Artisans in Umbria
2 to 9 May, 2010
$2600 per person, double occupancy
$350 single supplement
H illtop towns and outstanding craftsmanship fill our week in Umbria. The maximum twelve Tactile Travelers at Rome’s Fiumicino airport or the Perugia train station. After settling into our hotel, s time for an afternoon stroll before dinner, where we’ll catch up on Italian current events.
Perugia, capital of the region, was already a textile powerhouse in the thirteenth century. Lions, griffins and colored bands embellished linens and tapestries for the nobles. Religious motifs in gold and silver are found in vestments from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. And geometric patterns were woven at home for everyday use.
Both pedal and jacquard looms are on display at Giuditta Brozzetti. We will create jacquard design cards in an afternoon workshop in their beautiful studio.
The textile collection of the Villa Serbelloni will open just for our group. Traveling throughout the region, we’ll see historic embroidery, tapestry and lace in private collections and public museums. We’ll also compare how the weaving traditions express themselves today at the industrial and artisan levels. From lace at Lake Trasimeno to weaving in the hills of Citta di Castello and embroidery in Valtopino, there are a variety of visual and tactile delights.
By week’s end, central Italy’s textiles, food and beautiful countryside will become the fabric of our memories.
Your tour includes:
- Seven nights lodging, continental breakfast, and either lunch/dinner,
- Ground transportation for group activities,
- Jacquard Workshop Class,
- Entrance to museums/attractions included in itinerary,
- Bilingual tour leader,
- Travel insurance (see brochure for details),
- Tactile Travels Journal.
