Frequently asked questions

At the Watermill

The Watermill is an historic building, dating from the 17th Century, and there are steps both internally and externally.

The Vasari Suite and the Ghirlandaio and Uccello bedrooms are accessible from ground level, with the odd step. The other bedrooms are on the first and second floors (US: second and third floors), accessed by internal and/or external stairs.

The painting studio is accessed by a flight of a dozen or so external steps.

The Vine Verandah in the Walled Garden, where aperitivi are served, has three stone steps leading from the Courtyard.

Painting on location

(click HERE for the typical painting itinerary)

Our transport will drop us off at lovely locations, but sometimes there will be a short walk to get to the best painting spots. The maximum walk (at Verrucola castle and village) is some 80 metres down quite a steep slope. At Fivizzano there is a walk of a similar distance, gently uphill from the lower gate of the town to the main piazza where the market is held. At the other locations our minibuses will drop you off within a few metres from where you will paint. As well as mobility, please also be certain you are able to carry what you need during your location painting sessions.

If you have doubts about your mobility, it would be wisest to bring a spouse or friend or carer who can help you.

Writers, language-learners and knitters

Will also be taken to these lovely locations for a quick tour and special lunches.

Self-caterers

The above gives an indication of steps at the Watermill

For our UK guests:

You can book your own flights to Pisa (there are good connections from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, East Midlands, Birmingham, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester and Bristol and an increasing number of other UK airports).

Or, to make life easier, you can use the services of our Personal Travel Adviser, Jan Handley, who will fix everything for you at very competitive prices. There is absolutely no obligation to use her, but if you would like her help, her UK phone number is + 44 (0)1964 626 360 and her email address is jan.handley31@icloud.com. We have found that many travel agents these days are not very helpful and are often tied to big tour operators. Jan will give you personal service.

For our non-UK guests, we suggest you book online, or use a local travel agent. Don’t forget travel insurance!

Of course you can. You can park at the mill and we'll give you full instructions on how to get here. (We haven't lost anyone yet!). We reckon you can do Calais to the mill easily in two days using the French autoroutes and the Italian autostrade and it is even more fun if you take three days and make a holiday of the journey. We recommend stops near Strasbourg and beside Lake Como if you make a three-day trip. We'll gladly share our experiences of motoring down, suggesting routes and places to stay.

No, all linen and towels are provided. There's also a washing machine for communal use, but please ask us first so we can fit you in around our laundering.

There are hairdryers in each apartment. If you bring your own, the electricity is 220V. You will need an adaptor from your system to a two-pin European plug.

In an emergency it's probably best for your friends or relatives to contact Bill on his Italian mobile: +39 327 379 9178 Or Lois at +39 328 471 3589. Or you can call our manager Karsten on his mobile: +39 347 979 3294.

If you bring your laptop you can receive emails in our reception area.

Please note that the numbers above are correct; don't add or subtract numbers to those above.

There's plenty to do and see in the area. In each apartment we provide an updated guide to the area, with lots of details about sights to see, beaches, swimming pools, restaurants, cafés etc. It also tells you about nearby food shops, markets, useful phone numbers, opening times, etc, etc.