Immerse yourself in an unforgettable creative retreat focused on culinary and creative exploration hosted by Travel with Antonio- Bespoke Tours and global retreat leader/artist Caroline Simas. This week-long adventure offers women the important time and space to slow down, tune into the incredible beauty of southern Portugal, draw inspiration from nature, and discover/deepen your understanding and skills using watercolor and mixed media while enjoying curated Michelin star meals, wonderful wine and luxury accommodations. Every moment is curated to reignite your creativity, unleash the artist within, and invigorate your soul!

Begin your journey by arriving in Lisbon where you’ll be privately transported to a stunning property in the Alentejo region, the southern part of Portugal. There you will see and experience the overwhelming contrasts of what this 900 year old country offers, sleeping in L’AND Vineyards, a 5 star hotel blending modern architecture with nature and providing an atmosphere of sober luxury, beauty and tranquility. Set on a gentle south-facing valley, looking towards the skyline of the medieval Montemor castle, L ́AND Vineyards offers a distinctive landscape starring its vineyards, oak and olive orchards, alongside a perfectly integrated Architectural project by Promontório, striking interiors designed by Márcio Kogan, and ethereal artwork by Michael Biberstein.
During the retreat, you’ll visit World Heritage cities, historic monuments and take a deep dive into curated experiences which will leave you wondering how in the world this small territory offers such incredible travel memories!

Teaching women to discover or rediscover the artist within has become Caroline Simas’ passion. 

Whether you've just picked up a paint brush for the first time or have made art for many years, Caroline's inspirational lessons will prove invaluable. No experience necessary- all levels welcome! During this creative retreat, you'll benefit from daily art instruction in our venue’s private studio as well as outside on the beautiful property in southern Portugal.

Caroline's gentle guidance will help you look at your environment through an artistic lens, experiment freely with your ideas and become more confident in your creative practice. By the end of the retreat, you will have made lovely new friends, feel inspired, and you will return home with a personal collection of paintings to remember your incredible experience in Portugal!

• Create hand-made sketchbooks
• Experiment with the wonderful world of watercolor & other pigments
• Create loose florals, landscapes and abstracts using watercolor & mixed media
• Pursue the magic of masking fluid & mixed media with watercolor
• Color Palette Planning
• Unleashing the artist within through creative play and expression
• Gather inspiration from the world around you
• Discovering multiple ways to incorporate nature into your art
• Embracing imperfection and silencing your inner critic
• Discovering your creative voice and developing your unique style 
• Creating dimensional works using watercolor 
• Finding joy in creating “on the go” with watercolor in your travel sketchbook/journal
• ...and much more.

Monring | Arrival and pick-up at Lisbon airport. Lunch with an incredible view of Lisbon and some of its more important landmarks, which we will have a glimpse while driving to our accomodations in the Alentejo Wine Region (1h.30m drive). 

4.00 pm | Check at L´And & Vineyards (7 nights)

6:30pm | Meet in the studio for a Welcome from Caroline - Review Art Materials and Agenda + Write first journal entry + Share. 

6:30pm | Happy Hour Gathering

7.00 pm | Dinner At the Hotel | Michelin Star Recommended Restaurant | MAPA

9:30-11:30am- Art Retreat by Caroline Simas -Morning Session in the studio

12.30 pm | Lunch | vineyard picnic at the hotel winery

2.00-4:00 pm | Art Retreat by Caroline Simas -Afternoon Session

Free Time | Pool + SPA + Vino Therapy + Horse Riding + Wine Tasting + Winemaking

(all options not Included in the price)

6:30pm- Happy Hour Gathering

7.00pm- Dinner | At the Hotel - MAPA restaurant

9:30-11:30am- Art Retreat by Caroline Simas -Morning Session in the studio

12.30 pm | Lunch | at the Lake Hotel

Time? Visit Tile Making Shop in small village

2.30 pm | Afternoon Program | Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Évora

Roman Temple + Évora Cathedral + Bone Chapel 

4.30 pm | Wine Tasting Experience

6:30pm- Happy Hour Gathering

7.00 pm | Dinner

9:30-11:30am | Art Retreat by Caroline Simas -Morning Session in the studio

12.00 pm | Lunch | at the Venue/Hotel

2.00-4:00 pm | Art Retreat by Caroline Simas -Afternoon Session

Free Time | Pool + SPA + Vino Therapy + Horse Riding + Wine Tasting + Winemaking

(all options not Included in the price)

6:30pm | Happy Hour Gathering

7.30 pm | Portuguese Cooking Class + Dinner | At the Venue/Hotel

9:30-11:30am | Art Retreat by Caroline Simas -Morning Session in the studio

12.30 pm | Exit to Monsaraz

1.30 pm | Lunch

3.30 am | Visit Monsaraz and shop in this quaint and wonderful little town (white walled village), one of the most beautiful in Portugal

6.30 pm | Wine Tasting & Dinner | At Sahida overlooking the largest European man made lake

9:30-11:30am | Art Retreat by Caroline Simas -Morning Session in the studio

12.00 pm | Lunch | Charcuterie & Cheese brought to the Art Studio

2.00-4:00 pm | Art Retreat by Caroline Simas -Afternoon Session

Free Time | hotel amenities

7.00 pm | Sunset & Dinner | At 13th Century Palace w/ Wine Tasting & Dinner at Recommend Michelin Star Restaurant

9:30-11:30am- Art Retreat by Caroline Simas -Morning Session in the studio

12.30 pm | Lunch at the Venue/Hotel

Free Afternoon | Pool + SPA + VinoTherapy + Horse Riding + Turkish Bath (options not included in the price)

5.45 pm | Exit to Estremoz & Wine Tasting

7.30 pm | Dinner | Exclusive Fine Dining at a 17th Century Palace with the owner being our host

I will accompany you to the Lisbon Airport. Wishing you safe travels home. 

Until your next visit to Portugal. Até á próxima!

Sky Lake Suite 75 sqm : Patio with outdoor fire place; En suite bedroom with Sky View and integrated sitting area.

Lake Sky View suites décor creates a tasteful luxury atmosphere that seeks to achieve beauty through simplicity and small details. The décor makes use of wood and natural stone to provide a serene yet sumptuous living space. All suites have outstanding views to the Castle and lake.

SKY View Suite, Living Room with Indoor fire place, private indoor patio and plunge pool, and outside fire place | 120 sqm.

The Sky View suites, are decorated by Márcio Kogan, provide a unique experience of sleeping “under the starry sky of Alentejo”, through the opening of the bedroom ceiling. They feature a private interior garden with a plunge pool. The décor makes use of wood and natural stone to provide a serene space. 

The Hotel is an exclusive retreat that blends modern architecture with nature, providing an atmosphere of sober luxury, natural beauty and tranquility.

Set in the heart of Alentejo, on a gentle south-facing valley, looking towards the skyline of the medieval Montemor castle, the hotel/retreat offers a distinctive landscape starring its vineyards, oak and olive orchards, alongside a perfectly integrated Architectural project by Promontório, striking interiors designed by Márcio Kogan, and ethereal artwork by Michael Biberstein.

Cancelation POLICY + TERMS & CONDITIONS |

Palette to Palate - Art Retreat by CAROLINE SIMAS

in partnership with Travel With Antonio | Bespoke Tours 

DOWN DEPOSIT & PAYMENTS

1. With each booking, a 30% down deposit of the total amount is required. A booking cannot be guaranteed without a deposit. Deposits can be made by DEBIT or CREDIT CARD as well as by PayPal & Venmo, when requested.

2. The tour must be paid in full, 10 weeks before the travel date. If you book within this time, the total balance is due at once. If the Tour fees are not paid within this timeframe, the down deposit will be forfeited.

REFUND POLICY

All reservations will incur a 10% non-refundable fee per person. Once paid in full, the tour is 50% refundable if the cancellation request is made prior to 8 weeks of date of departure. If a cancellation request is made after, no refund will be issued. This is due to the strict booking policies for hotels & transportations.

1. All additional services or products requested at the Hotels part of the Travel With Antonio tour itinerary, which do not fall within the agreed accommodation services, are the sole responsibility of the person/persons who requested them.

2. Also, if there are any unforeseen circumstances, where any of the scheduled visits or activities are not able to take place, Travel with Antonio will provide for equivalent options, with the same quality and price range.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The above policies are strictly enforced due to logistical partners in-country and reservations made with local hotels and providers. Travel with António will be exempt from compliance or liability to its obligations resulting from the cancellation, delay or deficiencies in its performance of the agreed tour services caused by events beyond its control (“Force Majeure Event” please see our website for Force Majeure definition).