Our Guests:

With great pleasure, I look back on the painting holiday in Italy, which I experienced together with my sister. To embark on such a journey with your sister is already special, but the fact that it clicked so well with fellow students Ria and Lida, with Mieke as our teacher and Mariet as our tour guide, made it even better. First and foremost, we came for painting, and we learned a lot from Mieke about materials, the latest techniques, and a different way of seeing things.

Tips that I immediately applied at home. Working on beautiful canvases with quality paint and fine brushes was also very nice. But we didn’t come just for painting; we also wanted to see something of Italy. We stayed in a beautiful house overlooking Lake Bolsena, with a lovely garden where we could eat and paint. From here, Mariet took us to the beautiful towns of Bolsena, Marta, and Sorano, where we also painted on location. The visit to the sculpture museum of Niki de Saint Phalle was a real experience. But also the walk through/over the Etruscan path in Sorano was beautiful. But above all, we laughed a lot together in the evenings, enjoying a glass of wine and guitar music. I’m looking forward to the reunion, and when I have my paintings at home, I will often think back to this fantastic week. Thanks, Mieke and Mariet, for the good care and lessons. Greetings, Hennie de Vries.

The choice was made for Activa Bolsena, located near Lake Bolsena, and that turned out to be a good choice! Together with a friend, I painted wonderfully, and visited beautiful places, including a path from the Etruscan era. Mariet was a fine hostess, informal and kind. I learned a lot from Mieke, our painting teacher; her knowledge was extensive, and her enthusiasm was inspiring. Also, two nice fellow students made it a pleasant week. The accommodation was located on a beautiful estate with a view of the lake. Love, Ria van de Poll.

Hello Mariet, What nice pictures on Facebook, super. And… the limoncello is delicious, but not finished yet? The painting week was incredibly fun, from start to finish. From the neat pick-up in Orvieto (and bringing back) by Mieke, to the reception on the terrace in Bolsena with you, Mariet. The care was excellent throughout the week, and Mieke’s painting lessons were very inspiring and professionally set up, also fun were the new techniques we learned. Also, the excursion day to Il Giardino dei Tarocchi and the exciting Etruscan walk was wonderfully beautiful. Too bad you can’t be there, Mariet, on July 5th. We’ll have one on your health. Love, Lida Tiebie

“I was looking forward to this painting holiday, and my expectations have even been exceeded: the tremendous hospitality of Mariet, painting with and the company of the nice fellow students, the excellent guidance by artist Mieke, the walks, Bolsena, and the lake, delicious Italian food… I enjoyed everything for a whole week.” Mariet, I’ll give you the title of Joke Hermsen’s book: “Stil de Tijd” (Take Your Time). With a beautiful story about her vacation right in the area of Bolsena. If you read that, you will understand completely why this part of Italy is so special. Marina de Wit

Hi Guys, still busy with your business? I often think back to your place and activities in Bolsena. It was fantastic! I am also busy with art here, including pimping shoes, making brooches from Tyvek. Today, I played as a volunteer at the annual paper manifestation in the Middelste Molen and admired beautiful works of art. Mieke Diekman was also one of the artists, and last week she had a large stand in Berg en Bos. Have a nice time there! Greetings, Wil van As.

Hello Mariet, a bit late, but I want to thank you once again for the fantastic time I spent in Bolsena and especially with you and Mieke. This was an unforgettable vacation, one of my most beautiful, with many beautiful moments and of course, Mieke’s painting workshop. I am not dissatisfied with what I put on the canvas (I still have to finish it, but I have the beginnings). I have seen beautiful things and beautiful places. Wouldn’t have wanted to miss it. We had a nice group of people, lots of laughter, but especially thanks to your presence, we had a lot of fun, not to mention your delicious food, Mariet (I’ve already tried your pasta recipe at home, it’s not as good as yours yet!). In a word, I enjoyed it!! Well, dear people, maybe we’ll see each other, wherever. You will be busy with all sorts of activities. Good luck with all the fun things you do! Lovely greetings, also from Jan. Wanda Smith

First of all, I found the hospitality and helpfulness of Mieke and Mariet fantastic, the Bolsena area and the picturesque town are exceptionally beautiful. I enjoyed the nice group we had, especially the camaraderie, the guidance, and the care of Mieke in painting were excellent. The cozy evenings with guitar music from Hans should not be forgotten. Dear people, it was a special experience this holiday and certainly worth repeating. Greetings, Adriana

We arrived well after a whole day of traveling. We found it a delightful holiday, and your dedication, music, food, and beautiful surroundings were fantastic. Keep it up. We enjoyed it. The only downside for me was the bedroom for two people, which was so small, and we shared it, while one person had a larger room. Wishing you a good time. Best regards, Mary

Bolsena, I had never heard of it before, now I will never forget it! What a beautiful piece (historical) of Italy. Mariet took us to the most beautiful places, talked about the history, and made sure we lacked nothing. I ate too deliciously. I highly appreciate your flexible attitude; in every aspect, you knew how to make it to our liking. John and Bernadette,, thanks for all the inspiring painting lessons. It’s great that there was respect for our style. I now have even more painting fun. The combination of painting/excursions was perfect for me. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss either of them. Liesbeth Brinkhuis

Hi Mariet, Still enjoying a wonderful holiday with you; I will try to describe this experience a bit. You are a fantastic hostess, making us feel very welcome. It started with the pick-up from the airport and the welcome drink by the lake. The surroundings are so beautiful, and you know so many inspiring places! Every day we were taken somewhere else where we could paint or just enjoy the surroundings. Staying in the monastery has a special atmosphere, and in the evening, by the fireplace with a glass of wine, sometimes with guitar music where we joined in singing, we had super fun evenings. In the morning, the delicious breakfasts in the monastery garden and i the evenings, dining in friendly restaurants or you cooked (very delicious) for us. Even with special wishes and diets, you took them into account. The excursions to, for example, the hermit’s cave, the silent walk, and the spa were beautiful extras that I will often think back to. I gained a lot of inspiration and look back on a fantastic week. A recommendation for anyone who loves active vacations!! Hope to see you again and thanks again for taking care! Mieke Diekmann

Hello Mariet, Thanks again for the good care. I had a wonderful week. You had everything well organized and showed us beautiful inspiring places. I think back to this week with pleasure. I also found the stay in the monastery very special with delicious garden breakfasts and dinners and cozy evenings! I am also curious about the reaction to our exhibition. I wish you a beautiful and successful summer with many nice guests and hope to meet you again sometime! Best regards, Liesbeth

Hi Mariet, RegardingYour questions about whether we are open to selling the paintings, I think I’d rather keep them myself; they are a special memory of our fantastic holiday in Bolsena. It has really been a super week, and I often think back to it. The location was fantastic, a beautiful monastery with a superb view and a delightful garden to linger in, have breakfast, etc., and of course, the evenings with the fireplace and guitar playing. In addition, you showed us very beautiful and inspiring places, such as the hermit’s cave, in one word, fantastic. Your concerns were very good, and the combination of painting and seeing and doing a lot was very special. Thanks for everything and hopefully see you again. Warm regards, Klara Leeverink

Hi Mariet, Thanks for the program; I’m ready for such a nice holiday again. I would like to have the paintings back unless they offer a lot. I am so enthusiastic about you that I have given out many leaflets. You make such an effort to please everyone. Warm greetings from Ria