Get your creative boots on!

Our new theme tour, Walking & Painting in Andalucia features plein aire sessions in the white villages and olive-planted hillsides and world class walks on off-the-beaten-tracks of the stunning Tejada National Park.


Don’t miss this opportunity to work with our special guest artist Tammy Papa - a recipient of both National and Piccolo Spoleto awards for her work in pastel and oil painting. Your week will include walks for inspiration and photography along with plein aire sessions on location in the white villages and olive-planted hillsides that date back to Moorish times. In the studio you’ll explore the importance of thumbnail sketches, value, composition, and capturing light and shadow with plenty of personal attention.

For painting inspiration, you’ll walk with our founder, Carol Keskitalo accompanied by experienced mountain leader Andrew Paterson, on off-the-beaten-tracks in the remote Tejeda National Park and parts of the ancient mule trail used to transport silk from Cómpeta to Granada. We’ll also travel to the beautiful city of Granada for on-location painting and a visit to the world-famous Alhambra Palace – possibly the most exciting and romantic of all Moorish monuments!

Where we stay is pretty special too! Situated in the heart of the southern Andalusian province of Axarquia, and on the edge of the Tejeda National Park, the recently restored AAAA Hotel Finca el Cerrillo is, quite simply, an absolute gem of a place. It’s just 30 minutes’ drive from the coast, yet feels a million miles away!

There are just twelve individually styled en-suite rooms – all south facing. The living areas include a wonderfully charming beamed lounge – kept cozy on fall nights with blazing log fire – dining room, small library and “honesty” bar. Outside, the terraced gardens, with 100-year old carob and palm trees, surround both sunny and shaded patios. The art studio is light and airy and leads onto a courtyard patio for outdoor painting and balcony views of the pretty Moorish village of Archez with its C13 Moorish tower.

The food here is superb with menus relying on fresh, local produce. On four evenings, you eat at the Finca– either in the dining room or al fresco on warm evenings – and on the remaining nights we take you to our favorite local restaurants. Wine (1/2 bottle per person) is always included throughout as are all breakfasts and picnic/tapas lunches.

The Walking and Painting in Andalucia tour for 8 days/7 nights departs on October 15, 2011 and is priced at $2,865 per person (based on two people sharing a double/twin room).
Spaces are limited on this special departure, so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment!