Painting in Italy

7 Nights and 8 Days Singles Painting Vacations in Puglia

Nicknamed the heel of Italy, Puglia, in Italy’s warm south, offers a charming laid-back atmosphere. The sun-baked land is dotted with fortified castles and whitewashed trulli, Puglia’s distinctive conical-shaped dwellings, and carpeted with a silvery sea of ancient olive groves. It also has an incredibly rich natural larder. The area produces most of the country’s extra virgin olive oil, excellent full-bodied wines and is famous for intensely flavoured olives, almonds and figs. Other specialities include orecchiette pasta, seafood risotto, fava beans and burrata, the supremely creamy cheese similar to mozzarella. You won’t go hungry between your painting holiday sessions here in Puglia.

Sights to savour with your artistic eye include the turquoise sea and long sandy beaches, as well as 13th-century Swabian castle, the city of Lecce’s Baroque churches, the hillside views from Specchia and Otranto cathedral’s amazing mosaic floor, the work of a 12th-century monk. There’s plenty of inspiration for sketching and painting, with help and advice from our resident tutor.

7 Nights and 8 Days Painting Vacation in Puglia

Villa Ortelle is an stunning masseria situated in the heart of Ortelle, surrounded by tradition and history. Originally a 19th century farmhouse, that has been lovingly restored in the last few years and now is a stunning mix of traditional and modern - a perfect oasis to relax. The garden has been decorated with Mediterranean plants and flowers and the stone of Lecce is as always the main feature.

Saturday

Our Flavours transfer will meet you at Brindisi Airport and take you to the villa for welcome drinks and time to relax before dinner is prepared by our local chef.

Sunday

This morning you have your first sketching and painting session with your teacher. This will include discussing the course outline, aims and expectations and getting started. In order to draw, the artist must “see” and your teacher will get you “seeing” and drawing with some practical exercises in beautiful surroundings! The session will be followed by lunch prepared by your chef. In the afternoon, you will visit Otranto, situated by the sea, with the chance to visit the famous Cathedral with its beautiful medieval floor mosaic. You will then enjoy dinner in a local fish restaurant in Muro.

Monday

After breakfast, you will head to Specchia, built on a hilltop position, characterized by noble palaces, historic churches, narrow streets and if you look below the surface you’ll find numerous “frantoi ipogei” (underground olive oil presses). You will return to the villa for a delicious lunch and then will the afternoon with your tutor to work on your technique. Dinner will be at villa prepared by your chef..

Tuesday

Today’s lesson will take place after breakfast and you will develop your watercolour and drawing skills in another painting session with your teacher. The afternoon is yours to continue painting, or to have wander to the main square in Ortelle for some sketching. Dinner tonight is at the villa.

Wednesday

You’ll be leaving after breakfast today for a day of sight-seeing, firstly to Lecce to enjoy a walking tour around the “Florence of the South”. You’ll have time for some sightseeing (don’t miss the Roman Amphitheatre or the Basilica di Santa Croce), and some shopping before lunch at a local trattoria.. Return to the villa for dinner.

Thursday

This morning, another painting lesson with your teacher before lunch at the villa. You will then have a late afternoon visit to a local town where you will have a wander and enjoy an apertivo whilst taking in the atmosphere with the locals. You will then return to the villa for dinner.

Friday

Today is your final day of drawing and painting, with time to finish off your work and relax at the villa. Later this evening, we’ll have an exhibition of your artwork to the group, followed by a special farewell dinner prepared by your chef.

Saturday

After breakfast, your transfer will collect you and return you to the airport. Arrivederci!

Painting Vacations - Sicily Dates

Vacation Includes:

• No single supplement

  5 days of painting tuition with our experienced tutors.
  Private, en-suite accommodation in our Sicilian villa.
  Visits to local towns, e.g. Modica & Ragusa.
  All meals and wine, including 2 meals at a local restaurant.

Deposit:

A non-refundable $750 deposit is required at time of booking. The balance is due 60 days before departure