‘The Blue Walk’ Appeals to Solo Travelers with Art Walks in Europe

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Walking vacation specialist “The Blue Walk” has announced the dates for a variety of Art Walks in France and Italy that have proven to be a hit with solo travelers.  Tailored to all skills levels, the tours are led by popular artist-teachers.  They provide the perfect opportunity for budding novices and experienced artists to “follow in the steps of the masters” in some of Europe’s most picturesque cities and coastal towns.  Tours are limited to small groups to allow for maximum one-on-one opportunities between students and art instructors.

Available tours include Art Walk Italy that incorporates watercolor and sketching lessons with artist Leslie Fehling, September 22 – 29; Watercolor Sketching in Pariswith artist Laure Ferlita, October 7 – 13; and Chalk Painting in Florence, Italy with Tracy Lee Stum and Sharyn Chan, October 15 – 21.  The Blue Walk is also offering a limited-time bonus of one free night for all who book their vacations by February 28, 2018.

Jeannette Candau, co-owner of The Blue Walk, noted that art walks are especially attractive to solo vacationers, who look forward to indulging in their favorite pastime or picking up a new hobby in the company of like-minded travelers.

“There’s no awkward ‘getting to know you’ time in our walks,” said Candau.  “Our guests’ love of art is an immediate ice-breaker.  Lively conversations quickly spring up over favorite themes, techniques, and insights they glean from their experiences.  Since groups are small, teachers have plenty of time to work with each student to help them achieve their best at all levels.  We have beginners who have never picked up a brush before as well as experienced sketchers who are looking to capture their travel memories in a new and unique way.”

After morning art-themed walks that include rural trails, urban strolls and coastal paths, guests enjoy afternoons of free time to put the day’s lessons into practice.  In the evening, they can regroup at the hotel to review their experiences, admire each other’s creations, and exchange advice and tips on improving their craft.

Art Walk Italy

The 7-night Art Walk Italy, September 22 – 29, 2018, visits the Italian Riviera and Lake Como, an upscale resort region at the foot of the Alps.  Painting subjects include dramatic mountain vistas, lake-side sceneries, elegant villas, quaint sea-side villages, and centuries-old castles.  Prices for the tour start at $3,350 per person, based on double occupancy, and include daily buffet breakfast, welcome and farewell dinner, an all-day mid-lake ferry pass, as well as all hotel taxes, fees and service charges.  A 3-night extension that includes Padua, Verona, and Venice is also available, September 29 – October 2, 2018, starting at $1,095 per person.

Art Walk Paris

The “City of Light” has been inspiring artists for centuries.  Art Walk Paris leads guests on a “voyage of discovery” that ranges from architectural masterpieces to small cafés and shaded gardens. Art Walk Paris is scheduled October 7 – 13, 2018 and starts at $3,350 per person, based on double occupancy.  Prices include full buffet breakfast daily, a welcome and farewell dinner, Seine River cruise, a program of sketching and watercolor classes, and daily guided walks.  It also includes admission to the Paris Opera House, Orsay museum, the second level of the Eiffel Tower, and all hotel taxes and services fees.  A three-night extension is also available October 13 – 16, 2018 that starts at $895 per person.

Chalk Painting in Florence, Italy

Chalk Painting in Florence, Italy “takes it to the streets” of this famous city with Tracy Lee Stum and Sharyn Chan.  It introduces guests to the unique art of street chalk painting, using “canvases” that include the piazzas and streets of the Renaissance city of Florence, capital of Italy’s Tuscany region. Guests visit locations such as the Uffizi Museum, Boboli Gardens, Pitti Palace, and Bardini Gardens.  Scheduled October 15 – 21, 2018, prices start at $3,350 per person, based on double occupancy, and include a welcome dinner, buffet breakfast daily, hotel taxes and service charges.

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