WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• One week on the gorgeous East coast of Sicily with fabulous views of Mount ETNA.

• Tuition from a qualified artist in a small group.

• Art materials

• Art equipment

• 7 nights SINGLE ROOM accommodation.

• All restaurant meals with wine at dinner included (except on the free day) OR breakfast only option.

• Local transportation to painting sites.

• Beautiful excursions to Taormina, Catania, Ortigia / Syracuse and Acireale.

• Entry to the Greek Theater of Taormina.

  Important: You must be able to walk at a normal pace on our outings.

  PRICES are per person: £175 booking payment + remaining balance below paid 90 days before Day 1 or less if booking late:

  EVERYTHING LISTED INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY.

  You are coming on your own. Ensuite Room in Single Occupancy:

• £1890 for the week. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS INCLUDED (except on the free day).

• £1590 for the week: BREAKFAST ONLY. (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).

  You are coming with a PAINTING friend or partner. Shared Ensuite Room in Double Occupancy (two single beds):

• £1590 per person for the week. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS INCLUDED (except on the free day).

• £1290 per person for the week. BREAKFAST ONLY. (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).

  You are coming with a NON-PAINTING friend or partner. Ensuite Room in Double Occupancy: Single occupancy price + Non-Painter price.

• £1890 for the week (painter) + £945 (non-painter). ALL RESTAURANT MEALS INCLUDED (except on the free day).

• £1590 for the week (painter) + £845 (non-painter). BREAKFAST ONLY. (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).

  Not included: Travelling to Sicily accommodation, personal travel insurance, city tax (+-£3/n). Visiting Mount Etna is optional (not included).

Painting holiday in SICILY, Italy.

Schedule:

Day 1: Arrival day. Welcome with wine and snacks. Introduction to this painting holiday in Sicily.

Day 2: Late morning. Breakfast. Each guest wishing to have individual time with the tutor will be able to discuss personal artistic expectations. Then the group will have lunch. In the afternoon, you and your group will be off to authentic Catania to paint. Catania is the second largest city of Sicily, after Palermo. It was founded in the 8th century BC and became one of Italy’s most important artistic and cultural poles from the 1500’s into the Renaissance period. A magnificent example of its baroque architecture can be found in its old town (protected by Unesco). Group dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Breakfast. In the morning, we will be off to paint Castello URSINO. Ursino castle (castle of the bear) is in the heart of Catania. It is also called Castello Svevo di Catania. Built in the 13th century, it was a royal castle of the Sicilian Kingdom. Used for many years as the seat of parliament, it is today a museum. After painting this beautifully upkept castle, we will have lunch in Catania and a free afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4: Breakfast. Day excursion to fabulous Taormina. The great beauty of this area has made it a fantastic tourist destination for the past 50 years. We will visit the village of Taormina (inhabited by the Greeks 734 BC) and will sketch and paint at the Teatro Greco (Greek Theater). This ancient theater is the second largest of its kind in Sicily, with a diameter of 120 meters (390 ft). The other being in Syracuse. The theater was built in the third century and is in recent times frequently used for concerts, operas and theatrical performances. You will be awed by its direct and fabulous view of Mount ETNA in the background!

Day 4: Breakfast. Free day. There are many beautiful places to see in the area, so you will most likely have plenty to do to keep yourself busy. What a great opportunity to take a tour of Mount Etna (optional, not included).

Day 5: Breakfast followed by a train ride to Syracuse for a day trip to beautiful Ortigia. This ancient city built by the Greeks 2700 years ago is known for its rich history and architecture. It is also the great mathematician and engineer Archimedes’ birthplace. Syracuse is protected by Unesco as a World Heritage Site and is also mentioned in the Bible. It goes to prove how far back this city’s heritage goes! Group and tutor will be enchanted by Ortigia’s narrow streets, beautiful sea side areas, Santa Maria delle Colonne Cathedral and much more. The group will either paint fishing boats at the charming port of Ortigia, or at the Temple of Apollo. The Tempio di Apollo is the oldest in Sicily and dates back to 570 BC. Further exploration during free time in Ortigia for those who like to walk are: Castello Maniache and Piazza di Archimede.

Day 6: Breakfast. Free morning. Afternoon painting spent working on unfinished paintings. Lunch and Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7: Free morning, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon painting outing at the lovely town of Acireale, a lovely coastal city at the foot of Mount Etna. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8: Departure day. Breakfast and goodbyes.

Mobility: If you are generally relatively fit, you can skip this part.

Test: I can walk 20 to 25 minutes and climb one or two flights of stairs without it being strenuous.