Italy Knitting Holidays with Beth Brown-Reinsel

Tour Info

OVERVIEW 

Our tour starts in Rome, one of the most enduring cities in western civilization, Rome’s vast range of historic sites creates an unrivalled sense of continuity between ancient and modern society.

Then travel to the Umbria region, home to many of Italy’s most charming medieval towns and elegant regional centers.

These regions are also celebrated for the beauty of their landscapes. Enjoy a week spent exploring the Umbria region of Italy: remote hill towns, rugged hills, agricultural valleys. Accented by visits to artisans and markets. Then relaxing at the pool and enjoying marvelous meals from local ingredients.

START & FINISH

The tour starts at 3:00pm on Sunday, March 19, at Hotel Quirinale, Rome. The tour ends after breakfast on Wednesday, March 29, at Brunelleschi Florence.

On the day of arrival, we will organize pick up times based on the majority of group’s arrival times at Rome-Fiumicino International airport. Similarly for departure, departure time will be set based on the majority of the group. Again, we will do our very best to accommodate everyone.

Itinerary

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1  Sunday           March 19        Arrive Rome

Check in at the hotel. Meeting the tour members at 6:30 pm in the lobby. Welcome dinner in local restaurant. (D)

Day 2 Monday          March 20        Rome

Discover the masterpieces of Rome in one day on this tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica & the Colosseum area. Vatican Museums are home to some of the most famous works of art in the world, with artists including Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Giotto, to name a few. An experience that is sure to inspire the art lover in anyone. The 54th gallery of the Vatican Museums is the famed Sistine Chapel. Completed around 1483, the Sistine Chapel is arguably the most famous chapel in the world due to the artwork located within, as the famous ceiling and the Last Judgement painted by Michelangelo. Free time for lunch, then in the afternoon tour of Ancient Rome including the Colosseum amphitheater which hosted ancient Romans, Senators, Emperors, and Gladiators as well as animals from all over the world. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Palatine Hill, the place of the foundation of Rome and the Roman Forum from the inside. (B)

Day 3 Tuesday         March 21        Rome-Spoleto

After breakfast depart for Spoleto by coach. On arrival in Spoleto, take time to freshen up before taking a short walking tour of the city followed by dinner at the hotel. Overnight Spoleto. (B L D)

Day 4 Wednesday   March 22         Village of Todi & Montefalco

After breakfast depart for a full day excursion and experience some of Umbria's most beautiful towns and villages. First, explore Todi – a hilltop village with views over the River Tiber. As you wander around its cobbled streets, you’ll get to see some of its most famous sights including Cisterne Romane, the Church of San Fortunato and the Tomb of Jacopone da Todi. Then travel to Montefalco, known as the balcony of Umbria. Here you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire valley, have the opportunity to explore the town’s landmarks, such as the Piazza del Comune, the Church of Santa Chiara, and more. To conclude our tour, visit a local winery to sip on the famous ‘Rosso Montefalco’ and ‘Sagrantino’ wines. Time permitting, we may also make a quick visit to Bevagna a medieval town with imposing walls, narrow streets and alleys, noble palaces, shops, churches, and wonderful monuments. (B D)

Day 5 Thursday       March 23        Spoleto

Full day knitting today. 6 hours session. (B L D)

Day 6 Friday              March 24       Cashmere Farm Chianti Cashmere/Siena

Breakfast in hotel then departure to Siena. Stop in Chianti region to visit a Cashmere Farm, then proceed to Siena, tour the city famous for its splendid examples of Gothic architecture and its Palio horse race, an annual tradition. Visit the intriguing Piazza del Campo, where the magnificent Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia stand. Later head to Piazza del Duomo and admire the imposing Cathedral, one of the finest achievements of Italian Gothic architecture. Before leaving Siena, enjoy some free time to explore its historic center at your leisure. Return to Spoleto for overnight. (B L D)

Day 7 Saturday        March 25        Spello & Assisi

After breakfast depart for a full day visit of Spello, Assis and Perugia. Spello is also known as the city of flowers. The streets of the small medieval village are all decorated with beautiful flowers. Spello is a perfectly preserved small medieval town. Do not miss a visit to the Baglioni Chapel inside the church of Santa Maria Maggiore where there are frescoes by Pinturicchio. Then proceed to Assisi where you can admire the famous Basilica of Saint Francis. Inside the Basilica you can marvel at the beautiful frescoes by Giotto and other famous artists that tell the story of San Francesco. A walk through the alleys will take you to discover other beautiful places such as the main square with the temple of Minerva or the Saint Clare Basilica. From the square in front of the Basilica of Santa Chiara, you can admire a splendid landscape over the Umbrian valley.  Return to Spoleto. Knitting session in the afternoon for 3 hours. (B L D)

Day 8 Sunday           March 26        Spoleto

After breakfast in the hotel, enjoy an Italian cooking lesson in Spoleto followed by lunch. Knitting session in the afternoon for 3 hours. This is optional, in case you'd prefer to wander on your own.  Or, you can take a Traditional Cast-ons class to learn six methods, plus some interesting bind-offs. You can also get help with the two projects we have already worked on. (B L D)

Day 9 Monday          March 27        Spoleto – Florence

It’s time to leave Spoleto! After breakfast transfer by coach to Florence , the Cradle of Renaissance. Check-in at the hotel, enjoy sights of Florence with local guide including Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens, Santa Croce Church, Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy and at the end the church of San Miniato Al Monte for amazing views over the city. (B)

Day 10  Tuesday       March 28        Florence

This morning, we will enjoy a Walking Wool Tour with Kate, discovering hidden gems and legends of Medici town.  Kate has chosen one of the oldest yarn shops in downtown for us to visit. Browse through the shelves and lose yourself in a wool paradise.  This afternoon is free to explore this magnificent city. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant in Florence. (B D) 

Day 11  Wednesday   March 29       Depart Florence

Our tour concludes after breakfast.  (B)

 Included meals are indicated with B, L, D.

Tour Leader

BETH BROWN-REINSEL

Beth Brown-Reinsel has been teaching historic and traditional knitting workshops, nationally and internationally, for over 30 years. Her focus has been to bridge the gap from 19th century knitting, fashion, and culture to present-day practices, making a connection to women, their daily lives, and their handwork. She has traveled to over 20 countries to research textiles, visiting museums to examine artifacts, gaining inspiration for the development of new knitting patterns and workshops. Her books, DVDs, and workshops explore historic knitting from many cultures, including the UK, Scandinavia, and the Baltic. Beth so enjoys working with knitters that she holds two retreats each year in Vermont beyond her busy teaching schedule. Her work can be seen on her website (www.KnittingTraditions.com) and on her Patreon project (www.Patreon.com/BethBrownReinsel).

View Bio and Upcoming Tours

Inclusions

TOUR INCLUSIONS

What is included in the tour price?

• 10 nights’ accommodation on a twin-share basis in 4-star hotels
• All breakfasts, most lunches and dinners
• Travel by private, comfortable air-con vehicle
• Services of well-qualified English-speaking local guides
• Entrance fees to museums, galleries, and attractions as mentioned in the itinerary.

What is not included in the tour price?

• International airfares 
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses and anything not mentioned

Due to the constant changes in the COVID restrictions worldwide, we highly recommend that passengers wait to purchase air tickets until the following:

1. The tour reaches the minimum number to travel.
2. Prior to the due date of their final payment (three months before departure), we will notify passengers the travel status and the requirements for travel to their destination. At that time they may choose to proceed with the tour or not. If they choose to cancel they may apply their non-refundable deposit to any other Opulent Quilt Journeys Tour within 18 months.

Please note: If passengers purchase tickets and the tour is cancelled or moved to a new date, we are not responsible for any loss regarding their ticket purchase.

Hotels

HOTELS

Rome, Hotel Quirinale (2 nights)
www.hotelquirinale.it 

Spolet, Hotel dei Duchi (6 nights)
www.hoteldeiduchi.com

Florence, Brunelleschi (2 nights)
www.hotelbrunelleschi.it