Past Tour Testimonials
2010 Tour of the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna
“This was truly the tour of a lifetime. I’ve spent months in Italy, but on this trip I was introduced to numerous lettering and other aesthetic treasures that I otherwise would never have known about. We were treated to numerous helpings of Italian heaven thanks to Paul and Alta, both of whom know Italy very well. I can’t recommend the Legacy of Letters tours highly enough. Not to be missed!”
Lucia McCreery, typesetter and proofreader, Brooklyn
“The 2010 Legacy of Letters tour was a truly enriching and invaluable experience with regards to letterforms, typography and travel. Seeing the letterforms in their original settings and mediums was so memorably ingrained, I know that it will have a lasting effect on the way I use letters in graphic design and printmaking as art. I hope to come back for another tour soon. Grazie!”
David Hackett, graphic designer and artist, San Francisco
2000 Tour of Florence and Tuscany
“The Legacy of Letters tour was a wonderful, memorable experience. So many aspects contributed to it including the preparatory reading list, daily orientations, a small group of fellow letter lovers, and your help arranging a side trip to Bernard Berenson’s home. Normally I’m a free spirit-style tourist and find my own way, but I thoroughly I truly enjoyed being spoiled this once. Mille grazie!”
Gina Jonas, calligrapher and author of Finding the Flow: A Calligraphic Journey, Seattle
“I was on the very first Legacy of the Letters trip to Rome and was so impressed I became addicted and went on a further two tours. On each occasion the trip was enjoyable and educational, informal and serious in its scholarship. I would unconditionally recommend these tours to anyone considering going to Italy to discover more of the arts and culture than is normally available through ordinary commercial tourism.”
Richard Kindersley, lettercutter, Richard Kindersley Studio, London
1999 Tour of Rome
“The tour that I joined last year was uniquely wonderful. I found it extraordinarily rewarding to view Western Civilization through the key-hole of inscriptions—down on one’s knees examining the details of a carved serif one minute and getting through a secret vestry door to view a very special tomb the next. For me there isn’t anything more thrilling than being in the company of enthusiasts such as Michael Twyman and Messers Boge and Shaw. In short, the tour was both deadly serious and tremendous fun.”
Stephen Garrett, former Museum Director, J. Paul Getty Museum
“I took part in the Legacy of Letters Tour of Rome in 1999 and it was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done as a typographer and teacher. Paul, Garrett and Michael Twyman were expert guides, the walks were well-timed, the workshops were well-planned and the dinners together were inspiring. I met people who have become colleagues and friends and came away with knowledge I never would have attained without the tour. Many thanks!”
Jay Rutherford, Chair, Visual Communications, Bauhaus University Weimar
1998 Tour of Rome
“There’s nothing more fun than having an educational experience with other fanatic professionals who love letters; and there’s never a dull moment on a tour such as Legacy of Letters, organized by the witty and knowledgeable Paul Shaw. The tours offer a unique chance to perceive traditional calligraphy, lettering and typography as a breath of fresh air in a genuine environment. You can’t not have a great time!”
Kate Wolff, calligrapher, graphic designer and teacher, Basel, Switzerland
“I had a wonderful time with you in Rome. You did an incredible job of pulling the whole wonderful production together. I would highly recommend it to others….Not only was all of the lettering stuff fascinating, but I saw much more of Rome and in a more intimate way than I might have otherwise.”
Robin Williams, author of The Mac Is Not a Typewriter and many other books on computers and typography, Sante Fe, New Mexico
“Doing the Legacy of Letters tour in Rome with Paul Shaw was fabulous. The diversity of sights and the depth of information kept us all highly interested. We were propelled through a great era of history”
Aleanna Lüthi-Garrecht, graphic design teacher, SUNY New Paltz
1997 Tour of Rome
“As an instructor of typography and letterforms, I highly value the experience you offer of diving into the alphabet’s past in the city that has given it’s name to our capital letters. I would recommend it to anyone similarly teaching in this field. Well organized and laid out, and such a tremendously enjoyable bunch of people!”
Henrik Birkvig, Head of Department, Danish School of Media and Journalism, Copenhagen
“A very good mix of people and I really enjoyed myself. As a self-employed craftsman who could not spare time for a holiday for many years, I’m delighted to have found Rome again, and would consider coming yet another time. Best wishes and thanks.”
Keith Bailey, sculptor and lettercutter, Cambridge, England
“As time passes, the impact of the Legacy of Letters tour becomes more and more profound. What a wonderful group of interesting, talented, and just plain enjoyable people it was. You and Paul had a wonderful idea—to provide lettering enthusiasts with the opportunity to meet first hand the inscriptions so long viewed only on paper. How wonderful to have had it all come to life!”
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