A Traveler's Sketchbook
in Tuscany & Umbria!

with Jo Ellen Reinhardt

Cortona, Italy

May 11-18, 2024

Saturday-Saturday

Magical Cortona

View Cortona photo gallery - click here

About this workshop...

Join us for this weeklong plein air workshop in beautiful Tuscany and Umbria. Create vignette sketches and paintings of the dramatic vistas, colorful architecture, bustling people and more during your time on this magical trip to Cortona, Italy. Morning and afternoon sessions, followed by individual instruction, will cover the basic concepts of atmospheric and linear perspective, capturing people, architecture, and dramatic lighting. With pen and paper in hand, you’ll quickly document the sites. Add a touch of watercolor to enhance your sketches. Your art supplies are light and easy to tote making this ideal for all levels of artists. The traveler’s sketchbook is a wonderful way to document your trip in a carefree way.

Jo Ellen

Picture Yourself...

among the sights and sounds of beautiful and romantic Tuscany: olive groves, vineyards, centuries-old buildings, winding streets, texture and vibrant sunlight.

Feel Yourself...

in the warm ambiance of Cortona, overlooking Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana, originally fortified by the Umbrians, claimed by the Etruscans, touched by the Renaissance, almost unchanged for centuries, one of Tuscany's jewels.

Experience...

the joy of creating mosaic art in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the camaraderie of a small group of enthusiastic Artists.

Enjoy...

great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.

All-inclusive* workshop includes:
Escorted group travel Florence
to Cortona May 11, 2024****
Instruction in the studio
Seven nights accommodations
in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath)
Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano
All meals***
(Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Daily wine tasting opportunities

Day trip to Perugia

Day in Val di Chiana

Day trip to Montalcino, Pienza

& Abbey of Sant"Antimo

A farewell wine tasting dinner
Escorted group travel Cortona
to Florence May 18, 2024****

**Included with "Hotel" private room plans only. See details.
***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. Italian breakfsat simply includes coffees, brioche, toast, milk, juices, cheese.
****Specific departure time from Florence airport May 11, 2024 only at 12:00noon
****Specific departure time from Cortona to Florence airport May 18, 2024 only at 8:00am
*All-inclusive plans are "Hotel" only.
Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant

Meet Jo Ellen Reinhardt...

Jo Ellen Reinhardt’s talents go beyond her ability to create beautiful paintings. She also has a natural gift of conveying her knowledge to her students in a logical and direct manner. Jo Ellen is the cofounder of the New England School of Fine Art where she is the principal instructor and her work has been shown in many prestigious museums, galleries, and exhibitions throughout the North East, United States. Although best known for her still life and portrait work, she also enjoys connecting with nature and people through plein air painting.

Jo Ellen received her classical training at the New School of Classical Art. She is a signature member of the renowned Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, Academic Artists Association, Rockport Art Association & Museum, North Shore Art Association and the Copley Society of Art. For over a decade, she has worked with ToscanaAmericana traveling with students to Italy.

Go to Enrollment page...

Itinerary

May 11 Saturday – Arrival in Cortona

-12:00 noon Depart Florence airport escorted group travel to Cortona

-1:30p Arrival and Check-in in Cortona at Hotel

-Free Afternoon

-6:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting

-7:30p Evening dinner in Cortona

May 12 Sunday - Cortona

-9:00a-12:30p Morning Session

-12:30p Lite Lunch

-2:00-5:30p Afternoon Session

-6:00p aperitifs

-7:00p Evening dinner in Cortona

May 13 Monday - Cortona

-9:00a Taxi to upper part of Cortona

-9:00a-12:00p Morning Session in Cortona's upper historic neighborhood

-12:30-2:00p Lite Lunch

-2:00-5:00p Afternoon Session

-6:00p aperitifs

-7:00p Evening dinner in Cortona

May 14 Tuesday - Perugia

-8:30a Day visit to Perugia

-Morning session

-1:00p Lite Lunch

-Optional afternoon session, or shopping/sightseeing

-Afternoon session

-6:00p aperitifs

-7:00p Evening dinner in Cortona

May 15 Wednesday - Val di Chiana

-9:00a Transfer to Val di Chiana

-Morning session

-12:30p Lunch

-Afternoon session

-4:00p departure for return to Cortona

-6:00p aperitifs

-7:00p Evening pizza dinner in Cortona

May 16 Thursday - Montalcino, Abbey of Sant'Antimo & Pienza

-8:45a Day trip to Montalcino, Abbey of Sant'Antimo & Pienza

-Morning session

-12:30p Lite lunch

-Afternoon session

-4:00p Depart and return to Cortona

-6:00p aperitifs

-7:00p Evening dinner in Cortona

May 17 Friday - Cortona

-9:00a-12:30p Morning Session

-1:00p Lite Lunch

-FREE AFTERNOON

-7:00p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona

May 18 Saturday – Departure

-Morning Check-out

-8:00a departure from Cortona with escorted return to Florence airport.

Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate.
Note: Transfers are provided only for programmed meals and activities away from the hotel.
Note: All guests are responsible for handling their own luggage/baggage....we suggest to pack light.
Note: No refunds are given for any unused aspects of the itinerary or for any activities outside the above itinerary.

Special Hotel Plans... All-inclusive w/ private room/bath & Group Meal Plan...$3990.00 per person! $3850.00 per person double occupancy w/Group Meal Plan! Special Non-participant rates! Go to Enrollment page!

Toscana Americana Workshops

Proud Partner of

Hotel Santa Margherita, Cortona

Participant Supply List...

Meet your host in Tuscany...Patrick Mahoney

Patrick Mahoney has called Cortona, Italy home since 2001! Patrick shares his very personal and intimate knowledge of Cortona's people, history, art, culture and food & wine to Toscana Americana Workshops experience. With his love of travel and after studying and working for many years in the Art & Entertainment industry Patrick's sensativity creates and shapes, along with a stable of wonderfully talented instructors, meaaningful, creative and memorale experiences in the Arts. A testament to the quality of the Toscana Americana Workshops experience is the large number of participants who return to enrich their lives while participating in creative programs...not only in Cortona, but also the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, Venice, Portofino, as well as Santorini, Greece and Austria, and the American Southwest!!

About Cortona...

Cortona is one of the true jewels of the Tuscan “hill towns.” Cortona, which is often called the “City of Art,” has its origin as an Etruscan city that pre-dates Roman times with sections of its walls dating back some 2500 years. As is typical of Tuscan hill-towns, Cortona is a walled city that, for purposes of defense, was built atop a prominent geographical point. The stone buildings and streets not only have the romance, style, and charm that are particular to Tuscany, but also speak of the lives and times Cortona has witnessed. An encounter with Cortona is an encounter with music & art, with history and with spirituality. Getting to know this timeless city is a real rediscovery of our past. Cortona offers testimony to its history as well as an enchanting view of the landscape enclosed by Lake Trasimeno and the Apennine mountains

Frequently Asked Questions and info

Covid-19 Protocols and Safety Measures (No current restrictions as of August 25, 2023)
To respect our local host communities/countries and to ensure the safety and health of our guests and participants we follow the safety measures and protocols in place by our host communities/countries at the time of any given workshop or program or tour. These measures and protocols may vary and or change from time to time as well as during the course of any given workshop or program or tour and we will adapt to and abide by official safety measures and protocols. All of our guests and participants, without exception, are expected to adapt to and abide by official safety measures and protocols during any given workshop or program or tour in which they are participating. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks are the responsibility of each guest or participant. Health documents such as proof of vaccination or inoculation or other required by a host country, such as Italy for example, are the sole responsibility of each guest or participant. We strongly suggest all such documents are carried on-person at all times during any given workshop or program or tour in which they are participating.
Persons who may be in an at-risk category or state of health are suggested to not participate.

New requirements to travel

to Europe starting 2024