For centuries artists and writers have created sketchbooks and journals inspired by Italy’s rich culture, physical beauty and history. Through direct observation and engagement with the natural landscape, architecture and culture of daily life of Tuscany and its surrounding regions, students will record their impressions and create personal travel journals that capture the “zeitgeist” (spirit) of Tuscany. We will explore a variety of writing, sketching, and mixed-media techniques, both traditional and experimental, to help students find their personal voice. Using Siena as our base, we will visit nearby hill towns and larger urban cities to provide inspiration and context for the Tuscan Travel Journal.