EDITORIAL by RASHA SAID (2007)

If you're reading this it is fair to say that you might be thinking of going on the John Hall Course. My advice is go. It's amazing. If I can't persuade you then read the rest of this eclectic mix of articles and you'll understand why you simply must go.

Upon arriving in London for the first week at the National Gallery we all found it difficult to imagine what was to come. Of course there are lots of new faces, but I guarantee that you will realise you know lots of people through mutual friends, and before long you'll be merrily chatting away on the aeroplane to Venice. During two months in Italy you will see and do a huge variety of things; looking back at the timetable it is amazing to think how we did so much. The highlights of the trip have to be the exclusive private visits to sites such as San Marco in Venice, The Uffizi in Florence and The Sistine Chapel in Rome. Miss them at your peril. Just make sure you don't get on the slow vaporetto to the bus station and end up missing the trip because you're five minutes late.

The lectures given throughout the course cover an extremely diverse set of topics and which will introduce you to new subjects such as classical architecture, opera, foreign films, distinctive literature, influential musicians and so the list goes on. The lecturers themselves are an interesting bunch with characters such as Joachim Strupp, Peter Lauritzen, Nigel McGilchrist and David Bryant. Let's not forget of course the life drawing classes with Geoffrey Humphries, a man of great reputation and stature, and photography with Sarah Quill. All in all everything you could wish for.

It is inevitable that whilst staying in Venice you will become well acquainted with the local nightspots and characters. It is also sadly inevitable that you will end up in Piccolo Mondo on many occasions. Just watch out for Albanians. The best (and I mean the best) pizza in the world is to be found at Pizza Al Volo in Campo Santa Margerita. During Carnevale the city turns into a throbbing mass of tourists and parties, which are usually to be found in the major squares, round Venice and which are well worth a look.

It's an incredible trip, with a lot to offer and if I haven't managed to persuade you to go then read on.