4 Night Botanical Painting Holiday and Yoga

What You'll Do

Your botanical water colour painting week-end holiday break offers an opportunity to improve your artistic skills and enjoy the positive healing effects of nature. Budding artists can enjoy painting workshops led by an experienced and qualified art tutor. The painting break is suitable for the beginner and advanced artist and there will be optional daily yoga classes to relax and unwind.

Available Dates:

2023:

9-13 June, 2023
8-12 September, 2023

Your painting instructor will be on hand throughout the weekend with not only demonstrations but also to provide 1 to 1 guidance and tuition; all from the scenic riverside deck. The breath-taking views of the river, countryside, and hills, helps artists to take time out and feel more relaxed. Not only do our creative guests come away having improved their artistic skills, but they also enjoy being close to nature that is known to generate emotions such as calmness, creativity, and joy.

Your art tutor will be the gold medal-winning illustrator and artist, Toni Dade. Toni lives and works in the beautiful rural Algarve as an art tutor and Pilates instructor.

After completing a Natural History Illustration course in the 90s she continued to paint, exhibit and sell her illustrations.

Toni was awarded a Gold Medal for her exhibit ‘Seasonal Observations from the Branches of a Pomegranate’ at the 2021 RHS Botanical Art & Photography Show. Her Gold Medal award artwork is a series of six paintings of the pomegranate (Punica Granatum) through the seasons to display the life cycle of this plant.

Toni’s beautiful delicate botanical paintings are a true reflection from her careful observation, attention paid to the details and depth of colours applied to her artwork.

She has exhibited with The Society of Botanical Artists and was awarded a Fellow membership with them in 2019 and is a member of the Algarve Society of Artists.

Experience
Highlights

Get expert painting tuition from award-winning artist, Toni Dade

Enjoy 4 Nights in an amazing Algarve riverside property

Delight in delicious food cooked on property by your hosts

Daily optional yoga classes

Experience Itinerary

Arrival

We have one Faro airport pick-up at 3pm for the group.

Airport transfers at other times will need to be arranged at your own cost. If you would like to arrive earlier please contact us when booking.

Accommodation:

River House, Algarve.

This idyllic location is in the beautiful countryside of Portugal’s Algarve region, with direct views over Barragem do Funcho and the river. Nestled here is the River House, set back in the hills and surrounded by fig and carob trees, wildflowers, and pathways winding down to the water’s edge. Offering complete privacy, uninterrupted views and panoramic views, this location is not to be underestimated.

The Painting Adventure Begins

9-10am: Enjoy a delicious outdoor breakfast with views of the rolling hills

10am-1pm: Begin your first botanical watercolour painting class

1-2pm: Have lunch on the sunny terrace, soaking up some sunshine before your second class of the day begins!

2-5pm: Botanical watercolour painting class

5:30-6:30pm: Enjoy some free time at the property, or take the yoga class led by our experienced instructor

6:30-7:30pm: Drinks and an opportunity to enjoy our gorgeous sunsets

7:30-8:30pm: Al fresco dinner under the Algarve starry sky

8:30-10pm: Port and cheese on the riverside deck

Continue Perfecting your Painting Skills!

Today will follow the same itinerary as the previous day.

Breakfast will begin at 9am, and your first class will run 10am-1pm. Your second class will run from 2-5pm.

Yoga will be at 5:30 -6:30 for all those who want to join.

Drinks will begin at 6:30pm, and dinner will stat at 7:30pm.

The last day, Monday, will start with a yoga class at 10:30 for an hour , and the rest of the day is a free day that can be spent on location or you can book a trip or outing.

The accommodation has winding pathways in the garden that has easy waterside access for kayakers, paddle boarders and wild water swimmers.

Alternatively, if you would like to explore the Algarve region, your hosts am keen to share their Algarve experiences with you, as they love to explore the area, find new beaches, restaurants and activities and visit the traditional villages nearby.

Departure Day

After your last breakfast here in Algarve, it’s time to head home. A transfer back to the airport is included.

Location Information

Algarve is a beautiful southern coastline in Portugal. It’s a region blessed with glorious sandy beaches, picturesque landscapes and perfect weather.

Stay in an exceptional villa tucked into the bend of a river in Portugal’s Algarve countryside, just 15 minutes from the town of Silves. Lovingly known as ‘the river house’, it will leave you feeling relaxed, inspired and very much at home. With terraces overlooking surrounding countryside, limitless walking trails and a starry night sky, there isn’t a more idyllic place to explore on foot.

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

Nearest airport:
Faro – 35 minutes away by car

There is a complimentary transfer service from and to Faro airport offered by your hosts. On arrival day the airport pick-up will be at 3pm for the group, if you wish to take this transfer please choose flights with

FAQs

Your hosts will be lovingly preparing a variety of wholesome vegetarian dishes, that may include a couple of fish options, in their riverside farmhouse kitchen using fresh produce from the local village market. All meals are seasoned with the Algarve Portugal sea salt, Flor de Sal, known as the white gold of the Algarve that is manually harvested from clean Atlantic water.

Your hosts enjoy cooking and testing new recipes in our kitchen and guest reviews happily report their joy in discovery new healthy vegetarian meals. They have a passion for cooking and for sourcing local ingredients to produce good, healthy, wholesome vegetarian foods. Graham (one of your hosts) is an avid follower of Ottolenghi, Jamie Oliver, Bosh Brothers and the Happy Pear and many dishes stem from his chef heroes.

- Your swimming costume to enjoy the pool
- Water swimming shoes if you planning on wild water swimming
- Something warm to relax in at night
- Sun hat and suitable footwear for outdoor walking and also if you plan to visit the historical town nearby, during free time, as the cobbled roads can be slippery
- Plastic or cardboard postal tubes to take your rolled artwork home. Paper sizes provided will be no larger than an A3

Yes! There are several quiet areas on the property to enjoy and take advantage of the peaceful, tranquil, scenic surroundings. Enjoy bird watching, book a relaxing aromatherapy massage, a stand up paddle boarding lesson, fishermen can find a spot to fish anywhere around the villa or simply chill out by the infinity pool and soak up some much needed vitamin D.

The River House is also great for relaxing and is stocked with a small collection of reading books, board games and a DVD library.

The clearly signed walking route is ideal for exploring the countryside on your own and you are welcome to join the art group when they go out walking and exploring the countryside.

There is so much to discover and enjoy in the Algarve that is within easy reach. I (Cheryl) love finding places to shop, dine and explore that add a touch of authentic flavour and variety to your Algarve visit, and I am always excited to share them so that you can also experience these wonderful discoveries.