This retreat is a return to beauty. To slow mornings, sun-warmed afternoons, and the quiet joy of making something with your hands. We’ll paint, move, eat well, and linger over long dinners in the Sicilian countryside — with nowhere else to be. At our retreat home on Sicily’s western coast, creativity flows effortlessly, with every brushstroke, sip of wine, and warm conversation shared beneath the lemon trees. Whether you’re a practiced artist or picking up a paintbrush for the first time, there’s a place for you here. Let Sicily be your muse. Sicily is slow, soulful, and full of flavor. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to pause, notice, and create. Limited spots available.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Habitat Retreats - Diana
Cost: Starts at US$ 3860
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

Join watercolor artist Russel Whitten next spring for a week of plein air painting on the enchanting island of Sicily. Together we’ll explore the island’s rich history, diverse architecture, stunning landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine. Russel’s work is grounded in direct observation—painting from life rather than photographs. With over two decades of experience, his watercolors capture the intimate details that give a place its character: the curve of an archway, the play of light on stone, the colors of the Mediterranean landscape. We’ll stay at Salinara, an 18th-century villa nestled amid vineyards and olive groves near Marsala. Our gracious hosts, Yumi and Adriano, have created a haven for artists—just a short walk from the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Limited spots available.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Russel Whitten
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

We’ll start the art retreat by practicing the use of gouache paints through easy painting exercises. This will provide a good foundation for painting with gouache and help refine your painting technique for upcoming painting tasks. Participants will be guided to paint colorful botanical themes, including foliage in nature, colorful flowers and fruits. Participants will paint in the beautiful surroundings as well as indoors in the art studio using real flowers and fruits for inspiration. The painting style can be precise with bold lines or dreamy and gradient, gouache is suitable for a lot of different styles. Gouache has a matte finish when dry and is water-soluble, which makes painting fun and easy. Details can be added with colored pencils and oil pastels.
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Cost: €2999
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

Watercolor Workshop in Sicily with Amit and Megha Kapoor. Join us for an inspiring watercolor painting workshop guided by two of India’s leading watercolor masters — Amit Kapoor and Megha Kapoor. This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in art and nature, painting alongside world-renowned artists in a charming, authentic Sicilian farmhouse just 500 meters from the Sea. Throughout the week, Amit will share his signature plein air techniques, while Megha will guide you through her delicate and expressive approach to painting flowers. Both artists will offer in-depth demonstrations and provide personalized feedback, ensuring a supportive and enriching learning experience. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to elevate your watercolor practice while discovering the magic of Sicily. Limited spots available.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Amit Kapoor & Megha Kapoor
Cost: Starts at € 2650
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

Join Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling for their workshop at the stunning Salinara Art Farm in Sicily. Discover an endless variety of restaurants and cafés, blue skies and beautiful nature, joyful and welcoming people, traditional foods, and excellent local wines. There will be plenty of opportunities to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Cindy and Theresa will provide daily painting lessons, personalized guidance, and inspiring demonstrations. They’ll share techniques for sketching and simplifying your subject, playing with color and water, adding texture and composition, and enhancing your watercolor journal pages with writing and creative expression. The workshop will conclude with a review session and discussion of participants’ works. Limited spots available.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Theresa Goesling and Cindy Briggs
Cost: Starts at € 3200
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

Join Cathy for an unforgettable art retreat in the heart Le Marche—where golden hills, winding cobblestone streets, and the warm hospitality of Hotel Leone create the perfect backdrop for artistic inspiration. Each day, you’ll dive into Cathy’s signature layered mixed media botanical techniques, using the Italian landscape as your muse. You’ll learn how to build rich, expressive pieces filled with color, texture, and story—infused with the joy of intuitive painting and the magic of place. But that’s only the beginning… Your adventure includes a special botanical eco-printing workshop at a family-run weaving farm, a curated tour of three local, family-run producers of wine, cheese, and olive oil—with a delicious lunch included, and a “pizza-giro” evening at a nearby trattoria!
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Cathy Nichols
Cost: €3799
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054