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.

In 2010 our writing tutor will be HELENA DRYSDALE – Helena has a History of Art degree from Cambridge which led to her first job as Co-editor of ARTSCRIBE magazine. Besides her journalism for many national newspapers, journals and glossy magazines she has published 6 books of memoirs which explore her travels and family history. She has taught on Skyros and Arvon courses, was Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Exeter University and taught on our memoir writing course in France in 2009.

Our painting tutor will be MARY KNOTT. Mary is a painter, illustrator and experienced teacher. Her exuberant, colourful and humorous work reflects her warm and generous teaching style.

During week 1 there will also be a series of reading group discussions led by JULIA BLACKBURN – Author of 10 books of fiction and nonfiction (‘With Billie’, ‘Old Man Goya’ ‘The Three of Us’) and several radio plays, Julia has been nominated for many major awards. She taught both the Ways With Words Memoir Writing Course in France and the Creative Writing Course in Italy in 2009.

During week 2 there will be a series of general/philosophical discussions with PETER STANFORD – Peter Stanford is a writer, journalist and broadcaster. His books include biographies of the Labour Cabinet minister, Lord Longford; the Poet Laureate, C Day-Lewis; Bronwen Astor; and Cardinal Basil Hume.

A former editor of the Catholic Herald (1988-1992), he writes for papers including The Independent on Sunday, Observer and Daily Telegraph. He presents television and radio documentaries including the award-winning Channel 4 series, Catholics and Sex, BBC 1’s The She Pope, Channel 5’s The Mission and has appeared as a regular panelist on the BBC's The Moral Maze, Vice or Virtue? and FutureWatch.

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.

Prices for 2010 are:
£880 per person, full board, sharing an ensuite bedroom (£50 pp reduction if sharing a bathroom)
£1290 per person, full board, single occupancy en suite. (£50 pp reduction if sharing a bathroom)
Flights are not included but a coach transfer from Bologna airport is included.
(Terms and Conditions apply - see brochure download)

Dates for 2010 are 25 September - 2 October and 2 - 9 October.
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.