Transforming raw experience into art.

			Writing Retreat in Tuscany September 25 – October 2, 2009 Optional extension for the Arezzo Antique Fair, October 3 – 4 Join us as for a week of writing and traveling in Italy’s jewel, Tuscany. We’ll be based in the beautiful, medieval town of Arezzo, home to exquisite Renaissance frescoes and other art treasures. Exploring the softly rolling countryside with vineyards, olive groves, and deep green cypress trees, we’ll visit charming nearby cities and towns. Arezzo’s famous antique fair will take place the weekend after our retreat and you’re welcome to extend your stay if you’d like to attend. Find your own rhythm and become part of Arezzo’s daily life. Stroll down the Corso Italia, where the locals take their evening passeggiata. Window shop, people watch, stop in the handmade pasta market, relax at a sidewalk café with an espresso or glass of wine. The pace is slow, the people warm and friendly. Life is sweet, la dolce vita. Most days, we’ll have a morning class in Arezzo and an afternoon excursion. Our visits to local markets, medieval towns, and Renaissance art will provide great material for writers of all genres and offer a rare opportunity for those who would like to write memoir, travel, food, art or history. We’re staying in lovely studio apartments, each with private bath and kitchen, owned by a delightful Italian family. The workshop includes classes, side trips, and time to write. This will be a memorable experience. We’re going green! For our day trips, we’ll take trains, which are convenient, easy and fun. The trip includes: Seven nights’ accommodations Welcome reception and three dinners    With bountiful markets and a kitchen in your room,    it’s possible to eat very well at a reasonable price. Writing classes    Most classes in Arezzo; one writing session in Orvieto. Tour of Arezzo, including the famed Piero della Francesca frescoes. Excursions to    Orvieto, in nearby Umbria, with its magnificent Duomo,    the Luca Signorelli Chapel, and Etruscan caves.    Cortona, of “Under the Tuscan Sun” fame. This delightful    hilltown offers shops, lovely churches, two fine museums,    and gorgeous views, including Lake Trasimeno.    Poppi, where we’ll visit the castle and take in the glorious    countryside. Arezzo is in the heart of Tuscany and Umbria, 40 – 75 minutes from Florence (depending on which train you take) and 2 – 2.5 hours from Rome. You’ll have a day at leisure, when you may visit Florence (40 minutes on the fast train) or Siena (1 hour by bus). If you’d like to extend your trip, we have reserved spaced at our hotel for the Arezzo antique fair, October 3 – 4. Cost $4150, based on double occupancy. Six spaces available at this rate. $500 single supplement. Five spaces available at this rate. Rates for trip extension for antique fair, Oct 3 and 4, upon request. Deposit ($500) due by March 1, 2009. Payment in full due by May 1, 2009. Minimum group: Six. Cost does not include airfare or ground transportation to Arezzo. (The regular train from Florence to Arezzo is 5.6 euros, from Rome 20.50 euros.) Please let us know if you’d like assistance with travel plans. * Price based on the dollar/euro rate more than a year in advance of trip may be adjusted to reflect exchange rate at time of trip. Space is limited. Registration is first come, first served, so sign up early! Links For a brief introduction to Arezzo, see http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/tuscany/florence/daytrips.html For current train schedules and fares, see http://www.trenitalia.com Call Laura at 415.388.0900 or email info@lauradeutsch.com regarding payment or other questions. Let us know if you’d like to receive information about future workshops in Italy or France.
	Umbrian landscape near Bevagna Medieval frescoes, Poppi Hidden garden, Civita di Bagnoregio Cyclist, Volterra Rose-covered Tuscan villa Hand-painted olive oil spouts, Deruta