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Presepe Vivente-an annual tradition

Presepe Vivente-an annual tradition
   The Presepe Vivente at Porchia 2017   The annual presepe vivente held in many Italian towns and villages are a traditional  nativity scene which depicts the birt of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Whilst the term "nativity scene" typically includes two dimensional depictions in film, painting, printmaking, etc in…
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Tanti Auguri! Happy New Year 2017

Tanti Auguri! Happy New Year 2017
            Wishing all our visitors, friends and family a very happy new year 2017  Tanti Auguri! Book your next Painting Holiday by contacting The Retreat here.
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Ouch!!

We couldn't quite figure out why Chester wasn't coming to greet us with his usual waggy tail this morning but instead refused to come out of his hut altogether. It wasn't until we realised that must have sat on porcupine last night - judging by the sting sticking out of his bum. Ouch! Spare a…
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Truffle Season at The Retreat

This year's truffle season has been off to a good start with plenty off rain and humid conditions. Both the elusive White Truffle and the Autumn Black Truffle can be found on the grounds off The Retreat making it a popular spot for truffle hunters. We like enjoying this aromatic fungus in home-cooked local dishes…
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Annual Christmas Open Studio at The Retreat

Annual Christmas Open Studio at The Retreat
As Christmas approaches, we are inviting the local community to see some of the work created by John during the year, as well as work done by visiting guest artists. I think the delicious nouvelle red wine this season will make a delicious mulled wine for the our pre-Christmas drinks at the studio.   For…
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A retrospective of the year

                Now that this year's painting season has come to an end we finally find a little time get back to up-dating our blog, which has been shamefully neglected. Autum here, a beautiful time of year, is slowly coming to an end and it's staring to get wintery.…
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Olive Season

Olive Season
It's olive picking season and we are curing a load of delicious black olives. We all love munching olives and will find sharing these delicious babies quite tough... For our 2013 course program check our website:www.newsite.paintingholidayitaly.com
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