fruits and vegetables.

The large quantity of water available on the site made it possible for the friars to operate a wool factory in 1645.  During the seven-month plague in 1646, the friars distributed garments to stricken families.  In 1802 the monastery was officially closed and the wool factory was transferred to Spoleto.  However, records indicate that the friars continued to live there until 1815.  Soon after that, La Romita was abandoned.  It has since been carefully modernized to preserve the original character of the place.

La Romita lies on the outskirts of the city of Terni, about sixty miles north of Rome and about three hours drive from Florence.  

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?  The 2023 rates are below

The costs include all ground transportation on our private bus, accommodations, meals, and art instruction. La Romita accepts check or visa/mastercard/discover. A minimum deposit of $500 is required with the registration. The balance of payment is due 45 days prior to the selected session.

List price is $3750

An artist traveling alone who shares a room is $3750

An artist traveling alone with a single room is $4100 (single rooms are $350 extra)

2 artists (or an artist and spouse/friend) traveling together would pay $7237

        ($3750 + $3750 - 7%) between them

EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT  15 AUGUST THROUGH 30 SEPTEMBER

THE ROOMS:

https://laromita.org/the-school/accommodations/guest-rooms/

There are a few singles but mostly double rooms, with shared bathrooms, about 2.5 rooms/bathroom. There are no en suites (it's a renovated 16th Century monastery - the architecture will only allow so much modification!). Singles are first-come-first-served, and secured with the deposit. Generally, May in the Umbrian region is characterized by steady dry and warm weather with clear skies, perfect for painting/sketching en plein air.  La Romita has central air conditioning in the dining room and studio. Fans can be found in each room. Below is typical double room.

TO REGISTER:

Email Tracy Washington:  washington@laromita.org

You may call their toll free number (1-855-476-6482) and Tracy can take your reservation over the phone.

Some details are at

https://laromita.org/workshop/have-fun-creating-an-art-travel-journal-with-darla-bostick/

CANCELLATION POLICY:

La Romita requires 90-days written notice of cancellation prior to the start-date of your workshop, otherwise the following fees will be charged:

$500 will be retained as non-refundable to cover administrative fees

Cancellation at 61-90 Days: 50% of total cost

Cancellation at 31-60 Days 75% of total cost

With less than 30 days notice, La Romita reserves the right to retain the full cost of your workshop as a cancellation fee. For a $50 fee we will reapply the balance to a different workshop if space is available.

Should La Romita cancel the Bostick Art Adventure Abroad full refunds would be extended. This would only occur if the group does not meet the 12-artist minimum

WHAT SHOULD I PACK? Darla will send an itemized list of things to bring to help make your packing light and easy. (And, she brings a lot of art supplies to share)

Now, the only question is this: Will we see you there?