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Trip History

2024

This was the inaugural collaboration between Artful Journeys, Miguel Rodé and the Bachfest. Led by the field's leaders the tripgoers came away experts in Bach's Cantatas hearing selections performed and analyzed by the greats of historical performance in Leipzig. 

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February 20-26, 2024

Sevan and a group spent 9 days in the footsteps of Chagall, Matisse, Renoir, Cezanne and Van Gogh. Sevan and Maria led the group around some of the gems of Southern France including Nice, St. Tropez and Aix-en-Provence. 

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March 20-29, 2024

Joe and Sarah led us on an excursion to hear lots of celtic music, romp through the green fields of Scotland and walk the beautiful, quirky streets of Edinburgh during one of the biggest and best music festivals in the world, the Fringe. 

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August 7 - 17, 2024

Lynn and a group went to Arles, France to learn new painting techniques. Beginners and advanced students alike used innovative techniques and created new art. 

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April 17 - 24, 2024

This annual trip to Bachfest in Leipzig was especially exciting with our new affiliations with Bachfest and the Cantata Trail, so we got a behind the scenes up-close look at the festival. 

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June 6 - 17, 2024

Sevan led a group to Venice to see the visual art history of this beautiful city. We spent a week wandering the museums of Venice, even with the rain, we saw some really amazing sights. 

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October 6 - 15, 2024

2024

2022

The Northern Soul

April 19 - May 1, 2022

Trip Description:

Seven Melikyan guided us through Belgium and Amsterdam while exploring in-depth some of the masterworks of art in museums which revel northern Europe as the cradle of the painting Renaissance.

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The 2022 Bach Festival,  Leipzig

June 10-20, 2022

Plein Air en France

May 7 - 14, 2022

Trip Description:

On this painting trip with Eli Cedrone we explored the historic city of Arles as we worked to produce art that memorialized the trip for years to come.  

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Sculpture of Vincent Van Gough

Music in Vienna

September 14-23, 2022

2023

Ceramics in  Italy with Jeff Shapiro

Jeff guided us through his favorite haunts in Rome, Orvieto, Siena and Faenza during this 11 day trip in Italy.  We met some of his colleagues, visit studios and museums of influential ceramicists of the areas, and also had of some great Italian cuisine.

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March 20 - 31, 2023

Art in Paris with Sevan Melikyan

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April 10 - 20, 2023

Sevan led another of his humorous, but incredibly enriching art history trips.  This time we visited Paris, where Sevan spent his growing up years and developed his love for the masters.  He shared them with us.

Cooking in Chianti

April 29 - May 6, 2023

We went to  Gaiole in Chianti, a medieval village in the middle of the Tuscan hills which was a refuge to be able to discover the fresh and simple flavours of this land immersed in an oasis of peace but at the same time was a starting point in the discovery of the magnificent places and landscapes that surround it. 

Together we learned to cook wonderful recipes from the region using fresh ingredients, taste the local wines and indulge our senses. 

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Bach Festival in Leipzig

June 4 - 19 2023

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The festival is a 10-day extravaganza of music by this great Baroque composer.  Every day we were greeted with the creations of Bach, in situ, where this musical giant composed, conducted, played the organ and raised his family.  The lineup of players was world class. 

Istanbul with Sevan Melikyan

September 17 - 27, 2023

Sunrise in Bosphorus

Sevan led us through his birthplace of Istanbul, accompanied by his sister Sheyda.  We saw beautiful artwork and learned about the city's long history. 

Joe Marchio led us on a musical and architectural tour through the Veneto in Northern Italy, starting in Venice made our way to Milan.   In this Italian city of canals, we attended an opera at La Fenice and saw its architecture relative to music and history. We stopped in Cremona to hear the Strads, and then moved on to Milan, where we visited The Last Supper;  some of its many art museums;  Ansaldo,  La Scala's production studio; and finally to La Scala, where we saw The Marriage of Figaro.  We also spent a lovely evening with Fernanda Giulini and her piano collection.

Piazza San Marco Venice

Music in Northern Italy

October 8 - 19, 2023

2023
2022

Along with Joe Marchio, a group of us attended the world famous 10-day extravaganza of music by the great Baroque composer. We heard works where Bach lived, composed and played the organ. 

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Joe Marchio led us on a musical tour of Salzburg and Vienna, both known for their long musical traditions. We dove into the lives and music of Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and others. 

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Art, Castles & Coastlines in Portugal

Art History in Provence, 2022

September 24 - October 1, 2022

November 6 - 16, 2022

Along with Lynn Goldstein, we created beautiful paintings using innovative techniques, experimented with color and interpreted the landscape through shape and pattern. 

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We traveled around Provence where great artists like Cezanne, Van Gough, Renoir, Chagall, Matisse and Picasso lived and worked. Seven Melikyan provided commentary and background to guide us through this incredible cultural experience. 

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Italian Cooking Camp with Vilma Noga

August, 2021

Music in the Loire Valley

May 24 - June 2, 2022

Trip Description:

Vilma Noga and her husband Bledar and sons Davide and Andrea came to the cape and taught a lucky group some amazing Italian recipes from scratch.  

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Trip Description:

Clarinetist Jon Manasse, pianist Jon Nakamatsu and the Ying Quartet—traveled to the Loire Valley in France, where they led ten days of recitals, musical 

demonstrations, conversations, and concerts for a group of about 25 fans.

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Chateau Noirieux, Loire Valley, France

Pesto made from scratch

2019

September 3–12, 2019

Cucinare in Chianti

October 5-12, 2019

Trip Description:

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The charming, hill-covered region of Chianti is lush with food and wine. Join Chef Liza as she teaches fundamental cooking skills using ingredients from the best markets in town. This will be a hands-on experience. The tastes and skills learned will translate any time you are in the kitchen so you can take what you have learned in Italy and bring your trip back home.

Tuscany Region, Italy​

Roman amphitheater in Arles, France

If you’ve ever wanted to suffer from sensory overload from the great artists in Provence, here’s your chance! The artists include Cezanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso. These artists all lived and worked in this lovely region of southern France; many of their homes, studios, and works are still available for us to visit so that we can better appreciate their works, lives, and legacies. Sevan Melikyan will lead us in the footsteps of these artists as he shows us and talks to us about the individual artists, their histories and how they connect to one another.

And we can’t forget the French food!

2019

Pedaling Through Paris & England

May 8-18, 2019

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St. Paul's Cathedral, London

Trip Description:

Join Joe Marchio as he pedals his way through the pipe organs of Paris, Chartres, London and Norwich. 

A Brush with Portugal 3

May 20-27, 2019

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The Albatroz Hotel, Cascais

Trip Description:

Join Eli Cedrone’s fifth workshop with Artful Journeys LLC and the third in Cascais. Eli’s workshops are designed to be fun, stimulating and stress-free experiences, for beginners to advanced students alike. Everything has been carefully organized so all you have to do is paint and enjoy the wonderful experience of being in Cascais, Portugal. Come experience the sharpness of color, decorative tiles everywhere, and the warm sun and people of Portugal.

Musique au Chateau de Noirieux

Plein Air Workshop

June 3-11, 2019

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Trip Description:

Our Loire Valley trip will provide chamber music lovers (and Manasse/Nakamatsu fans) 8 days of bliss.  Staying in the beautiful Château de Noirieux near Angers, the Jons, joined by cellist David Ying, will treat us to daily music sessions and at least one concert which will be open to the public at the château.

 

Loire, France

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Trip Description:

Paint with American Society of Marine Artists “Fellow” and ARC “Living Master” Sergio Roffo in the beautiful countryside of Tuscany for 4 full days while staying in a lovely villa. Then travel to Sergio’s hometown village of San Donato Val Di Comino on the Abruzzi mountainside and experience the medieval architecture and landscape replete with olive groves.

Sergio teaching painting​

Art History in Provence

October 13-23, 2019

Trip Description:

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2018

2018

Art History in Provence/Cote d'Azure

November 4-14, 2018

Norway: Land of the Midnight Sun

July 5-19, 2019

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Vieux Nice, Nice

Trip Description:

If you’ve ever wanted to suffer from sensory overload from the great artists in Provence, here’s your chance! The artists include Cezanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso. These artists all lived and worked in this lovely region of southern France; many of their homes, studios, and works are still available for us to visit so that we can better appreciate their works, lives, and legacies. Sevan Melikyan will lead us in the footsteps of these artists as he shows us and talks to us about the individual artists, their histories and how they connect to one another.

 

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A beach in Norway

Trip Description:

The CSO’s 2018 Artful Journey will take us to Scandinavia in July, when it will be warm and light for many hours each day.  You might want to bring an eye mask, so that you can get some zzzzzzzz’s.

A Brush with Tuscany 3

A Brush with Portugal 2

September 30-October 7, 2018

Trip Description:

May 8-15, 2018

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Tuscany, Italy

Join Eli Cedrone’s fourth workshop with Artful Journeys LLC and the second in Tuscany. Eli’s workshops are fun, stimulating and stress-free experiences, for beginners to advanced students alike.  Everything has been carefully organized so all you have to is paint and enjoy the wonderful experience of being in Panzano, Tuscany. Come experience the gentle colors of the Chianti hills, morning mist rising to reveal vineyards and olive orchards, wonderful Tuscan food, and the warmth of the wine, culture and people. You will experience calm and beauty.

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Trip Description:

Join Eli Cedrone’s fourth workshop with Artful Journeys LLC and the second in Cascais. Eli’s workshops are designed to be  fun, stimulating and stress-free experiences,  for beginners to advanced students alike. Everything has been carefully organized so all you have to is paint and enjoy the wonderful experience of being in Cascais, Portugal. Come experience the sharpness of color, tiles everywhere and the warm sun and people of Portugal.

Eli painting the shore

Provence

2017

Discovering Lucca

Focusing on Prague

September 30 - October 7, 2017

September 9 - 16, 2017

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Trip Description:

Come with us on a seven-day food, music and cultural tour to the beautiful, eleventh-century, walled city of Lucca, Italy. The city is the birthplace of one of the world’s most beloved opera composers, Giacomo Puccini, who wrote La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, and Tosca. Historically, Lucca was a hub of silk production which created much wealth among its citizens.  Gastronomically, the area is now well known for its high quality olive oil and farro, something similar to spelt wheat, and chocolate.

Lucca, Italy

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Trip Description:

Prague, Czech Republic 

Join us as we explore a stunning medieval city while you improve your photography skills. Regardless of what camera you are using, even if it is your cameraphone, you will learn the basics of photography and take photos amid one of the most stunning cityscapes in the world!

Paris & the Loire Valley

A Brush with Tuscany 3

May 27- June 6, 2017

Trip Description:

May 6-13, 2017

Trip Description:

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This trip, first to Paris and then to the Loire Valley, is abundant in music, urban life, famous sights and also rural relaxation. Included in this trip is an opera, a symphonic concert, and much chamber music, along with fantastic French food, a wine tour in the Loire Valley, and time to unwind.

Chateau in France

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Join Eli Cedrone’s third workshop with Artful Journeys LLC. It is designed to be a fun, stimulating and stress-free experience for beginners to advanced students. Everything has been carefully organized so all you have to is paint and enjoy the wonderful experience of being in Cascais, Portugal. Painting locations are carefully chosen for scenic beauty and class size is limited for plenty of one-on-one instruction.

Eli instructs in Fiesole

2016

2016

Musica a Due

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Turin, Italy

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2015

2015

A Foodie Trip to Emilia Romagna

November 11-20, 2016

October 14-22, 2016

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Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu

Trip Description:

Musica a Due promises to be a dream trip for chamber music enthusiasts. We will stay in the charming town of Bergamo for four full days and then in the more bustling metropolis of Milan for four days. While accompanying us throughout the trip, the two Jons will not only help us understand the music we hear, but will also perform in unique venues.

Hotel La Posta

Trip Description:

A friend asked me if I would put together an autumn trip focused on food. I did, so back we go to Reggio Emilia from October 14 to 22, 2016. We will explore not only the culinary treasures of Emilia Romagna but also some of its other storied cultural nuggets.

We will learn to make their pasta; we will see Parmigiano Reggiano being made and balsamic vinegar aging sweetly in the attic;  we will taste wines, cheeses, and salumis and perhaps some newly found truffles while we enjoy dining in excellent restaurants. On the non-foodie side of life, we will visit a castle or two and the Ferrari museum in Modena.  Shopping is always an option.

Plein Air Val d'Orcia

September 4-14, 2016

A Brush with Tuscany 2

June 18-25, 2016

Trip Description:

Trip Description:

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Join Susan Hope Fogel, an award-winning painter, as she leads an inspiring, intensive, landscape painting workshop in Italy's Val d'Orcia. Seven of our nine days in Italy will be devoted to painting instruction by Susan, with at least one full day of relaxation, and excursions to Florence and Siena as well!

Artist in a field in Italy

Join Eli Cedrone’s second workshop with Artful Journeys LLC. It is designed to be a fun, stimulating and stress-free experience for beginners to advanced students. Everything has been carefully organized so all you have to do is paint and enjoy the wonderful experience of visiting the Florence area of Tuscany. Painting locations are carefully chosen for scenic beauty and class size is limited for plenty of one-on-one instruction.

Eli painting

Photography in the Dolomites

The Silk Road Cultural Series

June 9-16, 2016

Trip Description:

Once again, Paola Bianco and I are teaming up to produce another art-focused trip, but this time the art is photography and the locus is Soprabolzano in the Dolomites or the Italian Southern Alps. This is the area where Germany and Italy intermingle and both languages and cultures are prevalent. The scenery is beautiful with lush green mountains in early June and wildflowers abounding. The food is also a combination of German and Italian cuisines: I can’t wait to eat the broetchen topped with cheeses at breakfast. We will start our trip in Verona, stay there for 2 nights and then go up to the Bolzano for the duration of the workshop.

Trip Description:

You won’t need a passport to explore the culture of the Far East. This season’s companion trip* to the Cape Symphony’s Passport Concert (The Silk Road and Beyond, performances January 16 and 17, 2016) actually includes four local trips to places where you can experience different aspects of Asian culture and history close to home.

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Peabody Essex Museum

The Pleasures of Emilia Romagna

October 11-20, 2015

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Interior of Teatro Regio di Parma

Trip Description:

Our food trip last fall to Umbria was so successful that we have decided to try to surpass ourselves with a new trip to the food capital of Italy, Emilia Romagna. Food designer and writer John Carafoli will give cooking lessons, lead us to and through markets, and will talk about specialty foods of the area, while John Murelle, baritone and voice teacher, will introduce us to the operatic legends of the area and talk to us about the music we will hear during several performances.

Buona Bologna

October 20-27, 2015

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Palazzo Trevi Charming Hotel

Trip Description:

Did you know that Bologna is known as the epicenter of Italian cuisine? Why is the best pasta sauce called "bolognese"? The fresh veggies, tasty salumis, formaggio parmigiano, finely aged balsamic vinegar and crispy Lambruscos all stem from the region of Emilia Romagna, of which Bologna is the capital.

 

At the heart of this wonderful town is food. And that is what Paola Bianco aims to show you through walks through the markets, cooking classes, visits to regional artisan makers of wine, vinegar, and gelato; all of which will be integrated at meals in some of Bologna's best restaurants.

 

Since she is an architect by trade, but also a passionate foodie, Paola will also guide us on an architectural tour of the city. I will indulge us in a day completely unrelated to food (except for lunch and maybe an afternoon coffee or gelato), and a day in Ravenna to view that city's superb mosaics.

The Arts of the Val d'Orcia

The Crown Imperial Tour

May 27 - June 3, 2015

Trip Description:

April 13-21, 2015

Trip Description:

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I am so happy to be able to present this trip to you. The Val d'Orcia is my Italian home. Our hosts will be Giuseppe and Paola Giordano of La Montalla Azienda Agricola in the tiny town of Contignano. We can't see or do it all in one week, but you will get a very good idea of the people and artistic wealth of the region in our one week journey.

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This trip is limited to 20 music lovers, and will be accompanied by 3 co-hosts. Travel on a cultural odyssey to the United Kingdom, where art, architecture, and of course music will be our focus. We hope you will come along and join our group on this, the third, CCSO Passport Trip.

La Foce

St. Paul's Cathedral 

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