LAND TOUR OF NORTHERN ITALY!
September 25 through October 7, 2024
Last year I took a group of knitters to Italy: Rome and the Umbrian area. We all loved it so much, and our tour leader Janet did such a wonderful job of teaching us about the areas we saw, that people wanted to come back to Italy the following year. In 2024, we will explore the northern parts of Italy, from Milan to Chiavenna to Venice! We’ll even visit Switzerland for a day!
We will eat well and visit places of interest, have a cooking class, and of course, a knitting project we’ll work on throughout. The itinerary is below. You can download the Italy Knitting Holidays brochure to print, as well as the Booking Form-Italy Knitting Holidays to fill out and mail to Opulent Quilt Journeys. (The address is on the booking form.) The class information (description and supplies needed) is below the itinerary.
Itinerary:
Included meals are indicated with B, L, D.
Day 1 Wednesday, September 25
Arrive Milan
Individual arrivals to Milan. Check-in at the hotel, meeting the tour members at 6:30 pm in the lobby.Welcome dinner in a local restaurant. (D)
Day 2 Thursday, September 26
Milan
Discover vibrant, fashion-forward Milan with a guided walking tour. Marvel at Milan monuments like the Duomo Cathedral and the 18th-century Scala theatre, then browse the designer boutiques of the historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. Attend a unique workshopexperience and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of custom fashion with designer and tailor Fiorella Ciaboco. Enjoy free time to browse Designer Boutiques on Via Monte Napoleone. (B)
Day 3 Friday, September 27
Milan to Chiavenna
Depart from Milan by coach after breakfast to drive north to Lake Como. Visit Como silk museum (Museo didattico della seta). The museum shows the cultural and entrepreneurial tradition of silk in Como with machines, looms, fabrics, and stories that had huge impacts on the territory. Followed by free time for lunch in the town of Como before driving along the full length of the lake to the historic town of Chiavenna.
We arrive for check-in and dinner in the heart of this charming town, our base for 5 nights. (B D)
Day 4 Saturday, September 28
Chiavenna
Italy’s most iconic dish by far is pasta, and with this hands-on cooking class, you can discover the secrets to turning out fresh pasta dishes like an authentic Italian “nonna” with a local chef. Today we learn how to prepare “sfoglia”, or sheet of pasta, and then cut or shape it to suit your sauce. Once both pasta and sauce are ready, relax over lunch to enjoy what you’ve prepared.
Afternoon is at leisure or join Beth for a knitting session at the hotel. (B)
Day 5 Sunday, September 29
Chiavenna
After breakfast drive to a Cheese Farm for a demonstration of local cheese-making including ricotta, goat’s milk ice cream, and typical pasta of the Valtellina area. All very typical of this mountainous part of Italy. Then travel to the world-famous village of Bellagio located at the tip of the promontory. After strolling through the village and browsing the small shops we continue to Menaggio and visit Villa Balbianello. Return to the hotel in the afternoon and enjoy a knitting lesson with Beth. (B D)
Day 6 Monday, September 30
Excursion to St. Moritz
Today we drive to St Moritz to explore this upmarket resort. St. Moritz is among Switzerland’s leading luxury resorts, but there’s more to the Engadin town than just modern glitz and glamor. Uncover St. Moritz’s unique history, see its stand-out attractions, and learn more about its culture and architecture. (B)
Day 7 Tuesday, October 1
Chiavenna
We’ll have a knitting session in the morning. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B)
Day 8 Wednesday, October 2
Chiavenna to Venice
Depart by coach for Venice stopping to visit Padova or Verona before arriving mid-afternoon at our hotel on the mainland. Get our first sight of Venice, the city on water, at nighttime for an amazing experience. (B D)
Day 9 Thursday, October 3
Venice
After breakfast, we walk through the narrow ‘calle’ with water on either side to the heart of the city St Mark’s Square. Enjoy 2 hours walking tour to visit the Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Basilica, and Glass-Blowing demonstration. Free time for lunch or maybe watch the world go by, sitting at one of the cafés on St Mark’s Square. (B)
Day 10 Friday, October 4
VeniceOff to the island of Burano, famous for lacemaking. You’ll witness the mesmerizing tapestry of colorful houses and the time-honored traditions of lacemaking. Visit the quiet, calm island of Torcello before returning to Venice for a Mask-Making workshop. (B D)
Day 11-12 Saturday-Sunday October 5-6
Venice
These days are free at leisure. An extra session of class can be planned if needed. Farewell dinner on October 6. (B, D on October 6)
Day 13 Monday, October 7
Depart Venice
Our tour concludes after breakfast. (B)
The Knitting Workshop
Examples of Estonian Roositud Gloves
Estonian Roositud Gloves
Description: Estonian knitters have developed many unusual techniques. In this class, students will knit a fingerless mitt (top photo) using the Roosimine technique. This method uses many colors, inlaid into the knitted fabric. Small charts will be provided in black and white and students can color in the chart if they prefer. Included in the class is a cord technique used in some gloves and mittens. Our goal will be to focus on knitting one mitt and developing the confidence needed so that the student can complete a pair once at home. Extra help will be available at times outside class. If preferred, the student may choose to knit fingers to make gloves (bottom photo).
Level: Intermediate. Students should be able to knit and purl in the round on small double-pointed needles or Magic Loop or two circular needles. Be familiar with stranding (working with two yarns, although this will not be used extensively).
Sizes: Hand circumference: 7 (7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9) inches / 18 (19, 20.5 21.5, 23) cm.” (1 cm) is added for ease.
Supplies:
Yarn (These are yardages for 2 gloves. If making mitts, you will not use quite as much.) Fingering Yarn, such as:
Rauma Finullgarn: 100% Norwegian wool; 191 yds / 175 m; 1. oz / 50 g
Jamieson & Smith Jumper Weight: 100% Shetland wool; 188 yds / 172 m; 1. oz / 50 g
Main Color (MC): approximately 190 (215, 250, 290, 326) yds / 175 (200, 230, 270, 300) m
Contrast colors (CC): Several yards of each of six colors, or your choice
Needles: US 0 / 2.0 mm, or size to obtain gauge. It is suggested to have several sizes of needle sets on hand.
Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, highlighter tape, tapestry needle, ruler for checking your gauge, colored pencils which correlate with your chosen yarns, eraser
Gauge: 16 sts = 2 inches / 5 cm
Homework: None.
