Over the past dozen years, Dave and I have had great fun taking groups to countries in Europe, Central America, Mexico and the Bahama’s to experience different cultures. Painters and non-painters have explored hilltop villages, rafted down ancient rivers and zipped lined from mountain top to mountain top. We have been most fortunate to explore the ancient caves in the south of France, watch truffles being dug by a world famous truffletier, sample chocolate at an ancient chocolate plantation, tour wineries throughout Italy, France, Spain, Greece and Portugal. Visits to famous artists homes and studios such as Renoir, Monet, Cezanne, Picasso, Dali, Rivera and Van Gogh’s asylum bedroom were most memorable. Enjoy the photos from some of these past trips!
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Colorado, September 25 to October 1, 2011

This group spent a full week enjoying perfect fall weather in the Colorado Rockies at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort at Nathrop, CO. We painted during the day, then enjoyed soaking in the relaxing hot spring pools, massages and great food. Our last day was spent at St. Elmo, the ghost town, where we painted, hiked and enjoyed the hospitality of the Ghost Town B&B.

Picture Perfect!
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After a gourmet lunch at the St. Elmo Ghost Town B&B.
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Anita painting at St. Elmo.
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Denise painting at St. Elmo.
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Joye painting in the streets of St. Elmo, CO.
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Liza beginning her painting day at St. Elmo.
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Lucretia painting outside our studio.
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Liza and Joye painting after lunch.
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Linda painting in the studio.
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Breathtaking mountain scene! Hope to be back again soon!
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Italy, April 25 to May 7, 2011

39 travelers toured Rome, Italy, the Amalfi Coast, the Isle of Capri, Pompeii and Sorrento.

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Joye and daughter-in-law, Karen enjoying the day!
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The group touring the Colosseum in Rome.
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Touring ancient Pompeii.
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Dave and I climbed to the top of the Duomo in Florence, Italy.
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The drive along the Amalfi Coast was amazing! We explored the town of Amalfi and Ravello.
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Trevi Fountain in Rome.
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Italy Group 2, May 7 to May 17, 2011

22 people joined the second tour, staying a week in Tuscany and 3 nights in Rome.
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Painting Demonstration at San Fedele.
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Beautiful, peaceful San Fedele, Italy. We painted for a week here plus toured Florence, San Gimignano and Siena.
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Julia painting the landscape!
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Judy and Karen painting at San Fedele.
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San Miguel, Mexico

First group at San  Miguel, Mexico

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Enjoying the music group at our hotel on the first night!

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Don and Anita dancing to the music in San Miguel

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Saddle up!

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A perfect day to ride horses with Rodrigo, our guide!

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Group enjoying the beautiful Coyote Canyon ride.

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What a great experience!

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The group enjoyed a Cowboy lunch after the ride. Rodrigo, our guide is at the right of the photo.

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Painting at the main square in San Miguel always draws a crowd to watch. This group of students were anxious to practice their English.

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The main church, San Miguel, during the Day of the Dead Celebrations.

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A day at the La Garita Spa.

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Everyone really enjoyed relaxing at the Spa.

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Sally and Cheri really got into the spirit of the day of the Dead.

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Hand Painting pottery at the Santa Rosa Pottery Factory.

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We toured a weaving factory and watched the process in progress.

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Linda Eskritt, Joan Farrell, Theresa Drinka and I enjoy buying berets at the market at Issigeac, France.

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The group posing by an amazing castle we toured

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Evening demo in the kitchen

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Group at La Petit Rousett, France

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Monet’s home at Giverny, France

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Renoirs home, the Ville des Collette, in the south of France.

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Demonstrating in the olive grove at La Romita, Umbria, Italy

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Fun at the pool along Lago Maggiore, Stresa, Italy. From left to right, Sara Friedel, Dave Moon, Joye Moon, Milo Cushman, Laurie Leher, Connie Friedel and Sue Priem.

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Painting in the chapel/studio at La Romita, Italy. We stay at the ancient monastery and take day trips to surrounding villages to paint.

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The islands in Lago Maggiore, Italy were owned by the Borromeo family. They built a beautiful castle and this amazing grotto/garden on the island of Isola Bella.

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Milo Cushman and I painting at San Gimignano, Italy. The group is painting behind us.

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Demo at a man-made waterfall in Umbria, Italy

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Painting at San Gimini, Italy

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La Romita Courtyard.

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Demo at Carsule, Italy, an ancient Roma ruin

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Our group celebrating at a festival in Narni, Italy.

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Evening meal at La Romita, Umbria, Italy

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The second group to La Romita.

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A day at Pisa with Karen and Ed Malnory, Dave’s sister and husband.

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Dave and I at Parthenon, Greece

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Partial group at Delphi, Greece.

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The gals had to wear skirts for a tour of a monestary. We did get much more serious once the tour began.

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Greece Group. 37 travelers. What a great Group!

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Changing of the Guard, Athens, Greece

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Dave, Peter, Don and Howard learning a Greek dance! Let’s just say, they tried!

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Lunch feast in Athens.

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Demonstrating along the waterfront, Napflion, Greece.

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Music and salsa dancing on the river in Costa Rica

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We took many cruises on the river by Tortuguro to see crocodiles, caimans, Howler monkeys and exotic birds.

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Our guide was teaching us all about the migration of the sea turtles as well as plants that are used for medicinal purposes.

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Fun at the pool after a long day of exploring Costa Rica.

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Suiting up for the Zip Lines! Anticipation building!

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Judy, Adela and Lindsey ready to ZIP!

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Getting from one zip line to another high above the jungle floor. Joanie’s hanging on tight while the guys swing the bridge!

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Shelley zipping away!

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Judy coming in for a safe landing.

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We enjoyed a hot springs spa the evening of the Super Bowl Game.

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Our guide, Herman’s Harem.

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Sketching at the orchid farm.

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Our group was invited into homes of local artisans who belong to an Art Co-op. Here we are even being served coffee and freshly made cake.

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Painting at the pool in San Jose, Costa Rica.

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Partial group heading for home at 4:00am. It was an amazing trip! Filled with ecology culture and artisans.

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Twenty travellers explored Portugal in 2010. Our guide, Maria, is in the front with dark hair. She was the best EVER!

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Oporto has the Douro River running through it. These boats are replicas of the boats that would bring the wine barrels down the river for export.

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Oporto at night was spectacular!

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Our first evening meal in Oporto. There were 64 appetizer/salads to choose from plus a huge cheese table and then two entres to choose from! Dessert plus 5 different wine and port were served.

What a way to start this great trip!

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The STock Exchange Palace in Oporto was very beautiful and interesting.

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Port wine tasting at the Sandeman Winery in Oporto.

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Joanie attracting lots of attention with her drawing at the most well preserved Roman ruin at Coimbra.

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We visited the western most point of continental Europe at the lighthouse at Cobo da Roca.

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Lunch enroute to Evora.

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We visited many small towns such as Evora, Coimbra, Barcelos, Fatima, Obidos and Amarante. This winding street is in Obidos.

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This beautiful masaic floor is magnificent. Portugal is noted for tile as well.

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Outside the 12th century Alcobaca Monastery at Alcobaca. Tombs of King Peter and wife Ines are here.

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Inside the huge kitchen at the Alcobaca Monastaery. Two huge chimney’s travel up from the center of the kitchen.

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Lunch along the water outside Lisbon.

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Fields and fields of these beautiful lavender flowers on our way to our private wine and olive oil tasting at a famous winery.

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Cody and Joanie under the wisteria arbor at a garden adjacent to the National Museum in Oporto.

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Across this bridge was the Saint Goncalo Convent at Amarante.

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One of the fish mongers having fun with me!

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The beach at Cascais. There was a great walkway along the beach where you could walk to the next town.

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Painting along the beach at a cafe on a sunny day at Cascais.

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We learned all about ancient tile production still being authentically produced today. Mary even got to roll out the clay and make a tile.

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Many buildings and houses are completely decorated with hand made tiles.

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Beautiful architecture in Lisbon.

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Afternoon picnic in the country.

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Another elegant lunch. This time we were in Sintra.
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