“Visual Journaling and Meditation in the Land of St. Francis”

Ciao Italy Lovers,

Details have been finalized for the September 20 – October 1, 2011 “Visual Journaling and Meditation in the Land of St. Francis” tour to Villa Pieve in Umbria, the “green heart” of Italy!

In 2011, my tour co-hosts will be Rossella Vasta (www.rossellavasta.blogspot.com), director of Pieve School International, and her assistant, Roberto Ciampi. Several years ago Rossella, a celebrated artist and Franciscan in Italy and Europe, was named one of the three most influential women in Italy - her continued support of my healing and meditation tours insures us access to behind-the-scenes sites rarely seen by the public.

Villa Pieve, (www.pieve.com) the luxurious and beautiful historical residence of the Vasta family, will be our home-away-from-home in Italy. Surrounded by 7.8 acres of gardens, and overlooking olive groves, vineyards and a castle built in the 1000s, Villa Pieve is nestled in the charming medieval town of Corciano and a convenient 20 minute drive from Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, an ideal location for a rich variety of transformative experiences.

Experience in meditation or visual journaling is not a tour prerequisite; all of the Franciscan and natural sites have an incredibly touching, inspirational and peaceful beauty that can be appreciated by all. Our 2011 tour sites will include:

1-2 days in Perugia: the Medieval Gardens in the Benedictine Monastery where the core symbols that connected medieval people to “Creation” will be experienced through visual journaling and meditation; an Etruscan alter under St. Peter’s Church; the underground city of Rocca Paolina; St. Peter’s Church and art works; the Roman Aquaduct; Fontana Maggiore; and the Etruscan Arch.

We will also experience where Giovanni di Bernardone (later known as St. Francis) was kept prisoner for a year, an “interruption” that enlightened him about his future life. Participants will then have the opportunity to meet with authors of “Interruptio” and discuss the subject from different personal perspectives.

1-2 days in Assisi: Le Carceri where we will visualize our “inner treasure”; the Basilica of St. Clare where we will read the symbols on the cross that visually spoke to St. Francis at the beginning of his spiritual journey; San Damiano where St. Francis received a vision of Jesus and later wrote “The Canticle of the Creatures”; the Basilica of St. Francis featuring art works by Giotto; and Santa Maria Degli Angeli Basilica where the Porzinuncola is contained.

Lake Tresimeno: including a ferry to Isola Maggiore from Passignano; lunch at Isola Maggiore Restaurant. Lake Tresimeno is a place with which Francis felt a great connection. On this day we will also visit Mancianti Olive Mill, one of the oldest olive oil producers in Italy.

Cortona: the site of Le Celle where Francis wrote the first draft of his ethical will (2011 will be the anniversary of the event). We will have a private audience with well-known author and theologian Padre TeobaldoRicci  in a retreat of amazing beauty (one of my favorite places in Italy).

La Scarzuola at Montegabbione: in 1218, Francis lived here in a hut made from scarsa (a plant). In 1957, Milanese architect Tommaso Buzzi built an “ideal city” on the site featuring circular buildings like Arabic astronomical observatories, zoomorfic buildings, meditation areas, a crystal tower, and an incredible “Labyrinth of the Soul”. Here we will design our own “inner maps.”

3 days at Villa Pieve: this is an opportunity for down time and to explore sensorial walks, participate in meditation and guided meditations and explore your personal sorrows as seen through the eyes of the soul. Optional: private excursions.

At Villa Pieve, Rossella will lead us through an I Ching Labyrinth Dinner, intended to raise awareness and mutual understanding. A gala dinner will be held in our honor at the end of the tour, featuring intuitive musical portraits of guests by well known flautist Andrea Ceccomori. During the trip we will also experience the food of Umbria and Tuscany , do a chocolate tasting at the Nestle Museum of Chocolate, visit the home and studio of well-known artist Antonella Parlani in Corciano (Antonella designed the symbol for the European Union), and more.

We will be running the tour with a minimum/maximum of 15/20 people which allows us the opportunity to be flexible re: weather and group energy in terms of what excursion will be on what day etc.  Thus far there has been a lot of interest in the tour. However we are still looking to fill 20 spots so please let others know of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Italy in a unique and intimate way.

The cost of the tour - not including airfare - is $2500. In the past, airfare has averaged between $800 - $1300 in June; because we will be traveling in fall, airfares are predicted to be on the lower end of that range. Participants will have the opportunity to fly out of Chicago with me on Sept. 20 or from an airport closest to home. The cost includes: 10 nights at Villa Pieve; all ground transportation and transfers; 1 welcome lunch; 10 days of healing art and meditation workshops and all art supplies; behind the scenes art tours rarely seen by the public; olive oil tastings and more.

To arrange payment, please contact Angelo Vasta at 262-302-9204 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Credit card payment can be made directly at www.umbriagroupusa.com. For my records, please email me confirming you have joined the tour. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me - I would love to discuss any details with you!

I look forward to being with all of you in Italy!

Peace and blessings,

Elizabeth Lewis

262-243-9602

www.elewishealingarts.com

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it