In late September / early October each year Ways With Words organises art and writing workshops and discussion groups in Italy. These are relaxed, informal holidays. There are taught courses for beginners as well as the more experienced and visits to nearby cultural centres. There's lots of flexibility and choice, swimming in the pool, boules, walking, mushrooming and of course, wonderful Italian food usually eaten al fresco.

Nothing is compulsory; participants can use the time and place as they wish. We want everyone to find the right pace for themselves, to be able to savour the beautiful environment and to go home totally refreshed.

Dates for 2012 are 22 - 29 September and 29 September - 6 October.

Course details and tutors:

ART TUTOR (BOTH WEEKS) - MARY KNOTT
Mary is a painter, illustrator and experienced teacher. Her exuberant, colourful and humorous work reflects her warm and generous teaching style.

WRITING TUTOR FOR WEEK ONE – BLAKE MORRISON
A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, former Chair of the Poetry Book Society and Vice-Chair of PEN, Blake has written fiction, poetry, journalism, literary criticism and libretti, as well as adapting plays for the stage. This, along with his experience as a Professor of Creative Writing at Goldsmiths, means that he is well placed to offer guidance in writing. Blake spent over fifteen years working as a literary editor, and continues to write for several magazines and newspapers including the Times Literary Supplement, the Observer, the Independent on Sunday and the Guardian. His articles have included features on children, football, cannabis, the BNP, care of the elderly, the Soham murders, 9/11, and the Iraq war.

WRITING TUTOR FOR WEEK TWO – HELENA DRYSDALE
Helena has a History of Art degree from Cambridge, which led to her first job as Co-editor of ARTSCRIBE magazine. Besides being a journalist for many national newspapers, journals and glossy magazines she has published 6 books of memoirs exploring her travels and family history. (‘Looking For George’and ‘Strangerland’ among others). She has also taught on Skyros and Arvon courses, was Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Exeter University and taught on our memoir course in France in 2009. Helena has tutored at Villa Pia in the past and is always very popular with the group.

TALKING IDEAS & BOOK GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Each week there will be two book groups and two ideas-based discussion groups. These will be run by a combination of writing tutors and the Ways With Words’ directors: Kay Dunbar and Stephen Bristow. The books and discussion topics will be sent to you well in advance of the holiday so that you have time to read the books and gather your thoughts.

DAY TRIPS
During the first week of the holiday there will be two half-day trips; one to San Sepolcro and the other to Arezzo. For the second week there will be a day trip to Perugia. Transport to and from these places is included as part of the package, but you will be responsible for covering the cost of your meals on these trips.

To find out more about this holiday course and to make a reservation please contact us on (01803) 867373 or go to our Contacts Page where you can send us an email.