Educational vacations to a unique travel locale: Orvieto, Italy

About

Welcome! We love Italy. Bill first hit Italy's shores for several years as a youth in the middle 1960's. Kristi made her first trip in 1993. Together, we have been returning ever since. In 2003 we began leading unique travel trips. We absolutely adore sharing the pleasures and magic that are Italy. We design our educational vacations so you see, taste, touch, feel, and hear Italy as a native.

Hands-on learning through an art or craft medium enlivens your awareness, helping you experience Italy more deeply. Our teachers are skilled at working with both beginner and experienced artist or craftsperson. For those who absolutely feel they have no creative bones, we offer two options. One is to come along with a spouse or friend on the companion trip. This trip plugs you in to the cultural activities of your companion, provides other local experiences, and gives you time to explore on your own. The second option is one of our trips each spring and fall to savor Italy – Savoring the Artful Life in the spring and Orvieto with Taste in the fall. Regardless of your choice, you will experience Italy intimately and learn to Make Haste Slowly.

A cultural immersion experience complements your hands-on learning in our educational vacations. We created Adventures in Italy to provide a rich, real, learning Italian holiday. Unpack your bags for the week, giving you the time to truly experience this charming place. We love how Italians embrace life, making it an artful exposition. To capture this basic truth, the week is peppered with local experiences and interactions. At the very least you will:
   • Be introduced to the joys of Italian Culture by local Orvietani
   • Cook a meal with an Italian chef
   • Visit a vineyard and taste Orvieto Classico wine
   • Experience the local produce, meat, cheese and fish market
   • Be introduced to local wine through a wine tasting
   • Take part in the passeggiata - the traditional evening walk
   • See perhaps the best Gothic cathedral in all of Italy
   • Learn about Italy's Etruscan ancestors dating to 800 B.C.
By spending time in one place, slowing to the Italian pace, feeling the rhythms of the day, and experiencing what local Orvietani do you are able to begin to appreciate the seductiveness of the dolce vita - sweet life. Your art or craft helps you see Italy even more acutely, providing a powerful way to relate to and filter what you are experiencing. Our trips are truly captivating.

We know how intimidating travel to a foreign country can be. Language, currency, and customs are different and can be overwhelming at first. In our unique travel model, not only do you travel to learn, but you also learn to travel. We have discovered that everyone is capable of traveling comfortably and safely in foreign lands. With lots of guidance from us and hand holding when needed, you gain the confidence and independence to enable you to strike out on your own. We provide detailed information, help you make decisions and choices, get you to Orvieto safely, all the while working to build your skills and comfort as a traveler.

We hope you will join us. We keep our groups small because it is the only way to fully appreciate Italy. Furthermore, small group travel is much more enjoyable as you get to know your fellow travelers. We want to answer your questions, address any concerns, and make this an absolutely fantastic adventure for you. Call, e-mail, or write us. We can't wait to hear from you!

Kristi and Bill Steiner

"This exceeded expectations. I would like
   to come back and get to know it better."

"To arrive in such a rural, small city and
   immediately see that we had arrived
   almost in a fairyland was overwhelming.
   Having been here several days walking,
   looking, and sensing all that Orvieto has
   to give and offer us, where do you begin
   to explain it all. Orvieto is lovely, friendly,
   very aesthetic along with being so
   beautiful, historic, vibrant."

"I was struck immediately by the
beauty of the countryside and then by
the difference in how people relate to
each other."

"What I had previously defined as beauty
changed. Details I saw by being able to
slow down enabled me to see new
beauty."

"It was fantastic! Wonderful! Hated the
traffic – I wanted Utopia. Setting was
fantastic – people were great. Leadership
phenomenal – Thanks so much."

"Wherever I go now, any town or city, I
take the time to look at everything around
me, to stop and observe the people, to
study the architecture, the streets, the
way people move around and how they
interact. You really taught us to slow
down and appreciate our towns and
cities, wherever they may be."

"I had a great time here in Orvieto. It was
great to meet the group and everyone
brought their own perspective to add. The
city is remarkable! I do believe one week
is plenty of time to spend here at one
time. Thank you Bill for bringing this
experience to us."

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