Take a Photography Tour in Rome and Learn with an Expert

Last updated on April 2nd, 2026 at 03:01 am

Rome, with its sumptuous churches, lively street scenes, and evocative Roman ruins, is a photographer’s dream destination. If you’re looking for a unique experience in Rome, consider booking a Rome Photo Fun Tour.

With professional photographer Giulio d’Ercole, you’ll learn how to capture images that are well framed, beautifully lit, and truly memorable.

Giulio offers some of the best photo tours in Rome, from half-day and full-day city walks to multi-day photography adventures across Italy. His group tours are kept intentionally small (no more than four people), or you can opt for a private tour, which I did.

Photo Credit: Giulio’s stunning photo of Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome is at the top of this post.

Giulio’s tours are open to everyone, from amateurs with a smartphone to serious photographers with professional gear. His tours are energetic, comprehensive, and packed full of valuable tips.

I recently joined Giulio on his Rome Churches, Angels, and Art Photo Tour, a 4-hour exploration that took me through seven of the city’s most photogenic churches and hidden corners. Armed only with my iPhone, I came away with sharper skills, a camera roll full of artistic shots, and a fresh perspective on Rome.

Full disclosure: While I did pay for my tour with Giulio (money well spent!), I will receive a small commission if you click on any link to Giulio’s tour site and purchase a tour. Thank you!

📸 Photography Tour Itinerary: Rome Churches, Angels & Art Tour

Here’s a quick look at the stops and subjects you’ll capture on Giulio’s 4-hour Rome photography tour:

• Santa Maria Maggiore – Golden ceilings, pilgrims, and basilica grandeur
• Santa Prassede – Byzantine mosaics
• San Pietro in Vincoli – Michelangelo’s Moses
• Santi Apostoli – Underground frescoes and hidden Christian history
• Street Scenes & Ruins – Cobblestone alleys, ivy-draped balconies, and a taste of ancient Rome
• Sant’Ignazio – Trompe l’oeil ceiling illusions and a year-round nativity scene
• San Luigi dei Francesi – Caravaggio’s masterpieces
• Sant’Agnese in Agone – Baroque ceilings on Piazza Navona
• Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers – Sculptural storytelling

Why Take a Photography Tour in Rome?

A Rome photography tour is the perfect way to see the Eternal City through a new lens—literally. Instead of rushing from one monument to the next, you slow down, observe details, and learn techniques from a professional.

Here’s how my morning with Giulio played out, starting at 8:30 am in front of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Santa Maria Maggiore

The crowds are already starting to swell at the security checkpoint when I arrive and meet up with Giulio d’Ercole, owner of Rome Photo Fun Tours.

It’s Jubilee year and a Saturday, so busloads of pilgrims have arrived from all around Italy. Many wear matching scarves printed with the name of their diocese.

Giulio leads me into the massive basilica and quickly gets down to business. He starts by showing me how to take a good picture of the stunning ceilings.

Giulio shares that he likes taking pictures of people and points out some church-related subject ideas such as pictures of people in the confessionals.

I’ve generally avoided taking pictures of people, so Giulio’s perspective is new to me. He tells me not to be shy, and over the course of the morning, I get bolder and snap a few candid shots of my own.

👉 Tip I Learned: Don’t be afraid to include people in your photos. Candid moments often bring a story to life.

Santa Prassede

We go next to Santa Prassede, a church that features several amazing Byzantine mosaics (my favorite kind!).

This church is less crowded, giving us more opportunities to compose pictures without jostling for position.

I learn “not to be lazy” and walk closer to a subject to take a picture of it rather than depending on the camera’s zoom feature to get a shot that lacks resolution.

Here are a few of my shots of the mosaics at Santa Prassade.

👉 Tip I Learned: Zoom with your feet. Walk closer to the subject for sharper, more detailed images.

San Pietro in Vincoli

We hop into Giulio’s car and drive over to San Pietro in Vincoli to see Michelangelo’s statue of Moses. Giulio explains how it was sculpted from one piece of marble and positioned to catch the light.

He talks about telling a story of a subject that takes the viewer from the whole subject to a series of closeups.

👉 Tip I Learned: Tell a visual story by moving from wide shots to close-ups. Create a narrative, not just a snapshot.

Outside the church, Giulio stops at one of Rome’s many water fountains called nasoni. I’ve heard of these, but never used them. He demonstrates how to get a drink and tells me how the city began installing them in the 1870s to provide a free and public water supply. 

Here’s Giulio demonstrating how to get a drink from a nasoni.

Santi Apostoli

This church is my favorite of the seven churches we visit. It is built over an early Christian church that features many remarkable Roman-style frescoes. We descend below the altar and have the shadowy hallways and chapels of the early church to ourselves.

While I take pictures of the Roman-era paintings, I enjoy listening to the orchestra that is rehearsing in the main church above us.

Thanks to Giulio’s example, I’m learning how to look for new and different perspectives, and so snap this photo of the cello cases lined up alongside the pews.

👉 Tip I Learned: Look for unusual perspectives and contrasts; details often tell the most powerful stories.

Street Scenes and Roman Ruins

On our way between churches, we veer down some lovely cobbled streets that hint at what Rome used to be like before so many of the buildings were turned into tourist apartments.

Giulio shares how Rome now is very different from the Rome he knew growing up in the 1970s.

Meanwhile, I’m learning to not be shy and snap a candid photo of a priest walking down the street.

Millions of visitors are taking a toll on Rome’s communities. Many businesses have closed over the years and families have moved out to make way for short-term rental apartments, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Even so, Rome’s side streets are still magical. One minute you can be part of a throng of tourists streaming across the cobblestones, and the next you’re completely alone on a narrow street that looks like it hasn’t changed in centuries.

We pause to take pictures of buildings draped in greenery.

👉 Tip I Learned: Don’t just shoot monuments. Capture the everyday street details that give a city its soul.

We emerge onto the Via dei Fori Imperiali and while we walk past Roman ruins, Giulio shares his extensive knowledge of Roman history, particularly the rise (and fall) of fascism in the 20^th century and Mussolini’s attempts to bring Rome’s glorious past into the present.

Sant’Ignazio

Giulio sets a brisk pace and soon we’re off again to the next church, Sant’Ignazio. This is one of Rome’s more popular churches and is therefore quite crowded.

One of the attractions is the remarkable Baroque ceiling. Giulio points out the trompe l’oeil effects and explains how the black dome that looks like a dome at the beginning of the nave is shown to be flat-painted when we move to the center of the church.

We retreat to the quieter side chapels where Giulio encourages me to explore how light hits statues and to focus on only one or two elements.

San Luigi dei Francesi

I am looking forward to checking out the famous trio of Caravaggio paintings in San Luigi dei Francesi. With the morning well advanced, the crowds have increased considerably and I need to wait my turn to get a shot.

The light is too glaring on the central figure, but I manage to take a few photos, including this one, which is my favorite of the three paintings.

I’ve seen quite a few Caravaggios during my visits to Rome (most notably at the Museo Borghese) and have grown to appreciate Caravaggio’s use of light, the movement he imbues his figures with, and his depiction of everyday people instead of idealized figures.

Sant’Agnese in Agone & Piazza Navona

Our final stop is Sant’Agnese in Agone, where Giulio once again has me look up to capture the magnificent ceiling details.

We end a wonderful (and packed) morning by circumnavigating Bernini’s famous Four Rivers fountain in Piazza Navona. Giulio stops at each of the four statues and unravels the many clues that Bernini sculpted into the statues to indicate which river each statue represents. I learn that only the statue representing Europe has its face turned to the viewer.

I snap pictures of the blinding white marble against a very blue Roman sky.

Practical Details for Your Rome Photography Tour

Here’s what to expect when you take a photography tour with Rome Photo Fun Tours.

• Length: 4 hours
• Pace: Brisk; expect thousands of steps
• Group size: Max. 4 people
• Skill level: Beginners to advanced
• Equipment: DSLR, mirrorless, or smartphones all welcome
• Insider tip: Don’t zoom; step closer to your subject for clarity.

Final Thoughts

My Rome photography tour with Giulio was intense, inspiring, and absolutely worth it. I walked thousands of steps, took dozens of photos, and most importantly, learned how to see Rome differently.

What I appreciated most about this experience wasn’t just improving my photography skills. It was how slowing down changed the way I engaged with Rome itself. Learning to notice light, texture, and everyday details turned familiar streets into something new. This kind of creative, experience-driven travel is what keeps me returning to cities like Rome.

Whether you’re a serious photographer with advanced gear or an iPhone shooter like me, this is one of the best photography experiences in Rome and a refreshingly unique thing to do in one of Europe’s most heavily touristed cities.

Giulio adapts his instructions to every skill level and makes sure you leave with sharper skills and memorable images.

Next time I’m in Rome, I’ll join his most popular tour: Rome at Night Photography Tour.

If you’re planning a trip to Rome, don’t just take photos; learn how to make them unforgettable. Book one of the best photography experiences in Rome for independent travelers and capture the Eternal City through an artist’s lens.

This post reflects the kind of creative, culture-rich travel I feature on Artsy Traveler. Learn more about how I collaborate with cultural travel brands.

More Creative Activities on Artsy Traveler

Here are more posts about creative travel experiences in Italy to explore while traveling:

• Opera in Rome at Palazzo Poli: Magic Meets Music
• Fire Up Your Creativity with Italiana Tours
• A Visit with Tuscan Artist Silvia Salvadori in Arezzo, Tuscany
• Experiential Travel: How to Connect With Local Artists

Get Inspired at a Writing and Art Retreat in Tuscany

Last updated on March 21st, 2026 at 03:06 am

Looking for a creative retreat in Tuscany where you can focus on your art or writing in peace? Then consider booking a week’s stay at Casale di Clio, an 18th-century village house located in tiny Vetteglia, about an hour’s drive north of Lucca.

Here, you’ll find stunning views, cozy rooms, and inspiring spaces designed to inspire writers, painters, and poets.

I spent a week at Casale di Clio working on my novel while my husband, artist Gregg Simpson, painted in the “art barn”. The peaceful, jaw-droppingly gorgeous surroundings are exceedingly conducive to contemplative, creative work.

We both left feeling energized, productive, and deeply inspired by this magical corner of Italy. And no wonder! Look at the view from my top-floor room.

Highlights: My Stay at Casale di Clio

The Setting – Casale di Clio

In the charming village of Vetteglia, founded in Roman times, Casale di Clio offers breathtaking views of valleys and mountains. The retreat is run by Adrian, from Devon, and his Italian wife, Tiziana (Tizi), who live in part of their thoughtfully renovated stone house.

Four guest rooms, each with a desk, are reserved for artists and writers. Three of these have ensuite facilities, and a fourth uses a bathroom a short way along the corridor. Guests also share a kitchen, dining room, library, balcony and terrace, plus the newly renovated “art barn” and are welcome to use the garden, complete with chairs and a sunshade.

Daily Rhythm

My week was a productive mix of writing, walking, and soaking in the atmosphere. Mornings at my desk with a view of the Tuscan hills stretching out before me led to some productive writing stints.

Afternoons meant terrace breaks, library time, and woodland walks to nearby villages. Gregg worked happily in the art barn, spreading out his supplies in a space designed for creating art.

Meals were a pleasure: cooking with ingredients from Tizi’s garden and the village shop, or joining Adrian and Tizi for homemade dinners. We also enjoyed excursions to Bagni di Lucca, once a favorite spa town of Mary and Percy Bysshe Shelley, Byron, and the Brownings.

The Experience

The week wasn’t just about word counts, although I did manage to write over 10,000 words. It was about reconnecting with my work-in-progress, finding clarity, and even weathering a rainy-day writing crisis with the misty Tuscan hills for company. Gregg declared the art barn the best studio he’s ever had, and I found myself more focused and inspired than at any other point during our European travels.

Final Thoughts

Casale di Clio is not a vacation spot; it’s a creative retreat designed to give writers, painters, and poets the space to work in extraordinary surroundings.

If you’re looking to escape distractions, breathe in mountain air, and invite the muse to visit, this Tuscan haven may be exactly what you need.

Full Journal: Day by Day at Casale di Clio

Day 1

After a twisty, turny drive up to the village of Vetteglia, we veer down a narrow road and park near an ancient chapel below Casale di Clio. Adrian bounds down the hill to greet us, then cheerfully hauls our luggage up to the house in a wheelbarrow.

Here’s the view up from where we parked the car to the Casale di Clio. My room’s the middle one.

Casale di Clio does not accommodate couples in one room, preferring to rent rooms to individuals. Gregg is in the Galileo room and I’m next door in Hildegard. Each room has a desk, cupboard, double bed, and small ensuite bathroom with a shower and toilet. Just steps away is another bathroom equipped with a large tub.

But we are not confined to our rooms! Retreat guests also have the run of the ground floor, which includes a kitchen, dining room, living room, library, and terrace. There are lots of places to work.

Gregg and I get settled, and then Adrian takes me and the other guest for a walk around Vetteglia and the surrounding countryside. We learn that the village is home to about fifty people, including a few expats, some holiday homes, an Airbnb, and several Italian families with young children.

Here’s the view from the main square, which is actually just an overlook with space for a few cars to park.

We descend to Adrian and Tizi’s large vegetable plot, enclosed by a mildly electrified fence to stop wild boars. Apparently, it doesn’t stop porcupines, which manage to do some damage.

Adrian and Tizi grow squash, cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, and other crops. I sample a handful of cherry tomatoes the next morning—delicious.

Below the plot is a hillside that’s also part of the property and available as a place to bring a chair and commune with nature while writing, painting, or just thinking. The views are spectacular!

After our walk, I set up my computer and get to work. By the time Adrian calls us to a welcome aperitif before dinner, I’ve knocked out 900 words, a big win for me!

For most of the five weeks we’ve been in Europe, I’ve been lucky to manage 300 words in a day. I’m determined to buckle down this week at Casale di Clio and get a solid 10,000 words written.

I’m working on the first draft of a new novel, always the most challenging part of the writing process for me. Like many writers (perhaps most!), I don’t particularly love writing—but I love having written.

Gregg and I meet Adrian and Tizi on the terrace for a festive glass of prosecco and some nibblies. The third guest is tired and chooses not to join us.

We launch into a lively conversation and quickly discover common ground. Adrian shares his love of sports cars with Gregg, a fellow enthusiast, and tells me about the historical novel he’s planning to write. Who knew that the host of this writing/art retreat is also a historical novelist?

Tizi serves a tasty lasagna dinner followed by homemade fig pie with ice cream.

The welcome dinner is included in the price of the seven-day retreat. For the rest of the week, we have full access to the well-equipped kitchen and can also pay extra to have dinner prepared for us. I tell Tizi we’ll eat with them on Wednesday.

After dinner, Gregg returns to the art barn while I pound out a few more words and attend to email. Thankfully, the Wi-Fi is strong throughout the house, a relief after four days near Lake Garda at a place with no Wi-Fi in our room.

Day 2

I wake early on our first full day at Casale di Clio, make a coffee, and settle on the terrace for a phone call with our daughter back in Canada. By 8:30 am, I’m back in my room and at my desk.

My goal is to write 2,000 words a day—a lot for me. I’ve heard of writers cranking out many more, but I’ve learned to let go of envy. Writing is deeply personal: what works for one writer may not work for another.

By 11, the sun pouring into my room is too hot for me to continue. I close the wooden shutters and go for a short walk. At every turn is a new vista, a new photograph, a new idea. I can see why Adrian and Tizi chose this place to live in and share as a retreat.

I make myself an early lunch and spend the afternoon roaming from room to room, terrace to terrace—writing, reading, and thinking. By mid-afternoon, I’ve passed the 1,000 word mark.

In the small library, I spread out research books on van Gogh and his time in Arles. The first part of my novel is set in 1888 in Arles and features both van Gogh and Gauguin, although the story is not about them.

At 6 pm, I venture out for a longer walk. Paths wind through the forest and across the hills. The afternoon light casts deep shadows across the Tuscan landscape, and I give myself over to the magic of this stunning area.

A brisk 20-minute walk takes me to a crossroads. I choose the far-left road and eventually end up in San Gemignano, the closest town to Vetteglia, where we’ll shop on Monday. Vetteglia itself doesn’t have any stores.

Back at Casale di Clio, I cook lemon-buffalo stuffed pasta with cacio e pepe sauce, plus a salad and tomatoes from Tizi’s garden. After dinner, I return to my desk and finally hit my 2,000-word goal.

Day 3

I’m at my desk by 8:30 am and manage 1,000 words before breaking at 11 to walk with Tizi to San Gemignano.

She takes me through the woods along a track that likely dates back to Roman times. Tizi explains that Vetteglia was founded by a retired centurion who was given the land as payment for his military service. The path is steep and rocky but beautiful and very peaceful.

At the village shop, I stock up on food, including sausages for dinner. I walk back along the road. It’s a less charming route, but easier when laden with groceries.

The afternoon is low-key—reading, resting, and research—but by 4 pm, I’m back at work and produce another 1,000 words.

Gregg is equally happy: the art barn gives him space to spread out and work.

Day 4

Rain and thunder roll in overnight. A rainy day is the best kind of day for a writer, but instead of cranking out more words, I waste the morning tumbling into research rabbit holes and existential doubt.

I take a break to film the cacophony of swallows swirling through the sky outside my window. I learn later that they are having one last swoop through the village before winging off to Africa for the winter.

By day’s end, I’ve written zero words. Instead of beating myself up, I publish an Artsy Traveler blog post, answer emails, and Zoom with a potential publicist for my next novel, The Choir (coming February 2026).

Days like this happen despite the best of intentions. If I must have a writing crisis, at least Casale di Clio is a beautiful place to have one.

Day 5

The rain lingers, but I’m refreshed. I spend the morning rethinking my novel’s plot and purpose. It’s hard work but necessary.

At noon, Gregg and I drive down to Bagni di Lucca, once a fashionable spa town. Mary Shelley edited Frankenstein here, and later the Brownings stayed by the river, where Robert proposed to Elizabeth. Literary history lives in these hills.

Back at Casale di Clio, Tizi serves us a dinner of risotto with courgettes and freshly foraged porcini mushrooms. I’ve never tasted mushrooms so good.

Day 6

The morning is productive, but our attempt to eat lunch in San Cassiano goes awry. We can’t find a restaurant, so we keep driving. The SatNav goes out, but fortunately the road winds down into the valley and back to Bagni di Lucca.

We settle at an outdoor café, where we’re joined by a busload of Yorkshire tourists. I enjoy listening to their accents (The Choir is set in Yorkshire in the 1890s). After sipping a cappuccino and buying a few groceries, we head back up the narrow, hair-raising road to Vetteglia.

We spend the rest of the day in our respective work spaces. I make more progress with my novel and feel like I just might see a few glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel. Can I sustain it? I hope!

Day 7

I fill my last full day with writing and blogging. At noon, I walk to San Gemingnano and buy fresh porcini mushrooms from the village shop. Cooked in butter and olive oil and accompanied by a slice of fresh focaccia, they make a divine lunch.

In the evening, Adrian and Tizi drive us down to Bagni di Lucca for a farewell celebration—aperitifs at Café Italia followed by pizza. Thankfully, Tizi drives us safely back up the twisting road in the dark.

Here’s an admittedly doctored shot of Adrian and Tizi that I snapped in Bagni di Lucca and then put in front of a view of the Tuscan countryside.

We’re off!

Final clean-up, final check for belongings, heartfelt goodbyes—and we’re headed to our next adventure.

If you’re looking for a place to tune out the world and focus on a creative project in spectacular surroundings, Casale di Clio may be just the ticket. Find more information on their website.

Have you participated in a writing or art retreat? Share your experiences with other artsy travelers in the Comments below. Here’s my post about an art workshop with Italiana Tours:

• Fire Up Your Creativity with Italiana Tours

Fire Up Your Creativity with Italiana Tours

Last updated on March 21st, 2026 at 03:05 am

Thirteen people gather for an Italian art retreat in Le Marche, spending a week under the Italian sun drawing, painting, and soaking up the beauty of this drop-dead gorgeous, undertouristed region that invites exploration and jump-starts the imagination.

I’ve been invited to sit in for a day at the Italian Sketchbook Retreat, run by Italiana Tours.

Under the direction of Australian artist Rod Moore, I hope to flex my drawing muscles, and maybe even conquer my fear of the blank canvas.

Disclosure: I was hosted by Italiana Tours for two nights of accommodation at Il Parco Ducale in exchange for coverage of the Italian Sketchbook Retreat. As always, all opinions are entirely my own, and I only write about experiences I genuinely value and recommend to arts-focused and independent travelers.

I attended as an observer and participant for a single day, allowing me to experience the retreat as most travelers do and to write about it from an editorial, experience-first perspective.

Who This Italiana Tour in Le Marche Is For

The Italian Sketchbook Retreat hosted by Italiana Tours is designed for artists, writers, and creatively curious travelers who want to combine skill-building with cultural immersion. It’s ideal for those who enjoy slow travel, expert-led experiences, and meaningful engagement with a location, rather than fast-paced sightseeing.

Arrival at Il Parco Ducale

I arrive a few hours before the rest of the group and settle in at Il Parco Ducale, the retreat’s base. This beautiful old palazzo boasts brick arches, foot-thick walls, and heavy wooden beams. There’s also a swimming pool, and the town of Urbania, with its charming medieval center, is just a short walk away.

The palazzo is next door to the summer residence of the Duke of Urbino, built in the late 15th century. The magnificent Renaissance palace provides a dramatic backdrop for the art classes, while the surrounding landscape looks as though it’s been lifted straight out of a Renaissance painting. Add a few robed figures in the foreground, and you’d swear that time has stood still.

What is Italiana Tours?

Italiana Tours was founded about ten years ago by Piero and Katie Pagliardini to offer custom art tours and retreats, primarily in Le Marche and Puglia. Piero, a local expert, grew up in Le Marche, where he developed a passion for nature, hospitality, and art workshops in Italy. Together with the travel coordinator, Alex, they have crafted tours all over Italy.

Each retreat is led by a renowned artist. The retreat I’m sitting in on is led by Rod Moore, the star of two Australian TV programs—Plein Air Painting TV and Yes, You Can Paint—and founder of the online Learn To Paint Academy.

Our First Evening

By six pm, the group has arrived. Together, we ride into Urbania for a wine-tasting and pizza dinner.

At a cozy trattoria, we gather at one long table. The noise level quickly rises as people swap “Where are you froms?”.

We’re an international mix, with participants from Australia, Belgium, the U.S., India, and me from Canada.

We sample three wines—a sparkling, a white, and a red—all from the Le Marche region. Afterward, we stroll through the quiet town, past arcaded buildings, to a pizzeria.

My All’Amatriciana pizza is spicy and delicious, paired with another red wine. Dessert brings four digestifs, including the ever-popular limoncello, served ice-cold.

My Day at the Italian Sketchbook Retreat in Le Marche

The next morning, we assemble in the large breakfast room where tables are arranged in a U-shape. Rod leads us through warm-up exercises to prepare us for sketching en plein air later in the day.

I lose myself in drawing lines, experimenting with cross-hatching and stippling (new to me!), and studying values from dark to light.

Breaking a Scene Into Six Parts

Rod introduces us to the Rule of 6: breaking any scene into six basic shapes to capture the “big picture” before layering in details.

So we can practice breaking scenes into six parts, Rod has provided us with hundreds of reference photos on Dropbox. He also encourages us to use our own photos if we wish.

I flip through my photos and choose a quiet canal scene that I took on a recent trip to Venice to break into six shapes. It’s surprisingly challenging, and I quickly realize why the exercise is a valuable one for developing drawing skills.

The atmosphere is both relaxed and productive. Rod circulates, offering encouragement and practical suggestions. His teaching style is warm and approachable.

Afternoon Excursion

After lunch, we hop on the bus to Urbania for a visit to the Chiesa dei Morti. Excursions are part of the daily rhythm here. During the week, participants will visit the market in Urbania and Raphael’s childhood home in Urbino, and take a cooking class at a 12th-century mill.

I won’t spoil the surprise of what we found in the crypt of the Chiesa dei Morti, but trust me, it’s unforgettable.

While in Urbania, we stop to admire a view of the palace where the Duke of Urbino stayed when he was in town. Later in the week, the group will go to this location to do some plein air painting.

The Retreat Participants

Our group is a mix of retirees and mid-career professionals, some returning for their fifth retreat with Italiana Tours. That loyalty says a lot about the value of these retreats.

Some participants are Rod’s students, both in-person or online, while others are newcomers eager to learn. The retreat welcomes both painters and non-painters, with special outings for those not attending the classes. Here are some of the participants I got to know:

• Tim and Carol, from North Carolina, are seasoned travelers. While Tim paints, Carol joins the non-painting excursions.
• Rohit, from New Delhi, is one of Rod’s online students and has come for his first in-person workshop.
• Marie is on her fifth Italiana Tours retreat, having attended in both Le Marche and Puglia.
• Charles, a fellow novelist, is attending his fifth retreat as well, though it’s his first time painting.
• Beeb, from Australia, is attending the retreat after spending five months in Europe, during which she walked the 900-kilometer Camino di Santiago.
• Hans, from Belgium, is attending for the first time, hoping to develop his painting skills as he moves into retirement.

Several more of the participants tell me they’ve come because they know Rod’s work. The group bonds quickly over shared meals, travel stories, and artistic discoveries.

Plein Air Sketching

In the afternoon, I attempt my first plein air sketch. Nervous at first, I watch as Rod demonstrates, sketching the six “big shapes” of a building at Il Parco Ducale with confident pen strokes, and then filling in details.

When it’s my turn, my first drawing of the ducal palace flops. But with Rod’s good-humored encouragement, I try again, this time choosing a simpler subject.

To my surprise, I love it. The act of sketching outdoors, surrounded by such a timeless landscape, rekindles my long-lost interest in drawing. After just one day, I feel inspired to keep sketching (and maybe even start painting again).

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Italiana Tours

Piero and his team host approximately ten workshops a year, divided between Le Marche, Puglia, and Sicily. The retreats fill quickly, so if you’re looking for an artsy traveler’s dream week of creativity, food, and exploration, check out the Italiana Tours website.

The Italian Sketchbook Retreat is especially well suited to artists, writers, and creatively curious travelers who want more than a sightseeing holiday.

While structured art instruction is at the heart of the experience, the retreat also offers rich cultural immersion through food, landscape, and daily excursions, making it an ideal choice for anyone who values creativity and slow travel. Non-painting partners are thoughtfully included, with curated outings that reflect the same spirit of discovery.

Takeaway: One day at the Italian Sketchbook Retreat hosted by Italiana Tours was enough to fire up my creativity and demonstrate how well-designed creative travel experiences can leave a lasting impact.

This post reflects the kind of creative, culture-rich travel I feature on Artsy Traveler. Learn more about how I collaborate with cultural travel brands.

More Creative Activities on Artsy Traveler

Here are more posts about creative travel experiences in Italy to explore while traveling:

• Take a Photography Tour in Rome and Learn with an Expert
• A Visit with Tuscan Artist Silvia Salvadori in Arezzo, Tuscany
• Experiential Travel: How to Connect With Local Artists