Day 5, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

SOLD • “Villa with a View” ©2014 Niki Gulley • 10″ x 8″ Textured oil painting
Day 5, Cinque Terre Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 

On our fifth day in Cinque Terre, we visited the final town of Manarola. Opting to leave our paint gear and just be tourists for the morning, we joined the photographers in exploring the town and grabbing a light lunch.

“Crescendo,” Manarola ©2014 Scott Williams • photograph

That afternoon we opted to paint this picturesque Italian courtyard, keeping our composition simple for a quick, fun and colorful study. That evening we gathered for another delicious dinner!

 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
***
We’ll be returning to Cinque Terre next fall (2026) with an exciting new Art Trek! If you’re interested in joining us there or one one of our other workshops, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

 
 

 

Visiting Vernazza, Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

SOLD • Vernazza ©2018 Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″ Textured oil painting
 
Cinque Terre Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 4 – Vernazza
 

When we arrived in Vernazza, the photographers and tourists took off exploring the town and scenic overlooks above while the painters set up their easels near the harbor to capture the beautiful golden late afternoon light. Right after sunset, Scott took the photographers to shoot the dreamy blue light and glow of the city colors. I painted the small sunset below and the other painters went shopping. Later, we all met up for a delicious dinner of locally caught fish, pastas and regional wine. Full and happy, we rode the train back to Monterosso and crashed that evening after a fun-filled day.

Vernazza Sunset ©2018 Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″ Textured oil painting
 
“Safe Harbor,” Vernazza ©2014 Scott Williams • photograph
 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
***
***
We’ll be returning to Cinque Terre next fall (2026) with an exciting new Art Trek! If you’re interested in joining us there or one one of our other workshops, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

 

 

Monterosso Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Morning Overlook,” Monterosso ©2014 Niki Gulley 
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ oil painting
 
 
Cinque Terre Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 3: Monterosso and Cornelia
 

After a busy day in Riomaggiore the day before, our painters stayed closer to home and painted this beautiful harbor in Monterosso. The photographers and tourists spent some time exploring our town and then took the train to Cornelia, where they shot and shopped in the village perched highest of all the Cinque Terre towns.

Later that afternoon, we reconvened and stopped by a local winery to sample their whites, reds, limoncino and regional delicious dessert wine, Sciacchetrá.
 
***
We’ll be returning to Cinque Terre next fall (2026) with an exciting new Art Trek! If you’re interested in joining us there or one one of our other workshops, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

 
***
 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com. 

Cinque Terre, Italy Plein Air Painting / Photo Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

“Peaceful Courtyard” ©2019 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 12″ x 9″ oil painting
 
Cinque Terre Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 1: Monterosso / the 5 Village Hike
 
We were greeted in Cinque Terre with gorgeous sunny weather, so the photographers and tourists headed out on our first morning on the 5 mile scenic hike high above, linking the five cities of the Cinque Terre, taking in breathtaking scenery along the way. With our paint gear, we opted to stay in Monterosso and capture this beautiful quiet courtyard, with its soft dappled light and lovely plantings.
 
 
That evening we connected with the hikers and enjoyed a delicious dinner of fresh caught seafood, local pesto and pasta, and tasty Italian wine. A great end to a perfect first day!
 
***
 
Good news – we’ll be returning to Cinque Terre next fall (2026) with an exciting new Art Trek! If you’re interested in joining us there or one one of our other workshops, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

***
 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 

 

Painting Vineyards in Tuscany with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

Ok, painting in a vineyard is pretty much the dream! Got to set up my easel right between the vines, and the owner even brought over some wine to ‘help with the creative process’ (his words, not mine! ?). These are the days I pinch myself.

18″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
by Niki Gulley 
 

For details on more of my Tuscany and Italy paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
***
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us in Tuscany or on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Croatia / Slovenia Art Trek 

May 2026 

 

Tuscany Foodie Trek 

September 26 -October 3 / 2026 

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/ 

 

Cinque Terre Art Trek 

October 4 -11 / 2026 

https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

“Cypress Serenade” Art from the Tuscan Countryside by Niki Gulley

   

 
“Cypress Serenade” ©2025 Niki Gulley 
9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
I painted “Cypress Serenade” recently on location in Tuscany. I’ve always been attracted to this lone grouping of cypress trees and on this day the clouds in the sky were so fascinating. Hugging so close to the ground, soft and voluminous, acting as the perfect backdrop behind the cypress grove, I had to capture their drama before they disappeared. Wildflowers blooming in the foreground set the stage and I decided to have fun by repeating those colors throughout the scene, adding to the excitement and energy of the moment.

***

 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Full
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
September 20-27, 2025
Just 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025

 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

 

 

***
 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
***

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

 

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
SOLD • by Niki Gulley 
 
Just Sold! During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, I set up my easel at this breathtaking overlook while the rest of our group visited wineries and toured the town. I could just imagine what it would be like living in that villa with those spectacular views. And, I even got to meet the homeowners who were based out of Austin, TX of all places and they confirmed my suspicions of just how fabulous it is staying there!
 
After lunch, we visited a winery nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. Full from the local meats and cheeses and tasty red wines, we headed back to the villa for a quiet night of relaxing and soaking in the evening scenery.
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Foodie or Art Treks, please let us know.
 
 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
***
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us in Tuscany or on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Full

Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
New Date – September 20-27, 2025
Just 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

Visiting Siena Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams on their Tuscany Foodie Trek

  

 

“Duomo,” Siena ©2024 Niki Gulley 
5″ x 7″ oil painting on panel
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2:  Siena, Italy
 
During the Foodie Trek that my husband and I led in Tuscany, we headed to the Medieval hill town of Siena, with its incredible church, great people-watching plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the Campo with something new to discover around every turn. 
 
While most of our group toured inside the Duomo, I chose to set up my easel and capture it’s impressive facade. Beautiful pink, green, white and black marble are stacked in such intricate patterns, it’s impossible to capture on a 5″ x 7″ canvas but I was able to at least suggest some of those colors and its scale, while showing the energy around it with people bustling in every direction.
 
 
That evening we enjoyed a delicious dinner with  pasta doing the backstroke in truffles and pecorino cream while sharing our experiences. What a fantastic day!
 
 
 

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
***
 
 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Full
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
September 20-27, 2025
Just 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025

 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

 

 

 

“Olive Grove” from Tuscany by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

“Olive Grove,” Tuscany ©2024 Niki Gulley 
10″ x 20″ textured oil painting
 
During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montalcino to sample some of Italy’s world famous Brunello. On our way, we stopped at this beautiful convent with massive ancient olive trees growing on the grounds. In the distance, you can see the nearby hill town with vineyards and more olive groves lining the hillside. I wanted to capture the beauty of those regal olive trees on a beautiful sun-filled day in Tuscany.
****
 
 
Or, to purchase “Olive Grove,” click here: nikigulley.com/olive-grove/.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

 

 ***

 
 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Full
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
September 20-27, 2025
Just 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025

 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Visiting Vineyards and Wine Tasting with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

SOLD • 20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 
by Niki Gulley
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 4: Wine Tasting in Montalcino
 
Just sold! Today we visited the nearby hill town of Montalcino and sampled their famous Brunello wines. The vino was beyond delicious and the spread of homemade bruschetta and local meats and cheeses were paired perfectly. Stopping off along the way, we toured an ancient Monastery that feels so spiritual in its divine simplicity that everyone found it a highlight of the trip.
 
In the above painting you can see this beautiful abbey in the distance, surrounded by grapevines, olive groves and cypress trees. Signs of fall appear as the colorful vines turn vibrant shades of crimson. Setting up my easel across from this vineyard, I began recreating the soft light that would break through the clouds and illuminate various hilltops and plantings. I arranged the vines to lead your eye back to the church and the beautiful countryside. I hope you can taste the delicious wine and escape to Tuscany with us!
 
 
 
***
 

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us in Tuscany or on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Only 1 Spot Left!
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
New Date – September 20-27, 2025
Just a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.