Good luck Pheona to you and David.

I've already been on the flight sites to see when I can return!

Linda Hudson, August 2011

Thank you so much David & Pheona, for an absolutely fabulous week. You both made me feel welcome right from the start. You made me feel really comfortable and at home, and able to do what I came to Italy for - to paint! The food was fantastic. Many thanks again.

Rachael Coyle, August 2011

My boyfriend and I have just had one of the most wonderful experiences on holiday in Bedogno on the outskirts of Bologna in Italy.

We were drawn to the area by the natural scenic beauty, as evidenced on the website - www.artholidaysinitaly.com - and we thought it would be fun to try something a bit different. An added bonus was that the owners, David & Pheona offered to pick us up from the airport, all included in the price. we were sold!

On arrival, we were stunned by the views overlooking the Appennine mounains. We were welcomed openly by the owners and guests, many of whomo had opted to choose the art courses on offer. The immaculate apartment was adorned by the amazing artwork by Pheona, an artist and former art lecturer. It ws spacious and had a large veranda overlooking the hills.

As a couple in our early 20's you might think we'd be short of things to do in such a remote area but with Pheona and davids' knowledge of the local area there was never a dull moment. We went swimming, cycling, horse riding and regularly visited Villa Minozzo, the local village, for drinks. Every evening we would dine with the other guests. We were treted to delicious, locally sourced, four course meals, wine and lots of great chat! Pheona and David really are great hosts and we found ourselves warming to them nstantly.

Before our stay, we were planning on going to Bologna for a few days during our visit, but we found our experience here so enjoyable and relaxing that we decided to stay for the full ten days - we didn't want to leave!

I would recommend the hotel to anyone who appreciates great food, beautiful scenery and great company and I will definitely be visiting again.

Alison, April 2011 'Art Holidays in Italy' have combined the joy of being on holiday in a beautiful Appennine hamlet with the expert art tuition of Pheona and the outdoors enthusiasm and skill of a very experienced pair of walkers and climbers.That plus great food and natural and warm hospitality make Pheona and her partner David the ideal couple to provide a holiday experience for artistic and recreational opportunities at a very high standard.

It is a bit of a daunting task to select an art holiday on the internet so let me suggest getting in touch with Pheona.
Her experience as an Art Tutor at a major Glasgow University enables her to assess the needs and of her pupils and to tailor a course to maximise the avilable time while still keeping a sense of fun and discovery. In my week with her I was able to learn about photography, take an adequate photograph to inform a landscape painting and do the painting in oils. I was also able to learn enough about composition and technique to paint, with Pheona's help and encouragement, a still life. She spent lots of time with me in the studio and gave me lessons on colour and oil and acrylic paint and technique so that my ragbag of information based on courses began to take form.

She is also developing distance learning courses which will be a great back up to contiuing development in the longer term, something which is so difficult to correlate as a self guided student.
All is not hard work at Casa Appennino - the welcome is warm the food good and there is lots of local information and help with tour planning. The pre holiday communication was very thoughtful with a phone number and photo for airport recognition and reassurance as I was travelling alone. To be collected and taken to the village is wonderful - an unforgetable drive through amazing counrtyside. For artists and nature lovers there is much to enjoy and real help with learning and development.

This was supposed to be a trial “Skiing and Painting” week but the snow had come and gone by the due date and I found myself the only participant. The back-up Plan B was pretty good, though.

Bedogno is a very neighbourly small village just outside Villa Minozzo. A chance conversation over the fence became an impromptu wine making lesson for David and Pheona (my hosts) in a neighbour’s workshop while I desperately tried to make sense of the fluent Italian. My abilities in the language improved immeasurably during the week and I could say “buon giorno” with the best of them by the end of it.

The local wine and food was very good. Pheona and David prepared excellent Italian food in Italian quantities in the evenings and I was tempted to plead with them for smaller portions - but didn’t! My accommodation was one of their two apartments which was clean, modern, well furnished and warm (in February). Pheona’s art was hanging on the walls, or was painted on the wall, to inspire students on the art courses. Under her guidance I was able to complete my first ever oil paintings, two of them, using fast drying oil paints.

We did get out of the studio to play during the week. A guided walk to the top of the Pietra Bismatova, at around 3,000', was a high point (in all senses) with magnificent views all round. David and Pheona also introduced me to my first ever Via Ferrata in a most professional way. It was not the scary experience I’d been expecting, but even so I decided to leave the route with the overhang for “next time”, together with the two zip-lines which David and Pheona have still to recce!

It was a good week for a first visit to Emiglia Romana. The weather was fairly dull and misty at the beginning of the holiday but the last three days were clear and sunny. We did manage one lunch on the sun deck. I’ll be back!

And guess what? David and Pheona needed their 4-wheel-drive to get back home through the snow which fell while they were taking me to the airport, on clear roads, to catch my flight back to the UK.

Kate, October 2010

If you love quiet, unspoiled, beautiful countryside it would be difficult to see how you could surpass a visit to 'Art Holidays in Italy' in lovely Emilia Romagna. Whatever you want - activity ( walking, skiing, rock climbing / via ferrata), creating art (painting, sculpture, mosaics) or visiting art (access to Pisa, Florence) - it is there at your disposal, and your hosts Pheona and David are more than happy to tailor make your holiday to suit your needs, or those of the weather!

I found a welcome second to none, an eagerness to make my holiday the best it could be for my needs, patience with my novice level of drawing and painting, pleasure in walking with me and showing me the sights of the area, great home made food based on local products and seasons, and 2 people who very quickly became friends, as well as great hosts.

I'd recommend Pheona and David to anyone who wants to get away from it all, to learn and see new things, and who wants to be indulged thoroughly by this friendly, knowledgeable couple who have made their new home in this lovely area.

Hazel, Stirling, Oct 2010

'I stayed at Casa Appennino with my 81 year old mother for a week in October. We were made very welcome and everything was done to suit our stay. The food was restaurant quality and, as a vegetarian, it seemed to be no bother for them to find me various and delicious things to eat.

We went sightseeing to various locations that my mother could access and both David and Pheona were very knowledgeable about the area.

Villa Minnozo nearby was full of local colour and you got a great feel for the area. It was peaceful and calming and the views were fabulous. There was always something to do but if you are looking for a peaceful holiday, this is the very place. Pheona and David were happy if you stayed in or went out. If you need to be restored, I would highly recommend this place'.

David Campbell, Oct 2010...I also really loved the time I spent at Casa Appennino with the two of you, and all the wonderful experiences and sights that we crammed in. I will never forget the experience of climbing the BIsmantova, Porto Venere, the Leaning Tower and of course Florence, not forgetting the peaceful day we had down at the river, the barbecue, the hammock, the Jacuzzi, Matilda, the meal in Tre Archi's, focaccia, all the meals you cooked, the late nights Dave & I had, and all the features in the garden. It really is a haven of relaxation and I have never enjoyed a holiday so much. My only disappointment is that we did not manage to get into the restaurant that was closed, as it sounded wonderful.

I loved the pictures you emailed through and thought your video was super. (David travelled to us on his motorbike & has written an article for the BMW club. Click here to read his full article)

(My wife) was stunned when she saw all the photos and thinks the whole area and in particular, your house and garden are just wonderful. She could not believe the pictures of Bismantova and the leaning tower.

I know I have already said it, but again, I am extremely grateful for your hospitality and friendship, and for allowing me to enjoy the pleasure of sharing the delight of living in Bedogno.

I had always wanted to visit Italy since I was a child so I had high expectations of the experience to come. And I can guarantee that you wont be let down. Immediately I was welcomed into a friendly atmosphere and was made to feel like part of the family. When I was shown to my part of the villa, I was very pleased that the levels of cleanliness where of the highest standard. I was also delighted to use the jacuzzi which is only a stone throw from the villa itself. I felt as if I was being treated like a VIP!

During my stay, I decided to explore some of the bigger cities. I headed to Florence, which was one of the most beautiful cities due to the architecture. And of course the many markets which you find there. Ideal for picking up a gift or two for home.

I also had the chance to visit Rome which was great as I went off season (January) and didnt need to queue for anything!! I took tours of the Colosseum and Vatican City. Both were extremely informative and at a very reasonable price.

All in all, I couldnt have asked for a better holiday. I had the ideal mix of living in the most beautiful setting and then still being able to travel to various cities of choice. I would recommend this holiday to anyone of all ages as they are many activities available depending on personal choice.

I will definitely be back to explore further as not only have I fallen in love with Italy but you couldnt ask for a more welcoming couple than David and Pheona. They truly wanted to make my holiday as special as it could be, in every way possible. Jo, Glasgow, April 2010

Despite eating and drinking to excess ( my mouth is salivating at the thought!) I lost a few pounds!

That must have been all that scrambling along the Via Ferratas.

The week was jam packed and was just the break I needed. I hadn't held a paintbrush for well over two years and with your expert help I have actually completed some paintings.

I wish you both great success in Italy. You definitely deserve it. Bedogno is set in the most beautiful countryside, a perfect place to paint, walk and enjoy the company of friends, old and new. Audrey McClymont May 2010

Something for everyone!!
Having travelled around various parts of Italy, I'd say Emilia Romagna 'has it all'! I spent a week with David & Pheona in January 2010 - which included soft snow-carpeted days and warm T-shirt days - and can't wait to go back and explore the local area in summer colours.
For walkers, well-marked paths are everywhere - whether atop wooded ridges linking hilltop castles and churches or alongside some of the 'torrenti' (at lease they were in January!) A local Via Ferrata is even provided for a bit of excitement! Rocky outcrops, prominent on the lovely landscape are waiting to be climbed and close to Villa Minozzo are peaks high enough for some well-serviced skiing.

Gentler pursuits, or simply taking in the gorgeous scenery and local character, can be enjoyed by getting out and exploring the network of quiet country roads which link picturesque villages and hamlets - or perhaps stopping to eat at some of the beautifully sited and immaculate 'refugios'.
Those who want to capture some of their holiday memories for themselves have the opportunity to draw on Pheona's experience as an artist and teacher. David and she are working tirelessly to enhance their already-beautiful home and garden for the benefit of all visitors, and guests are bound to benefit from the combination of her talent and enormous enthusiam for the region in which they have chosen to live and work

.
The high quality of accommodation at Bedogna is clear from the website photos and, however guests choose to spend their time in the area, they can be assured of a warm and friendly 'home from home' experience. Roy, Strathaven, April 2010

New Year at Villa Minozzo

We found the facilities actually exceeded the previously read, good revues on this website. Pheona & David were the best of hosts and went out of their way to be helpful, informative and friendly but at the same time, left us to enjoy the area and locality as we pleased. They had paid great care to general cleanliness and all of the rooms had fresh decor and were extremely comfortable and warm. I can recommend this holiday villa for its location in the Appenine National Park and also for those interested in historical places of interest. Definately a place to get away from it all but also within reach of other fascinating places like Florence etc.

A Wonderful Holiday

We spent a week over New Year with David and Pheona. Had a wonderful time exploring the local area. There are many different places of interest to visit. There is even a bit of Via Ferrata in a nearbye gorge, which was good fun. They made us feel very welcome and the accomodation was very comfortable. Thanks! Timc57 March 2010

A Happy New Year at Villa Appennino
I had a lovely time staying at the villa for a winter holiday. We got a very warm welcome from our hosts, Pheona & David, the house and flats were warm and comfortable and all facilities including the beds, were excellent. We went walking and sightseeing in this lovely but quiet area. I will come back again in summertime and I have recommended this holiay accommodation to friends and family. Moya, Glasgow, March 2010