Then, on to Venice to visit the most contemporary and innovative art show in Europe, the Venice Biennale. Venice is a beautiful city to cruise the canals and wander the side streets. This all in one trip!

Majena’s generous and informed talks accompany you at every point helping you appreciate what you are seeing. Enjoy the rich conversations with other artists as you take in the world’s most famous cultural museums. Don’t just dream of Michelango’s David, meet him in person. Come back feeling passionate about art, life and yourself…

This whole tour has been organized along the lines of offering you the focus, time and opportunity to develop your own particular areas of interest in regard to art. Help will be provided by Majena to assist you to hone your research skills, learn the vocabulary of art speak, uncover the ins and outs of Italian art history, and then the issues being offered in contemporary art…as well as how to negotiate the canals of Venice!

Ancient and Modern Art in Italy Tour Dates and Itinerary

• Transfers provided on arrival to your hotel
• Accommodation for 4 nights, at HOTEL ARCHIMEDE Hotel

• Total Cost twin share per person: A$6461.00
• Rates subject to change with Australian Dollar fluctuations
• Rates based on minimum of 10 passengers

Some highlights of the tour 

• Seven nights at the 17th Century historic Orchidea Villa just outside Florence. Completely restored and set on a large property of 90 hectares the villa and swimming pool is surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. On the days we are not traveling to well known nearby cities such as Siena and Florence, there is the opportunity to draw and paint some of the beautiful countryside around the villa. Our evenings will be full of fine food and discussions about art, inspired by the art treasures spotted on our travels. There will be plenty of free time to explore and work on your art making or just relax.
• Six nights accommodation in Rome. With time to visit museums and beautiful churches and see famous paintings in situ. Visit the recently re-opened Borghese Gallery, walk the Forum, the Pantheon, see the Sistine chapel, travel the Appian Way…with the potential to take a day tour in of Assisi or Pompeii
• Four night accommodation in Venice the highlight being attendance at the Venice Biennale the most prestigious and contemporary art event in Europe, walking tours of St Mark's Basilica, St Mark's Square, the Grande Canal, and the Gallerie dell' Accademia.

Tour Guide and Leader

Majena Mafe, (BA VArts with Hons & MFA ViArt MPhil CWriting)isa respected visual artist and teacher she is a lecturer in Creative Industries Visual Art at QUT, the BIA and is an arts mentor and art therapist. She is also a published writer. With over twenty years of experience, exhibiting and teaching art, her interest and talent lies in developing an individual’s passionate interest in art and their creativity.   

How much does the tour cost?

The tour has been priced with a minimum of 10 people in the group. The cost of the tour is $6,461.00 per person for economy class travel and share twin-bedded room. A $1500.00 deposit is required at time of booking. I estimate no more than 15 people though so that the tour remains intimate and personable. This price is based on what it would cost to do this itinerary this year 2005. After a deposit is paid the tour can be paid of as a lay-by system through the Blue Heeler Travel Centre if you prefer. See detail below. No visas are required if you have an Australian passport. 

What is included in the tour cost?

•  Return economy airfare (Brisbane via Singapore to Rome - Rome via Singapore to Brisbane) with Singapore Airlines.
• First Class Rail Travel from Rome to Florence, Florence to Venice, and Venice back to Rome.
•  All accommodation in Rome, Florence and Venice is provided.
• Admission to Uffitzi, Academia and Gallerie Borghese
• Art lectures and information at all significant museums and sights. Evening
• discussions of art, art history and theory and how to apply what you are seeing to your own work.
• Airport transfers and porterage of one piece of luggage per person at Rome.
• Services of Majena Mafe as tour leader and manager.

What is not included in the cost?

• Travel insurance (this is strongly recommended)
• Departure taxes
•  Tips to guides, drivers and individual services
•  Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
•  Personal expenses, such as laundry, phone, fax bills and room service.
•  Optional extras and sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary. Day excursions to either Sienna, Ravenna or Pompeii, and Florence by coach and public transport
• Meals at Villa in Florence- those these can be arranged to be catered for depending on requirements by Villa staff from fresh produce from the local area

Additional Information

• What will the weather be like?

What will the weather be like?

September is a good time of year to visit Italy. There are long days, but it is not too hot. In the day time temperatures will be around 18 to 22 degrees, dropping to 12 to 14 degrees at night. You should require nothing heavier than a wind-jacket or a coat, plus clothes you would wear for an Australian spring. On the whole, it is dry in central and northern Italy at this time; however it is reasonable to expect light rain and grey skies on a few days.

For further information or to book a place on the tour…

Contact us for further details, registration forms and terms and conditions.

A completed registration form and a deposit of $500 is required to secure a place on this tour. This deposit is due at time of booking.

Blue Heeler Travel Centre

If you wish to extend your tour travel within the US after or before the tour or otherwise extend this tour please contact Rosina at Blue Heeler Travel Centre

Ph: 07 38614499, email: rosina@blueheelertours.com.au. She will be only too happy to assist you with information on extensions you might wish to make on top of the above tour.