Visit textile destinations in Pisa and Lucca with Italian master weaver Laura de Cesare then join a 4 day workshop at Pat Kinsella’s new weaving studio in the hilltop town of Guardistallo near the Etruscan Coast. This trip also includes visits to the Tuscan towns of Bolgheri and Volterra.

Pat Kinsella is an award winning textile designer and educator who has taught courses in weaving, principles of textiles, and Italian fashion and culture since 1982. Her work is exhibited and represented in collections internationally, and she’s curated several exhibitions at the Textile Museum in Prato. Pat established her Prato textile design studio in 1985 and will offer workshops at her new weaving studio in Guardistallo, Tuscany in 2024.

Itinerary

Day 1

Checkin at our Pisa B&B and join us for an aperitivo followed by a casual dinner.

Day 2

We begin with a visit to the atelier of master weaver and textile designer Laura de Cesare. Originally from Milan, Laura has been based in Pisa for over 30 years. Her diverse practice ranges from Italian historical textiles to innovative and experimental textile art and design. Laura often collaborates with fashion and interior designers in Milan and abroad on bespoke textiles and custom projects.

Taking the train to nearby Lucca we visit Museo Palazzo Mansi with Laura to view its exceptional textiles and interior decor. The collection of fabrics owned by the museum traces Lucca’s textile production between the 15th and 20th centuries, while the Baroque style rooms of the palazzo remain an example of a 17th - 18th century Luccan merchant’s residence. We spend the afternoon in this beautiful city before returning to Pisa.

Day 3

Visiting Pisa’s Museo Palazzo Reale we learn about the historical textiles within this former Medici palace, including rare and exceptional 16th century dresses, and tapestries woven by the Medicean Florentine manufacture between the 16th and 18th centuries.

Checking out of our Pisa accommodation we depart by private minivan and drive 1 hour south to the Etruscan Coast. Driving through Tuscany’s coastal wine regions, we take in the scenic Viale dei Cipressi avenue of cypresses, celebrated in Carducci’s famous poem “Davanti San Guido”, before arriving in the village of Bolgheri. Following lunch in Bolgheri we explore the local area including the nearby beach and coastal pine forest. Heading up to the small hilltop town of Guardistallo, we checkin at our accommodation then meet up with Pat for an aperitivo, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Days 4-7

Pat’s new weaving studio in Guardistallo is located in an 18th century former monastery building, situated on the edge of this classic Italian town. The studio is a 10 minute walk from our accommodation at Villa Elena, and 5 minutes walk from local bars, restaurants and shops.

The 4 day weaving workshop will focus on bead leno techniques, textile design and the creation of a scarf. Working on 4 and 8 harness table looms participants will prepare warps and looms, experiment with a variety of bead leno techniques, then design and weave a scarf. Materials will include wool, recycled materials from Prato mills and existing materials from Pat’s studio.  

This workshop is limited to a maximum of 6 participants and is suitable for weavers and textile designers of all levels including beginners. Workshop hours are approximately 9am - 4pm. Daily lunches and refreshments are included, with workshop lunches and coffee breaks being at the local bar nearby. On the final evening we’ll get together for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8

Checking out at Villa Elena, we drive 30 minutes to Volterra, exploring this medieval Tuscan town’s alabaster workshops, museums and Etruscan heritage. Following lunch we depart Volterra mid-afternoon and arrive in Pisa around 4pm, where we depart.

Accommodation

We’ll be staying in apartment style accommodation in the grounds of Villa Elena, Guardistallo for 5 nights and in Pisa B&Bs for 2 nights. Both locations offer a very authentic, local experience away from touristic centres. Please note that these are simple, apartment style accommodations with kitchenettes, not hotels.

Villa Elena in Guardistallo is a 19th century mansion, and our apartments are located in a building in the grounds of the villa. Guardistallo is a classic Italian small hilltop town near the Tuscan seaside; it includes 4 restaurants, a pizzeria, 2 bars, 2 food shops, a theatre, a pharmacy and a bakery.

Our B&Bs in Pisa are located 5 minutes walk from Laura de Cesare’s atelier in an area frequented by locals that is convenient to the Pisa train station and international airport. Palazzo Reale over the river Arno is a 30 minute walk away, while Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli monuments and museums are a further 10 minute walk. Local buses are also available.

Inclusions

• Workshop – 4 day textile weaving workshop with Patricia Kinsella including all materials

• Atelier and Museum visits - Laura de Cesare textile atelier, Palazzo Reale museum in Pisa, Palazzo Mansi museum in Lucca, Volterra museums.

• Accommodation – 5 nights at Villa Elena in Guardistallo, 2 nights at Pisa B&B

• Meals – 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 aperitivi & 3 dinners

• Transportation – private minibus transportation between Pisa, Bolgheri, Guardistallo and Volterra. This trip begins and ends in Pisa.

• Guide – Access to local Italian guide for assistance

Cost

US$3250 Individual Room

Booking

Please ensure you read our Terms and Conditions and Covid-19 Policy. A US$250 non-refundable deposit payment is required to confirm your booking. Final payment for this workshop is due 60 days prior to the workshop start date.

Limited space - 1 place available.