An Artistic Escape in Lake Garda and Brescia
The Path of the Poets
September, 2027
with Matteo Bernasconi
Carefully curated by Sydney’s Peach Black Gallery – a unique experience blending creativity, locality, and genuine connection. This isn’t a traditional tour – it’s more like experiencing Northern Italy with an old friend who knows every corner, every story, and the people who bring it to life.
Step off the tourist path and travel through Italy like a local artist. With Matteo Bernasconi as your guide, paint, taste, and experience Italy through its flavours and stories.
An 8-day creative immersion into the soul of Lake Garda, where art, culture, and slow Italian living come together.
This is not just an art retreat. It is a curated immersion into the culture, landscape and food of the Garda and Brescia region. Creative moments sit alongside shared meals, local restaurants and wineries, historic houses and hidden gems. Whether you paint or simply enjoy the experience, this journey is about slowing down and experiencing Italy like a local. Shaped by local knowledge, it offers access to stories, places and secret gems that most visitors never see.
For centuries, Lake Garda has inspired great poets and artists, from Catullo to Goethe and D’Annunzio. They wandered these same cobbled paths, drawn to the architectural wonders and the meeting of mountains and water. The region feels almost mythical, and every village holds a story. We invite you to take the Path of the Poets.
Guided by renowned artist Matteo Bernasconi, who grew up among these landscapes, you’ll experience the region through the eyes of a local who knows its history, secrets, and beauty. Matteo personally leads all masterclasses, life drawing sessions, and plein-air workshops, helping you develop your artistic voice while capturing the light and atmosphere of the lake. Alternative activities with local guides will be arranged for those that do not want to take part in daily art practice.
The journey begins in Brescia, exploring its museums, historic centre, and underground city, before moving to Lake Garda for five nights in a private historic villa. Set within gardens, ancient olive trees, and a natural pond, the entire estate is reserved exclusively for your group, a peaceful creative sanctuary with space to be social or quietly reflective.
This intimate experience is limited to just 10 guests and blends hands-on art with cultural visits, including Il Vittoriale degli Italiani, hidden villages, Limone, the Valley of Paper, and the dramatic Madonna della Corona. You’ll also enjoy exceptional local food and wine, from sunset aperitivi and village dining to a Zeni winery, to communal cooking of local food.
More than a tour, this is a retreat, a chance to live like an artist. You’ll return home with new artworks, new friendships, and a deeper connection to Northern Italy’s artistic heart.
A journey to Lake Garda and Brescia - The Path of the Poets -
September 2027 with Matteo Bernasconi
An 8-day creative immersion into the soul of Lake Garda, where art, culture, and slow Italian living unfold.
For centuries, Lake Garda has inspired artists and poets, from Catullus to Goethe and D’Annunzio, drawn to a landscape where mountains meet water and every village carries a story.
Guided by renowned local artist Matteo Bernasconi, you’ll experience the region through expert-led masterclasses, life drawing, and plein-air workshops, developing your artistic voice while capturing the light and atmosphere of the lake. For those who do not want to take part in the daily art practice, a program alternative activities are thoughtfully organised, from exploring local sites and wineries to simply enjoying the experience in your own way on the grounds of our private villa.
Beginning in Brescia for the first two nights and continuing to Lake Garda, where you’ll stay five nights in a private historic villa set within gardens, olive trees, and a natural pond, reserved exclusively for your small group of just 10 guests.
Blending hands-on art with cultural discovery, the journey includes Il Vittoriale degli Italiani, Limone, hidden villages, the Valley of Paper, Madonna della Corona, and memorable food and wine experiences. More than a tour, this is a retreat — a chance to live like an artist and return home inspired, connected, and creatively renewed.
Tour Overview and Inclusions
Not into art-making? No problem. Optional alternative activities can be arranged so everyone can enjoy Lake Garda in their own way.
Meeting point: Brescia, hotel lobby (hotel confirmed at time of booking)
Location Schedule: 2 nights in a historic Brescia hotel, followed by a transfer to Garda for 5 nights in an exclusive villa
Guides: Three guides throughout the journey, including a dedicated bilingual Italian/English local guide available at all times
Accommodation: Seven nights in total included – two in Brescia and five in the Lake Garda villa. Each with separate rooms and private bathrooms.
Meals: Daily breakfast, five aperitifs, and at least one lunch or dinner each day featuring local cuisine. Also included is local wine served in villa.
Transport: All transfers between Brescia and Garda, plus transport to every site visited
Cultural visits: Entry to museums, historic sites, and key cultural landmarks
Art classes: Daily creative sessions with Matteo Bernasconi, including three masterclasses, plein-air sketching, on-location work, and life drawing
Tour investment:
€3,400 per person for bookings for Early Bird, first 5 spots // €3,900 per person full price. Price includes everything listed above. *Singles Supplement of €400 applies
TOUR PRICE
Early Bird: €3,400
(first 5 spots only)
Full Price: €3,900
*Single Supplement of €400 in addition
Deposit: €600 (non‑refundable, due on booking)
Includes all accommodation, all activities and tickets, daily breakfasts, plus 1 -2 extra meals a day
TOUR PRICE
Price: €3,900*
*Single supplement €400
To secure your spot today, you only need to pay a €500 deposit.
Includes all accommodation, all activities and tickets, daily breakfasts plus 1 -2 extra meals a day
Experience
Immerse yourself fully in our curated activities each day
- Art Immersion: Daily drawing and painting with Matteo Bernasconi – life drawing at the villa, plein-air sessions, and village sketching
- Masterclasses: Three dedicated masterclasses to deepen technique and explore new approaches
- Cultural Visits: Brescia’s historic centre and museums; Lake Garda excursions to Vittoriale degli Italiani, Limone sul Garda, Madonna della Corona, and Valley of the Paper Mills
- Culinary Experiences: Cooking, aperitivi, tastings, and a wine experience with a local producer
- Exclusive Retreat: Villa reserved for just ten guests, offering a peaceful, intimate environment for creation and inspiration
- Local Towns: Visits to charming nearby towns for exploration and sketching
Visit
Daily visits to cultural centers, historic towns museums
- Brescia – Italian Capital of Culture 2023: Roman ruins, medieval lanes, Renaissance palaces; visit Santa Giulia Museum and Brixia, UNESCO sites.
- Cecina – charming village base amid olive groves, perfect for exploring Lake Garda towns.
- Gardone Riviera – Vittoriale degli Italiani, the poetic estate of Gabriele D’Annunzio with stunning gardens.
- Toscolano Maderno – Valley of Paper: restored mills, museums, and forested paths showcasing craftsmanship.
- Limone sul Garda & Salo – lemon groves, pastel houses and cobbled streets
- Madonna della Corona -cliffside sanctuary on Monte Baldo with breathtaking views over the Adige Valley.
Accommodation // Lake Garda
Our base for the week is an elegant historic villa on the western shore of Lake Garda, a private oasis that feels worlds apart from city life. While our first two nights in Brescia let you explore its rich history, vibrant culture, and lively streets, this beautiful villa will offer a completely different experience, a private retreat where you can relax, create, and immerse yourself in nature, with the entire estate – villa and park – reserved exclusively for our group.
Set within over 22,000 m² of gardens, olive groves, a private pond, and a swimming pool, the villa provides the perfect environment to paint, relax, or explore. A short walk brings you to the village of Toscolano Maderno with charming streets and lakeside cafés, yet the villa remains a secluded retreat.
The villa is large and comfortable, with spacious rooms that comfortably accommodate a couple or singles own private room. It’s the perfect space to balance social moments with quiet reflection.
This location isn’t just a place to stay — it’s the heart of the tour, a setting where art, history, and nature come together, inspiring creativity and offering moments of calm, reflection, and connection.
Accommodation
Lake Garda
Our base for the week is an elegant historic villa on the western shore of Lake Garda, a private oasis reserved exclusively for our group. After two nights exploring the history and energy of Brescia, the villa offers a contrasting experience: a peaceful retreat where you can relax, create, and reconnect with nature.
Set within 22,000 m² of gardens, olive groves, a private pond, and a swimming pool, it’s an ideal place to paint or unwind. The nearby village of Toscolano Maderno, with its charming streets and lakeside cafés, is just a short walk away, yet the estate remains secluded.
Spacious rooms suit couples or singles in private accommodation, balancing shared time with quiet reflection. More than a place to stay, the villa is the heart of the tour, inspiring creativity and connection.
Accommodation // Brescia
Your retreat begins in true Italian elegance at the historic Hotel Vittoria, Brescia’s most prestigious address, perfectly located in the heart of the old town, just steps from the Duomo and the main piazzas.
More than a hotel, Hotel Vittoria feels like a living museum. Built in the early 20th century as part of Brescia’s historic redevelopment, the building reflects the city’s artistic ambition and cultural heritage. Its grand interiors and original details invite you to experience history from the inside, as if you were living within an artwork.
For an art-focused journey, this is the ideal starting point. Before visiting museums and studios, you are already surrounded by beauty.
With museums, galleries and historic landmarks all within walking distance, Hotel Vittoria provides a luxurious and inspiring base for the first two nights of your cultural art retreat.
Brescia
You’ll kick off the tour with a two-night stay in a truly special historic setting in the heart of Brescia, where centuries of local history and culture seem to echo through the corridors.
The hotel is housed in a remarkable 17th‑century complex, formed from the union of two noble palaces once owned by prominent local families. Its Baroque architecture, frescoed halls, and elegant blend of old-world charm with modern comfort give guests a real sense of place in this ancient city.
With views over peaceful, century-old gardens or the bustling city centre just beyond your door, this is the perfect place to set the scene of our art immersion tour.
About Us
About Peach Black Tours
Peach Black Tours grew naturally from Peach Black Gallery, the Sydney-based creative hub founded by Matteo Bernasconi and Anna Griffiths in 2018. Long a home for artists, musicians, and art lovers, the gallery’s spirit of creativity, connection, and curiosity now extends beyond its walls through these immersive journeys.
What Makes us Different?
Our groups are intentionally small, no more than twelve travelers, so every guest can properly connect with the places we visit and the people who live there.
Led by artist Matteo Bernasconi and producer Anna Griffiths, each tour blends artistic practice with cultural discovery. Guests are invited to slow down and create daily, sketching in piazzas, painting in villa gardens, visiting museums, and meeting local makers. More than sightseeing, the tours foster genuine connections, shared meals, and a sense of belonging, welcoming travelers as part of the wider Peach Black community.
The secret of happiness
is simple – good art, good
food and good company!
About Us
Peach Black Tours grew naturally from Peach Black Gallery, the creative hub in Sydney that Matteo Bernasconi and Anna Griffiths founded in 2018. The gallery has long been a home for artists, musicians, dancers, and art lovers, a place to create, experiment, and connect, and the tours bring that same spirit of creativity into the world.
Matteo is an accomplished visual artist whose work is influence by some of the great philosphers, poets and artists, as well as his artistic heritage of Northern Italy. He has produced numerous exhibitions, taught extensively, and guided countless students in developing their practice. Anna has spent years producing events, and concerts, managing artists and bringing organisation, heart, and creativity to every project. Together, they’ve designed tours where guests slow down, explore, and make art every day, sketching in piazzas, painting in villa gardens, visiting museums, or meeting local makers.
More than sightseeing, these tours are about connection. Guests share meals, hear stories, and experience a region through its people. Every traveller becomes part of the wider Peach Black community, not as tourists, but as fellow makers, explorers, and friends of the gallery.
What Makes us Different?
Our groups are intentionally small, no more than twelve travelers, so every guest can properly connect with the places we visit and the people who live there. Rather than following a fixed tourist route, the tour moves at a slower, more thoughtful pace, guided by artists who know the region intimately.
Led by painter Matteo Bernasconi, each day includes hands-on art making: sketching in historic piazzas, painting in quiet gardens, or developing technique in relaxed studio sessions. With a small group and all levels welcome, Matteo can follow each person’s progress throughout the week, offering individual guidance and meeting each guest exactly where they are in their practice.
What makes us different is the blend of creativity, locality, and genuine connection. This isn’t a traditional tour — it’s more like experiencing Northern Italy with an old friend who knows every corner, every story, and the people who bring it to life
Register Your Interest!
Ready to join us on this special trip? Got some questions? Feel free to get in touch via the form, or send us an email!