Join watercolor artist Jeni Caruana on the beautiful island of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea on the South side of Italy. Jeni is an experienced tutor for all levels of artists, from beginners to advanced. She encourages everyone to challenge their boundaries and make new discoveries about their own unique expression. Whether it’s basic techniques to give a firm background, or a nudge into loosening up rigid habits, Jeni gives individual attention and inspiration to everyone in the group. The sessions are taught in watercolour, because it is so portable and easy to use on site, but the principles of drawing and colour apply to all mediums, so artists are welcome to bring whatever they are most happy with.
 
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
Instructor: Jeni Caruana
Sponsor: Salinara - Art Farm | Retreat Centre
Website, email, (+39) 339 77 57 062

Join your fun and adventurous leader Georgia Mansur on a retreat of exploration and discovery. From the interesting architecture and cultural historic buildings to the vast sweeping hillside vistas, we will be painting and sketching our impressions of this remarkable ancient hilltop village and surrounds. Whether you wish to paint en plein air or create a travel sketchbook (or both!) we will be documenting our adventures and discoveries in paint. From beginners to professional artists, there will be plenty to see and do and also lots of activities planned for the non-painting partners and friends joining you. We will be immersed in the culture of what makes Italy so special ~ art, cooking, wine, farming, family and community ~ la dolce vita!
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Georgia Mansur
Cost: €3099
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

This workshop will give you a solid foundation of techniques and tools that will help you create emotionally evocative paintings. Working with a proven approach to plan, prepare, and problem solve your way to more powerful paintings! We will employ a variety of tools – including plein air sketches, photos, your digital device apps, sketches, and color sketches — to set-up and achieve the best composition and procedure for your painting. From there we will use the process to elicit impactful artwork. Your finished paintings may use watercolor, soft pastels, oil, or acrylic – whichever is your preferred medium for painting. You will practice using the amazing Italian landscape and more. Finally, you will bring all the layers together to create the amazing paintings you envisioned.
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Terrilynn Dubreuil
Cost: €3599
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

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

Join artist David Shkolny for an amazing painting journey through the cobblestones and countryside of beautiful Italy! After eating a delicious breakfast, get revved up with some invaluable painting insights into the day ahead from David, followed by a short journey by bus to a gorgeous town. David will guide you through demonstrations and one-on-one assistance. After your hard work, saunter over to a charming restaurant for your well-earned feast of local fare. Finally, return to the comfort of Hotel Leone for a siesta, swim in the pool, or leisurely work in the painting studio! Did I forget to mention the aperitifs and the 4-course meal to follow? Imagine a whole week of this at the Hotel Leone Boutique Retreat Centre!
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: David Shkolny
Cost: €3399
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

This retreat will focus on painting beautiful portraits from life, and incorporating environmental elements in our paintings. We will warm up with head studies and some of the basics of traditional portraiture, and gradually work towards painting the figure in a landscape or interior setting. There will be many opportunities to compose dynamic paintings that include architecture, trees and gardens, and of course, the figure. Anna will work in oil, but students are welcome to paint with the medium of their choice. Anna will walk you through everything from color mixing and creating an accurate block-in, to creating harmony in your painting and beautiful edges. There will also be opportunities for plein air painting and critique sessions.
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Anna Rose Bain
Cost: €3499
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

A thought-provoking and inspirational art workshop open to artists of all levels and media (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). Nine full days of plein air painting, art history/theory lectures, touring, and gastronomy in the most beautiful area of Tuscany. Our teaching approach and groups limited to eight participants allow us to offer personalized instruction and a stimulating environment that fosters creativity. Cost of CAD 4350 (around US$ 3170) includes instruction, 9-night single or double accommodation (limited single rooms available at no extra cost), all breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 gourmet dinners including wine, transportation from and to the Arezzo train station, transportation to all painting sites (Montepulciano, Cortona, Pienza, etc.), train ticket to Florence, and a guided tour to the Uffizi Museum.
 
Location: Lucignano, Italy
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$3170
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

Join Charlotte Hamilton for an unforgettable artistic journey at a beautiful Boutique hotel nestled in the picturesque region of Le Marche, Italy. Surrounded by rolling hills, historic villages, and stunning landscapes, we will embark on a creative adventure that will inspire and rejuvenate your artistic spirit. From plein air painting sessions in the beautiful countryside to mixed media workshops in the hotel’s Art studio, each day will be filled with new experiences and artistic discoveries. Whether you’re a seasoned artist looking to refine your skills or a beginner eager to explore your creative side, this retreat is designed for artists of all levels. Join us for a week of inspiration, creativity, and relaxation in the heart of Italy!
 
Location: Montelparo, Italy
Instructor: Charlotte Hamilton
Cost: €3899
Sponsor: Hotel Leone
Website, email, +39 340 4166054

A thought-provoking and inspirational art workshop open to artists of all levels and media (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.). Nine full days of plein air painting, art history/theory lectures, touring, and gastronomy in the most beautiful area of Tuscany. Our teaching approach and groups limited to eight participants allow us to offer personalized instruction and a stimulating environment that fosters creativity. Cost of CAD 4350 (around US$ 3170) includes instruction, 9-night single or double accommodation (limited single rooms available at no extra cost), all breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 gourmet dinners including wine, transportation from and to the Arezzo train station, transportation to all painting sites (Montepulciano, Cortona, Pienza, etc.), train ticket to Florence, and a guided tour to the Uffizi Museum.
 
Location: Lucignano, Italy
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$3170
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789

Join the Venice Art Biennial 2026, Bologna and Milan Tour, a unique 10-night art history trip in Italy open to everyone, from artists and art lovers to students and lifelong learners. The cost of CAD $ 4700 (around US$ 3450) includes 10-night double accommodation in well-rated and centrally located hotels in Venice, Bologna and Milan; daily breakfast, train ticket from Venice to Bologna and from Bologna to Milan, group transportation to sites on schedule (vaporetto, taxi, subway) daily discovery walks, two-day entrance to the Venice Biennial, entrances to all museums and galleries on schedule, and the constant service of a qualified art historian guide and a logistics responsible. We offer single rooms for a supplement of CAD 1475 (around US$1080).
 
Location: Venice, Bologna and Milan, Italy
Instructor: Prof. Yves M. Larocque
Cost: US$ 3450
Sponsor: Walk the Arts
Website, email, 800-611-4789