Painting Retreat
SICILY
SUN 16 MARCH - SUN 23 MARCH
2025
TWO SPOTS OPEN!
Join Me for an Immersive Painting Retreat in Sicily
Experience the beauty of Sicily through an immersive painting retreat surrounded by nature, stunning landscapes, rich history, and exquisite cuisine.
For this 3rd edition, I have chosen Borgo Del Carato, a charming country resort and spa nestled in a private park in the southern corner of the island. Once the residence of barons and Sicilian aristocracy, this stunning estate transports you to the Sicily of the early 1900s while offering all the modern comforts. Borgo Del Carato features elegant rustic accommodations, daily prepared traditional Sicilian cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, a wellness area, and a variety of extra activities, including wine tasting. We will have exclusive access to the entire venue. Please scroll down the page to view a gallery of this charming Borgo . You can also Take a VIRTUAL TOUR OF BORGO DEL CARATO!
Early-bird Prices between £2300 / £2850 (approx 3000/3900USD) and include:
workshop: 4 full-days, early start 9 am (40+ hours of group and 1-2-1 tuition) + studio stays open 24h to complete your paintings / personal work
7 nights accomodation (Sunday evening / Saturday evening)
welcome aperitivo-dinner on arrival day (Sunday 16th)
full continental breakfast (7 days)
buffet lunch / brunch (sald bar, starters, pasta/rice + soft drinks and coffee) during the days of the workshop (Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday)
5-course dinner (2 starters, 2 mains with fish/meat/vegetarian/vegan options, dessert, wine) during the days of the workshop (Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday)
dinners at the Borgo when returning from the day-trips
soft drinks, snacks and coffees (late morning/midday)
2 day-trips with private coach (to the UNESCO cities of Siracusa/Ortigia and Noto // TBC)
return transfers with shuttle from/to Catania airport to the venue at allocated times (Sunday 16th March and Sunday 23 March)
use of studio’s equipement/material (easels, tables, stools, cleaning material, jars, solvents and painting mediums)
EXTRA: 10% discount on upcoming ONLINE mentorship programs and/or private coaching (taken in the 12 months following)
Our painting studio will be set up in one of the spacious rustic halls, and for those who prefer the outdoors, there are ample opportunities for plein-air painting in the surrounding countryside. The workshop will focus on blending realism with abstract art. I will guide you through the fundamentals of realist painting to create striking portraits that truly capture your subjects, while also sharing my techniques to help you loosen up and craft flowing, abstract-figurative pieces. We will work with various media, including oils, acrylics, gilding, and mixed media. The retreat includes numerous demonstrations and ongoing one-on-one instruction tailored to your individual skill level, with over 40 hours of painting time and personalized guidance.
The retreat is structured as follows:
SUNDAY 16: arrival / check-in day. Welcome dinner
MONDAY 17: workshop starts (around 9 am)
TUESDAY 18: workshop day two
WEDNESDAY 19: DAY-OUT TRIP to the city of Siracusa/Ortigia, dinner at the Borgo
THURSDAY 20: workshop day 3
FRIDAY 21: workshop day 4
SATURDAY 22: DAY-OUT TRIP to the nearby UNESCO sites, followed by an ‘au-revoir’ dinner and drinks at the Borgo
SUNDAY 23: check-out
The studio will be open at all times and those who wish can start early and finish late.
Outside the studio you can enjoy the Wellness Area, a stroll in the beautiful surroundings, a tour of the farm, reading time in any of the cosy communal areas, and more!
On Wednesday and then again on Saturday, the last day of the retreat, a private touring coach will take us to the nearby cities of Siracusa/Ortigia and Noto, both declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We will finish the retreat with a celebratory “Wine Tasting” experience at the farm, followed by an Au-Revoir dinner.
* * * * * * * * *
EARLY-BIRD PRICES / ACCOMODATIONS
The rooms at Borgo Del Carato have been restored to a modern decor, while keeping the uniqueness and rustic appearance of typical Sicilian homes. All rooms are ENSUITE but vary in sizes/decor, ranging from extra large (Suites), to the cozy Standard rooms. There are also a few apartments with separate rooms that can be used as ‘shared’ accomodation, on request.
Price for one person occupying the room:
STANDARD (ensuite) - 2400 GBP (approx 3100USD) - single occupancy EMAIL ME OR RESERVE
APARTMENT (LIVING ROOM + BEDROOM + bathroom) - 2900GBP (approx 3600USD) - SOLD OUT
SUPERIOR (ensuite) - 2500GBP (approx 3200USD) - single occupancy EMAIL ME or RESERVE
SUITE (ensuite) - 2650GBP (approx 3400USD) - single occupancy SOLD OUT
JUNIOR SUITE (ensuite) - 2750GBP (approx 3800USD) - single occupancy EMAIL ME or RESERVE
QUEEN SUITE (ensuite) - 2950GBP - single occupancy SOLD OUT
Prices for 2 people sharing (price per person):
STANDARD (ensuite) - 2050GBP (approx 2600USD) per person - double occupancy** EMAIL ME
APARTMENT (LIVING ROOM + BEDROOM + bathroom) - 2100GBP (approx 2700USD) per person - SOLD OUT
SUPERIOR (ensuite) - 2100GBP (approx 2700USD) - per person - double occupancy** EMAIL ME
SUITE (ensuite) - 2150GBP (approx 2850USD) - per person - double occupancy** EMAIL ME
QUEEN SUITE (ensuite) - 2300GBP (approx 2970USD) - per person - double occupancy** SOLD OUT
Please note you will be charged in GBP (in an amount equivalent to USD)
20% DEPOSIT TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM/SPOT . Full balance due 65 days prior the start of the retreat
**Accompaniying partner/spouse/family NOT TAKING THE WORKSHOP pay an extra 950GBP, for accomodation/breakfast/meals/2xtrips/airport transfers. Please email to discuss options
Earlybird prices for first 8 who enroll
PRICES include:
workshop: 4 full-days, early start 9 am (40+ hours of group and 1-2-1 tuition) + studio stays open 24h to complete your paintings / personal work
7 nights accomodation (Sunday evening / Saturday evening)
welcome aperitivo-dinner on arrival day (Sunday 16th)
full continental breakfast (7 days)
buffet lunch / brunch (sald bar, starters, pasta/rice + soft drinks and coffee) during the days of the workshop (Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday)
5-course dinner (2 starters, 2 mains with fish/meat/vegetarian/vegan options, dessert, wine) during the days of the workshop (Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday)
dinners at the Borgo when returning from the day-trips
soft drinks, snacks and coffees (late morning/midday)
2 day-trips with private coach (to the UNESCO cities of Siracusa/Ortigia and Noto // TBC)
return transfers with shuttle from/to Catania airport to the venue at allocated times (Sunday 16th March and Sunday 23 March)
use of studio’s equipement/material (easels, tables, stools, cleaning material, jars, solvents and painting mediums)
EXTRA: 10% discount on upcoming ONLINE mentorship programs and/or private coaching (taken in the 12 months following)
NOT INCLUDED:
airfare tickets
transfers outside the allocated days/times
cocktails / other alcholoic beverages
extra services at the hotel (ie. wellness area)
extra meals at the Borgo consumed before the welcome dinner and/or after Check-out Day
extra snacks/drinks beside what is already included
meals outside the Borgo
entry tickets to museums (where applicable)
uber/taxi/private vehicle hire for trips other than what is included
material supply (paint, brushes, canvas/panels)
Possibility to extend and/or anticipate your stay at the hotel (please advise if that’s the case)
Closest airport: CATANIA FONTANAROSSA
Download the PAYMENT & REFUND POLICY
DOWNLOAD the PRACTICAL INFORMATION (airport, extra nights in the area, taxi/drivers, extra sightseeing opportunities)
A few testimonials from my last retreats in Sicily:
“Rosso is a brilliant teacher as well as a magnificently creative artist. I was thrilled to study with her!”
“For all of you considering this: it was absolutely a magnificient experience! Whether it was being away, being there, or being with everyone painting (and Rosso guiding), it just fostered so much creativity and adventure! So worth it!”
“I am so happy with the outcome and so much better then any of my previous painted faces, before the art retreat 🤩 I love that I gifted my self that week with all of you guys and Rosso.”
“It was wonderful and I would recommend it to anyone!”
“I treasure my memories and learning and friends from April! Thank you! ”
SOME ARTISTS’ WORK FROM PAST RETREATS:
Moments from past retreats (26TH MAY - 2ND JUNE 2024 // 7 APRIL - 14 APRIL 2024 )
foto credits: Frank Neufeld
