Guests’ Comments
When a holiday has just finished, driving away from the airport after the last person has boarded the return flight home, the tiredness is mixed with the feeling of having been part of something unique that has just come to an end. It is receiving feedback like this that makes the work before, during and after each activity holiday so worthwhile! Thanks for each and every one of these letters, cards and emails: every time we re-read them they bring all the magic back!
We have also received two beautiful letters which you can read in full, as it would be a real shame to extract parts of them. The writers of these letters are special people for us: Anne Lang is the first painting tutor who believed in us, and has tutored great painting holidays for us in Sardinia in the past two years. Kerry Knapper attended one of our painting holidays, and tried his best to get his beautiful holiday review published in “Leisure Painter”; sadly there were promises but no facts, nonetheless we have incredibly appreciated his efforts in helping us spreading the word about our holidays. Read Anne Lang’s reference letter or Kerry Knapper’s painting holiday review now.
Dear Maria and John, a note to say a big thank you for a wonderful holiday. Both of you could not have done more to make the week a success. The hotel, teachers, food and outings were all first class and I'm sure were part of the reason the group got on so well with each other. We were all having a super time! Do please send me details of holidays for this coming year as I would be interested and will happily recommend these to my friends. Keep up the good work (and have a good rest)
N.Elliott, England, October 2008 |
I cannot praise you both enough for your care and consideration for us all. The way you transported us to all the venues with stools, easels and umbrellas was fantastic. It was much appreciated especially by an “oldie” like me, whose legs do not behave as well as they did a few years ago! You made our first week at Alghero a very worthwhile time, laying on two trips especially for us.
A. Kaufmann, England, October 2008 |
I was especially impressed by the way John and Maria organised and planned the holiday and their lovely, friendly approach and attention to every detail. Gill & Phil ensured that we got maximum benefit from all sessions. The time & effort Gill put into the one to one sessions was excellent.
F. & L. Bramzell, England, October 2008 |
Maria, many thanks to you and John for an excellent holiday. I was very stressed when I left here and feel 100% better now.
C. Bradley, England, October 2008 |
Thanks to everyone for a fabulous holiday. Didn't realise until I reached home how relaxed I was! It was so wonderful to meet you all. Hope you are all taking that Sardinian sunshine and yoga with you!
L. Bruges, England, October 2008 |
Enjoyed every minute with you and looking forward to next year. Thank you again for looking after me and taking me to various places.
J. Cook, England, October 2008 |
This painting holiday was beautifully planned in every detail, yet there was always a certain flexibility to suit participants’ wishes. The minibus excursions were varied and we saw interesting parts of Sardinia to paint in. Good food and wine at a small, well furnished hotel solely for our own use was much appreciated, as was the shady garden and patio. Our hosts were delightful.
J. Jacobsson, England, October 2008 |
Everything was so wonderful. As I said to you at the airport there’s nothing I would change about the whole week. I know we were lucky that Phil and Gill are so committed and that as a group we all got on so well but most of it was down to you lovely people, Maria and John for setting the right mood and thinking of everything. So kind of you to collect me and drop me off at the airport outside official holiday time. I owe my sister something big now for finding me the perfect holiday.
J.Elliott, Scotland, October 2008 |
I have very much enjoyed my week. Both John and Maria are very professional in their approach to organisation and most pleasant when dealing with people. The supporting staff at the Hotel was very good and indeed I would dearly return to Sardinia at another time, maybe next year, and extend the holiday visiting the rest of the island. I will also strongly recommend Bellasardinia and Carole Massey’s courses to friends. Best wishes.
G. Partridge, France, September 2008 |
I had a wonderful holiday. John and Maria are delightful people and perfect hosts. Their attention to detail and willingness to do everything possible for their guests is exemplary. Kate Stenhouse is an excellent tutor and very astute at quickly assessing the students’ aspirations and the areas where they need guidance and encouragement. Kate is also great fun and her own work is very inspiring. All in all a perfect holiday. Very best wishes.
A. Walker, England, September 2008 |
The holiday was very well organised – friendly and not too regimented. We had a lively group- good fun. The Hotel is ideal for a painting holiday, the quality of care and facilities fitted the requirements.
C. Logsdon, England, September 2008 |
We have found Sardinia and its people extremely welcoming and have enjoyed our stay at Palazzo Minerva immensely, it has been magical. The location is wonderful, the food is always good and the wine first class, it’s a good job we don’t get charged by the airline for the extra weight we have gained! It would have been impossible for John and Maria to have done more to make us welcome and provide us with hospitality, everything worked like clockwork. As always Carole’s tuition is encouraging and inspiring and Linda has come away from the holiday with improved skills. We would recommend Bellasardinia and Palazzo Minerva to anyone.
C. & L. Sedgewick, England, September 2008 |
Thank you for a most enjoyable week in Sardinia. The locations were beautiful and I learned quite a lot during the stay, particularly how to paint in watercolour in hot and sunny conditions (not something we get a lot of in Scotland). The Palazzo Minerva itself provided lots of interesting locations and the food and wine were excellent. The “icing on the cake” however was the care and attention we got from you both. Nothing seem to be too much trouble. Arrival and departures and all our excursions were well organised with everything we could possibly need to hand. A big thank you too for Maria’s Mum and Dad for their hospitality to us on our visit to their vineyard. I’ll certainly be recommending your holidays to all my friends. Remember if you are ever in Scotland to come and visit me.
Richard “Ricardo” MacIntyre, Scotland, June 2008 |
I was impressed by the help given by John & Maria in all areas, answering my queries by phone and email before the holiday and during my stay in Sardinia. Everything ran like clockwork from arrival to departure. I was pleased to find that I could draw buildings and bridges when we arrived at the chosen sites. I am very happy to say that I have two framed pictures of Sardinia in my new kitchen. My visitors are also impressed by them and the scenery in Sardinia.
D. Hall, England, June 2008 |
Both John and Maria accompanied us on all our day trips, making sure we were all OK, and John came round with water for everyone frequently.
C. Masson, Netherlands, June 2008 |
Bellasardinia was a very enjoyable holiday – very well organised by hard working Maria and John. I really feel that I learned a lot from Keith during the week and that I have improved because of the holiday. Good luck with your venture.
Evelyn Bone, Scotland, June 2008 |
I can still feel the wonderful peace and stillness of the Palazzo, and at night when I go to bed I think of it and the sound of the birds and the tinkling bells of the sheep. It was the ultimate “chill out” place, the food was wonderful, it was indeed a true Sardinian experience.
M. Hardy, England, June 2008 |
I very much enjoyed the fact that you both shared not only in our day – ferrying us around and organising our meals – but that you also joined us at mealtimes – it was as though we were a family, participating in family mealtimes. Good luck for the future, you deserve it.
J. Alderson, England, May 2008 |
You were always there to solve any problems that might turn up. And as Maria is fluent both in English and Italian we could always turn to her for translation if necessary. As you know we are both retired and the warm friendliness you constantly showed throughout the holiday was very comforting and we really felt that we were part of the family. We have been on many painting holidays all over Europe and we have never been looked after so well as we were with John and Maria.
R. & A. Meddemmen, England, May 2008 |
I was surprised and pleased when Maria rang before we left the UK to check we were happy with arrangements so far: very good customer care. During the week in Sardinia, having Maria as a translator meant we could meet and talk to local people, and enjoy proper conversations with them. A real bonus!
S. Hobson, England, May 2008 |
We got a superb taste of the real Sardinia and the group was great fun - we all got along really well, but I think that most of the credit must go to the pair of you for all your hard work and effort, which was non-stop for the whole week (and no doubt for some time before and after the week we saw!)
M. Raithby, England, September 2007 |
Maria and John, We just wanted to drop a line to express our thanks for the enjoyable and memorable day that we had with you recently, during our holiday on your lovely island. Thank you so much for your hospitality and please express our sincere thanks to your parents and brother for the hospitality they showed us also, and for making us so welcome.
We would not hesitate to recommend your trip to anyone considering a visit to Sardinia. The wine trip and the visit to the museum was extremely interesting for mere novices like ourselves! The food & wine that you and your parents provided was delicious, traditional, and plentiful, and we enjoyed every morsel!
We hope you like the photographs that Gary took and we hope to come back to visit Sardinia again.
Regards,
L. & G. Mitchell, England, August 2007 |
John & Maria’s organising skills and attention to detail meant that nothing was left to chance and so this plus their friendliness and assistance, if needed, made this holiday a relaxing experience. All I had to do was enjoy the excellent food and wine, fantastic painting practice and good company. Being an all inclusive holiday, this was very good value for money.
M. Raithby, England, September 2007 |
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