Cinque Terre Retreat

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Overview

Cinque Terre Retreat
Cinque Terre, Italy
Oct 2 - 7, 2025
Painting Holiday Italy image
Painting Holiday Italy
€2,250
Deposit: €600

About your trip

Explore the magnificent Cinque Terre region on a fantastic artistic retreat. Monterosso al Mare its the perfect location for exploring the colourful buildings, coastal scene and atmospheric sunsets through the eye of an art, whilst soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the classic Italian ‘La dolce vita’ life-style, with relaxed meals and aperitivi. After your painting sessions, there is time to explore the coastal towns and walks, as well as relaxing on the beach. This retreat is a creative experience with a truly personal and luxurious touch.

About the course

You can expect to learn:

  • how to use value studies and the value map system
  • Develop compositions
  • Colour theory and value maps
  • Colour theory and value map relationships
  • The principles of drawing and painting
  • Techniques and developing atmosphere and mood

At the end of each session, the tutor guides the students further through critique and agreed targets


By the end of the course, you can expect to have improved considerably and to have created a collection of beautiful paintings as a perfect momento of this artistic experience of a lifetime.

During this course you have the perfect opportunity to develop your painting and drawing skills in the relaxing and beautiful surroundings of Monterosso fishing village in Cinque Terre.

You will work with professionally graded equipment to use and a highly skilled tutor to guide your progress.


This creative experience is ideally suited for beginner to intermediate level students wishing to immerse in the creative act whilst enjoying a fantastic holiday amongst like-minded people.

Your tutor will deliver theory classes and demonstrations each morning, in order to give the focus of the day’s study. During the late mornings and afternoon, students explore and create following a brief designed to give a progression route that will empower each student to become more confident and expressive.

Course location

Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five coastal villages known as the Cinque Terre. The village is located on hills cultivated with lemons, vines and olives. Its amazing beaches, its beautiful reefs and the sea’s crystal clear waters make this small village one of the most hospitable of the Ligurian Riviera.

Accommodations

This Retreat takes place in the beautiful Villa Adriana, at the popular Cinque Terre Town of Monterosso del Mare. Located in the new part of Monterosso, just a few step from the sea and the beach in Fegina and from the well-known statue “Il Gigante”. An oasis for peace and tranquillity, Villa Adriana is immersed in a splendid garden of Palms and Pine trees. The rooms are beautifully furnished and spacious with a focus is on providing tranquillity. Wifi and modern amenities are available in all rooms and throughout the hotel. Bicycles are available for hire for free and parking is also available for free at the hotel.

Meals

Breakfast and dinners will be taken at Villa Adrianna’s restaurant, which also has outside and terrace seating. The cuisine is Italian as well as International with a focus on a healthy menu based local fresh ingredients. Different dietary needs are catered for and several choices are available each day. Beverarges are not included in the half-board price, which includes breakfast and dinner. If you are vegetarian or have dietary issues please ensure that this is stated on the guest registration form at the time of booking.



Breakfast 7:00-8:30 am

Lunch Break 12:30 pm

Dinner 19:00 pm

Nearest airports

  • Milan Linate
  • Pisa
  • Genoa
  • Bologna Giuglielmo Marconi
  • Florence

By train:

  • from Pisa
  • Bologna
  • Florence

Transfers: Taxi services can be arranged from Monterosso Train station (500m distance) Genoa and Pisa airport by the Hotel. Please contact with us if you wish to arrange pick up at either of these locations.

Daily Schedule

7:30am-8:30am Breakfast


8:30 am: Instructor meets you at reception, then it will be a walk to the
painting location, all materials needed will be supplied, but you may need to
take spending money for coffee breaks etc, some sunscreen and appropriate clothing for the day.


12:30: end morning workshop. However you may wish to continue working or return to B+B.

Lunches are not included in this course and guests have the opportunity to eat at a location of their choice after the morning painting session or use the time to explore more on own accord.


15:00-17:00: Workshop continues at morning location. Those who have finished work can be given a new task by the instructor. Review of work . (times variable according to location and daily program


19:00: Dinner at Villa Adriana


The schedule may be subject to change due to weather, seasonal festivities and other reasons beyond our control.


There are 4 days of intensive tuition included. On the last evening before your departure, there will be a review of the group’s work and an aperitivi to celebrate before your fare-well dinner.

What to pack

Comfortable casual clothing and sensible shoes for walking, sandals, for the summer and comfortable shoes for when we are out and about all day. It rains even in Italy, and at times heavily. A rain coat, umbrella, layered clothing, a hat and long sleeves for sun-protection are recommended.Adequate clothing for painting, clothes may get stained. Aprons will be provided.

Spring/Autumn: Days are usually mild and sunny but it can be cooler in the mornings and evenings. We recommend layers and a raincoat as well as a jumper.


For Groups: If you are wishing to book a tour with your painting group, we are happy to arrange a specific course of your choice for you. Group discounts apply. Simply contact us with your requirements.


Non-painting partners are welcome at reduced rate and can join us on all our trips and excursions.

What's included

Accommodation

5 nights with breakfast and evening meals (lunch not included)

Tuition and program

Mornings and Afternoons study with critique of your work in the evening

Materials

Winsor and Newton watercolour paints, Kolinsky sable brushes, drawing equipment, including watercolour sketchbook

Guided tours

of the Cinque Terre towns visited on this retreat

What's not included

Train

Cinque Terre Train fares

Drinks

not included in description

trip insurance

airfare

Thursday, October 2nd

Thursday, October 2nd image

Day 1 - Arrival and Course Orientation

3pm  onwards Arrival


early arrivals can store their luggage with reception and explore Monterosso or relax in the gardens, etc


6:30pm - Meet and greet in reception at Villa Adriana, followed by course orientation and welcome drink.


7:30 pm dinner

Friday, October 3rd

Friday, October 3rd image

Day 2 Monterosso al Mare

· 7:30pm - 8:30 am Breakfast


· 8:30 am Morning Tutor led Painting Demonstration at the studio or terraces


· 10 am student practical painting exercise in Monterosso with tutor


· 12:30 pm Lunch in the piazza


· 2 pm- 3:30 pm Afternoon Tutor led demonstration

  with Student practical painting time followed by critique


· 7 pm Dinner


· 8:30 pm - 10 pm Tutor Lead Watercolour Demonstration on techniques and 

  practices

Saturday, October 4th

Saturday, October 4th image

Day 3 Riomaggiore

7:30 pm - 8:30 am Breakfast


8:30 am Morning Tutor lead Painting Demonstration in the studio 


10 am practical painting exercise in Riomaggiore with tutor


1:00 pm Lunch in the piazza


2 pm- 3:30 pm Afternoon Tutor led demonstration

  with Student practical painting time followed by critique 


3:30pm free time for exploring Riomaggiore or continue painting 

   

7 pm Dinner


8:30 pm - 10 pm Tutor Lead Watercolour Demonstration in the studio

Sunday, October 5th

Sunday, October 5th image

Day 4 Vernazza

· 7:30-8:30 am Breakfast


· 8:30 am Morning Tutor lead Painting Demonstration in the studio


· 10 am student painting excursion and tutor-led practical exercise in Vernazza


· 12:30 pm Lunch in the piazza


· 2 pm- 3:30 pm Afternoon Tutor led demonstration


· with Student practical painting time followed by critique


· 7 pm Dinner


· 8:30 pm-10 pm Tutor Lead Watercolour Demonstration in the studio

Monday, October 6th

Monday, October 6th image

Day 5 Corniglia & Manarola

· 7:30 pm - 8:30 am Breakfast


· 8:30 am Morning Tutor lead Painting Demonstration at the Monastery


· 10 am student practical painting exercise in Monterosso with tutor


· 12:30 pm Lunch in the piazza


· 2 pm- 3:30 pm Afternoon Tutor led demonstration


followed by independent un-supervised Student practical painting time-time or exploration of the town and relaxation


· 6:15 pm Review and Celebration of Work


· 7 pm Dinner



Tuesday, October 7th

Tuesday, October 7th image

Day 6.- Departure

· 7:30 am – 9 am Breakfast


· 11 am - Check out

About your organizer

Curated Art Retreats and Painting Holidays throughout Italy.

Reviews

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