In cosmopolitan Milan, we'll visit the awe inspiring Renaissance fortress of the Castello Sforzesco, where the ancient Visconti Tarot cards were discovered in an abandoned well. We’ll bask in the beauty of frescoes by Leonardo da Vinci and by Bonifacio Bembo, the creator of the earliest known Tarot deck. We'll visit living Italian artists, publishers and scholars who are among the most prolific in the field. We'll enjoy inspirational art showing how the richness of this culture fostered the Tarot. We’ll spend time with renowned Tarot artist and publisher, Osvaldo Menegazzi and be mesmerized in his shop Il Meneghello. And we’ll revel in the beauty of Milan itself, with its incredible Gothic Cathedral and famous piazza, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
In idyllic Ferrara we'll soak in the warm ambiance of a Renaissance village. Highlights to include a 14th century Palace, boasting frescos by early Renaissance painter Cossa, which depict astrological paintings that have a correlation to Tarot symbology, a majestic castle - art museum, and a Romanesque Cathedral.
We will stay in historically rich Bologna and get a private tour with the director of Museo dei Tarocchi, Ms. Poltronieri. She will reveal early symbology inherent in Tarot found in the magnificent Cathedral and wonderful museums waiting to be explored. Onward to Riola, where we will spend a day at the incredible Tarot Museum nestled in a small hilltop village, surrounded by majestic forests and mountains. A special garden party will be thrown for us there.
Next we will travel to the enchanting Tuscany region, with its tidy lines of cypress trees, endless olive groves, and lazy sunflowers…like gazing into an immense painting. Medieval castles and villages dotting the landscape and adding to this picturesque scene. We will stay in a fabulous ancient castle for 6 days while we travel the Tuscany countryside (the same castle that we stayed in 1999 with Brian Williams and where Michael and I had our marriage ceremony amongst the group; with Alexandra Genetti and Brian Williams acting as High Priestess and Priest).
We will visit Florence with time to explore its great and gentle beauty. And the charming Renaissance town of Pienza with street signs like titles of Tarot Trumps and enticing shops and beautiful Cathedral. We will stay for a spell in the marvelous medieval city of Siena which offers much to tantalize the palette and inspire the artist within. The stunning B&W marbled Duomo di Siena, designed to fill the visitor with overwhelming awe. Mosaics and frescoes with pre-Christian, Pagan imagery and symbology also found in ancient Tarot decks. And fabulous museums with some of the greatest masterpieces of all time. Cobblestone paths spiral out from the Campo de Piazza offering wonderful eateries and unusual shops. Precious Tarot waiting to be discovered in fine tobacco shops just a short stroll away.
At the heart of the tour will be a spiritual pilgrimage to the Tarot Garden of Niki De Saint Phalle. A breathtaking view of colorful sculptures looming large on the horizon as we draw near… Niki created this amazing magical place where the twenty two trumps invite all to explore and play in sight of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by a rocky landscape graced with olive and oak trees.
Since we had such a great response to this tour and more people on the waiting list than we could take this time, we hope to do another such tour in the fall of 2012.
More details with pics can be seen on this page: www.arnellart.com/tarot-italy As well as on Mary K. Greer’s blog: http://marygreer.wordpress.com/page/3/
Thanks and warmest wishes,
Arnell Ando
Comments