Vacation Art Retreat
Puglia, Italy

Welcome

Experience the charm of Puglia, Italy, where you can enjoy the coastal breeze, picturesque villages, olive groves, and winding cobblestone streets.

Immerse yourself in the local culture and savor the delicious cuisine while taking in the stunning views of the Adriatic Sea.

Learn how to create beautiful works of art on the go and discover the essentials of vacation painting along with learning smartphone photography tips!

Join us for a 6-day art retreat. Capture photo references and create painting studies to bring memories of your vacation back home and into the studio. Join us for an unforgettable experience.

Come and discover the beauty of Puglia for yourself.

When & Where

Italy inspires artists with its beauty.

Join us for a week-long painting retreat through the stunning landscapes of the heal of the boot, in Monopoli, Italy!

October 14-19, 2024

With pencils, sketchbooks, and water soluble paints in hand, the possibilities are endless. Let's capture the beauty of this region together, while indulging in traditional food and wine. Book your spot now and experience the perfect blend of relaxation and inspiration.

Who is this Course
for...

The creative soul, the lovers of life and all things beautiful

01. Learn to create art on vacation

Flying with Supplies & Packing Lightly

Capture your travel memories in a unique way by creating beautiful sketches on location and bringing them to life with color. Our course teaches you how to pack with essential art supplies that are easy to fly with and carry, allowing you to create art at any moment. Open to all watermedia, including acrylic, watercolor, and gouache. Join us and embrace your creativity!

02. Leaving your big Camera at home

Smartphone Photography

Our course is the ultimate guide to creating stunning sketch studies and capturing breathtaking photography with your smartphone. The skill you learn with us will give you the confidence to create beautiful works of art when you return home. AND you don't ever have to feel that you are missing the perfect photo opportunity. With smartphone in had you will be able to capture all of your memories perfectly.

Our Collection

Meet our passionate hosts for this
Painting and Photography retreat

My name is Holly McWilliams

Painting and traveling are some of my passions. Come with me on this experience to Puglia, Italy and let’s combine our creativity with the food and culture of this amazing area.

I’ve learned to pack lightly with my art materials to better accommodate my travel experience. This enables me to set up and paint absolutely anywhere without having to lug heavy artist equipment around, making it easier to submerge myself into the environment. Let’s soak up all the experiences that traveling to a foreign place provides, artistically capture them, and bring our memories to life!

This art course will teach you how to sketch and paint on location with the easy to travel with materials of: watercolour paper, sketchbooks, drawing tools and water media. See how I use watercolour and gouache to bring my sketches to life, capturing this experience in the most beautiful way possible!

My name is Cassandra Torgerson

Join me on a journey through the charming streets of old town Monopoli, where history and magic come together. When travelling it's not always easy to pack around expensive and cumbersome camera gear. Let me show you how easy it can be to take incredible images on your smart device. With a bit of practice we will get to know the camera on your phone, learn how to use available light, compose each photo and experiment with exposure. Great photos are just a click away allowing you to bring home beautifully captured memories and amazing art references for further projects!

Let's explore all Monopoli has to offer and truly experience the essence of this enchanting place through food, art, and photography!

I can't wait to share this hidden gem of a town in my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE place on earth.

My name is Roberto Petrosillo

Are you ready to experience the vibrant culture of Puglia, Italy like a true local? Look no further! My food tours and Apulian cooking classes will tantalize your taste buds with the region's authentic cuisine, while our cozy Airbnb accommodations will make you feel right at home. As an expert on Italian cuisine and local wine, I can't wait to share my passion for Italy with you. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through Puglia and discover all the hidden gems this region has to offer!

What to Expect

Discover the beauty of Puglia with our expertly crafted itinerary. Enjoy hassle-free transportation to and from the airport. Each day is filled with unique experiences and onsite creativity. Enjoy cooking classes with Mamma Maria, to exploring the charming trulli streets of Alberobello. Lets take in all the stunning scenery all the while painting and sipping on an Aperol Spritz. Evenings are yours to explore the local restaurants and soak up the charm of Monopoli.

01.

Explore the Stunning Adriatic Sea

Let the inspiration guide you as you capture beautiful images and spend time painting with water from the Adriatic Sea. Indulge in the flavours of focaccia, rustici di carne and spinach, and sip on the classic Italian Aperol Spritz while overlooking the coastal views

02.

Visit Historic Alberobello and live like a local

Alberobello is a city in Italy that is famous for its trulli houses. It is a beautiful place that is a must visit while in the region of Puglia . Let's take a walk around the village and admire the unique trulli homes with camera in hand to capture the charm of this enchanting place. We will pause for an onsite painting break to capture the true essence of Alberobello.

Later we will experience the best of Apulian street food with Mamma Maria in the countryside. Learn to make panzerotti and enjoy a typical dinner with homemade pizza, salami, cheeses, wine, and limoncello.

03.

Discover the history of Old Towne Monopoli

Monopoli is a picturesque Italian town, rich in history and small-town charm. Its maze of cobblestone streets is perfect for taking photos of unique old doors, winding streets, and local cats!!! Let's spend time taking in the views of historical cathedrals, squares, and the famous sea wall. AND there is nothing better than finding cozy cafe to spend the afternoon painting.

04.

Let them Eat Cheese!!

Join us at sunrise for early morning walk about as the sleepy old town of Monopoli stirs. Let's get lost down the narrow winding passageways capturing photo references for indepentant painting time.

Later that day we will discover the authentic flavors of Apulia with our cheese and olive oil tasting tour. Visit traditional masserias and witness the production of mozzarella, ricotta, burrata, and more. Savor the taste of 8 different Apulian cheeses and learn about the region's rich culinary heritage.

05.

Wineries and Olive Groves

Join us for an unforgettable experience in Monopoli's countryside. Discover the secrets of making delicious focaccia at a beautiful Casale and indulge in a wine tasting of two of Apulia's finest wines - Locorotondo and Primitivo. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the olive grove and capture it with painting session among the enchanting ancient trees.

06.

Art Critique and Farewell Dinner

Join us for a memorable last day celebration and farewell dinner!

After one last day of painting in the streets of Old town Monopoli we will come together for a critique of all the amazing art we have created. discuss how they will inspire our art on our return home. Savor the delicious buffet featuring Apulian panzerotti, tiella di Riso, arancini, and more, all prepared by a private chef. End the night on a sweet note with tiramisu and limoncello, while enjoying great music and wine.