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Day 1: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2006                                    Villefranche-sur-Mer

Joining workshop members will be met at Nice airport early afternoon and transferred by air-conditioned coach to nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer, a beautiful Italian style fishing port and holiday resort a short distance from Nice. The town owes its name to the Count of Provence, Charles II of Anjou, nephew of St Louis, who founded it at the start of the 14^th century and gave it commercial freedom.  The workshop hotel commands wonderful views over the ocean and is close to the fishing port and the local shops and many good value restaurants.  After a welcome drinks party the workshop manager will recommend good value restaurants for dinner.

Day 2: sunday SEPTEMBER 3, 2006                                         Villefranche-sur-Mer

After breakfast the workshop group will take a sightseeing tour of Nice, the neighbouring towns and the nearby Principality of Monaco with a local guide.  We will commence by exploring Nice and the famous pebble beach, the Promenade des Anglais, the colorful market area and the narrow streets of the old town.  We will then travel to Monte Carlo, playground of the rich and famous.  Interesting sights include the casino, the port and the rock where the Royal Palace stands.  After lunch at leisure John Lovett will commence the painting program with a demonstration followed by individual teaching.

Day 3: monday SEPTEMBER 4, 2006                                         Villefranche-sur-Mer

A full day of painting, relaxation and enjoyment in spectacular Villefranche-sur-Mer under John’s helpful eye.

Day 4: tuesday SEPTEMBER 5, 2006                                       Villefranche-sur-Mer

A full day of painting in the Old Town with John Lovett.  There is much to paint.  A row of brightly painted houses line the waterfront and the Rue du Poilu, the main street, is the centre of a network of narrow streets, some of which are stepped or vaulted.  Great subjects!

Day 5: wednesday SEPTEMBER 6, 2006                                Villefranche-sur-Mer

After breakfast workshop members will join a private coach for a day of painting and exploration in the hills to the north of the Riviera.  We will spend most of the day painting in St Paul de Vence, a beautiful medieval village located high up on a spur overlooking the Vence Valley.  There is much to paint and interesting art galleries and shops to explore.   The workshop group will return through other interesting Riviera hinterland towns and villages.

Day 6: thursday SEPTEMBER 7, 2006                                   Villefranche-sur-Mer

Painting, relaxation and enjoyment on the French Riviera with John Lovett.  Workshop members will be able to take the regular local bus from outside the hotel in the free time to visit nearby central Nice - perhaps a visit to the impressive Matisse and Chagall museums.

Day 7: friday sEPTEMBER 8, 2006                                          Villefranche-sur-Mer

Painting, relaxation and enjoyment on the French Riviera with John Lovett.

Day 8: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2006                                     Villefranche-sur-Mer

Our final day in Villefranche-sur-Mere will commence with John's final demonstration followed by individual teaching.  There will be time for a final critique session before an enjoyable included dinner.

Day 9: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2006                                              Departure

Mid-morning the workshop group will be transferred to Nice airport and railway station to join departing flights and trains.

Workshop 1 concludes  

Workshop 2: ARLES, PROVENCE - FRANCE

Day 1-9: SUNday SEPTEMBER 10, 2006                                          Arles, Provence

We will meet joining workshop members mid-morning at Marseille airport and transfer them north to the three-star workshop hotel, located right in the centre of Arles.  At a welcome drinks session John Lovett will outline the workshop plans. We will recommend a good value local restaurant near the hotel for dinner.

Day 2-10: MONday SEPTEMBER 11, 2006                                          Arles, Provence

Arles is right in the centre of the Provence region and has a rich Roman and medieval history. It is also famous for its fine wine and good food. One of the great places we take you to will be the Boulevard des Lices, a popular spot for locals, that is lined with plane trees and full of colorful cafes. You won't know what to paint first. There are the Roman ruins, including the impressive amphitheatre, which is still used for bullfights; the cathedral; the gardens; markets and the Rhone River.

After breakfast, we will take a walking tour of the town of Arles with a local guide who will provide background on all the important sights. After lunch, to get you started, John will do a painting demonstration in a particularly picturesque part of the town and give you personal assistance and helpful advice as you work.

Day 3-11: TUESday SEPTEMBER 12, 2006                                          Arles, Provence

You will enjoy a full day of painting and relaxation in spectacular Arles under John's helpful eye.

Day 4-12: WEDNESday SEPTEMBER 13, 2006                                    Arles, Provence

You will spend this day exploring the countryside of Provence. We will take you and the group to delightful St Remy de Provence to see the asylum where Vincent Van Gogh was confined in 1889 after he cut off his ear following his split with Gauguin. There will be a painting session in the nearby olive groves before we take you to the interesting hill town of Le Baux on the way back to an evening of leisure in Arles. Today we travel through the Vaucluse hills to the medieval hill village of Gordes, which is crowned by an eleventh century castle, for a day of painting and exploration.  On our way back to Arles we will visit the village of Roussillon, remarkable for its rich red ochre pigment that the Romans used for glazing pottery. Most of the village is constructed from the reddish local stone.

Day 5-13: THURSday SEPTEMBER 14, 2006                                          Arles, Provence

Another relaxing and productive day of painting and instruction from John in the beautiful town of Arles.

Day 6-14: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2006                                               Arles, Provence

The group will visit the historic town of Avignon where John will join you explore and paint subjects such as the impressive Palace of the Popes and old Avignon, as well as the museums and the market area.  We travel back to Arles for an evening at leisure, stopping for sightseeing and pictures at the breathtaking Roman Pont Du Gard aqueduct.

Day 7-15: SATURDay SEPTEMBER 16, 2006                                            Arles, Provence

Painting, sightseeing and relaxing in Arles.

Day 8-16: SUNDay SEPTEMBER 17, 2006                                                 Arles, Provence

Our last full day in historic Arles. John will find a great spot for a demonstration and later in the day he will hold his final critique session.  We believe you will be thrilled with what you have learnt from him.  We will come together for an included farewell dinner to celebrate the success of the workshop.

Day 9-17: MONDay SEPTEMBER 18, 2006                                                   Depart   

Time to say farewell.  After breakfast you will be transferred to Marseille airport for afternoon return flights. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR VACATION

• First class instruction from world famous artist and teacher, John Lovett.

• Workshop 1: 8 nights in a comfortable three-star hotel located in Villefrance-sur-Mer, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

• Workshop 2: 8 nights accommodation in a centrally located three-star hotel in Arles.

• Painting in the countryside, villages and towns of the French Riviera and Provence, France.

• Sightseeing tours with local guides in Nice & Monaco and Arles.

• Continental breakfast daily.  Farewell dinners in Villefrance and Arles.

• Welcome drinks parties.

• Workshop accompanied by a professional workshop manager.

• Arrival and departure transfers.

• A certificate confirming the successful completion of the workshop.