Bill Gallen
Growing up along the shore of Lake Michigan and wandering the woods and fields of his native Wisconsin gave Bill Gallen an early appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. Gallen graduated from the University of Wisconsin having studied German and History and spent a year abroad at the University of Freiburg in Germany. Plans to pursue an academic career gave way when he moved to Colorado with his brother, following the call of a boyhood interest in the Rocky Mountains. Nurturing a lifelong interest in art, Gallen studied painting and drawing in his free time. A fortuitous encounter with the landscape painter David Ballew led him to a lineage of teachers that remain lifelong friends, principally Michael Lynch and Ned Jacob. Gallen’s paintings are included in collections across the country. Gallen lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his life partner and fellow artist Cecilia Robertson.
$4,699 per person ($800 fully refundable deposit*)
for our non-painter/companion discount contact us at italianatours@gmail.com
May 4 – 9, 2025
Book Now to save your spot!
Terms and Conditions, including our refund policy, are located on the Book Your Tour page.
Dates and pricing
· Private transfer to and from the Bologna airport, BLQ (please check our time stipulation on day 7 and/or contact us for any reasons)
6 night accommodation with breakfast at the charming B&B www.ilparcoducale.it all bedrooms ensuite (NO supplement for single)
5 Lunches and 6 Dinners with full beverage service, including wine
Welcome Aperitivo
Stunning studio https://www.italianatours.com/location
Pairing food and wine tasting
Private trip to Urbino
Entrance Raphaelʼs childhood home
Private transportation on all excursions and plein air
Exclusive week-long class with Bill Gallen, 21 hour workshop guaranteed included plein air sessions
Activities for non painters as listed in the itinerary
Week-long private guide and international sommelier Piero
whats included
Itinerary
Day 1
-Arrival (*Bologna BLQ is the recommended airport). In our commitment to making your traveling experience to Le Marche as easy and convenient as possible, your host, Piero Pagliardini, will meet you at the airport (*see time stipulations) and escort you to the B&B. https://www.ilparcoducale.it/
-Take time to settle in, unpack and explore before we all meet up. Your accommodation is within walking distance of shops, markets, restaurants, and village life unspoiled by time.
-Bill, and our host and native Marchigiano, Piero Pagliardini, will welcome you over drinks and give an overview of the week to come. Then pizza time! Enjoy the best pizza in town in an authentic Italian pizzeria. End the night with a stroll, a nightcap, and a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
- Wake up to the smell of pastries and espresso. Enjoy a local breakfast at the B&B, followed by a morning workshop with Bill! Walk next door to your private studio in the Duke of Urbino’s summer palace, a historical landmark and your creative hub for the week.
9am - noon. Studio. Demonstration and Lecture. This will be the primary lecture and demo of the week, focusing on the key concepts of design, value and color harmony.
Non painters will venture out for a morning truffle hunt with Piero. We will meet Andrea, local truffle hunter, and his best friend Pialla, his dog. The hunt will take us through fantastic landscapes while hunting for black truffles and learning local traditions.
Break for lunch
-4-7 pm Afternoon plein air session with Bill in the lovely village of Mercatello sul Metauro. Roman bridge, iconic square, palazzo Gasperini and many more. *plein air locations are carefully selected to be near basic amenities such as public restrooms and establishments to buy water.
Non painters, we will meet for an outing to Mercatello sul Metauro. Enjoy a light walking tour revealing all the hidden treasures of this charming village, including a stroll along the river to see its lagoons and mini natural pools (swim shoes recommended if you’d like to test the water!).
- Dinner at the medieval castle, “Castello della Pieve” set 550 meters above sea level in the municipal area of Mercatello sul Metauro. In 1301 Dante Alighieri's exile was decreed from this tiny village.
Day 3
-Enjoy a local breakfast of cappuccino and pastries (or le paste) at your B&B.
-Morning studio time with Bill, 9-12 noon. Drawing. Color Study.
- Non painters. Take a visit to a Roman Villa with some 1,000 square meters of polychronic mosaics in the heart of Sant’ Angelo in Vado. The “Domus del Mito was build in the 1st century AD. This is one of the great archeological discoveries of the last 50 years in Central Italy
-Painters break for lunch on site
- Late afternoon land scape session with Bill 4 – 7pm. Will going at the locations were 500 years ago Piero della Francesca use for the one of his most famous and iconic painting Dittico dei Duchi. Now at the Galleria degli Uffizi Florence.
- Afternoon non painters visit to Urbania and mysterious “Church of the Dead”
- Group dinner at the B&B with heartbreaking view!
Day 4
- Morning excursion to Urbino, Raphael’s childhood home, where we kick off our adventure! In a loose yet structured manner, we'll wander the main squares and winding medieval pathways. You will be immersed in local color, texture, and flavors (while eating everything in sight) as well as examining architectural motifs, contemporary art, and design, all the while collecting ideas that will inspire your art.
- Amazing plein air session in the city center and at a panoramic lookout.
- 1pm lunch near the town square
-after lunch visit to the Raphael’s house.
- On our way to return stop for a visit at the locations were 500 years ago Raphael made the background for the “Piccola Madonna di Cowper” now at National Gallery of Art, Whashington DC. Independent study, painting, exploring, sketching, photographing.
-Non painters free afternoon ask Piero for suggestions.
-Group dinner in town.
Day 5
-Enjoy a local breakfast at the hotel (have you tried the chocolate pastries yet?)
That morning we’ll leave for a landscape sessions at the locations were 500 years ago Leonardo made the background for the “Monna Lisa” now at Louvre Museum, Paris.
Lunch on site follow with more landscape session time. Until 3pm. Then will regroup with the non-painters and travel back to our location.
Rest of the afternoon, independent study, exploration, photography.
Non painters grab your passport! Visit to San Marino, one of the world’s smallest countries. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set atop Mount Titan, 2480ft above sea level is said to be the world’s oldest surviving republic. Non painters will lunch here and return mid-afternoon. Enjoy free time to the rest of the afternoon.
-Group dinner in the square! Live like a local, eat like a local.
Day 6
-Leisurely morning and breakfast at the B&B.
-Final class with Bill 9:00 – 12:00am plein air location in town! Stunning location in Sant Angelo in Vado!
-Morning Non painters wine tasting at a tiny, local winery (a secret, local gem!) that makes the only smoked Passito wine in the world.
-Break for lunch
- Free afternoon. Working on your project for the final touch, relax and enjoy village life, shopping or just seat down for a gelato!
5pm - 7pm Final Critique at the studio. Art Show!
-Meet that evening for a farewell happy hour and dinner. Share your art with the group and then raise a glass (or two, or three!) to our week in Le Marche.
Cin-cin! Cheers! And a warm salute until next year!
Day 7- Sunday
- We recommend booking a night or two in Bologna at the end/beginning of your trip to explore this beautiful city and to make your departure/arrival flights more convenient. Please contact us for recommendations.
Time Stipulations
-Pick-ups at BLQ Bologna airport and Bologna Centrale Train Station will be offered between 12:00-3:00 p.m.
-Depart the B&B at 10:00 AM. Departures at BLQ Bologna airport and Bologna Centrale Train Station will be offered from 1:00 pm onward. In order to arrive for your flight with ample time, we recommend scheduling departing flights after 3:00 p.m.
- Pick-up and Departures from other locations, or at times outside these parameters can be arranged at an additional fee.