This year I discovered the amazing Villa Sogara when I stayed there with a group of ten others who were along for my Italian Sketchbook Adventure. What a discovery!

Just six miles from downtown Verona, we were in our own world at the villa. Each morning we had our workshop on this lovely covered patio.

On several mornings we got up early to walk around the small town and the vineyards and take sunrise photographs.

At lunch time we gathered around the kitchen table for cooking classes and the occasional poetry reading from our chef.

In the afternoons, we swam in our lovely swimming pool, drank local Valpolicella wines, and sketched the endless beauty both inside and outside the villa.

Our hosts, Tommaso and Ella, were fantastic. Tommaso's great-grandfather bought this villa in 1929 and the family called it home until six years ago, when they decided to share it with the world by renting it out. Tommaso and Ella, and their young daughter and loving puppy, live there as well. Hospitable, accommodating, knowledgeable and kind they are the perfect hosts.

At the end of our workshop one morning, Ella surprised us with a freshly baked cake topped with grapes from the vineyards.

We walked through their vineyards and fruit trees, photographing, sketching and picking fresh figs. Buonissimi!

Tommaso took us to a nearby winery where we sampled local wines and olive oil.

Villa Sogara is a slice of heaven. So much so that I had already started planning the next workshop there (for June 2016!) before leaving.

Arrivederci Villa Sogara!!