<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="65001"%> Filtmaker May Hvistendahl
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May Jacobsen Hvistendahl
Skåtøyveien 180 N- 3780 Skåtøy
Tel + 47 9168 2822
Orgnr : 939 135 383 MVA
may@filtmaker.no

 

2011

For the 7.th time we will organize Inspirational workshop for felting in the little village San Marcello, Toscana.
5.-12 th. of September we move into the Villa Bice for wonderful italian food and as always exiting meetings with felting people from many different countries.
Contact Ellen Kolberg for information at ellenkolberg@gmail.com or may@filtmaker.no

Villa Bice in San Marcello

150 YEARS OF ELEGANCE AND HISTORY.

In Pistoia, half an hours car drive from Pisa, lays the village of San Marcello. One of many mountain villages in beautiful Tuscany situated on the old route between Rome and Milano. Travellers have used this road since Roman times and the area is saturated with history. The area is best known today for its winter sport possibilities, its fantastic mountain walks and for its historical art and culture. In September, the village celebrates St. Celeste with a festival of balloons, markets, music and street parades.

Artist Ellen Kolberg from Lillehammer, Norway, has lived in San Marcello for three years. Here, she has discovered an additional source of income, in addition to her paintings. This is to arrange courses for the artistic minded. Groups can travel there to paint, draw, sculpt and felt. The tutors are Norwegian or Italian, all with English language possibilities. The participants live in noble conditions and eat sumptuous food amongst the local nature and culture.

The courses last for ten days, two of which are dedicated to sight seeing. San Marcello is closely situated to many other attractive places in Tuscany. Not only Firenze and Pisa, but also the renaissance town of Lucca, medieval San Gimligniano, Siena and Livorno. During our travels, we often frequented a vineyard, usually one in particular which was primarily built as a hunting fortress for the great Cosimo de Medici. Today one can expect traditional wine, grappa, apricot marmalade, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. These are just some of the exquisite products from Rosigtas farm shop.

Villa Bice
Ellen is acquainted with most of the residents of San Marcello. It was not long before she noticed Villa Bice, which is situated on the outskirts of the village, hidden in a park behind large trees and fencing. The villa was built in 1864 by a group of pioneers. In 1917, the great grandfather of the current administrator bought the villa. He was responsible for the connection of electricity and phone lines between the villages and required a house to hold meeting in and for overnight purposes. It was his son who planted many of the trees on the property during the nineteen twenties. He was often travelling and would bring back small plants and seeds. During his time, there was almost one thousand trees planted and at its peak there was as many as seven hundred different species represented. They range from exotic to common European varieties. Today’s administrator, Andrea, ahs spent many holidays in the villa but only five years ago did he decide to make the villa his permanent residence and set to work with restoring the building and grounds. His aim is to replant some of the rare trees which have unfortunately died out over the years. He has maps and details of the grounds dating back to his grand father, whom was meticulous with his document and journal keeping. Andrea never fails to be amazed with his forefathers work.

The sleeping beauty
Even Now, Villa Bice is not yet restored to its original glory, but this also adds a certain element of charm. It is possible that Andrea, with Ellen’s help will awaken the fairytale house. The furnishings in the villa have not changed; old heavy furniture from a centaury gone still stands in the villa. There is a strong hunting theme represented by various trophies and paintings. In the drawing room there are wall and ceiling paintings and the bedrooms have such an original style that one feels as if one is waking up in a museum.
All this makes Villa Bice into a unique place- long may it last. There is more in depth restoration planned for both inside and outside the building but it should still be possible to venture there and allow oneself to be fascinated by the historical villa. Guests stay in spacious accommodation, with large comfortable beds. Many of the rooms have their own veranda and every floor has two bathrooms. These are each shared by four of the bedrooms. The villa can house twelve to eighteen people.

The best food in Tuscany
Andrea has an excellent team of helpers. Chief, Nadia is the most important. When Ellen’s course participants stay in the villa, it is Tuscan food on the menu. The number of courses per meal has had to be reduced, for there are not many people whom can consume a five course lunch! All the food served is delicious and as much wine as you wish is included in the price. The menu consists of various themes, from turkey, hare, and chicken to wild boar. Salad and plenty of vegetables are always served and for after the main meal there is either fruit or a sumptuous dessert.

A two hour lunch, with wine is well deserved for all hard workers!
Ellen’s courses are held either in Villa Bice or at the local vicarage hall. There is room for twelve participants here and the five minute stroll through the village can be a high point of the day! Perhaps even a sneak into a café for an extra cappuccino?
Villa Bice now also offers Bed and Breakfast during the summer months. Groups, families and individual travellers are welcome to stay for several days.
If you wish to have some more information about Sam Marcello or Villa Bice, contact Ellen Kolberg: E-mail: ellenkolberg@gmail.com