The Inspirational Umbria Workshop/Activity Schedule

Here's what we'll be doing in Todi, Italy, from May 24-30, 2015. Won't you come and join us? The registration and info links are to the upper right of the main blog page. We are going to have such an amazing time!

And in case you don't feel like clicking to enlarge, here's the text:

Sunday May 24 

Arrival: Unpack, relax, nap, soak in the beauty of the Hotel Bramante, and Todi 
Welcome Dinner: Meet your fellow traveling designers

Monday May 25

Morning Workshop Open Your Eyes: How to see the designs around us, tools to use in translating those designs, design and chart making exercises 
Afternoon Excursion to Assisi: Observe, sketch, take notes and photos for original knitting designs 
Evening: Free Time

Tuesday May 26

Morning Workshop Translating Inspiration: Turning our observations, ideas, sketches and photos into usable stranded knitting charts 
Afternoon Todi Yarn Crawl: Purchase yarns for your original projects 
Evening: Wine Tasting

Wednesday May 27

Morning Workshop Finalizing Original Design Charts: Choosing colors for your designs, and adding your new designs to provided charts for hats, mittens, and/or sweaters 
Afternoon: Free Time for Knitting or Relaxing, or an Optional Guided Tour of Todi 
Evening: Cooking Class, Pizza/Pasta

Thursday May 28

Morning Workshop A No-Pucker, No-Twisted Yarns, Stranded Knitting Tutorial: Begin knitting your original design 
Afternoon: Free Time for Knitting or Relaxing. Kathleen will be available for design or knitting troubleshooting 
Evening: Medieval Dinner with Archery Demonstration

Friday May 29

Morning Workshop Finishing Techniques: A discussion of finishing techniques, including steeking, which isn’t as scary as it sounds 
Afternoon: Free Time for Knitting or Relaxing. Kathleen will be available for design or knitting troubleshooting 
Evening: Short Presentation: Moving Forward with Your Original Designs

Saturday May 30

Departure: Saying good-bye to new friends, and old

Inspirational Umbria FAQ #1

From workshop organizer, Alexandra Hook. I will definitely want her newbie traveler info as well. We think that flying into Rome is the best option.

FAQs for Inspirational Umbria!

Q. How do I get to the Hotel Bramante Todi?
A. There are several ways of getting to Todi. For our participants, we intended to combine as many of you as possible into a private car (up to 7) based on your arrival time. This will lower your cost and increase your ease of arrival. Other options for the more adventurous are a bus (very economical) and trains (moderately economical, depending on the route you choose). We will happily work with you to help you find your optimal method of getting here!

Q. What is a euro and how does it work?
A. Euro is the currency used in most countries of the European Union. It is worth around $1.30-1.35. So, for example, something that is priced at 4 euros costs you around $5.20-5.40.

Q. How do I get euros?
A. The easiest way is to wait until you arrive and go to a local ATM machine. It will let you pull out euros on your normal bank card. Caveat: before you leave, call your bank to make sure that your bank card is supported internationally, and check for additional fees that your bank may tack on. You may find that it's better to use an alternative card to withdraw euros if you use more than one bank.

Q. What about credit cards?
A. Many vendors here accept credit cards, but smaller shops prefer cash. Once again, call your credit card underwriter to learn about fees and conversion policies. If you have more than one credit card, you may find that one is better than the other; however, most charge the "spot" rate, which is far better than converting actual cash currency at a local bank here. In any case, your credit card should work just fine here, as long as the merchant accepts cards.

Q. I don't understand Italian! What do I do?
A. We want this trip to be as stress-free as possible. As it happens, I have four children in town, and I am an American living here. We can happily provide an escort for shopping expeditions if you would feel more comfortable. The locals here sometimes speak rudimentary English, but it is spotty. However, they are warm and welcoming, and want to help you!

Q. The trip sounds really neat, but I'm scared! Is this going to be hard?
A. We are very excited to have all our participants, and want to make it as easy as possible! It's more fun than you can imagine to experience another culture, hear another language, and eat new foods. If you have never traveled abroad, let us know and we can give you the "what to expect" document that my husband and I put together to help some non-traveled relatives get through the airport smoothly.

I will post periodic FAQs as people ask more about this exciting workshop! I know Kathleen Prater Taylor is going to do a phenomenal job and we will have a wonderful week getting to know each other! You will love the tours provided by Elisa Picchiotti and Todiguide.com. And the Hotel Bramante? Outstanding!

Online registration for Inspirational Umbria is now open!

Click here to register online for our week-long knitting design workshop, which will be held in Todi, Umbria, Italy at the Hotel Bramante, next May 24-30. If the right popup doesn't appear, click on packages/promotions, and you'll see it. The site only takes euros, but your credit card will make the currency exchange. It's slightly under $200 US.

Students who register before October 15, 2014, get a $70 discount on the total package fee, companions get a $50 discount.

And in case you need a reminder of where we're going...