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Painting Holiday in Emilia Romagna

Highlights

  • Be constantly inspired by the surrounding artworks on display
  • Includes all tuition, materials, meals and airport transfers from Bologna
  • Art studio on the grounds which you can access and use at all times
from £1500 pp
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7 nights

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What you'll do

Overview

Come and join this unique 7 night painting holiday in the foothills of Italy near Bologna in the region of Emilia Romagna; you will be spoiled in a lovely art retreat, free to roam the many countryside paths and see what captures your eye to serve as your painting subject each day.

Dates 2025
May 20-27
June 17-24
July 15-22
September 4-11
October 2-9

This charming rural painting holiday offers a very unique experience with beautiful accommodation that has been designed to relax and inspire you and your creativity. Step away from the hectic pace of daily life to explore all mediums of painting among the foothills of the Apennine mountains of Emilia Romagna, Italy.

This stunning area is lush, green, and tucked into a national park, where you’ll not only be inspired by your natural surroundings, but also by the colourful locals, rustic architecture, and furry friends, farm animals, birds, and butterflies that frequently stop by to visit.

As well as learning the basics of sketching and painting, this holiday is a real opportunity to develop your creative instincts and to take in the captivating Italian landscape, villages, people, animals, and culture.

You will have the chance to sketch and paint at your own pace while mastering new techniques that you want to specifically learn. The possibilities are endless here, and the art teacher is always there for private 1 on 1 sessions, as well as group tutelage and demonstrations.

You’ll dine outside in the lovely gardens with your new like-minded friends, discuss the day, and perhaps plan some excursions for the new day ahead.

Accommodation is set the artistic house with spacious rooms in self-catering apartments, surrounded by art work. Each apartment has a well stocked kitchen so people can have breakfast when they like out on the balcony as they take in the gorgeous views. However, you will most likely be drawn outside to the peaceful gardens and gazebos calling you to paint within.

There is no extra charge for a single supplement on this tour.

Nearest airport:
Bologna (1 hour 20 minutes by car)
Milan (2 and a half hours by car)

Pre-booked transfers:
Transfers are included in the price from Bologna airport to your accommodation.

The included transfers are planned to coincide with flights arriving before noon , and departing after 11:30 am, from Bologna so please bear this in mind when booking your flights.

Arrival Day

Please arrive at Bologna by midday if you wish to make use of the shared complimentary transfer to Bedogno.

Pheona will welcome you to her home, Casa Appennino, which is in the small hamlet of Bedogno. It overlooks vineyards and orchards at the back and has breathtaking views of hills and mountains all around.

Bedogno itself is very picturesque little village and the local town of Villa Minozzo is within walking distance (10 minutes). In Villa Minozzo there are shops, banks, Post Office, several restaurants, cafes and bars, supermarket, open-air swimming pool and sports facilities.

The house caters for about 6 guests.  The two upper floors are self contained apartments, each with two spacious twin or double bedrooms, a large sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and south facing balcony with wonderful views.   If you are single you will be allocated a twin or single room, but there may be up to two other guests in the apartment.

 

 

Typical itinerary

Each day starts with breakfast – you will be provided with breakfast items which you can eat on your terrace, balcony or out in the garden if you wish.

Fresh items fruit, bread etc are purchased daily please feel free to let Pheona know your preferences.

Tutored painting sessions are from about 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm, however, everything is flexible here – the studio is open all day, and Pheona is always around to help you.

Rather than have set courses each week, your painting holiday is tailored to suit you and you choose exactly what you want to learn or do.

When you arrive you’ll have a chat (and perhaps you have brought some photos of your work with you) and then you’ll design an individual but flexible ‘course plan’ for you with your host.

Of course, you can also just take each day as it comes and just enjoy being creative, relax in the gardens or visit some picture perfect Italian towns and villages.

You learn and create best when relaxed and enjoying yourself so you’ll find that the beautiful environment, the personal attention and the company of like minded people all contribute to you being able to be at your most creative.

Every Thursday is market day, so be prepared to head out to get the best of local delicacies, or take some pictures for inspiration.

Lunch and dinner are taken together in the outdoor dining area or else indoors after September

We offer as many locally produced products as possible. This area is famous for it’s traditional Italian products and recipes and you can enjoy these at your lesuire.

You can have breakfast whenever you wish in your own apartment choosing from a variety of breakfast foods.

Ingredients and dishes are local.  Many are the speciality of the area like parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, porcini mushrooms, pasta dishes and wines.

We’ll also go to a local trattoria one evening

All wines and drinks are included.

The Large gardens are filled with art, gazebos, hammocks, and spots for you to work on your art and the fully equipped art studio is ready for you to use any time of day or night

Examples of subjects you might choose to explore:
– Learn how to paint in watercolours
– Learn to paint with acrylics or oils
– Landscape painting
– Portraiture
– Life drawing and painting
– Exploring different techniques in different mediums
– Exploring the styles and techniques of different artists
– Abstract art
– Understanding perspective
– Drawing and painting animals
– Composition
– Sculpture

 

Departure Day

After breakfast you will leave for the airport. Arrivederci – we hope to see you again soon.

What's included

Included

  • Airport transfers to and from Bologna airport (please aim to arrive around midday at Bologna airport, you will depart for Bologna airport at 8am on the last day)
  • 7 nights accommodation in a private bedroom in a shared apartment
  • Prices are person and there are no single supplements for solo travellers
  • All of your meals with wine and beverages
  • Daily morning and evening art sessions and personalized tuition
  • All art supplies needed during your holiday
  • All cultural excursions
  • A meal out at a local trattoria

Accommodation

Apartamento Botticelli & Michelangelo

Accommodation at the house has been thoughtfully planned out to inspire you and each room focuses on a different Italian artist. You will find about 100 different works of art displayed throughout the house and within each room. The apartments within the building are all self serving and spacious, and there are also common areas, such as kitchens and a lounge with a television, if you should decide to come in and lounge with a cup of tea.

The ground floor is named after the great Italian painter Caravaggio.

Here there is a double room with private shower room and a single room with ensuite shower room.  The showers have level access.  There is a lovely living room to relax in and it is easy to reach the studio and garden.

There is a small kitchen area at the back of the house for teas coffees and snacks.

The first floor is called 'Apartamento Botticelli' as it has a mural (2m x 4m) of Botticelli's 'Primavera' in the lounge. A unique chance to live with, and get to know, this wonderful painting. The original is in the Uffizzi in Florence and the mural is the same size as the original.

There are two twin bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, shower room and south facing balcony with beautiful views over the mountains,  so you have plenty of living space.

The top floor is named after the great Michelangelo and there are copies of some of his famous paintings and sculptures for you to appreciate.
There are two bedrooms, one double and one twin.  Then a living room, shower room, kitchen and south facing balcony with beautiful views over the mountains.
All the rooms are the same price, if you have any preference please let us know at time of booking and your host will try to accommodate your needs if possible.

On arrival your host will discuss what you would like to do during the week in terms of your art creations and also other day trips and activities.

Excursions will be planned upon arrival by the will of the group, and could be dependent on seasonality for opening times, here are some examples:
- The Bismantova Rock (a grade A World Heritage site)
- Rock pools and waterfalls
- Carpineti Castle
- A trip to the local market
- A local latteria where they make parmesan cheese
- Chairlift ride to the top of the mountain ridge for beautiful views over Tuscany in one direction and Emilia Romagna in the other
- Visits to the towns of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Your local host

Pheona

Host and art tutor Pheona has been practicing art in all mediums for over 30 years now. She has now made hosting and art her life in a secret pocket of Italian paradise well off the tourist trail in the region of Emilia Romagna. Aside from personal lessons and group tutorials, she will be whipping up delicious meals of regional favourites using the best ingredients this gastronomical area has to offer.

Pheona is Scottish and studied at the Glasgow School of Art in the famous Rennie MacIntosh building. As an art student, she taught part time (in the art school) to finance her studies, and has since been a professional artist specialising in portraiture and figurative painting, although her first love is sculpture.

Before set... Read All

Host and art tutor Pheona has been practicing art in all mediums for over 30 years now. She has now made hosting and art her life in a secret pocket of Italian paradise well off the tourist trail in the region of Emilia Romagna. Aside from personal lessons and group tutorials, she will be whipping up delicious meals of regional favourites using the best ingredients this gastronomical area has to offer.

Pheona is Scottish and studied at the Glasgow School of Art in the famous Rennie MacIntosh building. As an art student, she taught part time (in the art school) to finance her studies, and has since been a professional artist specialising in portraiture and figurative painting, although her first love is sculpture.

Before settling in Italy, Pheona worked for Strathclyde University developing fast track learning courses in art at undergraduate level for 20 years and has also taught for other further education establishments including the Open College Of Arts and was Educational Advisor for Scotland for Windsor & Newton.

Pheona image

Location

Stay in this artistic oasis in the foothills of the Apennine mountains and get inspired during a week learning to paint various subjects in any artistic medium that interests you. There are beautiful gardens with secret corners, a lovely village just a 15 minute walk away, and gorgeous country paths to wander and get lost on during your week of relaxation and channelling creativity.

Please note that prices for the holidays do not include flights. We recommend using www.skyscanner.net to check flights.

Nearest airport:
Bologna (1 hour 20 minutes by car)
Milan (2 and a half hours by car)

Pre-booked transfers:
Transfers are included in the price from Bologna airport to your accommodation.

The included transfers are planned to coincide with flights arriving before noon , and departing after 11:30 am, from Bologna so please bear this in mind when booking your flights.

What our travellers are saying...

Just returned from a wonderful week in the mountains of Villa Minozzo, Italy. A great location for a painting holiday. We were a party of three. We had daily tuition on any art skill we wanted to learn about. In our case it was watercolour. Also we had really interesting visits to the local regional Parmesan and balsamic vinegar makers. We enjoyed leisurely lunches and dinners made by our host with local produce and wine. We had our own rooms in

Gillian H

All as described in the information supplied. The group worked hard throughout the week. Pheona provided tutoring 6 hours each day, responding to individual needs, conducting structured classes with handouts for beginners and improvers and supporting those who preferred to work independently. Recommended.

H Bennett

H Sandmeier

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced painters
- Minimum age 18
- The course is mainly focused on sketching and painting
- Everything you need to create your art is available for you at the studio, all media is catered for

I'm travelling solo - can I join?

- Courses have a maximum of 7 people in each group, singles are very welcome as you'll meet others with a passion for painting and there are NO single supplements

When can I start?

- Holidays run on selected dates throughout the year
- Painting holidays are for 7 nights / 8 days
- If you wish to stay for extra nights, please email to check availability for your preferred duration and we will do our best to accommodate you

Restricted mobility access

Please find below some information regarding the accommodation and location of the holiday which may be useful when deciding if this is the right holiday for you; should you have an further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help
- The house is on three floors with two rooms on the ground floor with a shared a spacious bathroom with a normal shower
- The art studio and the dining area are also on the ground floor
- The driveway is gravel
- The gardens have rustic winding paths which are not wide enough for a wheelchair and there are areas of the garden which have steps and also flagstones
- The local town has normal paths, although they don't have ramps on the kerb as in the UK
- There are areas for disabled parking at most places
- Should a half day excursion of hiking be too active for some, your host will make sure you spend your time in a comfortable place or pick an activity nearby that may be better suited

What time should we plan our flights?

Nearest airport:
Bologna (1 hour 20 minutes by car)

Transfers are included in the price from Bologna airport to your accommodation.

The included transfers are planned to coincide with flights arriving before noon on arrival day , and departing after 11:30 am on your departure day , from Bologna so please bear this in mind when booking your flights.

What if I arrive and leave outside the organised transfer times?

For transfers outside of the agreed transfer time (8am departure and around noon arrival) there will be a €150 fee for transfers each way, payable locally.

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