In 2017 and 2018 Helen designed and conducted the ‘Mosaics of northern Italy Tour’ with Ingrid Gaiotto (In Giro Tours). Commencing in Venice with visits to mosaic sites in Torcello and Orsoni in Cannareggio, and exclusive Venetian locations such as the private Venetian boat museum Arzana Squero, the Tour then went east to the little known province of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Travelling from the former Roman city of Aquileia to Spilimbergo and later to Ravenna, this incredible itinerary included two short technique-based courses at with leading mosaic Maestre Carolina Zanelli (Spilimbergo) and Arianna Gallo (Ravenna). The ‘Mosaics of northern Italy Tour’ will be repeated once more – in late May 2021. Obligation-free Expressions of Interest are now invited, please contact Helen for details.
The inaugural ‘Naples and Sicily Mosaic Study Tour’ took place during 14-28 October 2019. This highly successful itinerary commenced with Neapolitan highlights including specialist guided tours of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the unique mosaic collection at the Naples Archaeological Museum and visiting the charming nearby island of Procida. Then flying from Naples to Catania in Sicily, the tour took in the extraordinary Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina before a week-long mosaic workshop retreat at the exquisite Le Case di Tindari in Sicily’s north. This Tour concluded with several days viewing late Byzantine Norman mosaic sites in Cefalu and Palermo, whilst staying at the Palazzo belonging to the Duke and Duchess of Parma, descendants of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, author of famous Italian novel The Leopard. The ‘Naples and Sicily Mosaic Study Tour’ will be conducted again by Helen and Ingrid in late April 2021. Obligation-free Expressions of Interest are now invited, please contact Helen for details.
