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What's included in the price?

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6 nights accommodation

5 days of tuition

Transfers to and from the venue on the first and last days of the retreat (from and to Florence - Santa Maria Novella train station)

All meals and drinks (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks)

Alcohol (wine produced at the venue)

Extra activities (such as a pizza night and wine tour and tasting)

Laundry

Hairdryer, shampoo, soap

Wifi

Easels, solvents and brush cleaner

Models (when requested by instructor)

22% VAT

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What's NOT included in the price?

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Art materials needed for each specific retreat, such as paints, palette, palette knife and canvas.

Flights, transportation costs (except for our complimentary transfers on the first and last day).

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Transfers/How do I get to the Retreat in Tuscany?

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If you are attending an all-inclusive art retreat with Art Escape Italy and will be staying with us for the duration, we offer a complimentary group transfer to and from the venue departing from Florence Santa Maria Novella train station. The drive from the station to the venue takes around 45 minutes.

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Check-in is from 5pm and Check-out is by 10am.

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Our transfer to the venue will collect you on the first day of the workshop from Florence Santa Maria Novella train station at 4.30pm, you must confirm in advance if you plan to meet the transfer. Our transfer from the venue will take you back on the final day of the workshop to Florence Santa Maria Novella train station, departing from the venue at 10am.

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If you would like to book a private transfer or taxi at a different time or from a different location let us know info@artescapeitaly.com (please note private transfers and taxis are not included in the price of the workshop).

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What if I can't meet the transfer times?

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If you can't meet one of our complimentary transfers, then you can take an easy 25 minute train from Florence to Figline Valdarno (these trains run every hour and cost around €6). Once you arrive at Figline Valdarno, you can take a 10 minute taxi ride from the train station to our address: Antico Borgo la Torre, Località la Torre, 172, 50066

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Which airport should I fly to?

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Depending on which country you are flying from, you will find that airfares differ depending on which of Italy's airports you fly to. We recommend flying to either Florence, Pisa or Rome. Below we have provided some information about the travel options and distances from each airport to Florence Santa Maria Novella train station (Firenze S. M. Novella). 

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Important notes when travelling by train: 

1) We recommend that you use www.trenitalia.com to see train times and purchase your tickets online in advance if possible.

2) Make sure to stamp (validate) your train ticket before boarding the train, using one of the green and white stamp machines you will see on the walls at every station.

3) Keep in mind that train jouneys vary in length depending on which time you take the train, so make sure to look up the best train time on www.trenitalia.com or google maps.

 

Florence Peretola Airport is the closest airport to our retreat. You can take the tram or a taxi from Florence Airport to Florence S. M. Novella station, either of which options take around 15-20 minutes. Taxis are located right outside the airport and the tram station is just a 2 minute walk away. You should be able to purchase your tram ticket from the machines at the tram station - tickets cost €1.50.

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Pisa International Airport Take the Pisa Mover tram from the airport to Pisa Centrale train station (7 minutes), from here you can take a train to Florence Santa Maria Novella station (50 minutes).

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Rome Leonardo Da Vinci - Fiumicino Airport Take the train from Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport) to Roma Termini station (takes around 30 mins and leaves every 15 mins). From here take the fast train to Florence Santa Maria Novella station (1 hour 35 mins).

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Reception?

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If you are meeting our transfer at Florence station, please wait outside the entrance of the pharmacy (located inside the station) where you will be met by our transfer driver.

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When you arrive at the venue you will be welcomed and shown around the venue by a member of the Art Escape Italy team.

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How do I book and pay?

 

To book one of our workshops or retreats, go to the information page for that workshop and click 'Book Now', from there you will be taken to a different page which will allow you fill in your registration details and make your payment. If you don't have the funds to book and pay right now please send us an email info@artescapeitaly.com as we are happy to arrange a payment plan that works for you!

 

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What if I need to cancel my booking?

 

Please see our Terms and Conditions page for full details about our cancellation policy.

 

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What happens if the workshop or retreat I booked is cancelled?

 

If a given workshop has fewer than the minimum number of bookings before the course is due to start, the retreat will be cancelled and any persons who have booked to attend will be notified immediately. If a course is cancelled by Art Escape Italy, the full payment (including deposit) will be 100% refunded immediately. We only refund bookings with Art Escape Italy, we do not refund the cost of travel. We advise you to book travel insurance.

 

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If I am attending a retreat, can I bring a non-participating partner/friend?

 

Yes, we encourage you to bring along a non-participating partner or friend. The non-participant rate of €750 includes all meals, accommodation, extra activities, transfers and 22% VAT. We will happily assist in scheduling alternative activities for your partner, otherwise they are welcome to relax at the venue.

 

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Do I need to have painting experience to attend a workshop or retreat?

 

No. Our workshops and retreats are open to all levels from beginner to advanced, our instructors are all sufficiently experienced as teachers to be able to personalize the level of instruction to each student’s level. If in doubt, please email us with any questions.

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What should I bring with me?

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You will need to bring all of the necessary art materials listed in the information pack which we will send to you a few months before the start of the retreat. We will provide mediums, solvents, and easels so you do not need to travel with them.

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Studio Access?

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You are welcome to use the studio at our art retreat at any time of the day.

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What will the meals be like during the retreat?

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Meals will be mostly vegetarian, and made with fresh, local ingredients. We will provide Tuscan family-style breakfasts, lunches and dinners. All dinners will be accompanied by Tuscan wine, which has been grown and produced at the venue. You can also purchase additional wine to take home with you.

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We cater to dietary needs such as vegetarian and vegan, or for food intolerances such as gluten or lactose-free, please let us know your requirement or intolerance at the time of booking. However, if you have a serious condition, such as celiac disease please email us to discuss before booking. We cater to dietary needs rather than preferences.

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How many students are normally on a course?

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We welcome 12-17 participants on each art retreat, unless specified otherwise.

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How can I take my paintings home at the end of the course?

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Leave enough space in your suitcases so that you can pack up your work and take it home with you, we are happy to help you pack your work in a way that should prevent any damage.

 

If you don't have enough space in your suitcase then we recommend that you purchase a wet painting carrier, which can be purchased in various stores such as raymarart.com these are easy to carry and not too expensive, although these are only suitable for carrying panels. For transporting canvases which are still attached to their stretcher bars you can look at guerillapainter.com Make sure to buy one that fits the size of the canvas or panel you will be painting on.

 

If these options don't suit you then we can arrange shipment of your work to you - the cost will depend on the shipping company. This is an extra service we provide for your comfort, if any damage occurs during shipping this is not the responsibility of Art Escape Italy.

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If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email us on info@artescapeitaly.com 

We look forward to seeing you in Italy! 

Tana & Dorian

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